The Elaborate Parent Trap

Chapter Six

"River? Are you okay? Why do you look so sad?" Jade asked the small boy.

"I don't have a Mommy. I don't like making these things." River sighed.

It was Mother's Day. One day a year, River had grown to hate in his minimal eight years. He didn't have a mommy, he had no one to give these crafts and cards to. "I'm sorry River." Jade pouted. "You can share my Mommy? She gives warm hugs and always makes the monsters go away." Jade offered.

"I don't know Jay Jay. Will your Mommy be upset? I really like her. She's always so nice to me and Daddy." River told her.

"No, my mommy would love it." Jade beamed.

"Okay." River said.

The two kids got to work on their projects and the teacher was pleasantly surprised to see River so happy today of all days. It was unlike him, but she was happy things were looking up for him.

When the end of the day rolled around, Matt arrived first to retrieve River, however, the boy refused to leave. "Riv, come on." Matt urged.

"NO! I need to see Jay's Mommy first." River protested.

Matt groaned, having been trying to avoid the small woman, in hopes of pushing away the feelings he was developing. However, the moment he saw her, exiting the school with Jadelyn, skinny jeans clung to her legs and a tight black tee-shirt, her golden hair in loose curls falling right down to the perfect curve of her ass. "MS. LECLAIR!" River cried running up to her, Matt trailing behind. "Well... I don't have a Mommy and I never have someone to give these to, but Jade said we could share you for today and you wouldn't mind. So, I made this for you." River said to her as she knelt to his level and took the card from him, leaving Matt standing in shock at what just happened. "Do you like it?" He asked her hopeful.

"Oh, sweetie I love it. Thank you." She told him, looking at Matt apologetically but her heart was melting for this sweet innocent little boy.

River hugged Christina tightly and she was still slightly in shock when River turned to his Dad. "Are you mad at me Daddy?" River asked Matt who gulped and shook his head.

"No buddy, I'm not mad at you," Matt told his son.

Matt took his son and loaded him into his truck as Christina loaded Jade into her seat. Christina jogged down to Matt and caught his arm as he was walking by his tailgate. "I am so sorry Matt. I had no idea, I, I-" Chris stuttered terrified she may just lose her friend, due to his behaviour and lack of talking the last week.

"Don't be sorry Chris. It just shocked me. You treat him like family whenever you're around, it makes sense he looks at you like a mother figure since he's never really had one. I'm glad that out of anyone, he picked you to be his stand-in Mom today." Matt told her.

"Are you sure Matt? I understand if I'm over-stepping our friendship and that's why you've been pulling away this last week." Chris told him.

"No, I've just been really busy, I'm sorry Chris. You're not overstepping." Matt told her, pulling her into a hug and he felt her small frame relax.

Chris pulled away and gave him a small smile, she turned and went to walk about to her truck when Matt called out to her. "Do you want to go to a party with me this weekend?" Matt asked her.

"What kind of party?" Chris asked.

"The kind you would need a babysitter. Figure it'll give us a chance to hang out without the kids." Matt shrugged.

"I think that sounds fun. Text me the details?" Chris asked.

Matt nodded and waved as she walked away back to her truck and climbed in. When Christina arrived home, Echo was already there, getting ready for their Mother's Day tradition. Echo and Jade would make dinner, while Chris relaxed. After dinner, the three girls relaxed and watched a movie, but Echo noticed the way her friend continuously looked at her phone, and a small smile would cross her face.

It was finally Jade's bedtime, so Chris put her to bed as Echo poured the wine. Chris returned and they sat together on the couch and Echo looked at her, smirking. "So, whatever happened to Matt? River's dad." Echo asked her small blonde-haired friend as she handed her a glass of wine.

"I don't know Gecko. He invited me to a party this weekend but he doesn't seem interested I don't think. Besides, our kids are best friends. Wouldn't that be weird?" Chris sighed.

"You need a babysitter right? He invited you to a party where you need a babysitter..." She said in a 'duh' tone.

"Well, yeah," Chris said shrugging.

"Then he's interested Tink. Stop overthinking it." Echo told her rolling her eyes.

"I can't help it Echo. He hasn't even made even a slight move that makes me think differently..." Chris shrugged.

"Maybe he's waiting for no kids to be there Chris. I haven't seen you this happy in years and would you please stop looking at your phone smiling it's Tink and Gecko time." Echo said smiling for her best friend.

"Sorry." Chris chuckled and blushed. "Maybe... I hope you're right." Chris beamed. "The party is tomorrow." Chris sighed.

"I know I'm right. Watch. Go have fun. I take it I'm watching Bug?" Echo asked.

"Well, I was hoping so," Chris said glancing at her phone. "Shit... Matt's babysitter backed out last minute. If he's okay with it would you watch both Jade and River?" Chris asked. "You can even watch them here if needed?" Chris pleaded as she answered Matt, asking him if he was okay with the kids having a sleepover with Echo.

"Yeah, I can do that." Echo smiled.

"Are you sure Gecko?" Chris asked.

"Yes, Tink. Are you planning an all-nighter?" Echo asked.

"It's a party so I'm presuming there will be alcohol and you know I don't like being around Jade if I'm too far gone. I can take it easy if you want so I can come home mostly sober so you can go home?" Chris replied.

"Nope. That won't be necessary. I'm only asking because we need to go shopping now." Echo smirked.

"Um. Why?" Chris asked puzzled.

"How long have we been friends? Would you just trust me?" Echo asked rhetorically.

"Okay okay!" Chris laughed putting her hands up in surrender. "Echo? Am I doing the right thing? Should I really be going after my daughter's best friend's dad?" Chris asked sighing, needing the reassurance.

"Yes, you are Tink. Take a chance, if Bug didn't like it she wouldn't keep asking to hang out with River and his daddy so much. Relax." Echo told her.

Chris nodded and leaned back in her seat. This is going to be interesting...