This Isn't Happening

Chapter 6- It's A Date

I delayed getting ready for as long as I could, but I knew when I only had an hour left, I’d better start getting dressed. I was almost tempted to use Ryder as an excuse to be late, but I knew I had to go.

It wasn’t like me to do this… to completely ditch someone who had done nothing but help me and treat me as sweet as could be. Maybe not having someone who cared this much about me in almost a year, scared me. I don’t why though.

My shoes clicked across the hardwood floor as I walked into the living room. There I saw Ryder pulled up on to the couch, wobbling as he tried to balance and play with a toy at the same time. He giggled and then a grin spread across his face, almost as if to say “Look at me mommy. Aren’t you proud?”

And I was proud… Watching him grow for almost a year really made these little things exciting. Like the new teeth coming in, or the standing up by himself, and even the few little words he’s said. It made my heart ache… It really didn’t seem like almost a year had gone by.

“You ready to go, little man?” He went to clap but when he took his hands off the couch, he lost his balance and fell backwards. Instead of crying like most kids would, he just crawled over to me. I put his coat on him and we headed out the front door.

 Zayn must’ve been waiting on us, because I could see lights flooding through his entire house. I checked my phone. It was 5:55. I really didn’t want to be early… at all.

 I knocked on the front door, my heart pounding, as I tried to balance Ryder, his diaper bag, and my purse. I was more than relieved when the door slung open.

“Hey Ellie!! Hey Ryder!” My son just grinned at Zayn and suddenly did something unexpected. He reached out, wanting Zayn. And I let him go, smiling to myself. Maybe this night wouldn’t be so bad.

 “Let me take your things.” Zayn said and I handed over my purse and the diaper bag. I took off my blazer that was over my dress and handed it to Zayn as well.

“Before we have dinner…” Zayn took my hand, still carrying my son, and walked to what I assumed was his living room. “I have a surprise for you, Ryder.”

 When I saw what the “surprise” was, I wanted to hit Zayn, but hug him at the same time. There were about a million brand new toys stacked up in the floor. Zayn sat Ryder on the floor and I watched him crawl over to the toys, laughing the whole way.

“You better be taking half of those back.” I said. He had enough toys as it was. I heard a crash and looked at the pile of toys surrounding Ryder on the floor. “Toys!” he said and then clapped.

I started laughing and so did Zayn. “I fed him dinner before we came over…” I began. “We can leave him to play.” Zayn nodded and led me to the kitchen.

Throughout the dinner of salads and spaghetti, we’d hear occasional music playing from a toy and then a laugh followed by it. “He seems like such a happy baby.” Zayn said. I smiled.

“Oh he is. He literally never stops laughing and smiling. Just like his dad…” I stopped talking.

Zayn became almost intrigued. “You’ve never mentioned him… Is it okay for me to ask what happened with that relationship?”

For the first time, Zayn didn’t seam like an eager teenager trying to win the girl over. He did genuinely care to know. “It’s a long story.” I told him.

We heard another crash and Ryder’s giggle eased the awkward silence. “I’ve got all night.” Zayn said, taking my hand.

And so the story began. I told him everything. From the time I got pregnant, to Chase dumping me, to having Ryder, to Chase’s car crash… To now. I told him everything…..

I just realized that he’s the first person who’s actually listened to me without questioning me on anything. He didn’t seem to care that I was a young mom on my own. That’s one thing I like about this guy… he doesn’t judge.

After I was almost in tears, he stood up from the kitchen table and pulled me up into a hug. “Thank you for telling me, Ellie. I’m glad you trust me.” He pulled away and then spoke again, his hand on my shoulder. “You look like you’re relieved to finally tell someone.”

“Just relieved to tell someone who’ll listen.” I grinned and wiped away another tear. “Sorry to dump all that on you. This was just supposed to be a dinner date.”

He shook his head, letting me know it was okay. “C’mon, let’s go see what Ryder’s doing.” It had gotten quiet, and quite late, so it was no surprise to find him asleep in the floor with a toy car tightly gripped in hand.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve spoiled him.”

Zayn picked up Ryder and put his coat over him to keep him warm in the cold air. I grabbed my jacket and bags and we walked across the street.

When we walked into my house, I told Zayn, “Will you take his shoes off? He can just sleep in that.”

He nodded and slipped Ryder’s converse off his feet before heading into his room to put him in his crib.

 When he came out, I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you for tonight. You’re officially the greatest person ever.”

“There’s no way… Oh. I’ll bring the toys by tomorrow.”

I just nodded and before I could stop him, he lightly kissed my lips. My face flushed red, and without another word, he left.

 I put my pajamas on and climbed in bed, still in a slight bliss. Even though I promised myself I wouldn’t, I was falling for Zayn… It needed to stop. Stupid British charm.

At about two o’clock in the morning, there was a knock on my front door. I figured it would be Zayn, but I didn’t know why it would be. When I opened the door, I was in utter shock to see my best friend, Chase’s sister… Ryder’s aunt, Taylor.

“Sorry I woke you up. I suck with time zones.”