Her Secrets (On Hold)

Chapter Fourteen

Bellamy finished unpacking everything early Friday morning. Not surprisingly, everything fit. He had been gone for years, so he hadn't really purchased anything new.

But, he had an idea. He grabbed his wallet, jumping into his truck. He would go out and buy a few toys. That way, when Homer visited, he would have fun.

"Hello?"

Bellamy was suddenly nervous. "Hey, Clarke. How's Homer?"

"He's really good," she told him. "How are you? Have you got your place set up?"

He scratched his neck. "Actually, that's why I called," he started. "Uh, everything is set up. I actually just left the store and I got a couple of toys. I was wondering if maybe it would be possible for Homer to come see my place? Just for a little bit."

Clarke was silent for a minute, his nerves on edge as he waited for her answer. "Yeah. That would be okay, I guess," she said, her nerves on edge, too. He understood, she hadn't been separated from him before. "I'll get him dressed while you're on the way."

A few minutes later, Bellamy pulled into Clarke's driveway, seeing a smiling Homer holding her hand.

"Hey, buddy!" Bellamy greeted him.

"Hey, Daddy."

Clarke opened her car door, pulling out his carseat. She fastened it in his truck, still wordless. Bellamy could tell how nervous she was.

"Okay, baby," she smiled. "Come here for a second." She picked Homer up, squeezing him to her chest. "I love you, baby." She kissed his forehead and then put him in his seat.

Bellamy watched her as she buckled him, kissing him once more.

"Okay, there's clothes, juice, and his favorite snacks in here," Clarke said, handing him a small bookbag. "I'm sure you have stuff, but these are his favorites."

Bellamy took the bag and pulled her to his broad chest. He rubbed his hand up and down her back, briefly. "Thank you, Clarke. I just want him to look around and see the place, okay? Maybe just an hour. So, I will text you constantly and send you pictures and call, I promise."

Clarke nodded, pulling back from his embrace. "Okay, you guys have fun."

Bellamy got into his truck, putting Homer's backpack in the passenger seat. He backed out, Clarke watching them leave.

"Where's Mommy?"

Bellamy looked at Homer in the rearview mirror. "Mommy is at home, buddy. She's uh, cleaning up your toys. You can hang out with Daddy for awhile."

Homer was silent, looking out the window.

"I have toys at my place," he told the boy, excitedly. "I bought them just for you."

Homer let out a wail, causing Bellamy to jump a little. "Mommy!" He called.

Bellamy's chest hurt at his son's cry for Clarke. He didn't want to upset his son, it was the opposite. He loved him and wanted to make Homer happy.

Bellamy pulled over on the side of the road, getting out to comfort Homer. "Hey, hey, hey," he said, gently. "Look at Daddy." Homer was still crying. "Do you want to come with Daddy?"

"I want Mommy," he sniffled, running out of breath.

Bellamy's eyes watered, but he nodded. "Okay, I'm going to take you back to Mommy," he promised.

Bellamy turned around, his grip tight on the steering wheel. He quickly made his way back to Clarke's house. He jumped out of the truck, grabbing Homer's backpack. Be lifted the sniffling boy into his arms, and knocked on Clarke's door.

She opened it, her eyes wide. "What's wrong? What happened?" She pulled Homer from Bellamy's arms, kissing his hair and rubbing his back until he calmed.

"We got about ten minutes away, and he lost it. He wanted you."

Clarke cradled his cheek, kissing him once more. "Hey, baby. Hey. Daddy just wanted you to see his new house and the toys he got you. Do you want to see them?"

Homer didn't answer, just stared at the floor. "Okay, go play with your toys and let me talk to Daddy."

Homer took off running, back to his room. Bellamy bit his lip, sadness and anger the only things he could focus on. "Here." He dropped the backpack and started walking away to his truck.

"Bellamy!" Clarke called. He could hear her storming up behind him. "Calm down, Bell. He just got upset, that's kind of to be expected. He loves you, but he just met you."

"AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?!" Bellamy yelled. He yelled loudly. Loud enough that the neighbor ran out to his front porch, phone in hand to stare and listen.

Clarke was frozen in place. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Bellamy unbuckled the carseat and placed it next to her car. Without another look at her, he drive away.