Selfish Mistakes

24 - The Surprise

They arrived at an exclusive resort that spelled outrageously "rich club" that had Liz feeling so awkward and out of place.  Jeremy said hello to a few guests he knew as they made their way to meet the hostess of the event.

Liz almost stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the woman approaching them.

"Honey, I told you to come at least an hour before the wedding."  Planting a fond kiss on Jeremy's cheek, the woman completely ignored Liz beside him.

"We're thirty minutes early, Darlene.  It's not like we're part of the entourage."  Jeremy pulled Liz closer to his side, his hand never left its hold on her waist.   "Darlene, meet my girlfriend.  Liz, this is the bride's sister, Darlene."

Liz wanted to bang her head on the nearest wall she could find.  She forgot that day when Jeremy and Kevin were talking on the phone in his car.  If she had remembered sooner about the wedding talk, she would have never agreed to coming to this party.

Liz tried her best to be civilized.  "Nice to finally meet you,"  extending her hand to Darlene for a handshake.  She was anticipating to be snubbed by the woman but it was an added bonus when Darlene challenged her with a glare.

"Jeremy can you wait here for a minute, I'll be back with the surprise I mentioned earlier."  And with that final boastful remark, Darlene dashed off and disappeared into the crowd to get that surprise.

Kevin approached them and gave Liz a hug as he greeted her.  "I had no idea you were coming."  He leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "Not to worry, I'll be your backup in case you need one."

Liz wished Kevin would stay true to his promise.  She has a dreadful feeling something awful was about to happen.

Darlene came back looking self-satisfied as she briskly crossed the distance while almost dragging a little boy by the hand.

"I never thought you were skillful at babysitting.  You absolutely surprised me this time, Darlene."  Kevin sensed danger while watching that smirk pasted across her beautiful face.

"For the past two years I even survived motherhood."  Darlene picked up the boy in her arms and almost shoved him into Jeremy's chest.  "Give daddy a kiss and say hello."

Liz couldn't believe her ears.  Did she just skillfully announced the kid was Jeremy's son?  She felt a big warm hand holding her arm for support, but it wasn't Jeremy who was holding her.  He was too busy carrying the little boy in his arms while trying to recover his wits. 

The little boy gave Jeremy a kiss on the cheek as his tiny voice said, "Hello, daddy."

There was no doubt that Jeremy and Kevin both looked shocked.  It was apparently a surprise for everyone.  Liz was left dumbfounded but felt relieved that Kevin was there to hold her, supporting her as he had promised.

"Darlene, can we talk alone for a minute?"  Jeremy handed the boy to a reluctant Kevin.  Leaving Liz behind without a word, Jeremy grabbed Darlene by the arm and aimed to find a private spot away from the guests to have a discussion about the little boy.

Liz was always fond of children.  And although she particularly didn't like the mother of this boy, she still couldn't resist her enthusiasm to socialize with Jeremy's child.

Kevin was torn with pity as he looked at Liz, but he saw the authentic joy shining in her eyes which left him puzzled with her reaction.  He looked into the boy's face and understood.  It was the first time he watched in amusement how Liz instantly connected with the child like an innocent little girl making a new friend.

There was also an unfamiliar comfort holding a child in his arms.  For a brief moment, Kevin enjoyed what might have been perceived as paternal instincts.  He laughed at himself inwardly, it was an absurd thing to recognize since he would never aspire to have children in his lifetime. He was far too selfish to give up bachelorhood in exchange for a boring domestic life.

"What's your name?"  Liz asked the boy with her perky eager voice.

"Aiden."   The little boy looked into Kevin's eyes and said, "I'm hungry."