3

I went inside and began my shopping. I pushed the cart through the aisles collecting food that Gabe would eat. He loved dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets with peas and carrots. I was so lost in my thoughts, that I had rammed the end of my cart into someone else. I saw it was a guy and I saw it was the cop who owned the car.

"Oh god. I'm so sorry." I replied. If there was anything I hated more than annoying, attention seeking people, it was cops. "I didn't mean to- Jesus I wasn't even watching where I was going."

"Hey it's alright. It happens…Kaia?" the male asked. I looked up to see a familiar face, but that face use to be so young. I squinted a bit.

"Harold?" I asked and now he laughed and nodded.

"Yeah." he replied. On instinct we both walked around our carts and hugged each other.

"Oh wow it's been so long. You're a cop." I said in shock and he grinned.

"Yeah you're worst enemy." he said his hands resting on my shoulders for a bit. I took a step back and looked him over.

"You look amazing." I said and he looked me over and motioned at me.

"So do you. Well you always looked good. There was never a day you didn't look good." he rambled. Oh Harold. Still rambling I see.

"Well thank you." I replied and he nodded with his hands on his hips.

"Wow how long has it been?" he asked.

"Five years." I replied.

"Yeah too long." he said in an airy tone. "What are you doing back here?"

"I just moved back into my parents' home. Gonna be sticking around for a while and see what's been going on around here." I answered and he nodded.

"Yeah? Well it's good to have you back." he said. Now the radio on his uniform went off. Some woman was speaking and Harold nodded.

"Copy that. Well I got to, you know get back on duty. It was nice seeing you." he said and I nodded getting behind my cart.

"Yeah nice seeing you too." I replied and we split up. I continued my shopping and returned home only to see a familiar grey Prius in my drive way. Oh no way. I parked on the side of the road and got out of the car. Standing on the porch was my Aunt Leilani and in her arms was Gabriel. He had tan skin and brown curls and when he saw me his brown eyes brightened.

"Mommy!" he said in a loud tone. I smiled and watched as my aunt put him on the ground and he ran over to me. I got on one knee and smiled.

"Oh hi baby!" I said with excitement picking him up and embracing his head with my hand. "What are you all doing here?" I began kissing all over his giggling face. My aunt walked down towards me.

"We did say we were coming to see you. He couldn't go another day without you." she explained and I looked at Gabriel who smiled and held on to me.

"Is that so?" I asked looking at Gabriel who giggled.

"Yeah!" he said. I hugged my aunt and together we brought in the groceries. I let Gabriel watch some TV while I put away the food with my aunt.

"So have you seen his father?" she asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, he came around looking for him." I replied. She nodded.

"I remember when I first met that boy. I knew he was bad news. I knew he would suck you up into his world. Even when he got you into trouble though he still managed to bring you home in one piece sort of." she explained. I nodded and looked at her.

"Those were some good times." I teased and she gave half a grin.

"Just be careful." she said with worry in her tone. I nodded.

"I will." I replied. Before it got too dark, my aunt said her good byes and left for home. Gabriel and I went to Marie's home and the second she saw him, I knew that she knew who he was. We ate and talked and I got to meet Junior one of Maries other kids. When I was helping her wash dishes she just stared at me.

"So when were you going to tell me?" she asked. I just dried a dish she handed to me.

"Tonight." I replied. She nodded slowly and looked at me.

"It makes sense now. When Phillip came home the night you left, he was devastated, even trashed his own room. I assumed it was because you left out of the blue, but it was more than that. I knew it, but I couldn't put my finger on it and he wouldn't tell me of course. He loved you and probably still does." she said. I just looked at her with intent before looking away some.

"I got pregnant and I couldn't look my mom in the face. So I left to go live with my Aunt." I explained. "I told Phillip I was pregnant and then that I was leaving. He tried to talk me out of it, but I had to do it."

She nodded slowly looking me over.

"Well he's here and there's nothing to change that. Has Phillip met him yet?" she asked. I shook my head.

"No, but he will get to soon." I replied. She merely nodded and we dried off our hands.

"Momma can I have some more cookies pleeeeease?" he asked in a silly tone. Marie smiled and I looked in the door way as he was at the table.

"You will have to ask your grandma." I called out. There was two seconds of silence.

"Grandma, can I have some more cookies pleeeeease?" he asked as if not even really thinking about it. Marie smiled warmly before looking at me and giving me a warm deep hug then pulling back.

"Yes you can have as much as you'd like." she said moving into the kitchen with a plate of cookies. That evening I let Gabriel sleep with me.

Normal POV

It was time for the funeral and Kaia was in her room putting on her clothes while Gabriel sat on the sofa in his little black suit. A loud banging could be heard. Out of instinct, Gabriel looked over at the door and got off the sofa and walked over to the door. He unlocked it and opened it to see a large man in a black suit as well. He was a giant to little Gabriel. Phillip looked down at the child and felt the wind being knocked out of him almost. He looked down at the child who just looked up at him.

"Hello." He said in a small tone. Phillip slowly smiled and kneeled down.

"Hey little man." He said. "Is your mommy home?" He nodded.

"She's getting dressed in her room." he said. Phillip nodded and looked over him.

"You mind if I come in and wait for her. I'm a friend of hers." he said. Gabriel's face scrunched up and he shook his head.

"Mommy says not to let strangers in and I don't know you… so that makes you a stranger." he said in a tough tone. Phillip was already in love with this kid. He chuckled lowly.

"Well. My name is Phillip Kopus." he said. Now Gabriel gasped.

"Really? That's my name too. Phillip Junior!" he said with excitement. Phillip couldn't help but let his mouth drop in fake excitement.

"No way that's awesome. Well your mom was supposed to tell you something about me." he said. Gabriel tilted his head.

"Really?" he asked.

Kaia's POV

I stared at myself in my black dress. I wish this wasn't happening. I sighed and wiped my wet eyes. I heard Gabriel talking and was worried. I left my room.

"Baby who are you talking to?" I asked only to see Phillip on the door way getting up from his kneeling position. Gabriel looked at me.

"Look mommy, he has the same name as me!" he said with an innocent expression. I wasn't expecting him to be here, so when I saw Gabriel and then looked up at Phillip, they looked so alike.