S A S H A
"Mommy, I love you too. Don't go."
Those seven words lit up a fire inside me. And hearing that voice, knowing he was alive and well? It was more than enough to make me feel accepted again. I couldn't care less what the others might think as long as they still love me.
I turned to face him and I felt tears gush out of my eyes. I rush to his bed and wrapped him in my arms. My son is still alive and he's forgiven me. He raised his arm to wrap it around me and sniffed.
"I love you, Mommy." He repeated.
"Sweetie, I love you too." I softly replied with tears in my eyes.
Before I knew it, Shea and Ashley was in our hug and we were all crying. I used back of my arm to wipe my tears when we pulled away, looking at Katie who was awkwardly standing in the corner.
I put my attention to my kids and looked at Avery seriously. "Avery Marshall Peters Moore, no matter how hard a problem is, you do not just run away like that. You scared all of us to death, young man. You do not ever do that again. Ever. Do you promise?" I said sternly.
He looked at me with guilt. "Yes, Mommy." He smiled shyly.
"Oh, come here you." I said and gave him another hug with Ashley. Avery cleared his throat and we pulled away, silently questioning him to what was wrong.
"I'm kinda thirsty." He said.
Shea was quick to grab a box of unopened apple juice. She poked a whole on it and handed it to Avery, who too quickly took it and sipped until the box was empty.
I never thought that my simple visit could eventually lead up to my daughter's forgiveness and my son's well-being. I clasped my hands together and said a silent prayer in my head. During these times in your life that you remember there is really someone out there helping you through your troubles. Be it God or Buddha or whoever religious icon they had. I snapped out of my trance when I realized that we haven't called a doctor yet.
I stood up from the chair and leaned over to where the nurse button was (A/N: IDK what it's called), unintentionally brushing Shea's arm with my boob. She blushed and I looked away, not wanting her to see my smirk. Not twenty seconds later, a female nurse in scrubs rushed to his room and panted, looking shocked that Avery was now sitting up. He lifted his arms high and exclaimed, "I'm alive," grinning as we giggle at his newfound energy.
"I'll get a doctor." The nurse said in a hurry.
When the young nurse left, I laid my head in his bed and he did the same, smiling at me. Ashley followed my actions and gave a light giggle. I smiled at the both of them, not even noticing that Shea had left the room with her new girlfriend.
Avery took my hand and pouted. "Are you still getting married to him?" He gulped.
I looked at Ashley and she looked as dumbfounded as I was. I didn't expect his confrontation to be this early.
"Avery, I-uh...I could-" I stuttered.
"You and Mom don't have a chance anymore, right?" He shakily asked.
I shook my head sadly, causing his eyes to fill with tears.
"I don't want to be selfish, Mommy. I want both of you to still smile and be happy. I love you both. Besides, Mom has Katie anyways. So..." He trailed off.
I nodded and smiled. A part of me didn't want to process that my children gave me their blessings for my wedding. I'm still unsure about all this and I'm having second thoughts about still marrying John. He showed his true selfish self right in front of me. I didn't want his uncaring attitude around my kids. They might pick something out from him.
"Thank you, Avery. Thanks, Ashley. I love both of you." I whispered.
They looked at each other and did their rare twin feature. "We love you too, Mommy." They smiled.
Just then, a doctor came in and checked on Avery. He put a flashlight in his eye and did it with the other.
"Are you feeling any pain, Avery? Not dizzy? No headache?" He asked with genuine concern.
My son shook his head and beamed at the doctor. "I'm perfect. Well, I have always been. But yeah, I'm fine."
"I see. Miss Peters, looks like your son is fine but we might confine him still for two days tops, just to run some tests and to see if he has an internal bleeding, which I doubt, seeing as his energy is all over the place. But its standard, I hope you understand." He smiled at me.
"It's no problem." I returned the smile and shrugged.
He left the room and we flipped the TV on to let Avery watch some cartoons.
S H A Y
When they all laid down on Avery's hospital bed, seemingly expressing their love to each other, we took it as our cue to leave. I took Katie's hand and led her out the room and back into the hallway.
"I guess you can go home now, Katie. Thanks for everything." I smiled sweetly.
She took my hand and rubbed it gently. "Anytime, Shea."
"Just know that nothing will change, okay? The kids' forgiving Sasha doesn't change what we have. I know we just got together but you're always there for me and my kids. Thanks, Katie." I smiled sweetly.
She caressed my cheek and I snuggled her hand, feeling her warmth. "Do you forgive her?" She reluctantly asked.
I sighed. "I don't know. I trusted her for years and she just broke all our promises in one night. I know she's capable of doing it again."
"Don't hold grudges, Shea. If you do, you'll never get her off your mind."
"I know. It's just hard not to." I dismissed her by kissing her cheek, making her smile.
"See you." She beamed.
I nodded and gave her a grin. "Yeah."
When her silhouette was no longer visible, I turned to enter my son's room when I heard a woman call my name.
"Shea! Wait up!"
There, I saw Sasha's parents and Sam, waving at me. I smiled at them and they returned it, showing that they were genuinely concerned. They made their way to my spot and gave me a hug.
"How is he?" Susan asked.
"He's awake." I breathed.
"Oh thank heavens! Is my daughter here?"
I nodded and smiled. "She actually triggered Avery."
My ex-parent-in-laws went inside and Sam stayed with me.
"My sister finally got something right in her life, hasn't she?"
I chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't say her whole life. She has done a lot of great things but lately her decision skills are bad."
"Tell me about it." He sighed. "I heard she's getting married again." He murmured sadly.
"Yeah, she is."
"Listen, is there any part of you that wants to take Sash back?"
"I'm not sure. Possibly, I guess."
"Possibly?"
"I mean, you don't just forget a person you loved for years you know? Not to mention, you married her against all odds and even had kids with her. It's just hard. I-I don't know." I rubbed my temples. "I don't know. But-"
"But she cheated on you and left you with a divorce document hanging on your fridge by a cute magnet. You gotta love my sister." He chuckled.
I looked up at him and he flashed me his smile, showcasing his dimple. I laughed, thinking that he is so alike his sister that seeing him makes me see her in a way.
Speaking of the devil, Sasha appeared from Avery's room and nodded to the both of us.
Sam waved his two fingers at her. "Hey, slut." He greeted.
That made Sasha smile, also making her dimple visible. "Hey, shithead."
I thought they were going fine until no one knew what to say or who should apologize first, leaving us in an awkward silence. I decided to take the initiative and I cleared my throat to catch their attention. "Um, do you guys wanna get some coffee?"
Sasha quickly said, "Sure" but Sam shook his head. "You guys need a lot more coffee than I do. I suggest you get five shots of espresso because I know you'll need it."
In my ear, he whispered: "You have a lot to talk about."
He dismissed himself and entered the room Sasha just left. She cleared her throat and pointed her thumbs to the elevator. I nodded and walked with her, both of us staying silent. We went to Starbucks and I told her to go get a seat.
"Are you sure?" She asked, finally saying something.
"I still know your coffee. Go."
Minutes later, a girl shouted mine and Sasha's name from the counter. I gave her the receipt and she handed me two cups and two chocolate chip muffins. I searched for Sasha, finding her in a window seat, her chin resting on her palm as she stared outside.
I took the chair facing her and put the cup and muffin in front of her. She looked at it confused, almost forgetting where we are. She then remembered and blushed deeply.
I giggled, "I saw that."
She playfully glared at me and whined. "Stoooppp..." Then she made a huge smile, popping out her dimple.
"It was cute." I blurted, not even knowing what I just said.
She heard and shrugged. "I know." She smirked. She ripped a piece of her muffin and threw it in her open mouth.
I cleared my throat and we started another round of awkward silence. "Look, Sasha. I-uh, I'm not your relative." I said.
She looked at me as if saying, "Huh?"
"I'm not your daughter." I stupidly added.
Okay, she's beyond confused now. "No shit, Sherlock." She chuckled, obviously weirded out by my words.
I straightened my posture and furrowed my eyebrows. "What I'm trying to say is, I'm not like your kids who'll forgive you that easily. We're not blood related or anything, which makes me still doubt you. I want to forgive you, but I want some peace of mind until I'm sure I can. You understand?"
She smiled sadly. "Of course, Shea."
I reached for her hand and clasped it in my own, rubbing it gently.
***
"My true potential!" Zane shouted from the hanging TV. We were currently watching a rerun of Ninjago and Avery mimicked every line that it was way creepy. Sasha's parents already left and due to Avery's demands, Sasha practically blackmailed John into letting her stay for the night.
Ashley laid on Avery's bed, finally being okay for a moment and even agreeing into sleeping in the same bed as her twin. We made our own little camp inside the room since Avery wanted to. I was sitting on the floor with heaps of blankets and pillows surrounding me. Almost beside me, Sasha was comfortably sleeping on the couch due to my insistence she that sleeps there. She was softly snoring with her mouth slightly open. Somehow, my lips wanted me to just lean in and re-explore the now forbidden areas of my ex-wife.
But I couldn't.
Besides, my kids are going to see.
Speaking of them, I started hearing snores not just from my ex-wife but also from my kids. I shut the television off, expecting to hear them groan and demand that I turn it on again. They didn't. They really were sleeping.
I grabbed a blanket from my ankles and I pulled it up to my chin. Before I could even close my eyes, I heard a moan. Not an I'm-awake-but-I-want-to-sleep moan but a just-fuck-the-shit-out-of-me moan. I shot up and looked around, and then my eyes strayed to Sasha who was squirming uncomfortably. I put my hand in her arm and she let out another moan.
"Shea..."
Oh my God. My ex-wife is having a wet dream about me. I shook her body a bit and that made her eyes open.
"What?" She innocently asked.
Instead of using words, I pressed my lips roughly against hers, reminding her how much I love her.