The Kissing Booth: After The Break-up, Elle and Noah

Part 8

I text Noah. I'm taking Nate to the park for a picnic I will be there about 10. It's up to you if you want to meet us there and meet Nate.  

I didn't get a response from Noah when I texted him this morning so I don't know what he plans to do. I pack a picnic lunch for Nate and I , but I pack extra just in case Noah shows up.  I pull into the parking lot and I see Noah sitting on his bike.  I can't believe he still has it. He looks more like my Noah this morning, riding his bike dressed in a t-shirt, ripped jeans, his leather and his black boots.  He is bad-ass Flynn from high school.

I get out of the car.  I'm nervous about Noah meeting Nate.  I get Nate out of the car-seat and grab the basket and blanket.  Noah is still sitting on his bike watching us. I walk to a grassy area by the playground.  I let Nate go play. I unfold the blanket and spread it out. I sit watching Nate play for a few minutes. I glance at Noah still sitting on his bike. I pat the blanket beside me and jerk my head inviting him to join me.  

I'm watching as Elle pulls up and parks. I know she sees me.  She gets out of her car and gets Nate out of the back seat.  She grabs a basket and blanket. She looks at me, asking with just a look if I am joining them.  She turns and walks to the playground. She must tell Nate he can go play, because he runs off to the play area.  She spreads the blanket and sits down.  After a few minutes she looks at me, pats the blanket beside her and jerks her head inviting me to join them.  I'm nervous to meet my son.  What if he is afraid of me or doesn't like me.  

I get off my bike and stroll over to the blanket. She has a small smile on her face as she is watching Nate play.  I sit down beside her and watch him.  She calls out to him and he runs over to her, she opens her arms and he runs right in to her arms almost knocking her backwards on to the blanket. She laughs.  She turns him around so he is sitting on her lap, facing me.  He is looking at me from eyes just like mine.  I want to hug him, but I don't want to scare him by grabbing and holding him.  She looks at me then she says to Nate. "Nate, this is Noah. Noah is a very special person to you.  He is your Daddy." I'm shocked that she tells him, but I'm happy she has.  He is watching me. I say Hi, Nate and put my hand out to him and smile.  Suddenly he is in my arms hugging me.  My arms go around him holding him close to me.  I look at Elle, she's crying, but she is smiling. She looks away and wipes her face. Nate releases me and asks, "can I go play, mommy?" She tells him he can.  He looks at me and says, "push me on the swings." It's a demand and Elle says, "Nate manners." he hangs his head, "I'm sorry. Will you push me on the swings?" I get up and follow him. I help him onto the swing and gently start to push him.  After he swings we run around playing.  I can't stop smiling I'm running around playing with my son.  This is an unbelievable feeling.  She is just watching us, letting us play.

She calls out its time for lunch. We run back to the blanket and sit down. She gives Nate his sandwich and tells me, " I packed enough if you're hungry."  After we eat she tells Nate to go play. After he runs off she looks at me. I can see she is nervous but she seems happy too.  

"My plans are this, I'm moving back here. I'm going to stay with Dad until he is better.  I will find a job here and then I will look for a place for Nate and I, but I'm not leaving again.  Like I said last night it is your choice if you want to be involved with him.  I hope you are, but I'm not going to force you into it.  If you are involved we can set up rules and times for you to see him. If you are already seriously involved with someone it is fine that she be around, but I don't want a parade of strange women in and out of his life, so if it isn't a serious relationship I don't want you introducing him to your girlfriends.  The rest we can make up as we go along."

"Is this your way of asking if I'm dating or in a relationship? The answer is no. I understand and I will go along with that, but the same goes for you with bringing men around." he says.

I really don't care if you are or aren't with anyone, but I am concerned about Nate being exposed to people that I don't know and don't trust. As for me bringing men around him, no one meets him unless I have complete faith that they won't be a danger to him. The only men in his life up until now has been my dad, brother and Lee." she replies.