Chapter 13
Over the next few weeks, Amanda almost felt like she was in a real relationship. Cole was only in town a couple of days each week, but even if he couldn't be there for long, he flew out in order to spend time with her and James. Some nights, after they put James to bed, they made love long into the night. James even seemed to get used to the idea of Cole being there in the morning when he woke up.
Cole spoiled James each time he came to visit. He brought clothes, toys, and books. On the third visit, he brought James a bicycle. James was so excited that he made them take him outside right away so he could start learning to ride it. He wobbled a lot, but the training wheels helped him stay upright.
When James's birthday was approaching, Cole asked Amanda, “Can we do something for his birthday? I was thinking of a party at my parents' house.”
They were sitting in the kitchen, talking over a couple of cups of coffee. James was in the other room, reading some of his new storybooks. This was the first time Cole had asked about doing something with his family. And it made Amanda realize they were finally at a serious crossroads.
“You want to introduce him to your parents?” she asked.
“Well, yeah.” Cole shrugged. “I mean, they're his grandparents.”
“Right.” Amanda tapped her fingers against her coffee cup, thinking it over. She knew this was a step they needed to take if this relationship was ever going to work. It would be the big test. If Cole could really introduce James to his grandparents, it would mean he was really taking responsibility for his son. Making him a part of the family.
If they could do that, Amanda realized, it would mean that all of this was finally real. She wouldn't just be the girl Cole was sleeping with. He would be declaring to everyone that he was a father, and that would be the greatest gesture he could make.
“It sounds like a great idea,” she said.
They worked out all of the details, though before the party itself, Amanda insisted that they bring James to meet his grandparents first. Cole made arrangements for them to have lunch at his parents' house, and they drove down together one afternoon. Amanda made sure to dress James up in his best clothes, in order to make a good impression. Cole's parents had briefly met James at the wedding, but this was something different altogether.
Cole's parents greeted them warmly at the door. His mother gave Amanda a big hug, talking about how much she had grown up over the years. Aside from the wedding, Amanda hadn't seen them much since the days when she and Michelle used to hang out in high school.
They sat together in the living room, eating a simple lunch of sandwiches and finger food. They made small talk for a while, while Amanda tried to figure out how to bring up the subject they'd really come there to discuss.
“So,” Cole's mother said, “Michelle tells us that you two have been seeing a lot of each other lately.”
Amanda blushed and looked at Cole, meeting his eyes. She hadn't realized that Michelle had been talking about them to her parents. “Yeah,” Amanda said. “Things have been...going well.”
“I always liked you, Amanda,” Cole's mother said. “You're such a sweet girl. So down to earth. I think that's exactly what Cole needs.”
Amanda's blush deepened. “Well, thank you. I'm glad to hear it.”
Cole's father looked her up and down with a stern gaze. “I hate to be the sour grape in this conversation,” he said, “but I'm afraid I have to point out that I'm not sure it's appropriate for our son to be dating a woman who already has a child.”
“Dad,” Cole said, giving him a stern look.
His father held up a hand. “I'm not trying to make any accusations or anything. But it has to be said.” He looked at Amanda. “Cole makes quite a lot of money, I'm sure you know that. Now, I'm not saying you'd get involved with him just because of that, but I'm sure that it's crossed your mind that getting your hooks in someone like him would mean quite an easy life for you and your son.”
“Getting my 'hooks' in him?” Amanda scowled at him. “Excuse me, but I don't think—”
“Amanda,” Cole said, putting his hand on her knee.
She frowned at him, biting back her harsh words. She wanted to yell at his father, to tell him that he had no right to accuse her of something like that. Not after all the years she'd spent raising James alone, with no support from Cole or anyone in his family. But the look on Cole's face kept her quiet. These were his parents. It was his place to tell them.
“Mom,” Cole said. “Dad. There's something I need to tell you.”
“Oh God,” his dad said. His frown deepened.
Cole's mother just sat back on the couch, folding her hands in her lap.
Cole took a deep breath. He looked to Amanda. She smiled at him and put a hand on his knee.
“Amanda and I didn't just get together,” Cole said. “What I mean is, this isn't the first time we were together. Back when we were in school, there was a...well, I mean we...”
Cole's father turned and looked at James.
Amanda cleared her throat. “Cole and I spent a night together,” she said. “Five years ago.”
Cole's mother turned as well, looking at James. James sat off to the side, eating a sandwich and looking through one of his books. He didn't seem to be paying much attention to what the adults were talking about.
“Cole,” his father said. “Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?”
“Well,” Cole said. “Mom, Dad. You're...well, you're his grandparents.”
They looked at James again. He finally looked up from his book when he realized everyone was staring at him. “What?” he asked.
Cole's father scowled. His mother started to beam, covering her mouth with her hands. She got up and crossed the room, kneeling by James's chair and stroking his face. “Oh,” she said. “Oh my. My precious little angel.”
“Cole,” his father said. “Are you sure about this? I mean, we could have a paternity test done...”
“Dad, come on,” Cole said, rolling his eyes. “Believe me, I'm sure.”
“I wouldn't lie about this,” Amanda said. “If I had wanted to, I wouldn't have kept it secret for so many years. But I didn't want to be a burden.”
Cole's father rubbed his chin. He got up and started pacing around. “Well, if this is how it is. I mean, if you're sure, and you're sure this is what you want.”
Cole squeezed Amanda's knee, a wide smile on his face. “I'm sure, Dad.”
His father stood over Amanda, looking her up and down. “Well, then. I suppose I should welcome you to the family.”
Amanda smiled, feeling a warmth spreading in her chest. She got up and gave Cole's father a hug. Then she picked up James and explained to him that these were his grandparents.
They spent the rest of the day catching up. Cole's mother asked a million questions about James, wanting to know every little thing about his life. His father focused mostly on practical concerns: how was his health, and was he showing signs of proper development. When Amanda explained that she hadn't been able to afford to take James to the doctor for years, he insisted on setting up an appointment with a pediatrician, promising to take care of the bills.
By the time they left that night, James was tired from all of the attention, though he seemed excited to know that he finally had grandparents, and a real dad. Cole and Amanda took him home and tucked him into bed. Then Amanda took Cole's hands and led him into her bedroom.
She pulled him into bed, her movements slow and sensual. She was filled with warmth and desire, and she was finally starting to accept that everything was going to work out.
She made love to Cole, basked in the moonlight that streamed in through the window. She held his hand against her chest, their fingers intertwined, while he filled her and pleasured her. Their bodies were as one, and it was everything she could have hoped for, everything she could have dreamed for.
And she didn't give a single thought to using protection, for even though she knew she might get pregnant again, she was more than ready to bring another child into the world. They were a family now, and their family bonds were growing with each passing week. She could already see the future, and she knew that she and Cole were meant to be together. It had taken them a long time to get to this point. They had missed out on a lot of time together, years lost that could never be regained. But now that they were building their relationship, they were going to do it right. And when James, one day, had a little brother or sister, that child would grow up in a house with two parents who loved each other, who needed each other, and who would provide their children with every opportunity that they could possibly imagine.
After he came, Amanda held Cole against her chest, stroking his hair and whispering softly to him in the night. They held each other close, and for the first time in a long time, Amanda went to sleep without any fear. Because she knew that the man who held her in his arms would keep her safe, keep her close. And she knew without a doubt that when she woke up in the morning, he would still be there. and he would be there every morning after, for the rest of their live.
***THE END***