February 2018, Los Angeles
"Can you pass the ketchup?" I murmured to Katy who was sitting right next to me on the dinner table.
"Here..." Nicholas said while he surreptitiously pushed the ketchup bottle in my direction as soon as he heard me.
I hear Katy snigger beside me and I knew she caught the gesture when the others were too busy to notice.
We were having dinner and Nic and Thomas were the surprise guests, much to Kristen's delight. Since they arrived an hour ago, I was torn from being awed at seeing the little kid of hers, and bummed that the person who fathered him was here too. He was supposed to be miles away like I thought he was.
I have this awful laugh bubbling inside me, threatening to get out. The irony of having to face the reality of your loss on the very same day that you realize you want someone still is surprisingly humorous.
"Thanks." I murmured, not even sure if the supposed recipient got it, but a confirmatory smile my way was enough to tell me that he, as usual, was fine with the arrangement. Our demented love triangle is back in full force.
Nicholas was sitted in front of me on the long rectangular table, right next to him, of course, was the current object of my desire. On her lap was a rambunctious one-year old who wouldn't stop jumping up and down, trying to get my attention across the table since we started.
"Thomas, Honey just one more please..." Kristen almost begged the baby to take another bite of his food, but it was futile. He was too busy spitting the food all over the place.
"I don't think he's gonna eat unless Uncle Rob-y notices him." Nic laughed and teased Thomas who responded with gurgling laughter, as if he understood what he just said. "Come here soldier!" He reached and took him from Kristen.
"What? They call me Uncle Rob-y now?!" I complained to Katy, and I swear she almost choked on her food. I glanced at the oblivious parents, a little glad they didn't hear the exchange.
"He seems quite taken with you, Rob" Nic pointed out with a quizzical look on his face as he settled Thomas on his lap and tried to feed him himself.
Runs in the blood, for a second there I wanted to say out loud, but then I glanced at Kristen who was too busy smiling adoringly at father and son, and I had the urge to smash somebody's face in.
"It's okay, you finish eating. I'll handle him. It's about time you get a break." Nic said to Kristen who didn't hesitate in going back to her plate.
I can't help but stare at what's playing in front me.
"This must be-" Katy coughed into her table napkin. "-killing you!" and coughed again.
I narrowed my eyes at her before looking back at Nic who was getting the upper hand on Thomas who was now surprisingly well-behaved.
"So, Nic...are you guys still gonna drive back to the city?" I asked.
Nic looked up surprised at my question. "I was planning to..." he answered then looked toward Kristen who was studiously ignoring us. "...but Kristen thinks it's too late for me and Thomas to drive back."
"Oh...so you guys staying in a nearby hotel?" I asked.
"No need for that!" Katy intruded. "I'll see if I can find you a room."
"Katy, it's fine" Kristen spoke up. "Nic and I can stay in one room with Thomas. The room is big enough"
"Oh..." Katy smiled. "Interesting." She murmured but I'm pretty sure I was the only who heard it. I heard that even with the constant ringing in my ear.
Suddenly, I didn't feel like eating anymore.
"Excuse me" I murmured to no one in particular and slid off my seat. I casually walked out to the balcony, conscious with the eyes following me.
"You don't have to do this" Nicholas said.
We were in the room trying to set up Thomas' milk bottles and heater on my dresser and laying down his travel cot on the corner.
"Do what?" I asked, not sure exactly what Nic was referring to. He was there sitting on the bed and observing me. He looked so tired that for a moment I was worried for his health. "Did you lose weight?"
"What? No." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Well...maybe a little." He frowned.
"You're working too hard." I said as I approached and sat beside him on the bed.
"Not really...Maybe I just miss your cooking." He shrugged.
I laughed. "You hardly ate my cooking when you were here!"
"Hey...to be fair, I do eat it every time I come over, and don't get me started about the time you had me gain weight when were still together and actually threatened my contract!" I laughed at his pained expression. He gained a lot of weight back then he almost lost a movie contract.
I just can't help but laugh about it. I turned and gave him a quick peck on the cheek and got a confused smile in return.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"For the wonderful surprise." I whispered.
He grinned. "Trust me, our kid was on the verge of driving Jules crazy if I didn't take him to see you."
I sighed. Thomas and his disappearing act. I just might buy a leash soon.
"And now you distracted me...I was telling you that there's no need for me to stay here. I can always stay at the couch downstairs." Nic started.
"Stop it. The bed is big enough, and we're over that phase aren't we?" I replied while I set the extra pillow on his side.
"There's no arguing out of this, is there?" He asked.
"Nope, not a chance. It's not as if you have a girlfriend who'll kill you if you sleep in the same bed with the mother of your child." I teased. "Do you?" I asked. I've always wondered why Nic haven't found somebody new.
"Nope...not yet..." He shook his head and sighed. "I guess I'm stuck here then."
"Yes you are." I agreed then threw a triumphant grin at him.
"How about your boyfriend?" Nic asked.
"What boyfriend?" My heart suddenly tightened.
"The one downstairs...If looks could kill, I would've been dinner." Nic laughed. I turned to comment but he was taking his shirt off.
"Don't be absurd." I replied and for a moment observed him in his glory. Trying to compare it to the earlier one you saw at the beach? I sighed. This bed sharing probably isn't a good idea after all. Maybe it was just pent-up feelings of frustration Rob started with his kisses.
"Yeah right...if that wasn't dislike, I don't know what is." He laughed.
"Are you gonna take a shower?" I asked. Nic nods. "Let me use the bathroom first...then I'll take Thomas from them and put him to sleep"
"Sure, hand me the spare towel, will you?" Nic replied.
"Rob, can you take Thomas upstairs? He's getting cranky. It's bedtime." Katy said as he handed me the baby.
"Wait, what? Weren't you the one who borrowed him?" I complained. The kid was gazing at me eyes wide.
"Jesus! Just take him upstairs. It's not as if told you to raise him." Katy replied as she hurriedly walked out to take a call.
"I guess it's just me and you kid." I frowned. Thomas giggled. "Let's go find mommy."
I carried Thomas upstairs and knocked on Kristen's room. I wondered if Nic was already in there. I haven't seen them since dinner. Is there still something going on between them?
With another knock I hear him answer inside. "Just a sec." Aaah. He's in there. My chest tightened and so did my grip on the baby.
The door opened and there in front of me was Nic almost naked except for a towel around his hips.
For a moment, I just stood there unable to comprehend what I was seeing. I then realized that my fears might actually be true, that there is still something going on between them.
"Da..da!" Thomas reached out for Nic and I hesitated at first, but then he raised his eyebrows at me.
"Are you looking for Kristen?" He asked. "She's in the shower."
"I...uhh...Thomas was sleepy. I thought I should bring him up already." I answered, awkwardly.
"Thanks Man..." He smiled casually before closing the door.
Closing and burying my hopes too.
A/N: It took me what? A week to get this update up. Lol. I'm sorry for taking so long but I'm trying to run the plot in my mind and I'm scared I might make the wrong choices. Hopefully this got me somwhere. Somehow it's starting to get complicated with Nic and the baby back in the scene.
I REALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT U THINK.
