"Jasper–"
"Hey mom. You can pull my ears at home, but don't scold me, please," he begged over the phone.
"Be quiet, naughty boy. Why did you leave without letting anyone know? And without the driver? Do you know how worried we are?"
"I will explain everything later. But I'm sorry, okay?"
"Save your apologies for Zoey. She has been longing to see you and we couldn't tell her you left." His lips curled into a smile.
"Seriously?" he asked in an astonished tone.
"Of course. Don't keep her waiting, and come here quickly."
"I'm busy right now."
"Why do you always make things hard for everyone? What do I tell them now?"
"Exactly what I said. Bye mom."
"Wait–"
"I love you too, muah." He hung up before she could say another word. She shook her head in disbelief. Although, not surprised at his stubbornness. It wasn't a new thing to her.
…
"Who's there?" Zoey asked when she heard someone clear his throat.
"Amore, it's me," Adrian said.
"Don't move an inch," she ordered, patting her crying baby's back.
"Just hear me out. I want us to fix up things."
"That's more reason I shouldn't let you in. You'd cause me more pain."
"But–"
"She wants you to leave," Jasper interfered as he walked into her ward, unexpected. They both turned in his direction. Zoey acted like she had just seen a ghost.
"Holy crap! I thought you left," Adrian said.
"Past tense. Well, I'm back and we hope you don't mind excusing us," Jasper said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"It's okay. I will take my leave." Adrian bowed his head, twitching his lips as he took a turn.
Jasper held the door for him before saying, "Goodnight."
Her heart ached to see the men she loved fighting themselves. "Adrian…" Zoey called out. Just the last voice he wished to hear.
She carried her newborn baby in her arms and walked to catch up with him. "He doesn't have a name. Most importantly, he needs his father's blessings."
He lifted his gaze and met hers. "Can I… hold him, please?" he asked. She felt the pain in his voice, and the hurt in his eyes.
She nodded. "Sure," she said as she placed the baby in his arms. His sleek dark hair fell to his face. His hazel eyes glowed like his mum's. The sweet smell of a baby.
"Trevor Garcia." Adrian lifted his head, and planted a kiss on his forehead. "He should bear my last name even in my absence," he said, handing over baby Trevor to her.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, holding back the tears in her eyes as she pulled him into a hug. He was reluctant to reciprocate, at last he gave in. That was when they decided to let go their pains and emotions. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore; they didn't realize they were hugging so tight until Jasper gave a menacing growl.
"Sorry," she said without remorse. Her fake apology was directed to Jasper.
"Goodnight, amo– Zoey," Adrian corrected himself.
"Drive safely. Goodnight."
"Take good care of yourself… and the baby," he said as he left her ward.
"What does that suppose to mean?" Jasper snapped.
"Jasper, you have to understand–"
"Understand what, Zoey? The fact that you're using me to get over him?"
"Did you force me into accepting you? The answer is no. So, why will I do such a thing? I clearly love you."
She continued. "You told mom you were busy, right? Yet you're acting jealous because he had all the time in the world to come. Not minding everything, you and I; together, we still pushed him away. What else do you want me to do? Can't you see we're both going through a hard time and this is the time I need you the most? But you're just being overprotective over nothing and worsening matters. You don't even care to know what I'm passing through. Just leave, I want to be left alone."
"First, listen to me. Yes, I agree– I told mom I was busy because I was shopping for your favorite stuffs. I can never be too busy for you. Though it's been years, but I remember everything in details; both your likes and the things you dislike. I bought stuffs for the baby also. I wanted it to be a surprise for you. Seeing you and Adrian together, I'm not against it but you're hurting yourself more, and I can't stand seeing you in pain. I love your smile, your laugh… I miss the cheerful and sweet Zoey. I hate it when you push me away. Sometimes, it makes me doubt if I actually occupy a place in your heart or I'm forcing you to love me. I have never gone against your wish, so if you think you don't need me back in your life, you can tell me now and I'll back out–"
Zoey lifted his chin, making their eyes meet. "You, your eyes, your smile, your laugh, your presence… just everything about you, I love. In my eyes, you're totally perfect. You're my best friend, my first love, you mean a lot to me. I will never let you go because I know my life won't be complete without you in it. I'm sorry for making you feel that way, but I can't help it. I'm trying to put myself together but it's not working."
He wiped away her tears and hugged her, gently patting her hair. "Shh, you don't need to explain yourself. I understand everything and I can't promise to fix all your problems, but I promise that you'll never deal with them alone. I love you with all my heart and I'll never give up on you. Just remember that always."
"I love you too, Jasper."
"How about I spend the night here?" he asked.
She shook her head. "You had a long day, so you should rest comfortably at home. I will handle the baby and we'll get discharged by morning, then we'll come home."
Did she just hear herself?
"You can't even handle yourself and you want to take care of the baby too? Come on, you're my responsibility, so I will stay."
"Okay. You haven't changed a bit, still stubborn."
"As usual. Now, let me show you the stuffs I bought. I'm pretty sure you'll love them…"