Remember When...?

36.

Ben

Threatening her with court may have triggered a whole different argument, and certainly unnecessary. And I just know she's ready to chew my ass out. I can see it in her face. The gears turning in her head as she tries not to explode while Liam is asleep. But I need her to understand that I don't want her living this far from me with our kid. That's just ridiculous.

"You wanna say that again?" She asked.

I lick my lips, watching as she slowly stalks toward me. She looks like she'll rip my head off without blinking. The same look her father gave me the other day. Deadly.

"I just think-"

"You're going to take me to court? For saying that I'd rather live here than in Philadelphia? Am I hearing correctly?" She cut me off. "You? Take me to court? Do you realize how dumb of you that would be?"

"I just think Liam should have a fair chance to have both parents active in his life." I say. "Don't you think so?"

"Of course I think so....now." She replied. "At one point you would've had no idea that you had a kid. But since you're here, I'm not going to deprive you of that right. However, moving back to Philadelphia is a huge no. I just got back to Phoenix, Ben."

I sigh.

"Just get a place here." She suggested.

"I'm not about to spend money on a new place." I fold my arms.

"Then you'll only see him when you can." She said, walking past me and out of her room.

"You're making a huge mistake by doing this Ally." I stress, following behind her.

"Ben, I'm not moving back to Philly. That's final." She said, turning to face me again.

By the look in her eye, she was dead serious.

* * *

I just got back to Philly about an hour ago, without Ally and Liam. I'm in so much distress right now because it could've been a smooth transition. They both move in with me and we can work from there.

"How did everything go?" Tobias asked.

"She said no to coming back." I respond.

"Damn." He said.

"I don't know what to do bro. I threatened her with court, but it's quite evident that's not going to work out the way I want it." I say.

"Now you know damn well-"

"I know, I know." I cut him off, knowing he was ready to chew my ass out as well. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Seriously, what goes through your head sometimes?" He asked.

I frown, quite unsure myself.

"Don't put her through that. You've already done enough." He said. "First you apologize and confess your love, then you threaten to take her baby away? Really?"

I sigh in frustration.

"I just want us to live together as one unit and not two. We can do the whole co-parenting thing from under the same roof. It's not that hard." I say.

"You're right, it's not that hard. But imagine living with someone that you caught hardcore feelings for, just for that shit to blow up in your face. Now you're forced to live with him because you have a kid together. Imagine how stressful that would be." He explained.

I blink.

"And on top of that, she doesn't trust you." He said.

Why does he have to be so damn wise?

"You're right." I mumble.

"Shit, I know I am." He exclaimed.

I chuckle.

"Give her some time bro. She just got cut open for goodness sake. Don't stress the girl out." He said.

I nod.

"Now off of that topic, when are you getting your ass back on the court with us?" He pressed.

I laugh.

"Give me about a few weeks." I say.

"You have a week." He said.

"Alright Captain Harris." I tease.

"Don't get slapped." He glared.

I grin. We talk about basketball for a bit, before standing up for him to leave.

"I gotta get home. My girl is freaking out." He said, dapping me up after I stand up.

I walk him to the front door and close it behind him. I then walk to the bathroom for a nice hot shower. As I showered, I couldn't help but remember all the times Ally and I had spent together. How her skin felt beneath my fingertips, the way her lips parted with every moan that escaped. The smell of her hair whenever it smacked me in the face. I missed everything about her.

Seeing her again bought all of it back to me. And I honestly wanted nothing more than to have her in my arms again.

* * *

Ally

It's been 5 hours since Ben left for Philly. Here I lay in my bed, keeping a close eye on Liam. He was wide awake again, whimpering as he moved around to find a comfortable position. It's been pretty fun watching him these past 3 days. He's quiet and he sleeps a lot, like his mama.

Picking him up from his crib, I hold him delicately. I crawl onto my bed slowly, leaning against the pillows. I prop my legs up, knees facing the ceiling, and place him on my thighs. I place my forefinger in his little hand and watch as he tightens his grip.

"Liam, I want to tell you something." I exclaim, watching him take in his surroundings. It's told that newborns don't have great vision when they're first born, so he's technically looking at nothing. Everything is blurry to him.

I rub his tiny fingers between my own, leaving a kiss on them. He's so small and so precious.

"I love you endlessly. And there's nothing I wouldn't do to make sure you're okay." I say, rubbing his tiny fingers again. "You're the first and last face I ever plan to see in this world. I will do my best to give you anything you desire."

He coos and I give a small smile.

"Your father and I may not see eye to eye from time to time, but I just want you to know that it won't be a problem for you." I explain. "As your mother, it is my sworn duty to protect you and do whatever is in your best interest. If that means taking shit from others, then so be it. As long as no harm comes to you."

"You will not remember a single word I just said, and that's okay because you were just born 3 days ago. But I'll try to remind you as much as I can as you get older. Especially because the world is becoming disorderly and corrupt at this very moment."

I lean down to leave a kiss on his forehead. I sit back and sigh, looking down at him through lidded eyes.

"I have a feeling you're going to look just like your dad. And it's scaring the crap out of me." I chuckle. "I love you though."

I take a deep, well needed breath and lean my head back against the wall.

This is going to be quite a ride.