The Choice

Chapter 10

"Hey kiddos! How was school today?" I ask as Leon and Chloe scramble in the car.

"Good!" they shout together.

I pull out of the school lot, and I head in the direction of Ricky's. 

"Are we going to daddy's?" Chloe asks.

"Yes, he has you for the next few days," I say.

"I'll miss you mommy," Leon says, and my heart melts.

"I'll miss you too, baby. I'll see you again in a few days though," I smile. 

"Can you stay for dinner?" Chloe asks.

"I don't know about that," I say, not knowing what Ricky has going on. 

We pull up in Ricky's driveway, and I grab the kids' backpacks as they run inside. 

"Hi," I say, walking inside. 

"In the kitchen!" Ricky calls.

I walk into the kitchen, and I see him fixing dinner.

"Watcha making?" I ask, looking around. 

"Tacos," Ricky says, wiping his hands on his dish towel.

"Smells great," I smile. 

I follow Ricky into the living room, and I set the twins' backpacks down. 

"Daddy, can mommy stay for dinner?" Chloe bounces in.

Ricky looks at me.

"Please daddy!" Chloe says.

"Not tonight.  Daddy's having company," Ricky says.

Chloe puts on her pout face, but she runs back to her room anyways. 

"I kind of invited Ezra over for dinner. Had I known she wanted you to stay I wouldn't have," Ricky sighs. 

"It's totally fine. I will see you in a few days," I smile, grabbing my keys and heading out the door.

As I pull out of Ricky's driveway, Ezra is pulling in. I can't help but glance, and I see him in the front seat, smiling at Lucy.

___

The next day, I sit down at my office desk, logging into my computer. I scroll through my emails, deleting ones that aren't important. 

My phone rings, and Paige's name pops up. 

"Hey Paige," I say.

"What's wrong?" she immediately asks.

"I'm still not feeling to well," I frown.

"It's been two weeks. You need to see a doctor," Paige says.

"Give it another week. I can't miss anymore work," I say.

My hand clutches my stomach, and I feel the nausea hitting. I open the water bottle I brought with me, and I take a small sip. 

"Promise me you'll go if you don't get better," Paige demands.

"I promise. Are you still coming tonight?" I ask.

"Of course. I can't wait to see Andy," she says, and I can tell she's smiling. 

"What am I? Chop liver?" I joke.

"You too, of course," Paige says. 

___

"Hi!" I grin, opening my door and pulling Paige in for a hug.

Andy is standing behind her, and I waste no time pulling him in for a second hug.

"How are you?" Andy asks.