Authors Note: Okay, so I got this idea from when I was looking at Chad and his new fling's instagram. There's a picture of when he went to Australia with her and is surrounded by a bunch of kids that are in her family. I'm still a Chophia fan at heart so I got this idea.
Background: Sophia and Chad met in college- not on One Tree Hill. Sophia's younger brother is James. Chad is married to Nicky. Sophia lives with her parents in California. Chad lives with his wife in Buffalo, NY.
Summary: I didn't tell my family the truth for a long time. The truth that I knew about the child, the child that was mine and I had no clue who they are exactly. All I know is that somewhere out their, with her, is someone who is fifty percent me.
Only When I Walked Away
Chapter One: The Truth
Chad's Point Of View
"So what your saying is Sophia has a kid?" I asked calmly. It's been ten years since I've seen or heard from my ex-wife and now all the sudden her name is brought up constantly.
"Who is nine years old." He pointed out.
"So? She has a nine year old. Big deal." I shrugged.
"Do the math, Bro."
"Rex," I said holding my breath. My oldest brother decided to call me out of the blue because he read a gossip magazine while at the doctor's office that had Sophia in it with a kid. "There's still no way."
"You guys what, got a married in April, and a divorce in what, September?" I wasn't really paying attention to him much. A simple "Mhm" was all I responded with. "I know according to you, you two had one last horary before it's officially over."
"I still don't think its true. There's no way she would even think of doing that shit to me."
"Even after all the shit you did to her?" He made a point there.
"I still don't think so."
"Look at the picture I sent you. Lindsey wanted to see what Sophia was up to so she searched her Facebook and found it." Rex stated to me. "How does someone hid their own kid for nine months?"
Ignoring that comment I continued. "I don't know. I think you've gone nuts. I have to go. Nicky will be home soon with the kids."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nice excuse." He laughed. "I'll see you Sunday at dinner."
I didn't tell my family the truth for a long time. The truth that I knew about the child, the child that was mine and I had no clue who they are exactly. All I know is that somewhere out their, with her, is someone who is fifty percent me.
I decided to do what Rex said to me and search on Facebook for Sophia, at least give me a piece of mind and to know what I left behind. A picture instantly pulled up. A young boy with brown hair and blue eyes, eyes that I could tell comes from my side of the family, and a picture of my ex. I had a son who I never knew.
Searching her Facebook some more I found new information. I found a name, Declan Maxwell Bush. If I remember correctly Declan was one of her favorite names when we where dating and married. I found a supposed birthday- June 2nd, 2007.
I heard the garage door open and the pitter-patter of feet I closed out the search engine and got off the computer.
"What ya doing?" I turned around to see my wife of the past eight years and watched as the oldest two boys ran up stairs.
"Just finished searching something's for Rex." I smiled kissing my wife's forehead. "How was your day?"
"It was okay. The girls drove me nuts all day and the boys drove me nuts this morning." She let out a small laugh. "Maverick refused to get dressed this morning, I had to tell him ten million times to get ready- he was late of course so I had to drive him. Lachlan decided it will be smart to tell me this morning to tell me five minutes before we left that he had detention, a first grader with detention? Really? Adeline wouldn't keep her pants on at all. You want to know how hard it is to wrestle a one and a half year old to keep her friggin pants on while being pregnant?" She shot me a look, a look that I responded with a laugh. "Evie thinks it's a good idea to throw a fit in ever store I had to go to today." Evie was a very spirited child, I chuckled. "They're both finally passed out in the car. You want to grab them?"
"Yeah, I'll go get them." I smiled placing my hand on her stomach and giving her forehead another kiss while resting my hands on her expanding stomach. "You go relax."
"There's no such thing as relax when you have two kids under the age of three and are pregnant again." She chuckled. "But a good foot massage sounds amazing right now."
"When the girls are in their beds I'll give you one." I smiled leaving the room.
Before I made my way into the garage I stopped and looked at the family photos placed hanging on the hallway wall. Photos of me and Nicky, photos of the kids from newborn stage to today, photos of my siblings in a ground and one of Nicky's siblings, and in the center was a photo of Nicky and mines wedding day. No pictures showing the past life I gave up when given the chance, no secret child that no one knows about. No nothing that show any of him. I made my way further and into the garage staring at the two angelic faces passed out in their car seats. Both girls with their blond straight hair pulled into pigtails on either side of their heads; purple and pink matching dresses adorn their bodies.
"Daddy?" I reached for our eldest Evelyn Madeline, known as Evie, first once I heard her stir in her sleep.
"Go back to sleep baby." I lifted her into my arms as she slowly rested her head on my shoulder. I moved to the far side of the car to remove Adeline.
"I'm up silly." Evie giggled giving my cheek a kiss.
"Go find mommy, Evie." I laughed placing her on the ground and watching her run off.
I finally figured out all the things that I will never have the opportunity to experience with Declan because of my stupidity. It was something I desperately wanted to change- and fast. Now if only Sophia was going to allow it.
When everyone goes to bed I will call her.
Sophia's point of view
Sitting in my parents Pasadena, California house I hissed at myself. I spent nine years protecting the only one I have to protect from the world and I still failed at it. I stayed inside- never once leaving for nine months. Loosing friends I had gain and a job. I moved in with my parents and slowly built my life back.
I read the message received from his sister-in-law, one that I can say word for word since I received it earlier today, the same sister-in-law that I was friends with in college and the same one who hooked him and me up.
Hey Sophia,
Long time since I've seen you. I'm just messaging to check in with you. I miss you very much. The kids ask how you are time and time again and wonder why their godmother isn't around. I do my best to explain it but as they are now teenagers (crazy ones) they don't approve of my answers. I was hoping sometime maybe I could come visit; maybe we can have a girls weekend. Your son is very cute! I didn't know you had a kid! He looks about the same age as my youngest, Hunter is. Nine right? It looks like you got busy if you know what I mean after the divorce. Just because you got a divorce from Chad doesn't mean you have to stop talking to me. I was your best friend. I miss you.
-Lindsey
"Soph, stop being so hard on yourself." My mother, Maureen, stated walking into the room. "You've been sitting on the chair since you came over.'
"I didn't protect him." I cried out.
"Honey, Declan is fine as can be." She smiled. "You've kept him in the dark for nine years from the outside world. I think it's okay if they know him a little."
"I don't want him to see him." I cried out more, but my words were like venom.
"He made the choice not to see him, which is true but, its okay at least only one picture. Maybe it will be a wake up call for him." My mother reasoned. She always tried to see the other side of a problem from someone else's perspective. "Yes it's been almost ten years, yes the guys a jackass but Declan still deserves to have a father."
"He made that decision for Declan, Ma, not me."
"Just if he gets in touch with you think about it before you just flat out say no. Just think about it, Sophia. That's all I'm asking."
"Mommy!" I heard a voice that melted my heart. "Grandpa let me take pictures and said if I become as good as him I can take over and rule the business."
"Oh really?" I smirked raising an eyebrow at my father.
"He's got an eye Soph." He smiled at me.
"See! I told you! You should listen to me for once!" Declan placed his hands on his hips, pointing his finger at me. "I'm always right."
"Oh really?" I raised my eyebrow again.
"I'll give him that baby girl." My dad smiled pulling me into a hug. "You did really good with him." He whispered into my ear. "You should be proud of the kid Declan's becoming."
"Thanks daddy." I was always a daddy's girl. "Okay, Dec, its practice time."
"Football here I come." Declan smiled a toothless smile.
"Score a touch down for me?" My dad asked.
"Like always Grandpa." Declan responded with a giggle.
"See you tonight for dinner?" Mom asked me when I gathered up my purse.
"We should be here." I smiled giving her a hug before running out the door.
One football game of the season little league done, only ten more to go I thought to myself as I tucked Declan into bed. "Goodnight my MVP."
"Night mommy." He smiled rolling over.
Being a mom was the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved it. I loved the way that someone depended on me. The way Declan looks up to me. Glancing at the hallway clock I decided to just lay in bed. I really did not want to bother my parents with sitting and watching TV with them and I needed to be alone and think about things. That's when I noticed my phone ringing.
"Hello?" I asked holding it up to my ear. I didn't recognize the phone number at all.
"Soph?" The voice asked. My heart dropped. I knew the voice, I knew it by heart, I could never forget it. He, after ten years was calling.