The Halstead Freckles - [Linstead] ✓

5. - Please Let Me Take You Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

When they got back to Erin's apartment, Oli ran straight to his room, probably to play.

"Hey Erin." Jay said softly after her, just as she headed towards the kitchen.

"Yeah?" she turned around on her feet.

"Um," he stepped a little bit closer to her, so it was sure Oli wouldn't hear. "Do you think we should tell him? Like, today? It just doesn't feel right to lie to him."

Erin stared at his perfect eyes for a moment, then lightly nodded her head. "Yeah. You're right." She looked in the way Oli's room was "I've been such a bad mom to him. How could I lie to him?"

"Erin, it's not y-"

"Don't. Please just don't tell me it's not my fault because that's exactly what it is. How could I do that to my own kid? I should know how awful it is growing up without knowing who your dad is.  Gosh, I'm turning into Bunny." she buried her face in her hands.

Jay stepped closer and gently held her wrists and pulled them away from her face. Then he lifted her chin to make her look him in the eyes. "Hey, Look at me," he said softly. "Don't ever say such thing again, alright? You're the best mom. Just look at Oli and how smart he is. How polite and how mature he is for a four year old. And you did that by yourself. You should be nothing but proud of yourself." He hesitated for a second, but then he pulled her into a warm hug.

"Thank you." she mumbled into his shirt.

xxxxxxxx

"Mommy? Jay? Would you come help me build a fort in my room?" Oli came out of his room. It was already getting dark outside.

"I'm sorry sweetie, I was just about to make dinner." Erin smiled to him apologetically.

"Hey, it's alright, I'll help you." Jay smiled to the little boy and followed him to his room.

Oli sat down on his bed and looked down at his hands.

"What's wrong?" Jay asked and sat down next to him.

"I know mommy's busy, but I wanted us to build the fort together, all three of us."

Jay's heart sunk at those words. "Hey, you get everything ready, and I'll go get mommy, okay?"

The light in Oli's eyes appeared again "Really?"

"Yeah." Jay smiled and stood up. Oli was so modest, not like a little kid at all. He always understood when his mom didn't have time.

When Erin saw him back in the kitchen, she thought something happened. "Is everything okay?" she asked carefully.

"Um, couldn't we order a pizza or something? He really wants you there with us you know."

 "Sure, why not." Her heart warmed and sunk at the same time. She was happy Oli wanted both, Jay and Erin to play with him, but she was disappointed at herself for rather making dinner than playing with her own kid.

Jay noticed that look in her eyes and knew instantly what she was thinking about. "Hey, remember what we talked about earlier?"

"Yeah. I'm okay." she forced a smile.

"You sure?"

She nodded her head yes. "Let's go build that fort now."

x

"It looks awesome! This is the best fort ever!" Oli said when they finished. They used every blanket and pillow that they could find, and Oli insisted on hanging up some old christmas lights inside, so it looked really cool. He brought his new book that Jay bought him and asked if they could read it to them. When they were halfway through, the pizza came and Oli ran to open the door.