Eden
IT SEEMS ALEC HAS ALREADY forgotten about the huge scene Knight made back at the house.
We’ve been at the park for an hour, the three of us playing ball as if we’re a family. My heart has never been so damn happy. This is exactly the kind of childhood I wanted Alec to have.
Two people who care about him, playing and spending time with him, like he matters.
Alec deserves a man in his life who wants to do things with him. Seeing Kash and how he treats Alec as if he’s his own son has me so happy that it hurts.
Seriously, my face hurts from smiling so much.
I’m just sitting back, taking a break from playing ball when I hear footsteps in the grass beside me.
My heart does a little happy dance when I see my father standing beside me, watching Kash and Alec with a smile on his face.
It’s been a while since he’s seen Alec so carefree and fun with anyone besides the two of us.
“This is the guy you’ve been telling me about?”
“Yes. He’s so good with Alec that I seriously have no words, dad. They’ve been spending time together all morning and afternoon. It makes me so undeniably happy.”
“Hey.” He reaches for my hand and helps me up to my feet. “Makes your old man happy, too. I knew that piece of shit father of his would never do these types of things with him. I just hope you’re sure he’s going to stick around and not hurt Alec.”
I turn away from my dad and laugh as Kash hits the ball and then picks Alec up and begins running to first base with him.
The look on Alec’s face is pure happiness.
“You see that?”
My dad nods. “Yeah, I do.”
“That tells me that he’s not going anywhere. I have to listen to my heart and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
“You love him?”
“I do. A lot more than I ever imagined I could in such a short time. Everything I do is for Alec and I believe he needs Kash just as much as I do.” I turn back to face my dad again to see him smiling at me.
“I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time, baby girl. So I’m going to trust this Kash guy is going to take care of your heart better than Knight did.”
Just then Kash looks up at us. He freezes for a second, before pointing up the hill to show Alec who’s just joined us.
I can tell Kash is a little nervous but he waits for Alec to take off running before he walks up the hill, behind him, trying to keep his cool.
He waits for my dad to get done hugging Alec, before he reaches out to shake his hand. “It’s good meeting you, sir. I admire how much you love and take care of your daughter and grandson. Reminds me a lot of how my father would be if he were still around.”
My chest aches at the reminder of Kash losing his father. I lost my mother too but it was from her running off when I was young. I can’t even imagine his loss.
“It’s nice to meet you too, young man.” My dad gives him a sympathetic look and gives his hand a pat. “I’m sorry to hear you lost your father. He sounds like he was a good man and from what I hear from my daughter . . . you are too.”
“Thank you, sir. I do my best.” He smiles. “You here to play some ball? There’s always room for one more.”
My dad shakes his head releases Kash’s hand finally. “Not today. Just wanted to swing by and meet the guy my daughter’s been telling me about for the last couple weeks.”
“Okay, I’m ready to play again!”
Kash smiles and tosses the ball up to Alec when he begins bouncing around with energy.
“Looks like I’ve got a kid to play with.” Kash reaches out and grabs my father’s shoulder. “I hope to see you again soon. For longer next time.”
“Me too,” my father says with a sincere smile. “Take care of my daughter and grandson until then. That’s all I ask.”
“That’s all I want,” Kash responds. He leans in and kisses me on the forehead. “We’ll meet you on the field, babe.”
Happiness fills me as I watch Kash run down after Alec, them stopping every so often to toss the ball back and forth to each other.
“I have to say I’m impressed with this young man.” He kisses my forehead. “I should get going. My guys are a little behind so I’ve got to light a fire under their asses to get this job done.”
“Alright, dad.” He gets ready to walk away, but I stop him. “Thank you, dad.”
“For what?”
“For always talking care of us. Just like Kash said. I know I haven’t really told you how much it means to me.”
“You’re my baby. Always will be.”
I smile and watch him walk away, before I make my way over to where Kash is pitching the ball for Alec.
“Way to go!” I scream when Alec hits the ball across the field. “Wooo!”
Alec gets a big grin on his face as he takes off running to first base.
“Your turn, momma.” Kash winks and tosses the ball up, before catching it. “I’ll take it easy on you.”
“Yeah!” Alec yells. “Come on, mommy. You can hit it too.”
I narrow my eyes at Kash and pick up the bat, getting into stance. “Oh I know I’ll hit it. I’m not worried. Just wanted to let you boys warm up first.”
“Is that it?” Kash asks with an amused smile. “Someone being Mrs. Cocky now?”
I lift a brow. “Maybe you rubbed off on me.”
“I love that.” Kash says with a grin.
“Hurry and throw the ball!” Alec yells. “I’m ready to win!”
“Alright.” Kash winds up before pitching the ball.
Both boys look at me with wide eyes when the bat smashes the ball across the park.
This has me doing a little happy dance all the way to first base.
I know this is just the beginning, but I’m hoping with everything in me that things stay this way for as long as possible.
Kash being here makes everything feel so complete. Makes me believe that everything in this world is A-Okay.
I never thought that feeling was possible until him . . .