The Affair (Zauren)

17

Chapter 17

It has now been a week since the encounter with Justin thankfully he hadn't tried to contact me again until today.

I kept rereading the message trying to think of a reply. Today was Brooks first birthday and he asked if I could drop the kids off at his house. My phone vibrates in my hand another message from him illuminating the screen.

Justin: Lauren, please I want to spend time with my kids.

Lauren: okay, I'll drop them off tomorrow.

I understood he missed them and wanted to spend time with them what would a couple hours hurt anyways he has proven his trust to me by getting the help he needed.

"I think everything's set," Camila says balancing the birthday boy on her hip as I stand up and we both walk outside.

We were having a small get together here at Camila's house In the backyard. A couple of blow up pool inflatables floating in the water a table towards the door had various snacks and a birthday cake sat on it. Blue balloons and 'happy birthday' decorations and a kiddie pool covered the backyard.

"Hey," Normani greets setting her present down on the table as Skylar ran over to Brylee who was scooping water out of the kiddie pool into the in-ground pool.

"Brylee, that pool doesn't need anymore water!" I yell so she could hear me. "Hey," I greet pulling Normani into a tight embrace.

"No, mommy it needs more water," Brylee says taking her pink bucket and scoops up more water struggling to carry it.

A couple more of my family and friends pile in including Ally who arrived with three gifts and Dinah who had came with Normani but snuck into the kitchen where the pizzas were.

"He's grown so much," my mom says bouncing Brooks on her hip. She hadn't seen him since they stayed at her house last time. I nod smiling over at her as I watch the kids jump into the pool and some of the moms observing the babies in the kiddie pool.

"I'm surprised you got him out of the pool, he loves the water."

"Where's Justin?" My mom asks.

Of course she had to ask that.

Before thinking of something to tell her Brylee runs over to me her wet feet leaving tracks in the cement behind her.

"Mommy can you take these off?" She asks pulling on her floaties, I grab her arms sliding them off.

"You can't get back in the big pool without them," I sternly tell her so she would understand that she couldn't get back in.

"I know," she says waving her hand at Skylar beckoning her over. "Hey mimi." She greets wrapping her arms around my moms legs who greets her back.

Brylee pulls away when Skylar latches onto her hand leaving a wet spot on my moms jeans form her bathing suit.

My mom didn't ask where he was again so I just ignored her previous question.

The two girls soon run off to occupy themselves with anything in their sight.

Brooks is now sat in his high chair with an audience of family and friends eating his cake with his hands smearing it all over his face as everyone laughs.

Soon the party was over as I bid everyone goodbyes.

"Thank you for the gifts Ally," I say pulling her into a hug before she walked out.

"You're welcome," she's says then walks out after waving bye to Brylee.

After cleaning and putting the leftover food in the fridge I plop down on the couch waiting for Zayn. He was taking some of our packed stuff to his place since we were moving in tomorrow.

Lauren: when you get here just come on in. The kids are at my moms so we have to get them tomorrow.

Zayn😍: Ok. Be there soon just left.

+

"Babe." I hear as my body shakes I squirm fluttering my eyes open I shoot up noticing it was Zayn.

I guess I had dozed off after my conversation with Camila.

"Shit," I say clearing my throat as my voice was raspier than usual. "I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"It's fine baby."

We walk to my bedroom I change into a tank top and pajama shorts and crawl into bed with Zayn snuggling up to him my body heating up as his warmth radiates off of him. I soon drift into a deep sleep as Zayn runs his fingers through my hair.

+

After Zayn and I picked up the kids we dropped them off at Justin's since we had to get settled at Zayn's.

When we arrived at his place he lead me upstairs as my hands covered my eyes when we stopped in front of a door. I heard him twist the doorknob opening the door.

"Open your eyes."

I slowly moved my hands from my eyes as they adjusted to the light shining from the window. It was a simple room for Brylee and Brooks. A crib that could transition into a bed on one side of the room and the other was a bed for Brylee. The room was all white a plush rug in the center of the room. A toy box in the corner of the room. It was simple but beautiful and definitely not for kids but I can work.

"I love it!" I exclaim pulling Zayn into a tight embrace. "Thank you," I whisper in the crook of his neck.

"My pleasure, let's get these boxes in."

After about three hours we were done with bringing the boxes in and unpacking everything. We just finished eating as it was now six o'clock and I had to go get the kids from Justin.

"You ready?" Zayn asks from the front door keys already in his hand as he twisted them around. I nod as we walk out to the garage getting in his Range Rover.

Thirty minutes later we were parked out front of Justin's house.

"I'll be right back," I say unbuckling and clambering out of the vehicle, I walk up to the front door knocking a couple times.

The door opens and Brylee jumps in my arms giving me a tight embrace.

"Here's his bag," Justin said holding it out for me I take it and sling it over my shoulder and grab Brooks from him.

"How were they?"

"Good," he simply says I notice his eyes Where looking behind me and not at me. "That Zayn?" He asks nodding his head towards the parked car.

I nod. "Give your dad a hug," I tell Brylee nudging her shoulder. She obliges but the hug didn't last long when she was quickly back to my side.

"Goodnight." I bid grasping Brylee's hand leading us to his car I quickly buckle them into their car seats wanting to get back to Zayn's as soon as possible.

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