Then There Was You: A Single Parent Collection

by Gianna Gabriela

  They’d stayed until after dinner and then went home, much to Alex and Tiny’s chagrin.

  Yesterday, Brock took us to breakfast with his mom and it was a little awkward. Every time his mom spoke to Alex, Brock got this look on his face that I couldn’t decipher; he almost looked worried. Did he think his mom would figure it out? Overall, we really did have a lovely time though.

  His mom was very bubbly and very sweet, which was a stark contrast to the way she used to behave. I really loved watching her and Brock together; it was obvious how much they loved each other. After breakfast, they were going to spend some time together, and I didn’t want to intrude so Brock took us home, and then Alex and I went to see my mom, which brings me back to now.

  I spot Jonah climbing out of his car, and I smile as he approaches because the man is tan, relaxed, and—if a guy can glow—glowing. “Hey honey.” I wrap my arms around him and he does the same.

  “Hey girl.” We step inside and order a taco pizza and drinks before grabbing our seats. “Sorry I haven’t seen you guys. I’ve been working non-stop trying to get caught up. We want you guys to come over Friday night for dinner. We’ve got presents!”

  “You didn’t have to do that. How was Jamaica?”

  He takes a drink. “Amazing. We had a great time. We went snorkeling and jet skiing, and Jessica drank a lot and got involved in a dance-off with a man who was there with his wife celebrating their thirtieth anniversary. She won and I was pretty proud of my dancing queen.” His eyes turn serious. “I wanted to tell you that we’ve started trying for a baby. Neither of us wants to wait.”

  I jump up out of my seat and come around the table to sit next to Jonah, wrapping my arms around him. “I’m so happy for you guys. You’re going to be wonderful parents. Your baby is going to have the best cousin to look after them.”

  “It means a lot to me to hear you say that. We talked on the plane and we both love kids, and we’re just ready.” I get up to move back to my seat and can’t stop smiling. “What’s the latest with Brock?”

  “He’s back.” I don’t miss the way Jonah’s eyes widen. “Yep, he’s moved home. We’re taking it slow. I still don’t completely trust that he won’t take off again if things get difficult, but I love him Jonah. He loves me, and he loves Alex. I just know that if I don’t try, I’ll regret it forever.”

  “I’m glad. You and Alex deserve to be happy and have someone that loves you both. I get being hesitant, but he did come back. You know I’ll support you whatever happens.” He claps his hands together. “Okay, now how is my little buddy? I missed him. We’ve got to get settled, but we’d like to have him all weekend this coming weekend if that’s okay with you.”

  I set my piece of pizza down. “Of course it’s okay. You know the deal. We have to meet for breakfast either Saturday or Sunday morning, and I want goodnight calls.”

  Jonah rolls his eyes. “No shit Sherlock. I know the rules.”

  “Hey, I miss him when he’s gone,” I say with a huff and then proceed to pout like a child.

  It’s no wonder people who don’t know us think we’re brother and sister when they see us together like this. We finish eating and he walks me to car. “I’ll try to pick Alex up for a little bit one day this week when he gets out of preschool. If I don’t then just bring his overnight bag on Friday.” He pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek, and then stops me from climbing into my car. “Bring Brock.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you Friday, if not sooner. Tell that wife of yours to enjoy the rest of her week off.” I pull out of the parking lot, and think about how Jonah and Jess are going to have a baby, hopefully soon. I know they’ll be great parents because they’re already great with Alex.

  I head back toward my mom’s to pick Alex up. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I notice the car behind me is following real close. The sun is bright and the glare keeps me from seeing who it is, but it’s probably nothing so I turn my attention back to the road.

  Brock has a couple interviews today. One is with a local police department, and he wasn’t sure about it because he hasn’t gone to school. The other is doing maintenance work on the Rock Island Arsenal. I was surprised he got interviews so quickly, but I guess it was stuff he had in the works while he was back in North Carolina.

  Last night I helped him fill out his online application for the local community college. He’s hoping to get into the criminal justice program, but first he’ll have to do some prerequisites. That’s one thing I’ve always loved about him: whenever he decides on something, he always follows through, and he doesn’t dillydally around.

  I signal to get in the other lane and notice that damn car is still behind me and following close. I press on the gas and do a little maneuvering to get ahead of the car and get a car in between us. My heart races a little bit as I look and see the car is back behind me. “Who is that?” I murmur. I still can’t see, but I’m pretty sure they have long hair.

  The turn to my mom’s house is up ahead and I decide not to turn my blinker on, hoping the person behind me won’t be able to follow me. I slow down but only slightly before I quickly crank the wheel.

  Half a block down, I look behind me and see that the car is gone. I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. My heart slowly starts to return to a nice, slow, steady beat, so I begin driving again and am relieved when I pull into my mom’s driveway. I smile because Brock’s truck is parked on the street.

  Without knocking, I step inside and find Brock and my mom sitting at the dining room table. “Hey guys.”

  I don’t know what it is, but Brock takes one look at my face and is up out of his chair. He turns to my mom and then back to me. “What’s wrong?” Brock pulls me close.

  “Wh-What do you mean?”

  “Baby, you look freaked. It’s all in your eyes. Now tell me what it is.” He cups my cheek with his hands.

  I exhale slowly. “I just finished having lunch with Jonah, and while I was driving over here, I swear there was a car following me. I even tried to get in between other cars hoping they’d pass, but it stayed behind me. When I came up on the street I turned down to get here, I didn’t even turn my blinker on, just cranked the wheel. Luckily, they didn’t follow me.” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I whisper, “I was really scared.”

  “I know baby, I know.” With his arm around my shoulders we go sit down..

  25

  BROCK

  We don’t stay at Ripley’s mom’s much longer and when we leave, I follow them back to their place. Then they ride with me to my grandparents’ place to get Tiny and an overnight bag. I’ve got an uneasy feeling in my gut, and I honestly don’t want them alone right now. Maybe it’s nothing, but it could be something.

  Alex, Tiny, and I are watching a movie about monsters while Ripley makes dinner. I tried to get her to let me help but she kicked me out, so now I sit with the little man and watch this movie that is actually pretty funny. Alex is quoting the entire thing, and Tiny is on the floor in front of the couch, fast asleep. He’s never far from Alex.

  My phone vibrates on the end table and I see the name that appears on the screen. It’s Tiffany, and I really don’t want to talk to her right now. This is the second time I’ve ignored her call. It’s not to be rude, but she calls when I’m busy and I just haven’t had time to call her back.

  Not wanting to seem rude, I grab my phone and shoot her a quick text.

  Brock: Hey Tiffany sorry I can’t talk right now. Can I call you tomorrow?

  She answers back almost immediately.

  Tiffany: Okay.

  I’m a little taken aback by her short answer but I ignore it, put my phone down, and finish watching our movie.

  A short while later, Ripley comes into the living room. “Dinner’s ready. Alex, go wash your hands.”

  Alex flies up the stairs with Tiny and I get up and pull Ripley into my arms. Today she’s wearing a Packers baseball t-shirt, and she’s wearing those damn cutoff jean shorts I fucking
love. They’re super short and threadbare in spots. My dick takes notice, but I remind myself that Alex is home.

  I kiss her lips slowly, but all too soon the kiss is over and Alex comes downstairs. In the kitchen, we sit down at the table and I start helping Alex put a pork chop, mashed potatoes, and broccoli on his plate before serving myself and then Ripley.

  We eat in silence because we’re all stuffing our faces. Even Alex is a good eater. I don’t know many kids who like broccoli, but he’s shoveling it in like it’s covered in chocolate. “Slow down bud.” He smiles at me and grabs his glass of milk.

  “How did your interviews go?”

  “Good. I’m really glad my boss in North Carolina wrote me a letter of recommendation, and I think it’s helping a lot. I’m really hoping the police department calls me back. I mean, if the maintenance position is the one I get, I’ll take it and do that while I go to school, but they don’t require a college degree to be on the force. They both said I’d hear by next week.”

  She grabs my hand and gives me that big beautiful smile of hers. “That’s awesome. Officer James has a great ring to it.” We finish eating and I kick her and Alex out of the kitchen so I can clean up.

  Once I’m done, I drape the towel over the edge of the sink and join them in the living room.

  Ripley’s arms wind around my waist while I brush my teeth, and I cover her hands with mine and give them a squeeze. She’s becoming more touchy feely with me and I love it; I’ve missed it so much. When I’m finished, I turn around. “Is Alex asleep?”

  “Oh yeah, and his personal bodyguard is passed out next to the bed. Will you sleep with me tonight? Just sleep, no funny business.”

  “Are you sure? What if Alex wakes up and catches me in bed with you?” As much as I want to make love to her, I want to wait until the time is right. I know she still doesn’t trust me, and I want to wait until she truly does.

  “Well, as long as we’re both clothed, we should be okay. You’ve been over here a lot lately. He’s used to you, but if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

  “I’d love to.” I follow behind her into her bedroom where she turns down the bed, getting rid of the extra pillows. Sliding in, I wait for her to do the same, and once she’s between the sheets, I pull her into my arms. She rests her head on my chest and her fingers immediately go to the puckered scar from my gunshot. Whenever we’re snuggling, her fingers always subconsciously drift toward it.

  “Jonah and Jess are trying to have a baby.” Her voice takes on a wistful sound.

  My hand strokes her hair as I respond. “That’s great. I know I don’t know the new Jonah very well, or Jessica, but I’ve seen the way they are with Alex. They’ll be good parents.” We’re both quiet for a bit, then a thought comes to me. “Do you want more kids?”

  Her body stiffens. “I-I don’t know. I guess I’ve never really thought about that possibility.” She nuzzles my neck. “I suppose I’d love to have more, to give Alex brothers or sisters.

  “I want to be the one to give them to you.”

  I’m greeted by silence and figure I’ve gone too far, too fast. Thankfully, she eventually speaks, but it’s so quiet I almost don’t hear her.

  “I want that too.”

  I hug her tight and feel her body go slack, and it’s a long time before I find sleep. Too much is weighing on my mind, including a new possible career, one I’ve wanted with every fiber of my being since I could remember. I know we haven’t been back together long and we’re taking it slow, but I want to make us permanent, and how to make that happen is what I think about as my eyes finally feel heavy and my eyes thankfully start to drift shut.

  I fly up into a sitting position as Ripley does the same next to me, and it takes a second to realize what’s going on. Tiny is barking and growling like mad from downstairs.

  “What’s going on Brock?” she whispers with so much fear in her voice.

  “Go into Alex’s room and shut and lock the door behind you. If you hear something that scares you, grab Alex and get into the closet and hide.” On silent feet, I get up, and right before I hit the bottom of the stairs, I hear Alex’s door shut. Tiny is growling as I hug the wall and move silently through the living room to the kitchen.

  Tiny’s prepared to pounce. His front legs are down, and I can even see the hairs down the middle of his back standing up. I move to the back door and glance out into the dark night, seeing nothing. One good thing is I have really good vision, even in the dark.

  Tiny’s growl is low and menacing. “Shhh, boy.” He whines from behind me. “You did good, now stay in here and protect them.” As quietly as I can, I slip out the back door. I open my ears and listen, not hearing anything but a car door closing in the distance. It would be a good idea to go see if I can see what kind of car it was, but I don’t want to stray too far from where I am.

  Maybe it was just a wild animal straying too far into town; Tiny’s not used to being around all this open space, and I could see how it would freak him out a little bit. Going through the house, I check all the windows and both doors to make sure everything is secure.

  “Baby, it’s okay, you can come out,” I announce as I move up the stairs and reach Alex’s door. The lock disengages and it opens slowly to Ripley with a scared-looking Alex in her arms. “Hey, bud. It’s okay.” He surprises me by lunging from his mom straight into my arms. I hug his little body to my chest, hating that it’s trembling. “Do you want to sleep with your mom?” He nods his head. “Okay buddy. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  In her room, Ripley climbs in bed and then pats the mattress. “Come here monkey.”

  I try to put him down but he clings to me tightly. “Don’t leab us,” Alex whispers. “Stay with us.”

  Ripley nods when I look at her, so Alex and I climb into bed and he settles in between us. I lie on my side, as does Ripley, and her boy snuggles up with his back firmly against her front and her arm wrapped around his small waist. It’s like he knows he’s safe and drifts right back to sleep, but before that, his little hand grabs mine and squeezes it.

  I hear Tiny sigh from the floor on my side of the bed; I knew he would keep watch downstairs for a while, but now he knows his boy is safe so he’s ready for bed himself. It’s a long time before either Ripley or I find sleep, and the only sounds that can be heard are Tiny and Alex’s snores.

  It makes me happy when my girl’s eyes eventually start to look heavy, and then they finally flutter shut.

  Ripley slips her hand into mine as we make our way back to her place after having dinner with Jonah and Jessica. I didn’t know until I showed up to get them that Alex was spending the weekend with his aunt and uncle, and of course the only thing that went through my mind was that I was finally going to make love to her. I honestly couldn’t wait any more, and I didn’t want to.

  She’s been pushing for more, and it has been me that has wanted to wait. We’ve fooled around a little, but I couldn’t let it go further than just some heavy groping over the clothes. I knew that if any clothes were removed, we’d be naked and I’d be thrusting my cock deep inside her.

  We got to their house at six and they had a bag of presents for Alex. I don’t think most of them were from Jamaica; my guess is they bought him the Rasta-looking piggybank there, and everything else was from Toys R Us. They got Ripley a vibrantly colored scarf made of a silky material, and I was looking forward to seeing it wrapped around her naked body.

  I stood outside with Jonah while he grilled burgers. Glad he no longer seemed overly nervous around me. He does have a tendency to babble, but the guy does host his own podcast, which I’ve finally listened to. Jonah knows sports and was great talking about them. I was also able to listen to a past episode Ripley was a guest on; she’s the only woman I know who can talk about sports and knows the players and stats.

  Jonah and Ripley’s chemistry was palpable, and I could see how those were his most popular shows. My girl was stubborn, and if she had an opinion about some
thing, she wouldn’t let up until she convinced you she was right. They bickered constantly, but you could feel the easy affection they had with each other.

  “I checked out your blog and podcast. They’re great.”

  “Thanks. I can’t believe I’m actually making money doing this. It’s surreal.” I watched him flip the burgers. “How’s she doing now that you know about Alex? How are you?”

  “She’s good. I don’t know if she’s just figured out how to push those thoughts away or if she’s had enough time to work through them. As for me…at first it was hard looking at that sweet little boy, knowing he’s my half-brother, but I love him and no matter what happens, I want to be a positive influence in his life.”

  Jonah pulled the burgers off the grill and then turned back to me. “He’s easy to love. I think it’s great that you want to be a positive influence. Without Ripley’s dad around, he needs that from as many people as he can get.” We took the burgers inside and then we all sat down together and ate.

  We left while Alex was still awake, getting hugs and kisses from his mom and then surprising the shit out of me when he jumped from his mom’s arms to mine and gave me a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. In that moment, I fell even more deeply in love with that child.

  My mind shifts back to the present. I pull Ripley’s hand up to my mouth, kissing the back of it. “I really like Jonah.”

  Ripley squeezes my hand. “That makes me so glad. He really is a good guy, the best.” We pull into the driveway and I get out and go around to help her out. She hands me her keys and I let us into her place. “Do you want to watch a movie or something?