AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He’s tired.”
“He sleeped all night,” he mumbles, making me smile.
“I know he did, but he’s still tired.”
“I’m awake,” I hear Jake’s groggy voice before he opens his eyes and looks up at Axel. “What are you doing up so early?”
“It’s not early. The sun has been out,” Axel tells him.
“Has it?”
“Yeah. It’s lunchtime, mommy said.” Jake rolls over and looks up at me in confusion.
“It is lunchtime. We all needed to sleep.”
“Shit, I never sleep this late,” he tells me.
“Can we please have pizza?” Axel begs.
“We can have whatever you want,” Jake tells him. I smile, seeing how they interact, and think it’s time I tell Axel who Jake is. I don’t plan on taking him away from him. I can’t see myself doing that.
“Axel, we need to talk a minute before lunch.”
“Okay,” he says as he climbs over and sits next to Jake, holding his teddy.
“Jake isn’t just mommy’s friend like I told you.”
“Who is Jake?”
“You don’t have to do this right now, Kyla,” Jake tells me.
“I want to. I want Axel to know.” Jake nods his head as he looks over at his son with pride in his eyes. I know this is hard for him. I know this isn’t easy to handle, but he’s doing well.
“Jake is your dad.”
“My daddy?” he asks before looking up at Jake. “Can I call you daddy?” I see Jake swallow hard before he nods his head.
“Yeah, little man. Yo … you can.” I don’t miss the hitch in his voice or the way tears fill his eyes, and it breaks my heart for him. I know he remembers the past, and that’s hard.
“Okay, Daddy. Can we get pizza now?” Jake chuckles, and it’s the best sound in the world as he nods.
“Sure can. What do you like on your pizza?”
“Mushrooms!” Axel exclaims as Jake stands to his feet. Jake holds his arms out to Axel, who quickly jumps into them. It’s like they’ve been together their whole lives. It’s beautiful.
“Mushrooms it is. What about you, Kyla?”
“I’m good with whatever he wants.” Jake nods and carries Axel out of the room while they carry on a conversation. My heart swells just listening to them.
I sit on the edge of the bed, wondering if I’m doing the right thing. Being here. Letting Jake be a part of Axel’s life. I know it’s the right thing to do in my heart, but what about reality? Look what my father did to his family. I know what they’d do to Axel and me if they ever found out we were here. My heart sits heavy in my chest when Jake walks back into the room.
He comes over and offers his hand, which I take. He pulls me to my feet and wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly.
“Whatever it is, it’s going to be okay.”
“Are you sure? I don’t know anymore, Jake.”
“It’s going to be okay, Kyla. I promise.”
