by S. G. Sonysa
I felt dizzy and begged him to stop this nonsense. Noah and Sammy were clapping and laughing crazily at my misery. Finally, Ethan stopped spinning me and dropped me on the grass. We were both breathing heavily and grinning like an idiot. Noah and Sammy fell on the grass beside us with toothy grins on their faces.
“Get up. I will drop you home,” Ethan said while helping me stand up.
I took his hand in mine for support and got up dusting grass from my jeans. I glanced down at Noah and Sammy and told them to fetch Fuzzy who was walking on the jogging track with his nose up in the air.
“Ethan, don’t take it personally. You know how I am. I really like you. I even love you but as a friend,” I said.
Ethan sighed after hearing me and said nothing, so I continued my speech.
“I think there is definitely some girl out there who is dying to meet you and is made only for you to love. Unfortunately, I’m not that girl. I can only be your friend. Nothing more because that’s what I am made for.”
“I don’t want any other girl.”
“You will want another girl because you will love her more than you love me,” I said, and he frowned. “Ethan, sometimes you are a very gullible guy. Let me ask you few questions then we will see if you are in love with me as you say you are. Tell me, does my presence make your heart beat faster? Does my touch make you feel tingly?” I asked him.
“No, I don’t feel any of these things, but I just know that I love you.”
“I know you love me, but it’s not that kind of love where you would feel sparks at a small touch, where your heart accelerates at the sight of me, and where you would want to spend your whole life with me.”
“Oh so you feel sparks with Chase, and your heart accelerates when you are with him? Do you still feel like spending your whole life with him?” he asked me, and I blushed.
“Shut up, Ethan. I’m just telling you everything from my past experience. I hope you listen to me like a good boy. Now let’s go.”
“I was so jealous when I saw your ex-husband and thought that you were still with him. I love it when you laugh Hailey. Your presence calms me down, and the memories I have of you plays in my head. I think I’m in love with you,” he said.
I shook my head at his dumb explanation.
“Ethan, love is not that simple. It makes you crazy, and you don’t feel calm. You feel like your soul is on fire, and only one person could calm it down. You are my friend, and we have a great friendship, and that’s why my presence makes you calm. Friends are supposed to make you feel happy and calm, and that’s what I do to you.”
He stared at me silently.
“Your words make sense, Hailey. But I know what I feel. It’s something different from friendship,” Ethan said, and I rolled my eyes.
We picked Sammy and Noah in our arms and placed them in the backseat then buckled them in their seats. Fuzzy hopped in the backseat and sat in the middle of Noah and Sammy.
Ethan dropped us off at our house then drove away.
I went inside the house and got busy with my daily routine. It was evening when I remembered I needed to apologize to Chase. I dialed his number, and he picked it up on the first ring.
“Hello… uh, how are you?” I asked him.
“I’m good.” His answer was neutral, and he sounded like he was not interested in talking to me.
“Are we still going to the cabin tomorrow?” I asked him.
“Yes, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 8 in the morning.”
“Okay then. See you tomorrow. Bye.” I bid him goodbye.
“Bye,” he said then ended the call.
I pulled the duffel bag out of my closet and put my and Noah’s warmest clothes, some toiletries, and my camera inside it. Then I zipped it up and placed it in my closet.
I told Mom and Dad about my plan for Christmas. Mom was happy and excited for me. Dad didn’t like the idea of me spending my Christmas without family and especially with Chase.
***
Chase
After the park incident, I came straight to my hotel room. My stomach was grumbling loudly because I didn’t have any breakfast. I called room service and asked them to send some coffee and scrambled eggs with toasts.
After I was done eating, I realized that I need to do something to get rid of that guy so Hailey wouldn’t fall for him. Jealousy was still eating my heart out. I cursed myself for not staying there a few minutes more to hear Hailey’s answer.
I heard a notification alert and picked up my laptop. I started at the list of e-mails that I received yesterday. I was reading them to distract myself from thinking about Hailey and that guy. Then I replied to a few important e-mails related to my business. I decided to call Allison for some help. She picked up on the first ring.
“Hi, Allison. How are you and the kids?”
“I’m good, and the kids are fine too, but they are missing you a lot. When are you coming over for Christmas dinner?” Allison asked me.
“I will not be coming over for Christmas dinner this year, but I will send gifts to you all.”
“Chase, please for the love of God don’t send gifts like last time. The pony you sent for Susan last year is getting bigger each day, and Susan is still too young to ride on it alone,” my sister said, reminding me of the small horse that I sent for my niece last year as she was always telling me how much she loved them.
“Al, not again. Okay. I’m sorry for giving Susan a pony, but she liked it,” I explained myself for the hundredth time.
“Okay. But tell me where you are. I called you last night, but you didn’t answer my call. I panicked and called your office. Your secretary told me that you are not in Boston.”
“I-I’m in Oakland, trying to rebuild my family. But I think I have lost all my chances,” I said lightly, and she gasped.
“Oh… Chase. You have no idea how happy I am right now. Hailey will forgive you and accept you. Please, try to win her heart.” She brought hope to my heart with what she said.
“I hope so, Al.”
“You need her Chase, and she needs you even though she doesn’t show it and fight against it. Just be honest with her this time and let her trust you. You cannot afford to lose her again. But first, do whatever you need to do to make her yours.”
I bid her goodbye and thought about what she said to me. She was right. I lost her once because of the circumstances my mother created. Now I couldn’t afford to lose her again to some teenage boy. I would do everything in my power to make her mine.
I was thinking of how I could get rid of that boy when my cell phone rang. I glanced at the caller id, and my eyes widened. Suddenly, my throat was dry as the Sahara Desert.
Why was she calling me?
Then a thought popped into my head that maybe she was calling me to cut all the ties with me because of what I had done her last night.
But I picked up her call.
“Hello… uh how are you?” she asked me and sounding a little nervous.
“Hi… I’m good.” My answer was so simple.
“Are we still going to the cabin tomorrow?”
I sighed in relief when I heard her question.
“Yes, I will pick you up tomorrow at 8 in the morning,” I said, collecting myself and containing my happiness inside my heart.
“Okay, see you tomorrow then. Bye.”
“Bye.” I ended the call.
I jumped up in my room with joy. This Christmas I would make you mine again, Hailey.
Chapter Thirty-One
A Day in The Cabin
Hailey
[Day before Christmas]
I felt someone shaking me. I woke up and groaned in protest like a lazy kid on a school day. I opened my eyes and found Noah hovering above me and grinning.
“Noah, baby, why are you up so early? And why did you wake me up?” I asked while my eyes were closing due to sleepiness.
“Mommy, I woke up because of your cell phone. It was ringing very loudly. It’s 6:00 a.m. It’s
not early.” He started shaking me again.
I opened my eyes and picked up my cell phone from the bedside table. I checked it and groaned, seeing that it was my alarm that woke Noah up.
“Yes, baby that was my alarm,” I said and pulled Noah in my arms and cuddled him.
“Mommy, we need to get ready.” Noah hugged me.
“I know, but I’m tired, and I want to cuddle with you,” I said, tightening my hold on him.
Sometimes I felt like he was my small teddy bear.
“Mommy, I’m very excited. This is my first Christmas with Dad. I love him,” he said and gave me a sloppy kiss.
“I know you are an excited baby.” I placed a kiss on his forehead.
After staying in bed for a few more minutes, I finally decided to leave the warmth of the bed. I picked Noah up and placed him on my hip then made my way towards the washroom. I helped Noah in brushing his teeth and changing his clothes.
Chase called me last night and told me there was a slight change of plans, and that he would pick us at 7:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m., so we could stop for breakfast on the way. I didn’t complain.
I took a shower and got changed into my black high waist jeans and white top with a black jacket. We went downstairs with the duffle bag.
I didn’t wake my parents up and disturb their sleep just to tell them that I was leaving so I wrote a short note to them. I stuck the note on the refrigerator with some magnets and placed their gifts on the kitchen counter.
I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside, so I hurriedly got up and peeked through the living room window. Chase stepped out of the car dressed in jeans and black leather jacket. He was still unshaven, and a five o’clock shadow on his face was making him look sexier. Before I could start appreciating his looks again, I picked up the duffel bag and took Noah’s hand in mine then made our way out of the house.
I let go of Noah’s hand, and he ran towards Chase. I walked slowly towards the car because of the heavy bag in my hand. Chase leaned down and scooped Noah in his arms then showered his face with kisses. Noah giggled.
Chase put Noah down on his feet then walked towards me. He took the bag from my hand and put it on the back seat of his black SUV.
Chase said, “Let’s get in the car.”
I nodded and got inside while Chase put Noah in the car seat at the back.
He drove towards the café, and we stopped there to have breakfast.
After three hours of driving, we finally reached our destination. The cute small wooden cabin was nestled between snow-covered trees and surrounded by the hills, which were also covered in snow. It felt like a white velvet blanket was draped over everything. The light fog was giving the illusion of clouds.
“It is beautiful,” I said.
I didn’t even realize that I had said it aloud until I heard Chase reply.
“Yes, really beautiful,” he said.
I looked at him and found him staring at me. I blushed and went inside the cabin to escape from his intense gaze.
I gasped, looking at the inside of the cabin. There was a very stylish kitchen with white and black cabinets on the right side. There was a small living room in the center. The walls were painted in a wood color contrasting perfectly with the black L-shape leather couch and white curtains. There was a plasma TV fixed on the center wall in front of the couches. On the left wall, there was a fireplace made up of dark grey stones. Then, I saw stairs leading on the upper floor, which Noah and I eagerly followed up.
There was a very large and beautiful room. In the middle of the room, there was a king-size bed covered with a pure white bed sheet. A few paintings were hanging on the wall. Pure white curtains were hanging on the glass door, which was hiding the complete view of the balcony. I slid the glass door open and went outside to the balcony. I felt peace and closed my eyes then took a deep breath.
“So, do you like the cabin?” Chase asked me.
“Uh…Yes, it’s extraordinarily beautiful. I love it,” I said with a smile on my face.
We were staring into each other’s eyes. Noah suddenly came running and announced that he wanted to go outside. Chase agreed and placed our bags in the room then picked Noah up in his arms and ran downstairs, telling me to follow him.
I followed them outside. He took us in the woods and showed us the frozen lake near the cabin. I stare at Chase and Noah while they were busy chasing each other, running around and laughing. After that, we collected some wood for the fireplace and went back inside the cabin.
I took Noah upstairs in the washroom and cleaned him. I shooed him out when he was done and used the washroom. When I came downstairs, I saw Noah sitting on the couch watching TV. Then the smell of the cheese made my stomach growl. I looked at Chase and found him standing near the stove cooking something.
“What are you doing?” I asked in surprise.
“I…Uh. I’m making grilled cheese sandwiches for Noah and heating up this homemade pasta for us.” He was working around the kitchen like a pro.
“But when did you learn how to cook?” I asked him in surprise. Because when we used to live in the same house, I had never seen him cooking anything except rarely making coffee.
“I…I learned it from YouTube when I moved out.” He gave me a side glance.
I didn’t know that he moved out from his parents’ house. This news shocked me because Allison, Cameron, and William never told me that he moved out.
“When did you move out from your parents’ home?”
“Hailey, I will tell you everything, but now is not the right time,” he said and glanced at Noah who was watching TV.
I nodded and sat down on the stool. Chase placed the grilled cheese sandwiches on the kitchen counter then called Noah.
My son came running, and I helped him settle on the stool. Chase placed a plate in front of him then poured pasta in the dish. He put the dish in front of me and handed me the plate then sat on the stool across me. We ate silently.
After eating his sandwiches, Noah ran towards Chase and clutched onto his legs.
“Daddy, do we have a Christmas tree?” Noah asked.
Chase made a face like he was thinking really hard. Noah stared at him curiously, waiting for the answer.
“Noah, I might have forgotten about getting a Christmas tree.” Chase glanced down at Noah who was pouting.
“Daddy, how can you forget the Christmas tree? There’s no Christmas without a tree,” Noah said, glancing at me with a sad face.
“We can arrange something buddy. Come along.” Chase picked up Noah and placed him on his shoulders, taking him somewhere.
I picked up the plates and utensils then washed them. I heard Noah’s excited laugh and saw Chase carrying a small tree and placing it in the corner of the lounge.
Then Chase placed a large white box on the floor, which had every kind of Christmas decoration. Noah clapped excitedly and hugged Chase’s legs.
“Mommy, come help us with the decorations,” Noah said, looking at me with a happy smile on his face.
We started decorating the tree by placing all the ornaments on it and lastly covering it with small lights. We also decorated the cabin with lights and hanged some Santa caps and socks around the house. It felt like we were actually a family.
All evening we stayed busy with decorating. When we were done decorating everything, we fell on the couch to relax.
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Noah said, sitting on my lap.
I looked at Chase, and he told me there were cookies in the cabinet. I gave Noah cookies with some milk. He ate the cookies and drank the milk. Then I made him brush his teeth and changed him into his pajamas. He watched cartoons then fell asleep. I put Noah in bed and went down to eat something myself.
When I came down, I found Chase asleep on the couch. I went to the kitchen and looked inside the refrigerator and found it stocked with every kind of thing. I was really surprised at first then I pulled out all the ingredients to make spaghetti with meatballs.
“Chase, wake up. Dinner is ready.”
He woke up, looking me in the eye. He frowned and looked around then sighed.
“You made dinner?” he asked, and I nodded.
He walked to the kitchen with me following behind him.
“I’m sorry for falling asleep like that. You had to make dinner alone,” Chase said, sitting on the stool.
“It’s fine. You drove us here then Noah tired you by playing with you.”
Chase smiled. I sat across him on the stool and put spaghetti on my plate then started eating.
“Noah is great. He is smart and intelligent. Thanks to God he is not a fool like me,” he said.
I coughed when he called himself a fool. I didn’t know when he started considering himself a fool.
“Noah started reading when he was one year and three months old. He didn’t know how to read, but he would pick up his favorite book and tried reading it. I started teaching him after that, and now he knows how to read.”
“Wow! I never thought my son would be so smart. Maybe he took after you,” Chase mumbled while eating.
I felt my face heat up thinking that unintentionally he was calling me smart.
For the rest of the dinner, we stayed silent.
After dinner, I went upstairs to check on Noah. He was sleeping peacefully. I came back down and found Chase cleaning the kitchen.
“You don’t have to clean the kitchen,” I said to him.
“No, it’s not a problem. You cooked a meal so you must be tired now.”
I’m not that tired,” I said. A yawn escaped from my mouth.
Chase gave me an amused smile, and my cheeks started to feel a little warm.
“I made coffee. Would you like a cup?” He pulled two mugs out of the kitchen cabinet.
“Sure,” I replied to him, feeling a bit nervous.
“Let’s sit in the living room.”
We sat near the fireplace on the couch. Chase handed me my coffee, and I took a sip from it. I closed my eyes and sighed loudly at the soothing taste of coffee.
