Reed's Reckoning

We went to see them eight months later, and I was newly pregnant with your father. We never mentioned the betrayal again because I was so happy and in love, I forgave them. They saw how good Sean was to me and wanted to be a part of our lives especially once the baby came. So you see, we had a very rocky start as well, but there was never any doubt Sean was the love of my life. I see the same thing with you and Reed.”

“All I see in my head is The Notebook.” Sophie sighs.

“I guess it was my own version. Back then, parents had a lot more control over their children’s lives and they took advantage of it. But in the end, I believe love wins out. I saw it with Sean and me. I saw it with Ari’s parents, and I see it now with Ari and Reed.”

“So jumping the hurdles will be worth it?” I ask.

“Absolutely, in the end it is all worth it.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

“Anytime, baby. Now I think it’s time we pay this bill and get you home to your guys.”

Chapter 18

Reed

Shit! It’s eight fifteen and she’s still not home. I guess I really fucked up. I knew she was upset, but figured she would cool off once she met the girls for drinks. When she texted me to ask if I would get Davis and stay with him so she could go out for a while, I thought it would be an hour or two.

The doorknob jiggles and my body relaxes. When I see her face, I know she’s no longer mad. “Hey, babe.”

“Hi.” She stands in the doorway and stares at me.

“You’re a little far away to give me a kiss don’t you think?”

She doesn’t move so I go to her. When I reach her, I slip her bag off her shoulder and lay her keys on the entry table. Then I lean down and run my lips against hers.

“Reed, we need to talk,” she mumbles.

I stand back up, lead her to the sofa, and sit her on my lap. “What about?”

“Well, um, I talked to Grandma and Sophie tonight, and they helped me see some things clearly.”

“How clearly?”

“Crystal clearly. I’m still scared, but I am willing to give this thing between us all I’ve got. There’s a part of me that has been thinking this was a wonderful reunion, but we would never work in the long run. But I want it to work. And I was protecting myself because of the obstacles we face.”

“Angel, the largest obstacles in the world wouldn’t deter me from what I have planned. I told you, you’re mine. We have some decisions to make, but nothing right now. Right now, we enjoy reuniting and raising our son. Day by day, we’ll get to the place where we decide our future.”

“I need to know you hear me when I talk. I want to have a voice in our relationship.”

“I’m not sure what you’re saying. I listen to you. As a matter of fact your voice is my undoing.”

“An example is today. You took me by surprise with Trey and didn’t discuss it with me beforehand. I would have objected to your plan, but you didn’t even give me a chance. You made the decision without me.”

“You’re right and I’ll admit I went about things with Trey the wrong way. From now on, I’ll try to include you in—”

“Don’t try, do!” she interrupts me.

“Arianna, do you remember me telling you that in some things you are on a need to know basis?”

“Is this about your silly ‘Operation’?”

“Dear woman, there is nothing silly about Operation Matthews. And I promise you in the end you will love it.” I nip lightly on her ear and she melts into me. I move to lift her shirt but she stops me.

“I’m serious, Reed, include me.”

“You got it, babe, right now though I want to be inside you.”

“Nuh uh. I want to hear about your night and then we’ll go to bed.”

Deflated, I lean back and take her with me. She lays her head on my chest as I tell her about the afternoon. I took Davis to the grocery and he helped me get everything I needed for my house this weekend. After we unloaded the groceries, I let him run around on the beach for a while. I leave out the part about the three ladies that blatantly hit on me. Then I brought him home, cooked us dinner, bathed him, and put him to bed.

“Do you want to take him out of school on Friday to spend the day with you and your mom? I wasn’t sure if you wanted alone time with her or not so I didn’t mention it to his teacher.”

“I’d love to have him. Do you think you could skate out at half a day and join us on the beach?”