CHAPTER 28
Sophie
Driving down a road I know all too well; my muscles tense up over the thought of not spending all of Christmas with Gabe. It’s my favorite holiday and I feel like a spoiled brat for wanting to hoard him all to myself today. But I threw on my big girl panties and now we’re en-route to his fathers. Well, Zanders. That’s where the Cage clan is celebrating Christmas today. I’ve had Gabe since he woke up tearing open all his new toys and then later into an early dinner with my Mom and Dad. My Dad flew up so we could all be together, it’s been far too long since I last saw him.
Pulling up the driveway I see Gabe starting to bounce in the rear-view mirror.
“Are you excited to see Daddy?” I smile at his excitement.
“I cannot wait to show him my new cars! He’s going to want to play with me all night! Maybe we won’t even go to bed!”
“I don’t know about that bud but I’m sure he’ll be just as happy about it as you are.” I throw my car in park and get out. Before I take a step in the direction that will take me to Gabe’s door, Kyle’s running down the front steps of the house towards my car. God he’s gorgeous. He’s wearing a pair of dress pants with a gray button up shirt that’s rolled up his tattooed forearms. He’s got a little bit of a five o’clock shadow going on that makes me weep inside. He’s always clean shaven and seeing the stubble is doing things to my girly parts. I’ll chalk that up to being celibate for the past several months. Since Vegas.
Kyle’s actually gone along with my wishes. We’ve barely seen each other and I find myself… missing him. So much. But every time I think about giving us another go I remember the pain that came in Vegas. We had the official paternity test done a month ago and there was no Maury Povich shocker. Kyle Cage was in fact the father. Surprise, surprise.
That reminds me of the little Christmas present I have tucked in Gabe’s overnight bag with Kyle’s name on it. He’ll find it later when he’s changing Gabe into his PJ’s. Apparently, the Cages have one giant slumber party on Christmas night and I wish I could see his face when he opens it but it’s for the best that I don’t.
I snap myself into motion and walk to Gabe’s door and open it. Bending in, I unbuckle him and pull him out of the car placing him on the pavement. The second his feet hit the ground he’s taking off at a sprint.
“Dad!”
Kyle gets down on his haunches as Gabe launches himself into his arms. “Merry Christmas bud.”
“Merry Christmas Dad.”
I discreetly take my phone and snap a quick picture. This is a moment that should be documented and I make a mental note to send it to him later.
A few minutes later Kyle stands up with Gabe in his arms as he looks me over. It makes me wish I was half as dressed up as he is. After dinner I was so full I changed out of my dress and put on some leggings and a World’s Best Mom shirt that Gabe gave me this morning.
“Merry Christmas Sophie.”
I give him a nod and move towards the driver’s side door.
“Wait… why don’t you come in for a little bit? I know everyone would love to see you.” There’s so much hope in his eyes and I want nothing more than to say yes. But for some reason I can’t.
“Sorry, my Mom and Dad are still at my place.” I balance on the balls of my feet. “I need to get back.”
Kyle nods his head and gives me a smile. I return it and get in my car and will the tears to stay put until I’m off the property.
The funny thing is I don’t know if seeing Kyle, passing off Gabe or going back to an empty house is what’s causing these emotions. Yes, I lied. There’s no one at my house and over the last few months I’ve learned to cope with the silence. I’ve actually had some me time and a couple girls’ nights. Granted the only friends I have are related to Kyle but they never pushed me getting back with him and I never vented to them about how I felt. I’ve enjoyed feeling like me again and not just a Mom. I’ve come to realize I’m so many more things than a kick ass Mom. I’ve even been taking Zumba lessons. That’s right, my ass is as hard as a rock and my twerking is on point.
But tonight’s different.
On Christmas night Gabe and I usually sit around watching Christmas movies. Elf was always our grand finale and he generally fell asleep halfway through. I’d carry him to my bed and we’d snuggle together.
Tonight, I’m on my own. Maybe it’ll give me a chance to figure some things out.
Who am I kidding? I’ll stop on the way home and grab several bottles of wine and drink myself to sleep.
***
Kyle
“I’m starting to take offense.” Jayden scoffs.
“You shouldn’t. I’m the reason she didn’t want to come in. The crazy thing is I actually thought she was going to say yes.” I rub the back of my neck and take a deep breath. There’s no use in sulking, it’s my first Christmas with Gabe and I’m gonna soak it up and make it awesome.
“Dad!” Gabe runs into the dining room where all the adults are and pulls his backpack from his shoulders. “You have to see these cars Santa brought me!” He’s rummaging through his backpack and pulls his prized cars out. In his pursuit to find his toy he threw an envelope to the floor. When I bend over laughing at his enthusiasm, I see the envelope has my name on it.
“Hmmm…” I look at it and wonder what it is.
“What is it?” Savvy asks.
“I don’t know but it has my name on it so I think it’s meant for me.” I shrug my shoulders and start to open it. There’s a single paper inside and when I pull it out and unfold it I try to make sense of what I’m seeing.
“Well don’t keep us in suspense!” Ashlyn yells but I ignore her. I can’t help it. My eyes roam over every square inch of the paper and I feel myself starting to lose it. I’m gonna bawl my eyes out in front of my family and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
“Oh shit, he’s gonna cry.” Josh whispers as they continue to look on.
“I can’t believe it…” I whisper as a tear slips from my eye. They can call me a pussy all they want but I’ve never received a present like this before.
I look up and make eye contact with my Mom. “What is it baby?”
“It’s…” I clear my throat. “It’s a copy of Gabe’s birth certificate… with my name on it. And Gabe’s… as a Cage.”
“Oh my god!” Savvy, Ashlyn and Georgie all start sniffling. My Mom downright starts sobbing as I pass the paper around. Zander gets a little over eager for my liking with it.
“Keep your bear paws to yourself Z. Don’t ruin it!” I shout.
“Calm your tits man, I’m just looking.” He makes a show to gingerly place it between his index and thumb to look at it.
“Wow… that’s… wow. Come with me Kyle.” My Mom wipes her eyes and gets up from the table. I follow her to the back of the house where she grabs her purse.
“You know how I said I have an ace up my sleeve?” I nod.
“Well, it’s time to get our girl back.” She hands me a piece of paper. I look at it reluctantly. “Just look at it will you.” She laughs.
I open the paper and read it all. A smile lights my face and before you know it I’m kissing my Mom on the cheek and running out the door shouting for them to keep an eye on Gabe.
Tonight’s the night.
The time for waiting’s over Sophie. I’m coming for you.