Sophie
I was so mad as I left the park. Just when I had gotten my hopes up and was about to talk to Logan, Amber had to show up. But not just shows up! She....was with her daughter.
"She had a daughter! and she's...... She's so beautiful, Lexie. God, I feel like yelling, and crying so damn bad!" I ran my hands through my hair, unaware my little man stood by his door.
"And then... he still had the nerve to go after me? For what? To rub it in my face, that Amber and he still have great communication? To tell me that he has had a blast raising a daughter, without me in the picture? God, I hate this! I should not have come back."
"Sweetheart, calm down. You're upset, but that doesn't mean coming back was a mistake. This is your hometown too."
I couldn't help but cry silently.
Nathan was silently listening, with his little pouty lips. I knew he was confused. He didn't know what just happened back there. But by now he figured I knew Logan, and more importantly, he knew I lied to him about knowing him.
I had to get a hold of myself before I lose it. Lexie is right, If I am going to live here, then I have to suck it up and get used to seeing Logan with his daughter and Amber. There's no other way around this. My son will have no other choice but to learn that he has a sister now. A sister he didn't know existed.
I sniffled and wiped my tears away. Crying was not going to solve anything. And it certainly will not give me the answers I was looking for.
I sighed and let my breath out slowly, fighting back the rest of my tears and gulping down the rest of my feelings.
Nate was quiet, he kept glancing between me and out the window by the hallway. He was pondering on what to say, and honestly, I didn't know what to tell him either.
He looked down, pensively, and then furrowed his little eyebrows. The situation was becoming worse by the minute. What am I supposed to do? What can I say to him? How do I explain to him what is happening?
I got on my knees and extended my arms out for him. He ran, hugging me, but refused to look at me.
"Nate, baby. Look at me?" I whispered, cupping his little face and turning him towards me. Instead, he looked at the ground.
"You lied to me. You know who he is. Why did you say you...you didn't know him? He called your name, which means he knows who you are. And why did he make you cry?" He looked at me with pain in his eyes.
"Baby, it's... It's complicated, ok? I lied to you, I know, and I am very sorry. This was my mistake, I shouldn't have lied to you. I'm so sorry, Nate?" I said hugging him tightly.
"Mom, you said no secrets, remember? Why did you lie to me?" He said pushing past me and sitting next to Lexie on the couch.
"You're right, baby," I called to him, walking to the couch, sitting with him.
We sat on the couch, facing each other. "Nate, there are things that you're still too small to understand, but one day, I will tell you. I just want you to know that I really am sorry I lied to you, and I love you very much." His eyes pierced at my heart, making my guilt eat me alive.
" I know. I love you too mom. If-" he looks down fighting back tears.
"If you want, I won't be friends with him anymore. I don't want him to make you cry. I love you, mom." He hugged me, warming my heart. But I couldn't do that to him.
He had the right to be with his dad, to know who he was. I'm unsure whether Logan will accept him, but it's my responsibility to tell him.
The rest of the afternoon, Lexie and I sat with him eating ice cream and watching movies. I made a batch of snickerdoodles and ate them with a chocolate shake while watching a cartoon.
By three, I popped a small lasagna in the oven and we sat to eat together. The table was still silent. I knew Nathan had so many questions in his mind, questions that soon had to be answered.
And I had to start with one person at a time.
******
Late that evening, we both had taken a warm shower and got ready for bed. Lexie was staying in my guest room for the time. She needed to focus on her work, and her parent's ranch is too chaotic for her liking. So I offered her the room while staying in town.
I sat at my bed, so during whether I should make that phone call. It was a hard decision, one that will change many lives, and honestly? I didn't know how each of them will take the news. I'm scared, to say the least.
I dialed her number, hoping to still catch her awake. Placed the phone on my ear and let it ring.
"Hello." Her sweet voice hadn't changed. She still sounded like the sweetest lady I've known, besides my mom.
"Hi, Mrs. Spencer."
**************
Next Afternoon
"Where are we going to meet her again?" Nate asked for the billionth time making me chuckle. He was eager to finally meet grandma.
I on the other hand was extremely nervous. I haven't seen her since mom's funeral. Even then, I had the opportunity to tell her but chose not to.
It's time she knew, it was time to come clean and be fair to my cubby bear. To introduce him to his family.
"To a nice restaurant in grandpa's vineyard. It's beautiful, you'll love it. There are vineyards, and apple trees, and a big lake, oh, and there's a mini-park you can play after we eat." He smiled and hugged me as I kissed his nose.
I began driving towards dad's vineyard. My hands were clammy, and I gripped the steering wheel tightly to calm my nerves.
"Tell me more about her? How does she look like?" He asked, narrowing his eyebrows and pouting his face.
I smiled as I saw him through the rearview mirror. "She's beautiful, she has your same green eyes, she's tall, and a beautiful smile like yours. Her name is Riley. She and mommy Hailey were real good friends."
"I like her already." He says smiling with a spark in his eye.
I parked the car near the bistro, next to the terrace. I could see her talking to a waiter, looking down at her menu, and ordering. She gestured to the table and smiled.
I sighed and rubbed my hands on my jeans. "Ok. You ready baby?" I glanced at Nate and smiled. I could tell he was nervous. He nods with his little lips partially parted and gulps down nervously.
"Ok, let's go." This time, he didn't wait for me to open his door. He went around, joining me on the side. We both stood still, glancing towards the terrace. She sensed someone staring. She turned and gasped, standing up slowly, cupping her face.
"Is that her momma?" Nathan asked making my nerves desperately rise.
"Yeah, that's grandma Riley baby."
She waved at us and raised her right hand over her heart. I could tell she was on the verge of crying.
"Let's go meet grandma baby."
I made my way inside, Mr.Pascal, dad's bistro manager was shocked when he saw me enter. He said hi, engulfing me with a hug, and then lead us to the terrace.
She stood on her feet waiting for us. Nathan stood behind me, peaking his face behind me, gripping nervously onto my shirt.
"Hi, Mrs. Spencer."
"It's Riley sweetheart. Not married anymore remember? How are you?" She said trying to hold back tears?
"I'm good."
"Is this....?" She pointed to her grandson. I nodded and took Nate's hand giving him a small squeeze.
"It's ok. Go meet her baby." I assured him, making him smile. He looked between me and her. He stood in front of me, exchanging looks between each other. Before I knew it, Nathan ran into her arms making her cry, and smiled happily.
They exchanged a tight embrace that made me regret not doing this sooner.
"You look just like your daddy. You are such a handsome young man." She said cupping his face and kissing him repeatedly. Nathan held her hands and smiled.
"Is this him?" My eyes went wide in shock. A voice was heard behind me, making me startled. I turned and saw a young girl in front of me.
Her mischievous smile was still there, with her cute freckles and long brown hair. The same green-hazel eyes and fine makeup.
"Ash?"
"Sophie?"
She smiles and runs to me, hugging me tightly in a bear hug. But soon let's go and stares at her newly found nephew.
"I'm an aunt. By the holy God, my prayers were answered! Logan- is not gay." She says sarcastically making her mom hit her arm playfully.
She looks at Nathan and bends down to his level. "Hey, kid! My name is aunt Ashley, but you can call me Ash. You like playing video games?" She says tilting her head to one side. Nathan smiled big and nodded.
"I'll let you play on my phone after we eat if you let me give you a big bear hug?" His smile free wider, and he launches into her arms, making her chuckle.
Ashley, just like Riley couldn't help but cry. We all cried at the reunion, and I allowed them to smother Nathan with hugs and kisses.
This turned out better than I thought. Much better than I thought. Nathan had finally met his grandma, and a big bonus, Ashley was still home visiting.
She had gotten the opportunity to meet her nephew before going back to college.
**********