Page 8 of James

“You just get back from work?” I ask with a frown.

“No, I’m about to leave, what’s going on?” she asks as I walk into her house and take a seat on her couch.

“We need to talk,” I say, glancing around the house, not looking forward to this conversation.

“It sounds serious,” she says as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“Sasha is back, and I have a son,” I tell her bluntly.

“You have a son?” she repeats.

“Yes, it was a shock for me too,” I add.

“She had your child, never told you, and let me guess, you’re leaving me for her?” she says in disbelief.

“There’s a bit more to it than that, Tatiana,” I tell her in a gentle tone.

“I thought… It’s just that I thought…” she trails off.

“Tatiana, I told you from the beginning-"

“I know, but come on James! I didn’t expect this!” she yells, cutting me off.

“I have a chance to make a family for my son, I won’t lose this opportunity.” She had to know that we weren’t solid. When she told me she loved me, I never said it back, and I was honest about why.

“You’re seriously going to try and get her back, after she kept a child from you? I thought we had something special, James, I thought we were finally getting somewhere in this relationship. I thought you were finally forgetting her,” Tatiana spits out bitterly.

“I know it doesn’t make any difference, but I’m sorry. I really am, Tati,” I say roughly.

“Don’t you Tati me, James! Please leave, I need to be alone,” she says.

“Okay.” I sigh, feeling like complete shit. “Are we still on for tomorrow?” I ask her before I leave.

“Yes, of course. I’m a professional, James, no one is going to change that, not even you,” she snaps.

I make my way to my car in a daze, upset that I hurt Tatiana, but I had no choice but to be upfront with her. She might not thank me now, but in the long run this is the better option. Tatiana is right about one thing though, Sasha did keep Jye from me. How does one make up for nearly a year and a half of absence in a child’s life?

***

Sasha

James sent me a message telling me he was coming over today to spend some time with Jye. I have to admit I’m a little nervous. It’s going to be our first family outing, as dysfunctional as our family currently is, that still means something to me. Over the past two years, I haven’t dated even once. Between pregnancy, Jye and work, I never really had the time for a love life. And it’s hard to move on, especially when you see the man you love in the face of your son every day.

I dress Jye in a cute pair of jeans and a checkered shirt from the huge selection that James purchased for him. I think James will like that. I'm wearing a pair of black tights with a knee length royal blue dress and black ballerina slippers. I spray a few squirts of perfume, the only one I ever wear, and I’m good to go. I’m not wearing any makeup, and my hair is thrown up in a high ponytail. I pack Jye’s bag with everything he needs for a day outing.

I’m just putting in a change of clothes for Jye when I hear a knock on the door. Knowing it’s James, I unlock and open the door wide. James is leaning against the door frame, looking slightly nervous. The most adorable thing is that he's dressed up a little, wearing a white shirt that accentuates the enticing curve of his biceps and shows off a hint of his impressive chest.

“Hey, Sash,” he greets as he gives me a quick once over. The way his eyes scan me so intently makes me feel like he might want more than I’m able to offer right now. More than just working together to co-parent Jye as best as we can. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

“Hey, come on in,” I respond, moving aside for him to enter. James walks in and grins when he catches Jye sitting on the carpet playing with one of the new toys he bought him.

“It fits him,” he says proudly, referring to the new outfit Jye is wearing.

“Perfectly, you did well,” I tell him.

“Hey, little man, do you want to go to the park today?” he asks Jye. Jye stands up and curiously walks over to James. When James asks him the question again Jye nods twice, and gives James an adorable grin.

“How do you ever say no to him?” James muses out loud.

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