SEDUCED TO SLEEP C13
1448 Words
Initially, Austin didn’t drive too far, but when his head continued to be a mess, he decidedly went home. He laid on his bed as many yet disconnected scenes played in his mind. f**k, he should’ve demanded to see the boy. What does he look like? He must know how to crawl or walk already, right? He recalled Paige’s expression and his heart ached, knowing he was the cause. He didn’t mean to raise his voice at her. He groaned, knowing he reacted quite badly. A baby! s**t. He still has a few urgent questions. He frowned, recalling that Anthony mentioned the baby’s name but for some reason, he couldn’t remember it. What was it again? It added to his frustration. He was such a bad father. He couldn’t’ even remember his own son’s name.
As for Paige, she spent half the night watching over her child. She cried a few times. Despite her dad’s assessment, she was afraid Austin would do the opposite. f**k! It hasn’t even been a month since they reconnected. Are they bound to part ways again? She hoped not.
When morning came, she remained nervous. She expected him to come, but the day turned into night and he didn’t show up.
“What do you think?” She asked her father, who didn’t look the least bit worried.
“Maybe he needed more time. Give him a few days. Effective planning requires sufficient time.”
And so, she waited. On the third day, she could no longer do so. The wait was driving her mad. She decided to go to his place and confront him.
She mustered up the courage and knocked on his door. But when he opened it, she was unable to say anything.
“What are you doing here?” He asked upon seeing her. He waited and saw the she seemed nervous. After a minute, she simply pounced and hugged him.
He was surprised by her action. He closed the door and brought her in.
“Are you still angry?” She finally found her voice and asked this.
Austin pursed his lips. Is there a point in rehashing everything that has already been said? None. They should move forward instead.
“Even if you believed you did what’s best for everyone, I still would have preferred it if you informed me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“I won’t. I promise.” Hope reignited in her heart as he hugged her back.
Austin took a deep breath before asking, “Can I see him?”
“Of course.”
“What’s his name?”
“Paul. Paul Alvin.”
He squinted and she looked sheepish. It was very ordinary, she knew.
“He’ll be taking my name.”
“Okay.”
“You’ll be taking mine, too.”
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard this.
“Does that mean you’ll still marry me?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t want to?”
“No! I want to!”
He chuckled, making her realize he’s only teasing.
He sighed and told her his thoughts.
“I can’t believe I already have a son and missed a lot of things. His birth. His first step. His first word. When I imagined myself becoming a father, I thought I would be there every step of the way. You shouldn’t decide for other people. Let them make their own choices, Paige.”
“I know. I’m truly sorry.”
“You’ll tell me everything about him?”
“I will. Anything you want to know. I have pictures and videos.” Thinking of this alternative, she began to understand him. He must have wanted the experience first-hand.
“I’m sorry for taking those things away from you.”
He stared deeply into her eyes as a thought occurred to him. He wanted at least two children with her. They’ll have a second one and when she gets pregnant, he’ll make sure he would be there to experience everything he missed.
He hoped the boy won’t begrudge his absence in his early years.
“He won’t even remember that. I’m sure he would appreciate it more if you spend time with him when he’s a little bit older, when he’ll start remembering what you did together.”
“I plan to do that.”
“Me, too.”
After a few more minutes of silence, she invited him over. “Should we go and see him now?”
He took another deep breath, seemingly nervous.
“He’s still a baby. There’s no reason for you to be nervous.” It was her turn to tease him.
He grimaced. “Easy for you to say.”
Hours later, Paige learned the reason for his trepidation. He was so scared to carry the child. Paul is technically a toddler already. His bone structure has matured. He’s not as fragile as a newborn. Paige assisted him until the boy was safely cradled in his arms.
“He’ll be up soon. He takes shorter naps in the afternoon.”
“What was his first word?”
Paige smiled and proudly said, “Mama.”
“Did you have a hard time? I heard women are more emotional during pregnancy. Did you have cravings? What did you crave?”
Something squeezed her heart. It ached upon hearing his questions. She understood him more.
“I’m sorry.” She truly meant it this time, finally understanding what she took from him.
He gave her a curious look and she switched to answering his questions. She tried to give as much details as she could remember.
Over the next few weeks, they extensively discussed before coming up with a date for their wedding. Preparations began but they discovered something more exciting. Paige was pregnant and she clearly witnessed Austin’s reaction. She chuckled, not expecting a grown man like him to react like a teenager. He whooped and jumped in celebration before taking her into his arms and swinging her around. Two turns made her dizzy that she stopped him to puke. He quickly brought her to see a doctor. He barely calmed down when they were told she and the baby are both fine and healthy.
“I’m really fine. Don’t be so worried!”
He lightly glared at her. “This is my first time. Let me panic!”
She burst into laughter at his statement. She found it very funny. Austin was glad to see her this happy. She was blooming, getting more and more beautiful each day.
“I love you. You’ve made me the happiest man.” He went to embrace and she basked in it. She would love this man forever.
“Right. There’s something I should tell you.” She recalled something that she’d been keeping from him.
His lip twitched. He was hoping to receive a similar reply but she seemed to remember something else. Still, he didn’t call her out.
“What is it?”
“I was already pregnant before we parted ways two years ago.”
He frowned, unsure where she’s going with this.
“It’s about my condition. I think the reason I was able to sleep well even after we ended our agreement was because of it. After Paul was born, I would usually sleep in the nursery with him. There was this one time I went abroad for a week. After a couple of nights, the insomnia returned. It made me terrified and I thought of you. Though, truth be told, I thought of you often. Especially when I’m alone at night. I did miss your presence. I was also in denial for a long time. I kept telling myself that there’s no way I have fallen for you. Anyway, when I came back home and I stayed in the nursery with him, I was able to sleep peacefully again. He’s your child, so I figured he must have the same effect on me. I knew it doesn’t make sense, but hey, as long as I’m able to rest well I’m taking it. I made sure to monitor your progress. I regularly read articles about your company. I wished for your success and I was very happy when you finally succeeded.”
He was smiling as she told him these things.
“Thank you. But I think you know that there’s something else I want to hear.” He cupped her face and caressed her jaws with his thumbs.
“Fine. I love you. I’m glad to have found my rest in you.”
He grinned and she met him halfway for a heart-felt kiss.
THE END
- Writer
