Two hearts.
Two souls.
One child.
A brave man, working hard to give the best life to his family.
A selfish woman, who hasn't really come to terms to her new reality.
She leaves.
He stays.
What happens when she decides to come back?
Will she be able...
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DELILAH
"This place is nice," Jo said as she walked into Liam's house. "Can't believe you left all this."
"Shut up," I muttered, taking a drink of my beer.
New Year's Eve had arrived and Liam's house was crowded. More people than I had imagined showed up, something I didn't expect. Barbecuing despite the cold temperatures turned out to be something Liam enjoyed. He was drinking with Chris and my dad, while other friends of his were chatting away with the kids that were around.
My mom, once again, was with Carissa but I didn't let it bother me.
"Bitch should get her own family and leave yours alone," Jo complained.
I frowned. Perhaps, but in many ways this was her family. She'd been around and been good to them; I couldn't deny that. "It's okay. It doesn't bother me. So long as she doesn't lie again, I don't care."
"Still. Liam and you won't ever get back together if she's roaming the streets and walking around the house like she owns the place."
I shrugged trying to ignore Jo's comment. The truth was that she was right. Carissa was much too comfortable with everyone here yet I had no one else to blame but myself. If there was one lesson I'd learned through the roller coaster that the last months had been it was that giving up was not an option. I had given up when Adrian was born, thinking that it was easier to get away and avoid the life I had, when in reality, all I had to do was learn how to lean on others and to ask for help.
At the time, I thought it was shameful. I'd gotten myself in the situation and while I never regretted Adrian, I always feared having him around. He'd changed my life before he even arrived and it was something I had refused to accept. Now that I saw him playing, seeing how full of joy he was, I couldn't imagine my life without him.
I'd realized that seven years too late there was no way I was ever letting him go again. I was completely in love with my son, like it always should have been. Hopefully I had grown up and matured enough to be the best mother that I could be for Adrian. He deserved the best.
"You okay?" Christopher asked.
"Hey... Yeah, I'm fine."
"I'm trying really hard to be a gentleman and not go off on Caribitch over there." I couldn't help but laugh at the nickname he had for her. Chris returned the smile, sitting down on the grass and patting next to him so that I'd sit.
"Caribitch? You made that up all by yourself?" I didn't miss the double take Liam made when he saw me sitting with Chris. His eyes had narrowed on us but when my dad approached him was forced to look away.
"Yup. I've got no clue what got into her, she's a good woman. Hell, I even encouraged Liam to date her. She's never badmouthed anyone."
"She was angry and hurt," I replied. "Everyone makes mistakes under those conditions."
