The Eighteen Year Fallout

Chapter 13

"Here" Taylor said handing Carson a green ring-binder file. Her slender hand brushed against his as she did so and he involuntarily shivered.

"What's this?" he questioned her, raising his eyebrow.

"Your schoolwork" she replied bluntly, dropping her black bag onto the floor and sliding into the black chair beside him, "the school aren't happy that you've been off. Hence the folder of work."

Carson grunted. He hadn't been to school since that Friday Alexa had been rushed to hospital almost a month ago. He needed to be at the hospital for Alexa and the baby. He knew coach wouldn't be happy about him missing football training but to be quite honest he didn't really care. Funnily enough none of that mattered anymore. This was what was important in his life.

"Like I care" he smirked as Taylor rolled her eyes.

"Yeah yeah" she laughed flicking his forehead with her thumb and index finger, "whatever you say Mr. Jock"

"Ouch" Carson pouted feigning injury.

"Loser"

"Nutter"

"Crazy"

"Idiot"

They continued to insult each other but he knew it was all in good humour. Ever since that first day Taylor had managed to get past the receptionist she'd been here ever since. Every day she would arrive bringing with her, music or games or magazines to keep them entertained. He appreciated her company more than he should have and as the weeks passed he'd found myself getting closer and closer to the one girl he never thought he'd be close to again.

"Right twenty questions" He said, turning around to face Taylor, "It's been a long time since we've played. You can start..."

"Favourite...band?" she said, pushing her long, lustrous auburn hair back from her face and securing it with a purple bobble she had around her slender wrist.

"Same as it was back then" he laughed, "My Chemical Romance all the way baby"

"Seriously?" she looked surprised, "You still like the same band after all this time?"

"Totally. They're great and even better live"

"No way" she squealed clapping her hands excitedly. She resembled a seal he'd once seen at the zoo when he was a kid, "They're my favourite too as you should remember but I've never been able to get tickets. Not fair Mr.Jock"

She pouted and Carson laughed awkwardly. He knew he was going down a bad road with this game. It was bringing back memories that he'd tried to suppress for so long.

Her luscious pink lips were plump and her bright green eyes wide. For the first time, he saw Taylor as a girl again. A girl he was  starting to become interested in. Again. He felt his heart start to race and he felt compelled to stare at her heart-shaped face. Why had he given up so easily without a fight? Wasn't she worth it?

"Um Carson?"

He was snapped out of his unsavory thoughts by the sound of her angelic voice.

"Hmmm"

"You're thinking about it" she stated bluntly and Carson nodded automatically.

"Me too" she sighed looking at the ground, "All the time. Especially with this happening"

He knew exactly what she was referring to and he suddenly felt panicked. He couldn't mess this up. He couldn't let the past dictate his future with Alexa or the baby. He had to get rid of all those bad memories and focus on now. He had to and so did Taylor

An awkward silence fell on the room as Carson attempted to pluck up the courage to talk about it. Luckily he  was rescued from this slightly awkward situation by the angelic harmony of his daughter crying. His daughter. It still felt strange knowing he was a father, that he'd created this beautiful little baby.