Ch. 2

A baby.

Christian's baby.

I'm still in shock of all he's told me. Not only about him and Elena but his parents as well. My head was spinning and I could swear the headache that was coming on was due to a overload of information.
Elena had told him she was pregnant with his child. On that same day his parents had announced they were getting divorced due to the fact Carrick had an affair. He and Elliott moved to Portland with Carrick, although he called it running away for him. He had wanted to contact me but was scared to after how things had ended between us. Elena never stopped sending him pictures via email of Nate. He did come back for a day when he was born but no one knew not even Elena, he had just watched Nate in the nursery.

"I'm a dick Ana. I ran from my son. I hated my mom and dad for not staying together. Most dick move of all I hurt you."

I shook my head. "You are not a dick Christian. You made bad choices but now you have to make it right. Starting with your son." I stand up and grab his arm. "Let's go buddy. You have a toddler to see."
He seemed surprised that I was literally dragging him from the boat but whether or not he thought he was ready to be a dad it didn't change the fact that he is a dad. We got to his car and he told me to get in. I was about to suggest he call Elena when started driving like he knew exactly where to go.

"I know where she works. She's actually done good and opened her own salon." He looks over at me and I guess the surprise is clear on my face. "Yeah I was surprised too. Who knows where she got the money for that. Maybe she has a sugar daddy." He elbows my arm and we both laugh.

This feels normal. I know we still need to talk about everything but right now it didn't seem like it mattered. It didn't take long for Christian to find the salon. It was nice I'd give Elena that. The sign said that it was lunch and they'd reopen in 30 minutes. Apparently that didn't work for Christian, since he banged on the door until we saw her walk out of the back.

She opened the door and let us in. Something seemed wrong though, like she was scared of something. Suddenly I saw her as a lion backed into a corner with nowhere to go but not willing to give up on the fight.

"Christian. You're back in town, and with Ana. What a surprise. So...what have you two been up to?"

"Cut the pleasantries Elena. We need to talk." Well just get to it Christian, I thought silently.

"Talk? About what may I ask?"

"Hmm how about a certain little boy. Gray eyes, about two almost..."

"Ok. Maybe we can have lunch sometime."

"Or we can talk now. What is going on? I want to see him."

She looks back and forth between me and Christian before dropping her head and nodding. "We need to talk. Privately and obviously now since you insist." She leads him to the room she came from and shuts the door.
I look around and take note of everything. It seems fancy, really fancy. Elena has done good for herself. I'm walking around the salon looking at all the chairs and different products each hair and nail person uses when I hear Christian yell.

"YOU FUCKING WHAT?!"

I look towards the door. I can't hear the response but I hear shuffling.

"No! I won't calm down. I don't give a shit if your employees come back early. You had no right. You didn't even tell me! What kind of person does that Elena?!"

I hear the bell chime and smile politely at the woman who walked in. She opens her mouth to say something when the door flies open behind me.

"Christian please. It's not as bad as you're making it out to be."

He stops and clinches his fists. "You gave up our son for adoption, lie about paternity so you don't need my permission, never tell me about it for 2 years while you still send me fucking pictures!"

She looks down at the floor. "Yeah so it sounds bad but it's an open adoption. I can still see him. I'll take you after I close tonight."

He laughs. "No. You will tell me where he is now and then go get a shovel."

"Why a shovel Christian?"

He walks so he's right in front of her and looks her right in the eyes. "Because I'm going to get my son back and bury you. You won't get away with this. You had no right to give him up."
We wait as she writes everything down. He turns and walks away without saying anything. I follow him and wait til we're in the car to say anything.

"I..."

"My son."

He chokes the words out and I hear he's crying. I reach for him but he pulls away from me. I glance back at the salon as he speeds away, he's broken but can he be put back together? I don't notice that he drove me home until he parks the car and unlocks the doors.

"I'll see you tomorrow? We can talk?"

He shrugs his shoulders.

"I know you want to do this alone, see your son...explain everything. But Christian you aren't alone. Please remember that."

He shrugs his shoulders again.

I watch him go and hope that unlike the last time he'll be back.

1 week passes. No sign of Christian. He's not at school and he hasn't called. It's Saturday today and I just started my shift at the Walmart when I hear my name over the loud speaker being called to the front of the store. I get up there and I'll admit I am surprised to see Elliott.

"Ana banana."

"Eli." I call him by the same nickname I always have.

"I've missed you shorty. I'm sorry I can't stay and talk gotta get to work. Christian sent me by. He told me to tell you he wants to know if you want to have dinner tonight. Is so go to this address. Nothing fancy casual. See you later Ana!" He says it all so fast as he hands me a piece of paper and then runs off.

Well at least now I know Christian hasn't been ignoring me. But what has he been doing? I finish my shift and go by my house to change quickly. I drive to the address and park my car. It's a shop of some sort with what looks like an apartment over it. I ring the bell and lights turn on. Christian opens the door and smiles at me. Is this the same guy from a week ago?

"Ana! Hey! Come in."

"Hey Christian. What is all this?" I motion around the store.

"A bookstore." He laughs. "My mom knew a woman who needed help so she hired me while I'm not at school and she gave me the apartment upstairs rent free."

"That's great."

"Come on up I want you to meet someone."

He grabs my hand and walks me upstairs. He opens the door and I walk inside. The living room is spacious and fully furnished. Grace is sitting on the couch and gets up and hugs me when I walk in. We say hello and she goes into the kitchen which you can see from the living room.

"Christian I've already met your mom. What's going on?"

He smiles and picks up a baby monitor. "It's a trial basis right now. The court agreed with me that Elena had no legal right to have my son adopted without my permission. If I can prove I can provide a safe living environment and can take care of him it'll become permanent."

Little cries come over the monitor and Christian walks into what looks like the only bedroom in the apartment. A few minutes later he comes out holding Nate. He looks just like him.

"Ana, this is my son. Nate."

I smile at him and go to shake his little hand. Nate smiles and says "Hewwo Ana."

Christian sets him down in his highchair while I walk to the table. "Nate can't talk much that I can understand at least but he's getting there."

I nod and sit down next to Christian. As we start to eat dinner I can't help but think this is just the beginning of Christian and I getting back to where we were.