The Returning Ex (Completed)

Chapter 11 – Dreaming about her

Chapter 11 – Dreaming about her

Tristan Wilder

POV

(DREAM)

The ball has just started; Aria was not downstairs yet she was surely still busy getting ready, her parents and brother were busy greeting guests, everyone was here, President Kevin Jacobs and his wife Rebecca Jacobs and their family. Actually, the entire Jacobs clan was here. They were one big family.

The lights went out and the music started it was the song Aria had been obsessed with lately (Scars to your beautiful by Alessia Cara). It would seem my girlfriend would be here soon.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing Miss Aria Jacobs” Someone said.

The music got louder and a spotlight went to the top of the stairs and there she was, I saw her standing there in a pure white mermaid dress, she looked absolutely gorgeous. What made my heart melt was that she was wearing the necklace I had gifted her, she probably had jewellery already sorted for today, but she chose to wear the one I gifted her. I did not have money to buy her expensive jewellery or whatever else, her family could afford. That is why I had given her the thing that meant the most to me because it showed her that I was serious about her, about us, about our relationship. I felt an arm around my neck, I turned to look it was my sister Maddie. I hugged my sister.

“She looks beautiful,” Madison says

I nod. She looked a lot more than beautiful, she looked incredible, beautiful; and hot; every word that describes amazing she was that.

She walked down the stairs gracefully her brother was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. He escorted her around greeting everyone, Aaron was so cool, I would hang out with him when he was not busy and we would play video games and drink together on occasion when Aria was in a good mood. He was my best friend because he was only a year older than we were extremely close, and he is the only one who knows about my plans for after high school. He promised not to tell Aria until I am ready to tell her, he is helping me apply. Aaron is an amazing friend and he was like a brother to me.

She walked up to me with her brother I greeted him first because I wanted to hug my girlfriend.

“Yo what’s up” he said as we hugged and I hugged him back

“I’m cool. I haven’t seen you in forever.” I say

He nods “You know, I’m busy with work but I haven’t forgotten about my COD rematch” he says

I laugh shaking my head. “Of course” I say

I loved Aaron’s game room he had taken one of their guestrooms and turned it into a game room, much to his father’s dismay. He even had custom gaming chairs and the one wall is covered in computer screens there is a snack bar and drinks so we never have to leave the room when we hungry. We spend hours in there and Aria hates it. She would spend that time with her best friend Emily or as she calls her Milly.

I look at my girlfriend she smiles shyly at me. I grab her hand and twirl her around to get a better look at her. I pull her into a bone-crushing hug. I always loved the way she smelt, I breathed her in, I loved this girl too death.

“Baby girl you look amazing, absolutely amazing, stunning and gorgeous all in one, making me want to drag you upstairs to change you look way too hot.” I whisper into her ear

She giggles softly and hits my shoulder playfully. This girl had my heart for sure. Because no girl could ever get me into a tuxedo, not even my mother or Madison got me into one. However, she got me into one just to see a smile on her face. She even got me to quit drinking and I am getting there to quit smoking, I have stopped smoking weed though.

====

The party was going well, when Aria’s parents made their way to the stage they had built into their living room just for today. They had the whole house decorated for today. I was sitting next to Aria and her grandfather Kyler. I loved the man, he had set me down a few months ago asking about my plans for the future and how I plan on taking care of his granddaughter, and I was honest with him. I told him about my plans to join the army and how I was planning to stick to it, I explained how my father was in the army and how his father before him was as well. For the first time in my life someone other Madison told me they were proud of me, I had ended up in tears that day thinking that he was proud of my plans and my dreams. They were big and I have not even told Aria about them yet, I was scared I would lose her.

“Good evening Ladies and Gentleman, today 17 years ago, I had given birth to the most amazing daughter I could ever have asked for. Today is also the day I had lost my mother, but also gained a sister.” Zelina said looking at Sidney Aria’s aunt. “Aria has been the apple of our eyes for many years given her everything she had always asked for but only if she had worked for it. It was what my husband and I had instilled in our kids and I remember when I told Niklaus I was pregnant with Aria, he went crazy absolutely crazy, I couldn’t eat by myself because I would accidently stab myself. For most of my pregnancy with Aria I had been by myself, I would always talk to her and pray for her. Recently I came across a song that resonated with me on so many levels; I had worked on putting my own twist on the song for weeks, so baby this is for you.” Zelina said

Niklaus walked over to the piano and started playing and Zelina started singing

(Song Dan + Shay – When I pray for you)

“Before you were even born I remember

talking to God about you

And I hadn’t even met you yet

Everybody was waitin' on you

I couldn’t wait to feel your heart beat

When I laid you on my chest

I'm already holding back my tears

I wanna be the mom that my mom was

I hoped that I wouldn’t mess this whole thing up

I pray you love like your daddy

And you forgive just like he does

'Cause when this life knocks you down

I hope you get down on your knees

'Cause that's what I do, that's what I do

When I pray for you

Oh, when I pray for you

I know you're gonna grow up some day

And have a family of your own,

But don't forget to take your time

And take the time to call back home

It ain't always gonna be easy

It ain't always gonna be fair

I know you ain't always gonna need me

But I promise that I'll always be there

I pray you love like your daddy

And you forgive just like he does

'Cause when this life knocks you down

I hope you get down on your knees

'Cause that's what I do, that's what I do

When I pray for you

Oh, when I pray for you

I talk to God about you

When everything around me breaks

I look up and hear him say

Love like your daddy

And forgive just like he does

And when this life knocks you down

I hope you get down on your knees

'Cause that's what I do, that's what I do

When I pray for you

When I pray for you

When I pray for you”

By the end of the song Aria was in tears, I wrapped my arms around and let her cry in my arms. I gently soothed her.

Aria hated showing emotion in public, it is something she had learnt from her family they had been very private people and would not show anyone other than family any sort of emotion.

“We love you baby, you might be 17 but you’ll always be my little girl. We will always love you sweetheart,” her mother says.

The rest of the night went well, Aria had finally stopped crying and I took her upstairs to her room to get her cleaned up and change into her second out for her father daughter dance with her father, Aurora was supposed sing the next song for Aria. My girlfriend was obviously still very emotional, and I did not mind being there for her. It hurt me to see her cry so I vowed to be there for her for the rest of our lives and to make sure she never cries even if it was tears of joy.

=====================

I sat up slowly. Damn that was the day I gave her the necklace. I hated how much I missed her. I looked around the room. It was still dark out, everyone else was still asleep. I checked the time it was 4 a.m. I got off the sofa, went up to my room, and got into a sweatpants and a sweatshirt. A pair of running sneakers and before I knew it I was out the door.

I kept running.

“Tristan what are we doing? This arguing over petty things. We’re not teenagers anymore. I am a mother of a nine year old boy who is nearly a teenager. I cannot argue with my ex-boyfriend over who I can and cannot sleep with” I pictured her looking at me.

I took a deep breath and try shake that thought out of my head; I decided to run faster to keep my mind busy.

“Tristan we can’t keep going back and forth like this. We have a son. Since you don’t want a relationship it’s best if we don’t confuse him or get his hopes up about us being a couple. I can’t do this anymore the back and forth not knowing where I stand with you needs to stop.”

Bloody hell Aria was like a damn plague in my mind

“Tristan don’t do this, I’m not some yo-yo. You can’t do that, you can’t tell me you don’t love me anymore and then look at me with so much love in your eyes.” I imagined the hurt expression on her face

The next thing I know is I had lost my footing and I felt a sharp pain running through my right ankle.

Dammit, dammit!!!!!!!

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH” I screamed

I hated how much everything woman did affected me. I was a freaking mess. I couldn’t breathe without thinking about her.

I got up and tried to step on my feet but I couldn’t step on my right foot without hurting my ankle and what’s worse I had no idea where I was.

I got out my phone, it was 6:06 A.M. I got my phone out and called Jimmy.

“Yo, Yo Jim Jam at your service.” Jimmy answers

I roll my eyes “God you need to stop answering your phone like that” I said

“What do you need boss man. I’m about to go on a date so you got to make it quick” he says

He has a date at 6 A.M. In the morning? Is he mentally ill?

“Jimmy I need you to track my location and send it to me please? I am somewhat lost and need help getting home.” I say somewhat embarrassed

I looked for stick long enough for me to make into a cane. Or anything to assist me in fixing up my ankle long enough for me to get home.

I heard Jimmy laughing. I rolled my eyes. I took a deep breath. I found a couple short sticks. I took my sneakers laces and wrapped it around the sticks to keep my ankle in place.

“Yo man you’re about 20 miles away from your sister’s house. I’ll send you directions on how to get home.” Jimmy said I thanked him and hung up.

I was frustrated. How the hell did I get to the middle of no man’s land so fast? I pick up this huge rock and went to throw it, when I noticed something under it, it looked like a bracelet. I threw the rock and picked up the bracelet. It looked oddly familiar. Of course it looked familiar it had my initials on it. It was a bit rusted but I recognised it. I bought Aria this bracelet for Christmas 12 years ago.

How the hell did it get here? When was Aria ever here? I was confused. But what got to me more was that I couldn’t even be hurt without her finding a way to get into my head. Why the hell was she even here?

I got up ignoring the pain; I put the bracelet in my pocket and walked home. I could not care less about anything other than getting home and back to work. I walked about five miles when my phone rang.

“Hello?” I answered

“Tristan… uhm are you busy today?” I heard Aria’s voice

Why the hell have I not saved her number? I’m trying to avoid her but somehow she’s everywhere

“I am Kinda why do you ask?” I ask

“Well I was hoping you’re not busy I need to speak to you about Austin’s birthday party” She says

“What about it?” I ask

“Well our some doesn’t want any gifts from the two of us but he wants a dance the two of us dancing to a song of his choosing. I would like to meet to talk about this” she says

Oh hell no. I know what the kid is planning, he doesn’t want gifts because he plans on making his family whole. I was a kid once so I know exactly what he is doing.

“You do know what his planning right?” I ask

My head started to ache and my ankle was killing me and I still have fifteen miles to go.

“I do. Please Tristan I haven’t asked you for anything but I ask for you to do this for our son?” she says

“Oh what happened to let’s not confuse him?” I ask

“What are you talking about?” she asks

“Well your exact words were. ‘Tristan we can’t keep going back and forth like this. We have a son. Since you don’t want a relationship it’s best if we don’t confuse him or get his hopes up about us being a couple. I can’t do this anymore the back and forth not knowing where I stand with you needs to stop.’ So what’s with let’s do this for him?” I ask her

“Tristan…” she says

“No don’t come Tristan me. You say I’m toying with your emotions but what about all the things you’ve done and said before or is double standards?” I ask

“Tristan don’t be like this please” she begs

“Bye Aria” I say hanging up the phone. I see a dustbin I kick it. The pain shooting throw my ankle reminded me that I had definitely hurt my ankle further.

Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why is this happening to me? Why are you doing this to me today? I take a deep breath trying to forget about the pain and continued walking back to the house. I already today was not my day. It was confirmed by the amount of times I had hurt myself. I frustratedly pulled at my hair.