The Baby

twenty nine

kalani depradine

Music blared in my ears as I pushed the stroller through the park. The weather was great and Amelia didn't seem to mind being outdoors.

My running slowed down before I transitioned to a brisk walk. The park was filled with other mothers and it was refreshing to see. I couldn't help but peak into their strollers to see what their babies look like. They all vary in size and I have to hold back from asking how old they are, all because I want to talk about Amelia.

I removed my earbuds and placed them in my pocket when I arrived at a lemonade stand. I pulled cash from my wallet and handed it to the gentleman after ordering.

"How was your run?"

I jumped at the voice that was far too close to me for my liking. I turned and saw Blake with his very broad shoulders and intimidating stare, peering down at me.

"Blake," I swallowed, processing Grayson's father being here in front of me while I was in the park. The simple fact didn't make me feel good. Every time we've encountered each other, it hasn't been good and this time Grayson wasn't going to be here to save me. He was at work. "It was good. Thank you."

"I'm happy to hear that. Does Grayson normally just allow you stroll the city alone like this?" He was following my slow walking pace while I sipped my lemonade. A crease in my forehead formed. Allow. "Anyways, your engagement party was...cute." He said cute like it was an insult and coming from him, it might be.

"Can I help you with something, Blake?" I quickly responded. Him being here in the park wasn't coincidental. He clearly was following me.

"You're not good enough for my son," Blake said the words with such causality, I almost didn't believe the way he was speaking to me. I was near to choking on my lemonade because I was in complete shock.

"Pardon?" I gulped down the lump in my throat, tightening my grip on the stroller to control myself. "Grayson can choose for himself who he wants to date and marry." It was so odd how invested Blake insists on being in his son's love life. Grayson is an adult. He's 32 years old and doesn't need his father actively controlling his life anymore. Especially since he's never previously showed Grayson the attention he wanted.

For the first time, I heard this man laugh. It was the most mocking laugh I have ever heard. "You don't get it, do you? This why we don't associate with outsiders," he muttered under his breath. "Grayson is an Astor. New York royalty with many women and men jealous of the man he is. He was the most eligible bachelor until you appeared out of nowhere and ruined it with that...that child."

He pointed to Amelia like she was the plague and it made me want to throw my fist at his face. He sounded disgusted.

"The Astor family has appearances to uphold. We cannot go around giving the Astor name to just anyone. Grayson is choosing to be a blind imbecile and I'm going to clean this mess up," he continued to speak and I felt the same way Grayson felt. So shocked beyond movement or speech. "Grayson has never felt love before and he thinks that's what this is, but it's actually an infatuation. He doesn't love you and barely even loves that child. He just needs you for him to become CEO." Blake was making me rethink everything. He was trying to get into my head, but it wasn't going to work. I know Grayson. I know his feelings for me are genuine.

I froze. My limbs went numb and I was genuinely shocked because never in my life have I had someone speak to me like this. He was speaking to me like I was below him and was this illiterate burden he's been forced to take on.

"This child is the last thing our family needs. I've done you a favour by allowing you to flaunt around this baby like a prize and allowing it to carry my family's last name. But I will not allow you weasel your way into my family. You will not destroy everything my son has built."