Chapter 1: Introduction

“Flight 416 will be boarding soon. Gate 6.” The lady on the intercom announced as I wove my way through the crowded lanes of the airport.

416… Guess this is it , I thought to myself as I rolled my one carry on with me through the check in of Gate 6. I entered the growing line as I waited to be boarded. My mind traveled back to a couple hours ago, the incident that instigated this mayhem.

“Do you, Jake Tulley, take Aria Lane to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“And do you, Aria Lane, take Jake Tulley to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Nope.” I whispered barely audible to myself as I yanked my hand out from Jakes embrace.

“W-what?!” Jake asked, taken back by my reply.

“Fuck this,” I replied quickly, rushing from the alter.

So I went straight home… Or more so Jakes home, and began to pack. Pack for what? Well that was exactly what my mother asked me as soon as she barged in directly behind me.

“What the HELL were you thinking?! God, you can’t finish anything, can you?” My mom yelled frantically at me as I began to slip out of the dress I was sure cost more than my mothers house. “Go back out there and finish this or so help me god…”

My mother got quiet as she watched me pull out a pre packed suitcase from under our bed.

“Y-you were planning this?” My mother asked quietly, glancing back between the suitcase on the bed and me.

“This has been packed for years.” I replied honestly to my mother for the first time in god knows how long as I hauled the suitcase out of our bedroom towards the front door.

“Honey?” Jake asked as he entered the front door, suit and all. His hair was slicked back neatly, suit tailored to every being of his body.

“I’m leaving.” I deadpanned, nodding my head towards him in acknowledgment as I pulled the suitcase out the front door.

“You’re- you’re what?” Jake asked, following me to my car.

“Leaving. Leaving you. Leaving this,” I explained, waving my hands dramatically towards the house, “leaving everything.” I replied, popping open the trunk of my Aztec Pontiac. Jake reached out to grab my hand as I closed the back door. I froze, glancing back between his hand and him. He removed his hand immediately as if my skin had suddenly burned him.

“Please, Aria, be rational.” Jake pleaded.

“Rational?” I scoffed, slamming the passenger door before walking around and opening up the drivers door, “Au revoir, Jake. See ya on the flip side.” I replied, sliding into the drivers seat, shutting the door, and pushing the gear into reverse.

“Where are you even going?” My mother called from the driveway hysterically as my immediate family gathered on the tarmac for the send off of the century. I backed out of the driveway and slid the gear into drive, heading towards the airport.

And here I was. 7 hours later. 9 o’clock at night. Heading towards Portland, Maine.

“Window seat, row 115.” The check in lady nodded to me, as I grabbed my ticket and rolled my suitcase through the tunnel of the airport. The seat was further down the isle but it helped to be one of the first people on board. I slid my carry on into the top compartment and shuffled into the window seat, sliding my earbuds back into my ears as the flight from Los Angeles California, to Portland Maine took off.

~

“I’m sorry, but there’s no room here.” The lady at the motel spoke to me as I played with the handle of my suitcase a bit aggressively. I had just endured a 4 hour flight through a beautifully violent rain storm before touching down at 1:30 am, drove 15 minutes using a beat down rental to the nearest Motel, only to find out they had no spare rooms.

“I-” I began, taking a sharp inhale before continuing, “ We are in the middle of bloodyhell nowhere. How are you completely booked? This towns population is 2. That’s right. 2. Me and you. This is it. So please, enlighten me on how you don’t have one freaking room available?!“ I snapped, accidentally yanking the airport tag off my luggage.

“I’m sorry lady,” the woman replied, completely uncaring, “but we don’t have a room. Now, you can rent a home from us if you’d like but that’s further in, about a 20 minute drive into Portland.”

“Fuck it, I’ll take it.” I replied quickly, yanking out an envelope of money I had saved from selling my art on the side. It was a job Jake wouldn’t have approved of, it was a job Jake didn’t know about.

“Wonderful!” The woman quirked up, frightening me slightly. “Rent will be about $120 a week.” I sighed to myself, realizing just how much less money I actually had in retrospect. I would need to find a job soon. Like tomorrow soon.

I slid out some 20’s and placed them on the table before she slid me the key to the home. “You can do whatever you’d like to the home, as long as it’s well kept.” The lady informed me as I grabbed the key and picked up my suitcase.  I jerked my head her way in a stiff nod before I headed back out through the glass doors. Throwing my suitcase into the backseat, I turned the engine over and reversed out of there, heading back onto the main road as I drove toward the address she had quickly written on a post-it note and attached to the key.

The roads were empty, void of any life as I continued to drive down until I reached a more wooded area. A large home came into view and as I pulled the rental off to the side of the road and my jaw literally dropped. This house looked ancient, the windows boarded up as the wood showed wear from the years.

“Oh hell no.” I whispered to myself as I stepped out and carefully walked up the creaking stairs. “I’m going to die here.”

I slid the key into the lock and turned the handle to enter the door before being greeted with a strangely well furnished living room. I went to flick the light to give me a better view but the lights flickered then cut as sparks flew places. I jumped back with my suitcase in hand before carefully walking through the living room.

“Okay… No lights. Got it.” I nodded to myself as I made my way up the questionable stairs towards what I hoped was my bedroom. I pushed the heavy door open as I rolled my suitcase in. The bed was large and lit by the light of the moon shining bright through the window. The window was quite literally the size of the wall. There was a large balcony that overlooked the forest. I would of explored even more of the house if the remaining energy hadn’t left my tired body at that point.

My hair was still done up from the wedding, and my nails were still manicured. But in that moment, I couldn’t care less as I kicked off my boots and jumped into the ready made bed in my leggings and large knit sweater.

Sleep found me quickly that night.

••

Authors Note:

An update!

I just dropped my website.

Go check out

NoSpellCheck.com

if you’re interested in reading more edited exclusive work.

And as always,

thank you.

xoxo

Chapter 2: The House

I was awakened by a beam of light coming through the window and ever so gracefully blinding my eyes. Mother Nature: 1, Aria: 0. I groaned to myself as I regrettably pulled my body up from under the soft cotton sheets. I felt something sticky on my face as my fingers went up and slowly peeled away a fake eyelash from my cheek. Classy Aria, very classy. I slid myself out of bed and grabbed a towel from the suitcase before making my way out of the bedroom into the hallway. There was a series of doors I had to try before I found the bathroom. As I entered, I looked around the beautifully lit room. The bathroom was something out of a movie. The walls and bathtub were made of marble stone and the floor was concrete tile.

I waddled into the room, towel in hand as I approached the shower.

“Moment of truth.” I whispered to myself as my hand reached out and turned the knob. Water shot out of the overhead faucet and fell into the drain. “Oh thank Jesus.” I breathed out, releasing the breath I didn’t even notice I had held in until now. I reached back and tied my braids away from my face before pulling my sweater over my head and shimmying out of the leggings I had. I stepped in and opened the bar soap I had snagged with the towel as I stood under the warm water and began to wash myself clean.

~

After the shower, I threw on some minimal makeup and a pair of ripped jeans with another large knit sweater. This would have to do, I decided as I slid my boots back on and grabbed a notepad from the suitcase.

“Alrighty, time to make a list,” I spoke to myself. “I need: new bedspread, food, cleaning supplies, and a job.” I spoke to myself, writing everything down. I had decided to do the interior cleaning first then work on the exterior along with the reprinting of the walls. In order for me to afford everything and still have a place to live, I was going to need a job. And fast. I reached into my suitcase pouch and pulled out the envelope of money I had. I had about 3,800 saved, which was enough to hold me off for a while, but not forever.

I slid some bills out from the envelope and tucked the rest into the suitcase before grabbing the keys and heading downstairs. The house seemed less creepy and more alive with the rays of sun lighting up the area. “Oh! And light bulbs, we need lightbulbs.” I noted to myself as I opened the front door and turned the lock before closing it again. The town was only about a 10 minute drive further down the road, so it wasn’t all that horrible. I unlocked the car and got in, reversing it back onto the road before continuing down the tarmac.

The town came into view almost instantly as I pulled the rental off onto the side of a street. The place was lively and littered with people going too and from shoppes and cafés… Coffee . I most definitely needed a coffee machine. I headed into the hardware store the was directly in front of me and was greeted by a short stalky man in plaid button down and some worn jeans.

“Well well, looks like we’ve got ourselves a visitor!” The man chirped, greeting me with a large smile as I entered. I smiled back at him, nodding kindly as I walked towards the front of the counter. The mans face was handsome for his age, he looked to be around the late 50’s.

“What brings you here, m’lady?” The man asked, his smile growing. I couldn’t help but crack a grin.

“I moved here last night actually, turns out my living arrangement isn’t exactly the most ideal so I was hoping I could grab some tools here to fix the place up a bit?” I replied, taking a look around the store.

“Oh perfect! What were you looking for?” The man asked, making his way around the table. He was around my height, maybe 5’6ish though as I stood at 5’7.

“Well, I tried to turn on the lights last night and there was a spark, so definitely some new light bulbs.” I nodded, following the man.

“Spark you say? You might want to check your electrical post love.” He replied, slowing down to look back at me.

“But I took a shower this morning just fine?” I replied, confused. He chuckled gently to himself before he continued.

“The shower is heated by gas, not electricity.” He explained, walking further down another isle. I internally face palmed as I continued to follow him.

“It’s okay though, lucky for you, I know a guy.”

“Oh, you know a guy?” I asked, smiling slightly but this mans fun personality.

“Yep! He’s not much, but he’s handy with a tool belt. I can send him over later this week if you leave me your address. My names Pete by the way.” He nodded as he grabbed some lightbulb boxes from the shelf and handed them to me.

“Thanks Pete.” I replied, smiling as we walked back towards the front to drop the boxes on the counter. “I’m Aria.” I said, extending my hand to shake his.

“Well Aria, was there anything else I could grab ya?”

“How about some cleaning supplies?” I asked, as he jumped into gear, leading me back down a different isle.

“This one will help clean your bathroom,” he said, handing me a bottle, “this ones for floor and walls, “he handed me another bottle, “and this one is all purpose for anything else you might need to clean.”

“Thank you.” I replied, bringing the three bottles up to the counter. Pete began to ring up as I write the address to the home I was at. When he finished, I handed him the note along with some cash.

“Jesus Christ, who the hell bestowed upon you the Old Creek?” Pete asked, as he glanced at the address.

“Old Creek?” I asked, as he handed me my change.

“Yeah. This house is a nail away from collapsing.” Pete replied.

“Yeah, tell me about it.” I replied, shaking my head.

“How about this, you let my Son help you fix that place so I can sleep easy, yeah?” He asked, shaking his head repeatedly.

“I couldn’t possibly have him do that.” I replied, shaking my head.

“How about, you buy all your materials here and not at Milly’s across the street, and I’ll give you a half off deal on my son.” He offered. I chuckled, nodding back at him as I decided a second hand wouldn’t be too bad.

“Would you happen to know if there’s any place hiring?” I asked him, hoping to kill two birds with one stone here.

“Actually, I do believe the elementary further downtown has some positions available if you’re interested. My grandson goes there.” Pete replied, writing down the address.

“Thank you!” I yelled over my shoulder as I headed out the shop with the supplies in one hand and the address in the other.

Time to get hired , I thought to myself as I pulled out from the side of the street and headed in the direction of the school.

Chapter 3: Art Teacher?

I pulled into the parking lot of the elementary school. It was pretty full considering class was most likely in session this Monday morning. Sliding the keys out of the ignition, I got out of the car and locked it before continuing up the stairs. The building looked older, like it had been built around the time of Old Creek’s first renovation. God knows how long that was.

I walked entered the doors and walked towards the administration office to the left of me. As I slid through the open doors, I was immediately greeted by the woman at the front desk.

“Well hey there! What can I do for ya?” She asked, dropping everything she was doing as she focused her attention on me. I wasn’t used to this. Any of this. No one was this nice in LA, no one had anyone on their minds beside themselves and their agendas.

“U-um, I actually just moved here yesterday and I stopped by the hardware store, Pete’s Hardware, and Pete directed me here for a job?” I spoke unsure of myself suddenly. Truth be told, I never actually had to apply or ask for a job before. Jake chose that for me. Jake chose everything for me.

“Why, yes! We actually have a couple positions available! Do you by chance have a degree in English or History?” She asked, pulling out some papers from her filing cabinet.

“I actually don’t.” I replied, my hopes starting to drop.

“Okay Hun, it’s alright. Our Art teacher did recently just take leave, and I can’t promise this to be a permanent position, but have you dabbled in some art before?” She asked, sliding out a new folder.

“That, I have!” I replied gratefully, silently thanking whatever gods may be at work here.

“Wonderful! How soon could you get started?” The women asked, grabbing a pen from her utensil jar and scribbling down some more things into the folder.

“Hell, I could clock in right now.” I replied honestly, grinning back at her.

“I like you.” She nodded, her smile remaining. “What’s your name?”

“Oh! Right, Aria Lane.”

“Alright Aria, if you’d come with me, I’d like to show you were you’ll be working!” She stood up from her desk and walked around. As she approached me, I noticed just how tall and beautiful she actually was. She was around 5’8 with long dark curly hair falling past her shoulders to mid back length. She looked no older than 28.

“I never caught your name?” I asked as I follow we’d her out of the admin office and down the hallway.

“Names Sarah.” She replied, turning her head a bit over her shoulder to offer me a killer smile. We entered another branch of the building before arriving at a door. She slid her key into the lock and pushed it open as we came face to face with a large classroom. There was canvases all against the walls with a couple easels. Cubbies were stationed by the back window. I walked over to the desk near the front of the classroom and sat down, getting a feel for the environment.

“So, for today, you can just arrange things the way you feel most comfortable. Classes will start tomorrow morning so don’t be late. Remember, we are teaching elementary kids, so regardless of how strongly you may want to ring this little shits necks, we are still prone to getting sued.” Sarah instructor, coaxing a grin out from me. I wouldn’t mind grabbing wine with this girl.

“Oh! And later today, hunkyMchunkness will be dropping by to pick up his boy and more than likely stop by to meet you.”

“Uh… Who?” I asked, rolling the sleeves of my sweater up a bit as I got to work.

“That’s what every female teacher here calls him. His son goes here. He’s basically a Greek God in a 38 year old mans body,” Sarah explained, “every living breathing human with a vagina has made a move on him but he’s politely shut everyone of us down.”

“Haha alright, Sarah, I’ll keep a lookout for him.” I replied, grinning back at her.

“And here,” she started, grabbing a post it off my desk with a pen, “is my number. Text me if you have any issues, or if you feel like grabbing a drink after your first official day tomorrow with these little demons.”

“Awesome, thanks!” I replied, folding the post it and sliding it in the back pocket of my jeans.

“Well, good luck Hun! I’ll come check on you later today. We all get out at 3pm, some teachers choose to stay later, and some sneak out the back door when no ones looking,” Sarah explained as she began to leave.

“Thank you!” I called out as she made her way back down the hallway. I began moving the canvases all to one area and the easily to another before clearing out the middle area of the classroom. I then set up an easel in the middle of the classroom and popped a canvas on it. I had a couple hours before we were dismissed and it had been far too long since I’d done any painting. I plugged my phone into the speakers that were on my desk and began to play some Halsey. As the music flowed through the room, I walked to arts the storage closet in hopes of finding some paint and a painting shirt.

~

Chris’s POV

I pulled into the elementary, cursing slightly as I realized the time. I was late for the second day in a row to pick up Nick, he was going to give me hell.

I ran up the straits of the entrance and rushed to the administrations office to be greeted with basically every female working at this school.

“Hey Sarah!” I called out, approaching her desk, “I’m so sorry I’m late again, is he okay?”

“Nick’s fine, he’s actually just getting back from gym so he’ll be a minute.” She replied, leaning further towards me to show off her more than average rack.

“Okay, sounds good. Thanks you.” I replied, shifting weight from one foot to the other as I was eye raped by the ladies in the office.

“Oh! I almost totally forgot, we found a replacement for Mrs. Timmers.” Sarah informed me.

“Oh seriously? That’s awesome! I know how much Nick loves art. I’m guessing he’ll start when she starts? Or is it a he?”

“It’s a she, and she’s actually in the classroom right now if you wanna go take a look.” She nodded, jerking her head towards the hallway.

“I think I will, thanks!” I replied, quickly rushing out of there in any excuse to leave. I headed down towards the art department before I could hear the music flowing through the hallways. I didn’t recognize the song but it sounded beautiful. The door at the end was already open s as I walked through, I could see a women standing over a canvas, painting a forest. This painting itself was captivating, but what was even more captivating was the women’s grace as she painted. Every stroke of paint she laid on the canvas had some deep meaning to her, as if every stroke told its own message.

I cleared my throat and she jumped back a bit startled before turning around.

~

Aria’s POV

I had decided to to paint the view I had seen last night of the trees in my backyard, but make it day time. Time lost me as I slipped into the unconscious consciousness of painting. I was brought back to reality by someone clearing their throat. I jumped a bit, startled, before turning around. I came face to face with a pair of striking blue eyes. We just stood like that for a moment before I moved over to pause the music.

“S-sorry, was the music too loud?” I asked, unsure as his gaze bore into mine.

“It was fine.” He replied, his voice low and vibrating. If I was casting a movie, this man would be playing Poseidon. Hands down.

“Oh.” I replied quietly. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah,  I mean, no. Well, Sarah sent me over to meet you.” He replied taking a step closer as he extended his arm.

“I’m Chris.”

“Mr. HunkyMchunkness.” I replied before I could stop myself. My face got heated quickly as a slight smirk played on his lips.

“Come again?” He asked, trying to mask his grin.

“Nothing.” I replied, reaching out to shake his hand. His grip was surprisingly gentle.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around here.” Chris spoke, as our hands fell to our sides.

“I moved here last night actually.” I replied, nodding to him.

“Why? I mean, one doesn’t just suddenly decide to come to Portland Maine.” Oh, but one totally just suddenly did, I thought to myself as I smiled politely back at him.

“No reason in particular.” I replied, moving back to start cleaning up the paints.

“You’re a lousy liar.” He stated, leaning against the doorframe. Why did someone this good looking have to be so infuriating.

“You’re a nosy-” I started but quickly caught myself as a little boy ran through the doorway and right into my legs.

“Well hi there.” I said, awkwardly patting the young boy as he clung to my legs.

“Is it true?!” He asked, his eyes shot up to me.

“Is what true, bud?” The man asked, moving closer to peel the child off my limbs.

“Is it true that she’s our new Art teacher?” The boy asked, his familiar sharp blue eyes staring up at Chris. It was then that I made the connection.

“Haha yeah bud. This is your new art teacher Miss…”

“Lane.” I replied quietly.

“Well, Ms. Lane, meet Nick. My son.”

Chapter 4: First day

I sighed to myself as I pulled my lower body out of bed. Yesterday was a struggle to say the least as I recalled the earlier events.

“Oh.” I replied, glancing back frequently between Nick and Chris. I could most definitely see the resemblance now.

“Yeah, he’ll be enrolled in your class starting tomorrow.” Chris nodded, grabbing the young boy and swooping him up into his arms.

“How old are you, bud?” I asked, grinning wider as his smile stretched from ear to ear.

“Six.” I replied, putting his fingers up in the air.

“Well, I’m excited to spend the rest of the cool year with you.” I nodded, leaning back against my desk as Chris rocked him back and forth.

“We gotta leave now, remember little dude? Gotta pick out some winter clothing.” Chris turned to Nick as he nodded reluctantly. He turned back to me and caught my eyes never leaving them as he nodded slowly. “I’ll see you around?” He asked as he shifted Nick onto his other hip.

“Mhm.” I nodded quietly, my face starting to heat up. He slowly walked out, a smirk playing on his lips before he disappeared down the hallway.

I groaned as the light burned my eyes from the open window. Day one hadn’t even started yet and I was a wreck. I hopped in the shower and got ready quickly as I took note of the time. All I had time for last night was little things like sweeping up the floors and cleaning out the rooms. The house wasn’t looking too devastating anymore but it for sure could use a paint job. I stared at the empty kitchen, sighing heavily at the absence of a coffee machine. That was going to need to change soon.

I grabbed the keys and headed out quickly, not trying to be late on the first day. As I arrived at the elementary, the parking lot was a lot vacant than last time. I entered through the office and went straight to the admin office to clock in. It was then that I spotted it. The beauty laying across the room, sprawled out on the table. I stared, not bringing myself to look away as I absently walked closer to the coffee machine.

I heard a chuckle from somewhere behind me as my fingers went out to stroke the plastic rim of the brewing system. I glanced over my shoulder to find Sarah bundled up in her coat and mittens as if she just got in.

“It’s communal if you’d like some.” She replied, tugging her scarf off her neck. I let out a small moan as the machine roared to life and began to drip brown liquid into the pitcher. Sarah released a full hearted laugh as I patiently waited by the coffee machine with a cup in hand.

“Do you know of any place that could sell me a coffee machine? Or coffee? Or coffee imitation? Basically anything that smells and tastes like this goodness?” I whined quietly as I stirred in the sugar.

“Haha well to buy a coffee machine, you might have to check with a super market off 5th Avenue. It’s call Lucks. As for a coffee house, it doesn’t get better than Café Royale.” Sarah explained, as she set her items at her desk. “Don’t forgot to check into the system right as you walk in. Teachers pay already sucks, as soon as you walk into this building, you should be getting paid for just being here.”

“Haha gotchya.” I replied, bringing the brown liquid up to my quivering lips as I slowly sipped the liquid. It burned going down my throat but I knew I couldn’t wait for it to chill any longer, I needed caffeine in me asap.

“Better bring that cup down to your classroom, the halls will be filled soon.” Sarah instructed as she logged into the computer.

“Thanks!” I replied, clocking into the system quickly before rushing down the hall.

~

The rest of the day went seemingly smooth. I’ve never wanted to strangle a child until now but other than that, I had somehow made it through the day. Nick was in my second to last hour, and man was the kid bright. His love for art far exceeded my own as I gave him a canvas and had him run wild. It was now about 5 minutes till the end of day as I stared at the clock on the wall. Sarah had agreed to release me right after school so I could head down to Pete’s Hardware and grab some paint.

As soon as the bell rung, I was already clocking out. I hit the road very soon after that and arrived at Pete’s.

“Welcome back love! What can I do for you?” Pete asked as he came out from behind the counter.

“I was actually hoping to score some paint? The house is finally coming along and I’m thinking some pale white walls wouldn’t be all too bad.” I replied as I followed him towards the end of the store.

“Well I could most definitely show you our paint chips! Only issue is, I would have to order the color and amount you’d like which could take a couple days.” Pete explained as he pulled out all the grey samples he had organized against the back wall.

“That’s okay.” I nodded as I sorted through the colors. We heard the store door open as the bell dinged before Pete moved away from me to welcome the person in.

“Oh! Perfect! Come on back here son.” Pete directed, leading the man towards my direction. I turned around and froze, paint chips in hand as I came face to face with Chris.

“Well, I didn’t know ‘later’ meant the next day.”  Chris smirked as he stared down at me.

“Mhm. Don’t flatter yourself.” I replied, placing the rest of the paint chips back as I kept the lightest grey one on a box of lightbulbs. My hand froze immediately, turning back to Pete. “Wait… Did you say son?”

“Yes. I see you two might have already met but Aria, meet my son, Chris.” Pete nodded, smiling awkwardly as Chris and I exchanged looks.

“Was this by chance the same son who was going to help me with the house? I asked Pete, still staring at Chris.

“Precisely.” Pete replied, shuffling the weight back and forth between his feet.

“On second thought, I think I’ve got the house handled.” I nodded to Pete, finally tearing my eyes away from Chris with a comical smile plastered on my face.

“Oh please, you wouldn’t know the difference between primer and paint if it hit you in the face.” Chris scoffed, leaning against the shelves.

“There are many things I would like, to hit you in the face.” I mumbled to myself as I grabbed the paint chip I had laid on the supplies. “I’m going to go with this one.” I told Pete as I wove my way between their bodies towards the front counter.

“How about paint rollers? Or paint brushes? Or masking tape to tape up the outlets? I have all these tools,” Chris asked, matter-of-factly as he followed me towards the front.

“Fine.” I hissed, sliding some change out of my back pocket to pay for the paint order before turning to him. “This weekend. Saturday morning. Be there at 8.” I replied shortly as I grabbed the receipt from Pete and began to walk out.

“I’m not even sure what the address is!” Chris called over as I opened the front door.

“Ask your father!” I shot back as I disappeared into the street.

Chapter 5: The Home Wrecker

The rest of the week went by with a blur. The teaching job wasn’t too shabby but the kids… Oh lord, it took everything in me not to jeopardize my Christianity. Those children could be the spawn of Satan when they wanted to be.

The house was coming together much better than I originally anticipated, although the roof sported some leaks when it rained. I called Pete and he, ofcourse, referred me to Chris who told me he could take a look at it on Saturday but I politely refused. I was already raking up a pretty maintenance bill with pretty boy by him helping me paint. I didn’t need any more attachments to people than I already had.

Nick continued to impress, excelling in art far beyond the rest in his class. Chris had apparently wanted to talk with me after school on Friday but I had left as soon as the bell rang again thanks to Sarah so I could get more supplies from Pete’s. The faucets were replaced with new ones and every counter was scrubbed clean with the cleaners I had bought earlier.

It was now Saturday morning as I woke up to the sun yet again blinding my sensitive eyeballs. I would most definitely have to invest in some blacked out curtains.

Chris had said he’d be heading over this morning. I couldn’t remember what time I had told him so believe me when I tell you I was startled to wits end when I heard the doorbell ring at 8:15 in the morning.

Chris’s POV

I glanced back between the address my father had written on the post-it note and the house in front of me.

What kind of idiot moves in to Old Creek? I thought to myself as I slid out of my pick up.

The area around the home looked like it had been tidied up quite a bit since I last saw the home. There was no longer random branches and sticks littered around the front lawn. The stairs still looked concerning as I hesitantly walked up them and approached the door. I glanced around for a door bell for what seemed like ages before finally spotting one hidden behind some vine branches. I rung it a couple of times, starting to feel a chill from the slight breeze in the air.

After what seemed like ages, the door finally swung open and I was welcomed by an utterly surprised Aria.

“W-what the hell are you doing on my front porch at 8 in the fucking morning?” She hissed, wrapping the robe around her slim body even tighter, fully unaware that by doing so, I could see every single curve her body had to offer.

“It’s 8am, I don’t even have the energy to reprimand you for checking me out right now.” She groaned.

“I come baring gifts.” I replied, sliding the coffee cup I had hidden behind my back. Her eyes looked hesitantly between me and the cup as if she was contemplating some life changing issue, before she reluctantly stepped aside and snatched the cup from my hands as I walked in.

“You’ve done pretty well with this house so far. I almost couldn’t believe that you moved in here in the first place.”

“There was no more rooms in the hotel further down the road but she said she could rent this to me.” She explained between large gulps of the coffee as she began climbing the stairs. “Wait here while I go change.” She shot over her shoulder before disappearing down the hallway at the top of the stairs.

I glanced around at the home’s interior, taking in what needed to be fixed. The walls itself were probably a couple days job considering just how large the house actually was. The floors could use some re-sanding but I wasn’t sure just how invested Aria wanted to get. The ceilings were apparently starting to leak but she refused to let me fix any of that.

The stairs creaked agains as she came back down in what seemed to be record timing. She was wearing leggings with a large knit sweater and a fabric scarf. Her braids were down except for a couple strands in the front that were tied back. Her face had minimal makeup that worked well with her well defined jawline and piercing eyes. I more discretely checked her out as she descended down the stairs.

“I think I have a room upstairs that I’d like to move some art things into but it’s locked for some odd reason and I’m not sure how to get it open.” She explained, reaching the bottom stairs with the cup of coffee in hand.

“We could bring in a lock smith, or, if you don’t mind, I could bust the lock. Whichever you prefer.” I replied, grabbing my phone from my back pocket as I began to make a list of the materials we needed that I didn’t already have. “Because we are painting the house from this horrid orange to a pale gray, we first have to prime the walls so the paint can go on better.”

“Okay. Should we go buy primer first then?” She asked, reaching for her keys.

“I actually already bought most of the materials this morning.”

“When the hell did you wake up? At the asscrack of dawn or something?” She grumbles, making her way towards the front door with me so we could grab the materials out of my car. I secretly loved how much she swore in the morning when she was in a bad mood. It was totally hot, especially because I’d only ever seen her around children and my father. Seeing this new side had me intrigued.

Aria’s POV

I swear to fucking God.

8 am. 8 motherfucking am.

I wanted to shoot this idiot in the back of the head as we made our way to his car. He opened the door and slid some paint supplies my way to carry in as he carried the paints. I internally sighed, trying to get a grip on my emotions seeing as we would be spending quite literally the entire day together.

Don’t kill him, I quietly chanted to myself as my hands imagined themselves wrapping around his neck and just holding.

Man, I needed to stop by the church. And fast.

Chapter 6: Teach Me How To Paint

“You’re overloading your paint roller.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious.”

“Shut up, Chris.”

“It’s creating streaks on the walls, Ari.” Chris said, pointing to the light lines that were starting to form from the excess paint. I glanced over at his side and internally groaned. How could someone look so freakishly good yet still be so freakishly good at stuff?

Wasn’t this supposed to be a whole ‘only in your dreams’ scenario? Where the guy has the looks AND the abilities? Usually it’s one or the other in real life. I glanced back at Chris and took in his appearance. He was wearing a long faded painting short sleeve shirt that showed off his bulging muscles along with his loose fit jeans that hung a bit low along his waist. When he reached up to line the ceiling, the shirt would sometimes rise and you could see the defined v-lines there.

His arms and face were void of any paint, unlike me, who looked like I basically rolled around in primer for the past hour. My braid tips were now all covered in the white primer, along with my hands and most of my arms. My leggings were surprisingly clean, considering just how messy the rest of me was.

I snapped back to his face, taking in what he said earlier. “First off, don’t call me Ari, literally, my name is AriA. You can’t shorten a 4 letter name, it just sounds ridiculous. Second, I paint for a living. This wall looks fine.” I lied, going back to try and pick up some of the excess paint that created the streaking with my roller as nonchalantly as I could without him thinking he won this argument. We had currently been painting for about 30 minutes now but completed absolutely nothing due to our bickering on how the primer should be applied, or how to clean the walls before painting.

This man was ridiculous.

Everything I said, he had to disagree with.

“First,” he started, setting his paint brush down  against the tray on the floor to turn towards me, “Aria may be 4 letters, but it’s 3 syllables. Ari is two. Second, your side of the wall looks like shit.” He finished as he walked towards me, glancing back at my side of the wall before his lips slipping into an easy smile.

“Wh-wh-what are you doing.” I stuttered, as I felt the warmth of his body behind me suddenly. His cologne was evidently strong now, intoxicating my surroundings and filling my nostrils with what smelt like Burberry. I could feel his minty breath against my exposed neck as his body drew closer. His hand slowly slid along my arm until it reached my hand that was holding the paint roller against the wall. My skin was on fire, seeing as how I had changed into one of my short sleeve painting shirts and my skin was exposed to his touch.

My breathing became labored as his hand rested on mine, while his other hand slid to my waist. He wasn’t physically touching my neck but his lips were so close, it was like he was giving me ghost kisses. The hairs on my neck made me even more sensitive to his actions as they stood up on my skin.

“I’m teaching you how to paint, you idiot.” He whispered, his voice coming out much huskier than he had probably intended to, and sent shivers down my spine. His hand began to move with mine, applying less pressure then I had been doing before as the paint spread more evenly against the wall.  The roller looked less loaded than when I did it. “You don’t have to push so hard, just spread the paint out.” He whispered, as his breath tickled my neck.

We were so past the painting techniques and we both knew it. But this persistent fucker trudged on. “See how much more even the paint is now?” He continued to whisper against me as his hands drew circles on the surface of my waist in a light pattern.

My neck involuntarily moved to the side, granting him more access. His grip tightened against my waist as he pulled me even further into him. His warmth engulfed me, as did his large frame compared to my petite one. I let out a barely audible moan as he continued to draw circles into my hip and  it was at that moment, my mind returned to our current situation.

My head snapped back, striking his nose that was directly behind it with serious force as he stumbled back against the empty space, almost tripping before quickly catching his unbalanced body. “Fuck, Ari.” He groaned as he tilted him head up.

I turned around immediately, watching him as he clutched his nose with such a horrified look upon his face.

I couldn’t have, I thought to myself as I stared at him. He slowly removed his hands to have me access the damage and soon enough, a trickle of dark liquid made its way past the nostril entrance and slid down his lip. His hands quickly went up to feel the liquid before pulling back to take a good look at his hands.

They were covered in blood.

I had totally just busted his nose.

Chapter 7: More Awkward Interactions

If anyone knows what movie that image is from, give yourself the most gracious pat on the back that you can muster. You’ve succeeded in life, my dear.

“I’m sorry.”

“If it’s broken, I’m going to kill you.”

“It doesn’t look that bad.”

“Are you serious right now?!” Chris yelled, pointing to his bruised nose that was now starting to swell. It currently had a tampon stuck up its nostril since I hadn’t bought any first aid supplies such as gauze in the few days I had been here. At first he was completely against the idea, but after basically bleeding out all over my floor, he snatched the tampon from my grasps and complied.

“My beautiful face.” He whimpered as he sat on the kitchen counter while I cleaned up the blood that had dropped onto the floor. His shirt was stained with droplets of the red liquid that had escaped.

“I feel like I’m cleaning up a murder scene.” I frowned, spraying the disinfectant over the blood splatter as it fizzled, the chemicals breaking down the stain.

“You very well could have been!” He shot back, before pinching the brim of his nose again to minimize the blood flow.

“Oh, get over it.” I replied, rolling my eyes dramatically at the man-child that stood in my kitchen. We had stopped painting after I accidentally head butted him in the face. In my defense, I didn’t know that his face was in the direct line of fire as my head snapped back up. So really, this was more so his fault than mine.

Yeah. That sounds about right.

I wasn’t sure if we were even going to bring up the earlier actions that had occurred before I headbutted him but if we were, now probably wasn’t the time. “Is it still bleeding?” I asked after I tossed out the bloodied towel.

“You know? Last time I checked, which was about 15 seconds ago, it was still going at it.” He shot back, his face contorting into a twisted smile.

“Should we take you to the ER?” I asked, already reaching for my keys.

“No no,” he sighed, finally letting up on some of his snarky replies, “I’ll be fine.” He nodded, getting up to move out of the kitchen. I followed quietly behind him as he went back out to our painting supplies so continue working.

“S-so you said to lightly load the brush?” I asked, a bit embarrassed that after all this, I finally decided to ask for some help.

“Not too much paint.” He instructed as he dipped his roller into the paint holder and loaded a small bit of the grey onto the roller. I imitated his actions with my roller as I loaded less paint onto the roller than I had been for the past few hours and watched as the paint spread against the walls evenly. “How’s the teacher gig going so far?” Chris asked.

“So far, I haven’t killed any children. So, I’d say pretty well thanks.” I replied, nodding to myself as if I had just been awarded an achievement.

“Right. How’s Nick doing?” Chris asked as he moved his tray and paint roller to the opposite side of me to get started on the next wall.

“Very well, actually,” I replied, “I think I see more passion in him for art than I see in myself most days. He really is a blessing.” I spoke lightly, unaware I was even speaking my mind freely.

Even though I totally tend to do that most days.

Chris didn’t reply and I glanced over to see what’s up. He was looking at me with an U recognizable expression on his face as his lips slowly curled up into a smile.

“What?” I asked, smiling slightly by the warm fuzzy feeling that was spreading throughout me.

“Nothing.” He replied, shaking his head slightly with his smile still tugging at his lips before going back to painting.

“You’re one weird guy.” I replied, turning back to my wall.

We worked quietly for a while, finding comfort in the silence  as we moved from wall to wall with our paint trays and rollers. The house was beginning to look more lovely and beautiful with each wall we painted, as if, this totally wasn’t the Adam’s Family household a couple hours ago. As we worked, I continued to contemplate what to do with the flooring.

It was wooden on the first floor but the wood looked like it had been put through a woodchipper. I was still too hesitant to walk around with bare feet from fear of getting a splinter. I wanted to maybe sand it down but I would have to rent a sander which would have to be ordered from Pete.

As I stole glances between Chris and Pete, I started to see the resemblance a tad. But what was striking, was the resemblance between Chris and Nick. They looked practically identical at times although Chris was obviously aged some years… And picked up weights…

…lots and lots of weights.

I was snapped back to reality by Chris saying something. I didn’t quite make it out as I turned to him and asked him to repeat it.

“I asked if you were getting hungry. We could order some pizza.” He replied, setting the painting supplies back down on the tarp.

“I could go for some food.” I nodded, setting my supplies down as I pulled out my phone to call Dominos.

~

It was about 20 minutes before we heard the delivery car pull out into the gravel driveway. Chris set down his stuff as he reached into his back pocket to pull out his wallet. Before he could pull out any bills, I whipped out a $20 from my back pocket and handed it to him.

“Let me cover this.” He insisted, but I folded the bill into his palm.

“Free labor, free food.” I replied, chuckling lightly as I got back to work. The doorbell ring from the entrance of the house and Chris went to grab it.

My eyes got large with realization as I dropped the dripping paintbrush onto the tarp.

“Chris!” I practically screamed as I ran towards the door. But I was too late.

There, standing in front of us was a young Asian man, no older than 18, holding our pizza in his one hand and the $20 dollar bill in the other as he stood frozen at my murderous steps.

Chris’s body completely froze in realization as he finally understood what the man was staring at…

… The bloodied tampon stuck up his right nostril.

Chapter 8: Exploring the Home

“Listen man I can explain-”

“Don’t. Please, just don’t.” The delivery guy replied as he basically thrust the pizza into Chris’s arms and high tailed it the fuck off my porch.

My body had began to shake violently as I tried to hold in the laughter that was threatening to spill out all over this situation. But as Chris slowly turned toward me, tampon still stuck up his nostril with his face scrunched up in mortification, I lost it.

It had started off as a slight hiccup as my body attempted to ease into the laughter, but very soon after, I was on the ground grasping the couch as it poured out of my body. I could see Chris out of the corner of my teary eye.

His initial response to my laughter was pure anger, but as I started to gasp my sides in paid from how hard I was laughing, the corner of his mouths twitched up into a smile he desperately tried to conceal. Before I knew it, he was on the ground next to me, losing control.

We stayed like this for a bit, our bodies running low on oxygen as we silently laughed before inhaling deep breathes of air. After some time, the laughter died down, and we laid on the floor on our backs, next to each other.

“That wasn’t funny.” Chris tried to say, his voice coming out in gasps from the strain the laughter had put on him.

“It totally was.” I replied, turning my head slightly to look at him. He was already staring at me. We stayed silently like this for a while before Chris finally spoke.

“When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?” Chris asked, as he turned back to look up at the white ceiling that had some tan spots from where the water had leaked through the ceiling.

“I wanted to be a Marine Biologist.” I answered honestly, as I turned back to the ceiling.

“Why?”

“Don’t laugh, but uh, I’m was- am, a firm believer in the existence of mermaids and I uh, actually, started researching them when I was about 9, after my parents showed me the movie Aquamarine.” I said hesitantly as I turned to him, expecting him to laugh. Instead, he had a serious face on as he stared intently at the ceiling. “What about you?” I finally said, breaking the silence after some time.

“I wanted to be an astronaut.” He replied. He finally tore his eyes away from the ceiling and turned back to me as I smiled at him.

Chris’s POV

My heart beat sporadically as I saw Ari’s face light up at that.

It was a simple wish from a 13 year old child, but it meant much more to me than Ari could ever know. There was so much I wanted to say to her in that second for some reason, so much I wanted to open up to her about… A woman I hadn’t even known for a full week yet. I debated deepening the conversation, but I think Ari saw the hesitation in my eyes as she touched my arm lightly before pulling herself up. That action alone spoke volumes as I pulled myself up with her.

“How about some food?” She asked, grabbing the pizza box I had somehow managed to toss onto the dining room table before becoming crippled by laughter.

“Food sounds good. I replied, shooting her an honest smile as she nodded, knowingly. She went to the kitchen and grabbed us some plates and beers before returning. “Thanks.” I said, as she laid everything on the table and we dug in.

~

“I could never give up cheese.” Ari shook her head as we cleaned up the table and tossed the trash.

“I feel that.” I replied honestly. My love for cheese was something of insanity.

“Thank you for helping with the house by the way, I know there’s so much left to do.” She sighed, rubbing her hands through her braids before continuing to wipe up the table. I’ve seen many emotions sun through Ari, but I don’t think I had witnessed what I got a glimpse of just now… Worry. For a woman who looked so put together, it never dawned on me just how much she could really be struggling with. Yet, I knew absolutely nothing about her or why she had chose to move to the outskirts of Portland Maine. No one just moved to Portland Maine.

“How about you show me the grand tour of this place?” I asked as she finished cleaning.

“Yeah, sure.” She nodded as we started up the stairs. Call me a dude, but it was hard not to notice just how beautiful Ari’s body was, inside and out. She had curves in all the right places, yet acted as if they weren’t there. She wasn’t insecure per say, just not as confident as most of the woman I had met.

Strangely, I liked it.

She wasn’t going through life trying not to be noticed, yet, she also wasn’t going through life trying to be noticed. She was just going through.

“This room is mine.” She started, as she pushed open the door to a large room. Light was pouring through the window, illuminating a beautiful Victorian style bedroom. It was mostly empty, except for the suitcase that she had propped up on the ottoman.

“And we’re moving on.” She said as she opened up the next door that was by her bedroom. “Bathroom.” She nodded as I peeked over her shoulder. The room was large, and gorgeous. Stone walls and tiled tubs. It looked like something from a penthouse suite.

“Woah.” I whispered, taking in the sight.

“Tell me about it.” She nodded as she slowly closed the door. “Now, that’s all I’ve really had the time to check out since I’ve been here so these next couple rooms are as much of a mystery to you as they are to me.” She nodded at the 3 doors remaining on the top floor.

We opened the next door down and the door have way to another beautiful bedroom, this one a bit smaller. It looked like the bedroom may have belonged to a child because the walls had been painting this horrible racetrack mural. “Jesus that’s terrifying.” Ari whispered as we remained at the doorway.

“Can we paint over this next?” I asked.

“Hell yes.” She nodded before shutting the door. The next door opened up to an empty room that also had tons of light spilling through to it. The floors were wooden and the walls a bare grey that closely matched what we had painting the downstairs. “I’d love to bring my art in here.” She nodded as we took a look around. It would be a perfect location to paint because of the lighting and space.

Ari slowly closed that door before we approached the last door on the right of us. Ari’s hand reached the doorknob and turned, but the knob wouldn’t budge.

This room was locked.

Chapter 9: Lacey’s

Chris’s POV

Ari’s hands fell from the knob as she turned to me. “It’s not opening.” She said as she looked back between me and the door like I knew how to solve this issue.

“Did you get a second key from the motel?” I asked, trying to offer up some solutions. She shook her head no as her eyes went back to the knob. A slight hum erupted from her as she swayed back and forth, trying to contemplate what to do in this situation.

“Could we maybe get a lock smith?” She asked, looking back up at me.

“We could, but the lock looks to be very old, they’d most likely just remove the entire door knob which could take sometime, and we’d have to call someone from out of town because there’s no one here who does something like that.” I explained.

“You don’t have a locksmith?” She asked, incredulously.

“No one needs one in this small town. Everyone has spare keys. It’s just the way it’s been for years now.” I nodded, smiling slightly at the puzzled face she was giving me. She shook her head at me slowly, as she got onto her knees then flat onto her stomach. “What are you doing?” I asked, as she laid her head against the crack under the door.

“I’m trying to see what’s inside obviously!” She shot back and she closed one eye in hopes of focusing her vision.

“Yeah? And how’s that working?”

“Not well.” She replied as she pushed herself up off the floor, “all I saw was wooden flooring and what looks to be the bottom of some furniture but I’m not sure.” She replied, as she dusted the dirt off herself.

I glanced at the time on my phone and cursed. “What?” Ari asked.

“I gotta pick up Nick from his mothers in about 30 minutes, he’s spending this weekend with me.” I explained as I began to head down the stairs with Ari close behind me. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s completely fine, thanks so much for the help today! I didn’t even notice the time fly by.” Ari replied honestly as I turned to look at her. I honestly hadn’t noticed either.

“Me as well.” I smiled at her as we just stood there. Me in her living room, her on the second to last stair. It felt so surreal, from a movie or something. “Well I gotta go.” I replied finally, slowly walking backwards before turning around to open the door. I glanced back once and she waved to me, a smile on her lips as I smiled and waved back before closing the front door behind me. My heart was beating sporadically as I tried to gain some control. The way she smiled continued to play again in my head, refusing to disappear as I opened my car and got in. I could smell the fresh lavender scent she left in my car as we brought in the supplies.

She lingered everywhere.

I finally slid the keys into the ignition and started the car, heading to Lacey’s.

~

As I arrived, I noticed the second car in the driveway. I got out and locked the car before jogging up the stairs and ringing the doorbell. I heard light footsteps approach the door before the hinges roared to life as the door slid open.

“Lacey.”

“Chris.”

We nodded at each other in acknowledgement before she stepped aside and I walked in. Lacey’s house was just shy of being a danger hazard. It took me 2 months to convince her to baby proof the place, and even now, I could see a few exposed outlets.

Lacey wasn’t a bad mother, she truly did love Nick, but she just wasn’t ready for children. It was never part of both of our plans but let’s just say, I took it better. Initially, she wanted an abortion, but I quickly shut that down. I promised to take care of most, if not all, of the baby’s needs as long as she had it. Once it was too late to go back on having the child, she wanted to put him up for adoption but I quickly shut that down too, telling her I would never agree to it. The difference between me and Lacey was that she never wanted to take responsibility for anything.

It had started off with me taking full custody of Nick. I raised him with the help of my dad and grandmother. As my grandmother passed, it was just me and my father who gave him everything he ever needed. It was only recently, around this past year, did Lacey wish to start seeing him. I was debating taking this to court but I understood that regardless of what I thought of her, she was still his mother. She carried him for nine months and successfully pushed him out of her vagina. She had some rights to see her kid.

So far, I’ve only agreed to every other weekend. This weekend was originally hers but she had plans for Tomorrow.

As I entered the living room, Nick was playing Wii with another man I couldn’t make out because his back was to me. I cleared my throat and Nick’s head quickly whipped around before he caught sight of me and his smile grew large.

“Daddy!” He screamed as he climbed over the couch and jumped into my open arms. I lifted him up.

“What’s up, kid?” I asked as I pulled him closer to me, “are you ready to spend the weekend at paps?”

“Yeah!” He screamed as his small arms wrapped around my neck. The man on the couch turned around and he was someone I hadn’t recognized before.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice coming out a bit rougher as my arms tightened around Nick protectively.

“Just a friend of Lacey’s.” He replied, nodding, before standing up. I turned to Lacey and she shook her head, silently telling me not to start anything in front of Nick. She knew how much I hated it when she introduced her boyfriend’s to Nick.

“Alright, bud, let’s head out.” I said as I picked up his travel backpack and carried him out to my car. I glanced back at the car parked in the driveway. The license plate was bare along with signs of tabs.

The vehicle was unlisted.

Chapter 10: The Coffee Shop

Aria’s POV

I slid out of the house early Sunday morning as the rain poured down heavy upon my hooded rain coat. The need for coffee had hit me hard at around 6:34am this morning. Me, being the slave to caffiene I am, pulled on a pair of leggings and a large oversized sweater before grabbing my bright yellow rain coat and heading out. The rain had continued to seep through the roof a bit, but The bucket I put down under the drips prevented the water from ruining the wood.

As I ran out to the rental car, the sky began to lighten to a dull grey as the rain relentlessly continued. I slid the keys into the ignition and pulled out of the dirt gravel driveway, heading toward town. The road into town was a long strip through the woodland areas, shielded by large great oak trees that covered the span of the intire road. The leaves were starting to change colors from the cold from a bright green to a yellowy orange.

As the town came into sight, the rain began to lighten enough for me to locate the coffee shoppe I had spotted earlier when I visited Pete’s. I could just barely make out the little hole in the wall as I parallel parked my car. Something the lord himself must of graced because usually, it takes me half an hour to get my vehicle in a parallel slot.

I got out and locked the doors before quickly hurrying up the stairs and inside. Instantly, I was surrounded by warmth as the busy cafe engulfed me.

The coffee shoppe itself was beautiful. As you walked in, you could see the tables were positioned around the center of the cafe which was where the barista and the counter was located. I approached the young girl working the counter as she greeted me with a smile.

“What can I get for ya?” She asked.

“Coffee. Black, with a oinch of sugar.” I replied, as my hand reached into my pocket to handher a $10 bill. She handed me the change before I took a seat by the window.

Staring out into the town now, on a Rainy Sunday Morning, everything looked different. It was gloomy, but not a sad gloomy, it was a gloom that fit this town so well.

I watched a water puddle slide down the window, as it raced another to reach the finish line, something I always used to do as a kid. I was so consumed by the small little task that i hadnt noticed the girl bring my coffe over, not until a voice cut through my concentration.

“Your coffee is going to get cold.”

I glanced away from the window in time to see Chris slide into a seat across feom me. I chuckled slightly to myself.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Getting coffee.” He answered matter-of-factly as he grabbed the coffee from my side of the table and took a sip.

“Its like you have a death wish.” I hissed, grabbing th coffee back from his hands as I took a long drink.

“There’s only one good coffee store in this very small town. The odds that we’d meet again the next day were very likely. But uts good, it means we can talk about our plan of action.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, finally giving him my full attention. He was wearing a button down shirt cotton shirt that fit him well. The shirt relaxed aroumd his body yet clung to his muscles everytime he flexed his arm against the table.

“To open the upstairs door of course.” Chris replied, him lips curving into a slight smile as he caught me staring at his biceps. I should have worn a low cut shirt of something.

“Were you able to get ahold of a locksmith?” I asked, looking away towards the window again.

“I called in to a friend last night, he said he’d be able to come take a look sometime this coming weekend. How does that sound?”

“Good.” I nodded to him, taking another sip from the cup.

“Here is your pastry, sir.” The girl smiled at him, pushing her hair further back to expose her cleavage as she slowly laid the plate down. Chris nodded in her direction before digging in. “Is there anything else I can get you?” She asked, completely ignoring my existence as she leaned further into his peripheral vision. He glanced up for what seemed like a fraction of a millesecond before shaking his head. You could practically feel the disappointment ra f iating off the poor girl as she slowly backed away.

“She was totally into you.” I spoke in the best girly voice I could muster.

“Really?” He asked as he glanced up at me with a mouth full of pastry.

“Yep. You’re old enough to be her father though.” I joked as I took another sip of coffee.

“I already have a son, lets not talk about anymore children just yet.” He joked back as he grabbed the cup of coffee out of my hands and took a long sip.

Chapter 11: Mother

The rest of the week had gone by pretty uneventful. Nick was excelling in art and quite honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a job this much. Seeing these kids everyday was oddly therapeutic and almost took my mind off my current situations.

Well… Almost.

I was awakened by the sound of my cell phone going off Friday night around midnight.

“Hello?” I asked, my voice a bit groggily from my sleep deprivation. The school was gearing up for their fall festival and apparently all the teachers and parents had to help out with decorations and such. I had been planning basically all day for the crafts I’d have to start tomorrow. Of Course, with my stellar luck, I’d been partnered with Chris.

“Hi Aria.” My mother spoke. I immediately shot out of bed, scrambling to slip on my slippers and switch the lights on.

“H-hi Mom.” I replied awkwardly. It had only been a couple weeks since I had last spoken to my mother yet it felt like it was months ago. Months since I packed everything up and just left. Months since I’ve had to deal with any repercussions for my actions… But leave it to my mother to rain all that wrath down upon me at 12 o’clock am.

“Where the hell are you?.” She demanded, skipping whatever introductions and ruining whatever little hope I had of her just ignoring the fact that I had disappeared for the past couple weeks.

“I needed a break.” I sighed, running my hands threw my hair as I finally started to wake up.

“A break? You left your fiancé at the alter. THE ALTER. Then you just leave? Not even informing your own mother on your whereabouts? Where are you, young lady, I’m coming to get you.”

I could feel my cool façade slip as her words settled inside of me. Something in me finally snapped.

“No. You’ll do none of that. Mom, I don’t expect you to understand any of this, but I’m taking a break. From everything. This was my decision, this was my money spent, and for fuck sakes, this is my life. If this turns out to be the biggest mistake, then it will be a lesson learnt. But what I won’t do, is come crawling back to a controlling husband. This is my life and I have decided to live it. So if you’ve called just to lecture me on how I can’t figure my life out or how I wont be able to make it out here all on my own, then I suggest you hang up because I have a fall festival to prepare for and a very beautiful man yet aggravating man to deal with early tomorrow morning.” I finished, my voice now more confident then it had ever been.

The line was quiet for sometime on the other side so much that I actually checked to make sure she hadn’t hung up on me. That sounded like something my mother would have done.

“I just want the best for you.” She finally said, her voice a little softer this time than her demanding tone she was using earlier.

“And I’m not doubting that you don’t mother, but this has been the most liberating two weeks I have ever experienced. There’s been some rocky patches in between and things aren’t all rainbows and unicorns but I’ve never felt so free. So… Alive.” I spoke, my voice fading a bit as I thought back to the first day I had arrived in Maine.

“Will you at least let me come visit sometime? I-I know these past few years, I haven’t been the most supportive-”

“Let’s not humor each other.” I scoffed, shaking my head at the lack of support she had administrated.

“Okay, I might not have been supportive at all… But things were going so well. You were about to lead a life that I had always dreamt of you, something that I wanted you to be proud of. I just never realized just how much I had pushed you and I truly am sorry for that, but you can’t just ask me to not be worried, I’m your mother for Christ sakes.” She joked on the line as I could hear her voice crack.

I wasn’t sure if it was the aftershock of the situation, or maybe the her face when she saw that I already had a suitcase packed and money saved… That I had planned this… It might have been the fact that it was in the middle of the night, where our thoughts were felt so raw by the quiet of the darkness…

…But this was the most venerable my mother had sounded in years. And it broke me, it really did.

“I felt like I’ve been living in the motions, living up to the expectations of what you’ve put upon me after father passed away, but I can’t do it anymore. I can’t continue to live the life through your eyes, I have to experience it for myself. You have to let me make my own mistakes.” I finally whispered into the line as I finished.

“I know honey. I-It’s just been a hell of a week. I know I should of called. I just- I’m not even sure how to explain this mess. All I can say is, I want to come visit. I promise not to try and drag you back home but I just can’t handle anymore loss in this god forsaken family.”

“Neither can I, mother.” I spoke into the line, no longer being able to conceal my drowsiness as sleep began to overtake me.

“I’m going to let you go now, baby. But I love you. Remember that. And call me as soon as you can so we can talk about everything. In extensive detail.” She joked.

“I love you too, and okay.” I whispered back, laughing lightly before I heard the line cut.

Chapter 12: Project

“No.”

“But we need it, Aria.”

“Chris, you’re not bring that devil worshipping shit into my home.”

“I promise I’ll clean everything up afterwards.”

“One does not simply just clean up all glitter.” I hissed, taking the glitter jar back out of our shopping basket.

“Our signs have to stand out, Aria.” Chris argued, putting the jar back in the basket.

“It’s like you want to die or something.” I shot back, taking the jar back out again. Before I could slam it down on the shelf, Chris’s hand grabbed the other end of the jar and thus ensued a tug of war fight over a jar of glitter.

“What the hell is wrong with you two?” Pete asked, walking towards the isle we were in. “It’s like I’m witnessing children here.”

“Chris wants to use glitter on the fall festival signs! Glitter is an abomination.” I explained, pulling the jar further towards me.

“But glitter will be the thing that draws in the largest crowd to the festival!” Chris argued, as he pulled the glitter back towards him. Pete grabbed the top of the glitter jar.

“Drop it.” He hissed. I glanced up at Chris, then slowly, both his and I’s hand let go. We slowly glanced around to see a few people had been watching our little argument. “Now,” Pete started, plastering a fake sinister smile on his lips that sent chills down my spine, “can I recommend you two hooligans the glitter spray instead? Same amount of shine, no loose glitter.”

I turned to Chris, silently asking if we could meet halfway on this. He nodded, glancing back at his father. “We’ll take it.”

Pete walked us through some isles before coming to the spray paint section were he handed us a few silver glitter spray paint bottles. I glanced at our basket and nodded slightly to myself. “I think we’re ready.” We then made our way to the front of the counter where he rung us up. While he was scanning the paint, he beckoned us to come closer. As we leant in, he dropped his voice to a threatening tone.

“Any of you try to mess around in my store, I will personally haunt your ass after I leave this earth. Now get out.” We nodded aggressively, grabbing our shopping bags before quickly exiting the store.

As soon as we were out of hearing, we burst out laughing. “Oh my god.” I whispered grabbing my side as I tried to get the bags into Chris’s car while controlling my laughter.

“I guess we now know to never come between my father and his customers.” He replied, running his hands messily through his hair as we slid into his car.

“Alright, my good man, it’s go time.” I spoke, as we pulled away from the side of the street, towards my home.

~

“We should put this leaf here.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Who’s the art teacher here?” I demanded, looking at the red-orange-yellow leaf sequence we were following. How dare he decide to just throw a green leaf in there? It wouldn’t fit.

“Yes, but, shouldn’t we add some neutral tones in there?” He argued.

“And what exactly do you know about neutral tones?” I shot back, glueing another yellow leaf onto our signs.

“Enough.” He pouted, applying glue onto the back of the green leaf before holding it up to the sign.

“Do it, and I’ll kill you.” I threatened, holding the glue bottle up as my choice of weapon. He cracked a smile as his hand got closer to the sign. My arm shot forward, holding his hand back as I tried to stop it from making contact with the sign board. “No!” I yelled dramatically. Strugglign, I leaned into his lap as I pushed him even further away from the board. He suddenly let go of resistance and I fell back onto his stomach with the momentum of my weight.

“Hmrgh.” He groaned, as my elbow slid back and jabbed into his side.

“I’d say sorry, but you brought that upon yourself.” I shot back, as I tried to pull myself up. His hand wound around my waist and he pulled me back into his chest.

“You’re warm.” He spoke suddenly, holding me tight against him. My cheeks heated up feverishly as I squirmed to get out of his grasp. My body was on fire from his touch.

“W-w-what are you doing?” I asked, as my head was pulled back into his chest. Don’t think of his intoxicating scent, Aria. Don’t think of his lean muscles… And firm chest… And God his scent… It was like a mix spice and woodlands-

“Hmm?” I asked, unsure of what he just said as I pulled myself out of my thoughts.

“I said I’m tired. You called me over at 8 this morning to go shopping for 2 hours then we’ve been working on this project for like the last 4 hours. Let’s just rest a bit.” He whined, as his hands slowly eased up on the lock he had. I silently agreed, flipping my body so I was laying perpendicular to him with my head on his chest. It slowly rose and fell as he inhaled then exhaled. “Can I ask you something Aria?” He spoke after some time.

“Go for it.” I replied.

“Did you always want to be an art teacher?” He asked, as his hands went up to play with my hair. I thought for a moment, unsure on how to answer that question. After a pause, I replied.

“No. It just kind of happened I guess.”

“Hmm.” He replied, as his breathing slowed.

“Why is it, we have the most personal conversations when we are lying on my floorboards.” I asked after sometime. He chuckled slightly, as his body vibrated.

“You tell me.”

That was the last words that was spoken before we drifted to sleep.

Chapter 13: Awkward Sunday Brunch pt. 1

Aria’s Outfit!

“You should come.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.” I replied, giving Chris a firm head shake as if I wasn’t on the phone and he could see this.

“You owe me.” He fired back.

“I don’t owe you jack shit.” I chuckled, as I applied some deodorant to my underarms.

“I came over yesterday and helped you finish the signs though.” He whined.

“Yes, and I volunteered to have you partner with me so you wouldn’t be stuck doing floats all on your own you little ungrateful twat.” I hissed as the razor I was using to shave my legs, cut into my skin.

“Please Aria, It’s just brunch. Nick wants you to go too.”

“I’m not going to brunch with you and your ex wife. Like how did you even think that that would sound appealing?” I asked, flailing my hands around as the blood started to trickle down my leg. Shit shit shit shit shit.

“It’s only for an hour and a half or so. Please, I rather not show up alone while she’s with her boyfriend.”

“ Let me get this straight. You’re going to use my presence to make your ex wife jealous?“ I asked, as my hand froze in place.

“ No! It’s just that you’re a fairly attractive-“

“Fairly attractive?” I hissed back at him.

“ You’re insanely beautiful.“ He spoke as his voice dropped to a serious tone. The phone slipped out of my hand.

“ Damn it.“ I whispered, trying to bend over to grab it off the floor while keeping my leg that was still dripping with blood, on the bathroom sink. “Sorry.” I spoke as I brought the hand held to my ear.

“ It’s fine. So will you?“ He asked, his voice had returned to its whiny self. It sounded funny with his deep gruffness.

“Fine.” I sighed, running water over my leg to wash the beady red liquid off.

“ Thank you! I swear, I’ll make it up to you.“

“ I want 5 separate, 15 minute back rubs.“ I replied seriously, as I pulled my wet leg off the sink.

“Is that all, m’lady?” Chris asked.

“And gelato. I want my first massage tonight with a tub of Tiramisu Gelato. And Big Hero 6.” I nodded, proud of myself for my quick, on the spot, thinking.

“Haha okay. I’ll come pick you up in about an hour.” He replied, before quickly hanging up. Probably so I wouldn’t protest to the fact that I only had one fucking hour to look presentable! I glanced down at the nasty cut on my leg and sighed. At least it was cold enough to wear leggings and cover that up.

I then made my way out of the bathroom and into the bedroom where I kept my opened suitcase. I still needed to unpack that, and it’s been a couple weeks now. I grabbed another chunky knitted sweater, and tied the front of my hair to the back before grabbing all my make up necessities and going to work on my face. Chris never told me where we were going so I didn’t apply anything too fancy like lipstick, but I did wing my eyeliner out just to be safe.

~

Chris’s car pulled in about 45 minutes later. I made sure to lock the house before jogging out to his car. The air was getting colder by the days as the autumn chills settled in. “Hey.” I greeted, as I slid into his car.

“You look… Amazing.” He said seriously, blatantly checking me out before sliding the car into first gear.

“Thanks.” I replied, trying to peel my eyes away from his crisp dress shirt and jeans he had on today. His cologne was intoxicating in a good way, it smelt much more mellowed down and suited him well. “So where are we heading? Or are you kidnapping me. Is this a kidnapping? Because I left my naked pallet at home and I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“Your naked what? Anyways,” Chris dismissed, “we’re heading out to a nice steak house about 30 minutes out from Portland. Lacey and her boyfriend will meet us there. Nick is right now with my dad for this weekend so I’m not even sure why she wanted to have brunch with me but there’s no way I could go through this brunch without strangling either her or her boyfriend.” He replied honestly. I felt my heart drop as my stomach turned with this uncomfortable jealousy and pain I knew I shouldn’t of had.

“Do you- uh, do you still love her?” I asked a bit quieter, trying to sound nonchalant about the topic when in actuality, I really really cared. And I really really shouldn’t have. He turned to me for a moment before his eyes went back onto the road.

“No.” He spoke honestly. “Here, it’s different. She was a “friends with benefits” type deal. I didn’t necessarily fancy her company, but we mutually chose to use each other and soon she unexpectedly got pregnant. It was a nonemotional relationship, but we got married anyways because we thought, at that time, that it was the right thing to do. The only good thing that came out of the marriage would be Nick. We tried not to argue in front of him, or talk about our disagreements on our own personal lives but pretty soon, it wasn’t working out anymore and we got a divorce.“ He turned back to me again and caught my eyes, silently telling me he was being completely honest, before his eyes went back into the road. I nodded, my mood being lifted by that news as his words settled in. The fact that they had obviously been intimate bothered me, but I knew they had because they had a son.

I constantly reminded myself that I wasn’t here to find love, especially considering the circumstances of my last relationship, but I was falling hard for Chris.

And it was terrifying.

Because I wasn’t sure if he was falling just as hard for me.

---

Guess who’s back, bitches ;)

Chapter 14: Awkward Sunday Brunch pt. 2

Chris’s POV

I stole glances back at Aria as we drove in silence. I just wanted to pull this fucking car off the side of the road and kiss her silly, ensuring her that she had nothing to be troubled about. I wasn’t even sure what this was. All I knew is that I wanted to be with her. I wanted to show her so much love, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it all. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if she felt the same about me.

But I just couldn’t handle how sweet she talked about Nick, and how energetic he got when he described how great of a teacher she was. I still wasn’t completely sure what she was doing here, but I was beginning to care less and less as my need to have her increased.

I sighed to myself. This brunch couldn’t end well.

~

We pulled into the parking lot some time later. The steak house was busy this time of day, mostly with families coming back from church. As we entered, the smell oh smoked ribs and barbecue sauce hit us.

“This is amazing.” Aria commented as she took in the black wooden pallets and high end metal bar stools. The glass chandeliers went well with the dark wood undertones that made up the furniture. A young server made his way to the entrance of the establishment with a few menus in hand.

“Welcome to Red Eye Steakhouse, we’re so happy for you two to be dining in with us today, how may I help you?” He asked, as he tried to keep eye contact with me but continued to steal glances at Aria. I soon noticed that every man and some women that walked by, also did the same. I’m not sure what came over me, but my hand slid itself around her small waist and I pulled her closer to me. She glanced up at me but said nothing as she watched me talk.

“Yes, we are supposed to be meeting two other people here tonight. The reservation should be under the name Lacey Claire.” The server opened up a large folder that was propped up on the podium, then started looking for the name.

“Ah, yes, they arrived a few minute ago. Follow me.” He nodded, leading us through the back of the restaurant. Aria shifted a bit closer to my side as we maneuvered through tables filled with people. My hand wrapped around her more securely and protectively.

The server lead us out into the patio deck area where more seats and tables were located. I located Lacey easily as I recognized the man she was with, as the man from earlier that week. “Lacey.” I nodded to her. The man she was with stood up and stuck out his hand.

“I’m Steve.” He nodded.

“Chris.” I replied, refusing to pull my arm ways from Aria’s side to shake his until Aria subtly elbowed me in my ribs. Reluctantly, I let my arm drop before going to shake his. I moved to pull out the seat for Aria, but she shook her head politely, pulling it out herself.

“So, who’s this?” Lacey asked, directing the question to me, yet looking at Aria.

“I’m Aria, a friend of Chris’s, it’s nice to meet you.” Aria spoke, nodding her head once formally. I’d never actually seen Aria this formal and polite before, it felt weird.

I liked it better when I could lay on the floor with her and talk about anything and everything. This Aria was giving off a lawyer vibe.

I didn’t like it.

“I’m Lacey, nice to meet you.” Lacey nodded, choosing to act a bit more civilized. “When did you and Chris meet? I haven’t seen you around town.”

“I actually just moved here from Los Angeles.” She replied. I glanced over at her, she never mentioned that to me. No one moves from fucking L.A. To Maine unless something seriously bad happened.

“Well, this town must come as a huge shock to you, it’s the complete opposite of L.A.” Steve joked, setting his arm on Lacey’s chair as he continued to blatantly stare at Aria.

“Yes, but it’s nice. Big cities were never my think anyways.” She nodded, pulling up the menu that the server had left at our table. Another server arrived shortly after, this time, it was a woman.

“Hello, I see we now have a full table, can I start everyone off with a round of drinks?” She asked, as she pulled out her notebook.

“Yes, I’ll have a glass of Barefoot Moscato wine.” Lacey started.

“I’ll have a beer.” Steve nodded.

“Cranberry juice for me.” Aria nodded. I smiled slightly at her choice of drink before ordering one for myself.

“No wine?” Lacey asked, glancing up at Aria.

“I was never one for day drinking. I do often times come close, after dealing with elementary school kids all day.” She commented, getting a light chuckle from Lacey and Steve.

“I know that feeling.” Lacey smiled.

Lacey smiled.

I forgot just how long it had been since I had seen her smile.

Did Aria do that?

“It’s okay. Your son, by the way, is such a beautiful child. You must be an amazing mother.” Aria commented, smiley deeply as she glanced back at the menu. Lacey’s dimples showed, as her cheeks heated up.

“T-thank you.” Lacey nodded, as her eyes castes back down towards her menu.

“Jeez, what’s taking this waiter so long.” Steve commented a bit aggressively, ruining whatever moment Aria and her were having.

“We just put our drink orders in, give them a minute.” Aria shot back politely but firm. Everyone looked over at her a tad bit taken back but I smiled, loving how little shit she took from people. Not even a moment later, the drinks were then set onto our tables and the orders were taken. I glanced up at Steve as he took it upon himself to order for Lacey. I could tell Aria tensed up as well from how controlling he was becoming, but she said nothing as as the food came and we ate.

Chapter 15: Give Me A Massage, Or Give Me Death

Chris’s POV

“I don’t like him.” I shook my head, shuddering at the thought of Steve even breathing the same air as my son.

“Neither do I.” Aria agreed, as we drove past town towards her home. We had stopped to grab a tub of tiramisu gelato, as promised, and now I owed her a back massage.

“He was so…”

“Controlling? Repulsive?” Aria chimed in, shaking her head.

“All of those.” I nodded.

The brunch could have been worse. Aria actually brought out a social side I’d never seen before. She conversed with everyone, literally, everyone. Including, but not limited to: the waiter, the chef who brought out the wine, the couple next to us, the couples dog…

“I think, because of my stellar performance, we should make those 15 minutes into a 30minute back rub.” Aria smiled, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. I shot her smile back.

“Yeah, that’s not happening.”

“But but but, but I talked to a dog. “ She whined.

“But nothing. 15 minutes is all you get.” I shook my head, pulling off onto the main road that drove directly through the outskirts of town towards her home. “What other renovations were you thinking of doing on the house?” I asked.

“I wanted to sand the floor boards down but I wasn’t sure at that time. Now, it looks like this stay might be a bit more permanent.” She spoke honestly, glancing out the window.

“During lunch, you mentioned you moved from Los Angeles. May I ask why?”

“You may not.” She replied, her voice held no emotion until she turned to me with a false grin on her face in hopes of lightening the conversation, “That’s highly classified information.”

“Uh-huh.” I replied, grinning.

“I’d also like to get that door open soon. The locksmith was supposed to come this weekend, right?” She asked, changing the subject again.

“Yeah, he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. I’ll leave a voicemail tonight and let you know.” I nodded, taking a mental note of that.

“Sounds good. Make sure it’s scheduled on the weekends, I don’t have much time during the weekdays.” I reminded him, as we drew nearer to my home.

“Will do. We’re you thinking of painting the upstairs as well? I know we need to paint over that god awful mural in the room besides the bathroom.”

“Oh god yes, that thing has gotta go. Could you put in another order of the pale grey paint. I think one more can should do it, then we can discuss floors after.” She nodded, as we pulled into the gravel driveway.

“You should also pave this driveway.” Chris noted, carefully parking beside my banged up rental. “Also, let me take a look at that car. It looks like a fucking death contraption.”

“It’s fine, dad. “ She joked, getting out of the car with the shopping bag.

“Just looking out for you.” I replied, pulling the keys and sliding out of my car. The exterior of the house looked very risky. We had pulled out more of the floorboards that were nailed to the Windows, but the stairs were still lopsided and sketchy. I was sure how Aria could comfortably live in this place without fearing for her life, but then again, there was a lot I didn’t know about Aria.

This house had potential though. It was beautiful, and secluded, something that fit Aria so well. It was also quite large, a bit too large for one person…

No, Chris, don’t go there.

“Are ya coming in or what?” Aria called from the doorway.

“Yep.” I replied, careful not to lose my footing as I made it up her porch steps and into her home.

~

“Be gentle.” Aria whined, stuffing her couch cushion underneath her chest to prop her upper body more. I was currently kneeling above her with one knee pushed into the couch, and the other leg extended to the floor beside the couch. I expected Aria to be wearing a tank top or something, but no , Aria was currently wearing a towel that just covered her chest. And here I was, trying not to get aroused by her beautiful back tattoo and feminine curves.

The tattoo was a dream catcher with a wolf head inside of it, except the wolfs fur colors were the Ying and Yang symbol. Underneath the large piece, a quote read:

“

Which wolf will win?“

“The one you feed.”

“What does this tattoo mean?” I asked, trying to put a cap on my growing arousal.

“It’s about an old Cherokee teaching his grandson about life. “ A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

“Woah.” I whispered to myself, admiring the art that lay before me. “That’s beautiful.”

“Are you going to start yet or what?” She whined, pounding her fists into the cushion like a child.

“Okay okay.” I chuckled, as I reached for the massage oil we had bought with the gelato earlier. I didn’t even know Aria had slipped that into our shopping basket.

I pumped the liquid onto my hand and warmed it up. “Set the timer.” I said, as I watched Aria open the clock app. She put the timer to 15 minutes.

“Go.” She spoke, her finger pressing down on the “Start” button.

I brought my hands down to her bare back and almost died by how soft her skin was. Her tense muscles instantly relaxed as she release a low moan.

My grandmothers lips. Saggy boobs. I mentally chanted, trying to get the sound of that moan out of my head. Right as I was thinking it worked, she released yet another moan while my fingers worked her shoulders. Fucking hell. I thought to myself. My hands started to involuntarily go lower to her waist and hip bones as I massaged that area, gripping it gentle yet firmly. “Right there.” She moaned, grabbing the cushion even tighter.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck, pull yourself together man. You got this. Don’t give in. I thought to myself as I glanced at the clock. I had a good 10 minutes left, and I wasn’t sure if I could make it.

Chapter 16: The Key

This chapter is shit. You’ve been warned. #writersblock

Chris’s POV

My hands slid back up her waist, quickly trying to regain whatever control slipped but as soon as I did, we heard an insane crack of thunder. As the house shook, Aria Instantly flinched away and curled into a ball in the corner of the couch, trying to covers up her upper body with the couch’s blanket.

“Hey, are you okay?” I asked, sounding alarmed as I scooted a bit closer. Heavy rain started to pour.

“I don’t like thunder.” She stated simply, wrapping the blanket around herself. “Could you grab me the shirt and bandeau I placed on the ottoman?” She asked, her voice getting quieter. I reached over and grabbed the bundle of clothing I hadn’t noticed before, and handed it to her. She looked at me expectantly. “Well, turn around.” She whispered.

“Right right.” I nodded, shifting towards the fireplace. After a brief pause, she broke the silence. “Okay, I’m decent.” I turned back around but froze as I felt a drop hit my nose.

Aria and I both glance up at the same time to see the ceiling start to swell.

“Shit shit shit.” Aria hissed, jumping off the couch as water started to drip down. “Okay, grab that side and help me push the couch back a bit.” She instructed as I stood up to help. The water continued to drop as Aria frantically looked for something to put down.

“Do you have a pot?” I asked. She looked at me like I had asked her for superpowers.

“A pot? I haven’t even bought a kitchen utensil!” She hissed, running her hands nervously through her hair. I glanced around the room, before walking towards her kitchen.

“Sometimes, with rental homes, the kitchen could have some leftover items.” I explained as I started opening up cupboards. I pulled open the cupboards above the oven and came face to face with a couple rusty pots. “Jackpot.” I joked, pulling them out from the cupboard.

“Not the time, Chris, not the time.” She shook her head disapprovingly as we brought the pots back into the living room. I went to set one of them down by the dripping water, but as I glanced inside, I noticed a silver object shift.

“What is it?” Aria asked, as she set her pot down by the dripping water.

“A key.” I answered, pulling it out from the thickened dust that lined the inside of the pot.

“What for?” She asked, coming closer.

“It looks awfully old fashioned. Maybe it opens up the room upstairs.” I nodded, wiping it off on my jeans.

“Let’s try it.” She announced, her voice still on edge from the thunderstorm that was brewing outside. I nodded, as I followed her back up the stairs. Her hands gripped the bannister tightly.

Another crack of thunder rippled through the house and her body froze at the top of the stairs. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her. At first, her body tensed, but she soon started to relax into the touch. “What’s wrong?” I mumbled into the back of her head as my arms tightened around her.

“I never liked thunderstorms.” She said simply, leaning back into me but leaving her hands at her side.

“Sorry to hear.” I whispered into her ear, causing a involuntary shiver to run through her body. My arms reluctantly detached themselves from her as the thinder settled down again. We continued down the hallway in silence until we reached the last door on the left. Aria sidestepped to give me room while I slid the key out from my pocket. The lock looked like it was the right hole for the key, but I wasn’t sure. As I slid the key in, I heard something snap inside the lock before the door opened.

“Did you… Did you even turn it?” Aria whispered as the door gave way to a darkened room.

“No.” I whispered back, taking a hesitant step inside.

“You know what? I suddenly don’t give a damn about knowing what’s in here anymore.” She whispered, taking a small step forward, yet staying behind me. My hand slid to the wall beside us as I felt around for a light switch before turning it on. The chandelier light flickered for a second before it illuminated the room with a bright yellow glow. Aria and I stood frozen as we stared into a, what seemed like, home studio.

Except it was huge.

“How is this even possible.” She whispered, glancing at the room that held paintings all over its walls. The furniture around the room were covered with cloth that looked like it had been undisturbed for years.

“I-I don’t know.” I replied honestly as Aria walked further inside. The paintings themselves were spectacular., it looked as if the reoccurring theme was landscapes. I glanced back at Aria but she was already admiring the first painting. Her hands fidgeted at as her sides, like they were yearning to touch it but knew they shouldn’t. The face she was making made my heart flutter. Complete adoration shown in her eyes as she analyzed every detail of the picture before moving on to the next. I had never seen this side to Aria, but I was loving it even more and more. Loving all the passion she truly had to art, all the appreciation she held for it.

Her happiness was cut short by the sound of another crack of thunder echoing through the house. Aria immediately jumped back into my arms as she buried her face into my shirt. My arms quickly wrapped back around her but I said nothing. She reminded me of how frightened Nick used to get with fireworks. He would come running into my arms with tears running down his face as his body shook with fear every year as the town lit up the night with illegal fireworks.

I could feel Aria shaking slightly in my arms, but I just pulled her in even closer. Her hands gripped the back of my shirt tightly, welcoming  my warmth.

After some time of just holding her, she slowly pulled her body away from mine. She began to say something that wounded like an apology but before she could finish, I acted on impulse. My arm that was wrapped around her waist, pulled her back into me and I smashed my lips against hers.

Chapter 17: The Penthouse

Aria’s POV

My body froze completely as I felt Chris’s lips against mine. His hand held my waist as he slowly pulled back. Realization began to settle in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me-” he started, but this time, it was my turn to take him by surprise and I pulled his head down to me and attached my lips to his. He acted almost immediately, pulling me even closer to him. I could smell his intoxicating cologne in wakes now as the scent sent me into a natural high.

His lips soon graced my bottom lip, asking for entrance to which I gladly gave. A moan involuntarily erupted from my throat as his tongue explored my mouth. His body froze for a second, and I filled with worry. Did I do something wrong? Shit. But my thoughts were quickly put to rest as Chris’s hands slid below my ass as lifted me up. My legs wrapped themselves around his torso as he propped me up against the wall nearest to the door.

“ Fuck, that was hot.“ He groaned against my lips, before his lips suddenly attached themselves to my neck. After that, I could no longer control the moans that left my lips as teeth grazed the spot between my neck and shoulder blade. My breathing got heavier as his hands securely cupped my ass. I could definitely feel the hard on he was sporting, against me.

I could also feel a vibration.

And then another.

And then another.

The ringtone to his phone starting going off, but he easily ignored it as his tongue started to swirl circles against my skin. “Y-your phone.” I gasped, pulling his lower body flush against me.

“I’ll get it later.” He mumbled, as he continued to assault my neck.

It c-could be an e-emergency.“ I stuttered, trying to finally push him away. His body stilled as he thought about it, before pulling out his phone and bringing it to his ear. “Someone better be dying.” He gritted into the phone line.

“The storm is freaking Nick out, could you come home?” Pete asked into the other line. Chris glanced down at me, but I was already detaching myself from him. He nodded once before going back to the conversation with Pete.

“I’ll be home in 15 minutes. Aria and I will be.” He added looking back at me, before hanging up.

“Aria and I?” I asked, my eyebrow arching.

“Oh come on, I don’t think you’d pass up the opportunity to see my home and invade my personal space.”

I smirked back at him. “You’re totally right. Lead the way.”

~

We pulled up to an apartment complex a little while later. The place looked really nice, and was within a high end part of Maine. Sort of on the outskirts of Portland. Chris parked and got out, before grabbing a umbrella and coming around to my side. I slipped out, and quickly got under the umbrella with him as he slid his arm around my waist. My body was still on fire from our intimate moment earlier.

We walked quickly, making it to the apartment entrances in record timing. As Chris opened the door for me, and collapsed the umbrella, I took in the sight of the lobby area. The whole scene looked like something out of a movie. The walls were a dark marble and stone that surrounded a wall water fountain that trickled into another bannister wall that most likely concealed a drain.

“Woah.” I whispered, as Chris slowly lead me towards the elevator doors.

“Haha, what?” He asked, as we entered the elevator.

“This place is amazing.” I whispered, as he entered behind me. The elevator was lit by colorful lights that made it seem like we were in a VIP section of a club or something. I glanced at him skeptically.

“What?” He asked again, a bit nervously this time as my eyes bore into his.

“Are you a mafia boss? Drug dealer? Con artist?”

“None of the above,” he chuckled, “I’m an entrepreneur.”

“Well that’s boring,” I whined, “I would have loved to date a Mafia boss.”

“Oh, so we’re dating now?” He asked, a grin reaching his ears. Before I could answer him, the elevator dinged again and we got out. I expected to see a hallway and doors, but instead, the elevator opened up to a fully finished room. I glanced back between the closing doors and the room before me.

Did I enter Narnia or some shit?

Chris chuckled again, walking in. “This is the penthouse suite, private floor.” He explained.

Ha, entrepreneur my ass.

“Chris!” Nick screamed from the couch as he ran toward his daddy. Chris held his arms open, but at the last moment, Nick and I made eye contact. In a fraction of a second, he changed course and ran straight into my legs, wrapping his arms securely around them. I quickly picked him up by his armpits.

“How ya doing, bud.” I asked, as his legs dangled freely in the air.

“I’m good.” He nodded, trying to wipe away some of the partially dried tears.

“What is this?” Chris asked, his arms still frozen out in front of him as he glanced back between Nick and I.

“I think it’s quite clear who Nick loves more.” I replied, winking at him as I walked both of us over to the couch. Another strike of thunder echoed through the penthouse and Nick quickly snuggled deeper into me. I could feel fear eat away at the both of us, but I just held him closer.

“I’m swowy.” Nick mumbled into my chest.

“It’s okay.” I whispered into his ear, stroking his back comfortingly. “Can I let you in on a secret?”

After a brief pause, Nick slowly nodded his head.

“I’m afraid of thunder too.”

Chris’s POV

“Can I let you in on a secret?” Aria whispered to Nick as he hugged her even tight. I tried to remain calm, but I just couldn’t stop staring at how beautiful the both of them looked as Aria held him even tighter against her. I could tell she was terrified of the storm, but she held it together for him.

After some time, Nick nodded into her.

“I’m afraid of thunder too.” She whispered into his ear. He lifted his head slightly, with his eyes wide.

“Really?” He asked, his voice sounded so small.

“Yeah, really. But you want to know something else?” She asked.

Nick nodded eagerly.

“Sometimes, it’s okay to be afraid.” She whispered, her smile growing larger.

And with that, Aria extinguished any thoughts that lingered in my mind. My objective was now clear as day.

I had to have her.

Chapter 18: Broken Angel

Thank you all for the awesome support! My goal is an upload a day so I can offer you all some entertainment for the summer before school turns my life into a living hell. XOXO

Chris’s POV

Nick soon fell asleep in Aria’s arms as the storm subsided. Pete and I continued to exchange glances with each other. It was just so unusual. Usually when Nick got like this, he became so attached to my hip. No one else had ever been able to calm him down, besides Lacey. And here Aria was, slowly patting his back as she whispered secrets into his ear. This whole situation was so bizarre.

After sometime, she slowly sat up with him in her arms. “Where is his bedroom?” She silently whispered/mouthed to me. I quickly got up and lead the way as my son continued to sleep in her arms. We walked down a corridor before turning and entering his room. It was large yet vacant. I never noticed before, but now being here with Aria, his room looked like something straight out of a magazine. Something so staged and unnatural. She glanced up at me and smiled reassuringly before moving towards his bed.

The sheets were already pulled back so she gently laid him down before pulling the covers up over his body and tucking him in. After she was 100% sure he was as comfortable as he could be, she finally stepped back. “You were gr-” I started, but was cut off by Aria’s hand over my mouth. A finger went to her lips, mouthing that I need to shut up. We both turned to Nick as we saw him stir a bit before finding a more comfortable position and rolling with it.

After we made it outside, and slowly closed the door, Aria gave me the okay to talk. “You’re amazing.” I finally got out, glancing down at her. Her face heated up as she looked away. “Thanks.” She mumbled.

Before I could say anything else, or pull her body flush against mine again, she was already walking back towards the living room to talk with my father.

“How was the brunch?” Pete asked as we all sat down in my living room. Aria sat beside me on the love seat. I was was so incredibly tempted to wrap my arms around her and pull her closer, but I wasn’t sure if she wanted that.

“It was wonderful.” She nodded, smiling as Pete continued to make small talk.

“Did you still want those extra buckets of paint for the room upstairs?” He asked.

“I would love them, thank you.” She nodded, looking even more engaged in this conversation as he asked her about her plans for the house. If Pete was presented with a conversation over house repairs and DIY’s, he could be here for literal days. I remember all the work he wanted to do here in this penthouse, before I lied and said that altering anything wasn’t part of our lease agreement. He bought it and soon let go of his crazy ideas, but Aria and that house brought all that back in waves.

I was surprised he hadn’t actually pulled out wooden chip stain samples for Aria’s floor. “Here let me just show you some samples-”

I spoke too soon.

“Dad! I think it’s about time you headed back, right? So much to do at the hardware store.” I nodded, shuffling towards him and helping him up.

“Why, yes, but-”

“Oh, rubbish, you’ll be fine.” I nodded, ushering him towards the elevator doors.

“Well it was nice seeing you, Aria!” He called over my shoulder.

“It was wonderfully being able to talk to you as well, Pete!” She called back, as he was already halfway through the door.

“Thanks dad, bye.” I nodded, and he sent me a quick wink.

“I’ll be on my way now, son. Don’t hurt that girl, Chris. She’s a keeper.” He nodded toward Aria as she busied herself with snooping around my apartment.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I replied, as we both watched her open up random drawers. Her body froze as she felt our stares on her.

“I-I was just-” she started, but my hand went up.

“Save it, Aria. Snoop away.” She grinned largely at me, before going back to looking through drawers.

“She reminds me a lot of your mother.” Pete nodded, smiling as we both watched her almost break one of my glass paper weights. She awkwardly set it back down before moving towards my book collection beside the large open full wall window. Her hands graced a book stack that was held up by some angel bookends, which she somehow managed to break a wing off of. Pete flinched slightly as we both felt at least $500 disintegrate into thin air. She stared at the broken wing for what seemed like years before tucking it behind one of the books, and out of sight. I couldn’t help the smile that speed across my faces.

And neither could Pete.

“You’ve got a handful with that one.” Pete chuckled before pressing the elevator close button.

“That I do,” I smiled. “Night Dad.”

“Night.” He nodded, as the elevator doors completely closed.

I glanced back at Aria to find her laying on the couch with the broken angel wing and angel in hand. “I broke your bookend.” She whined, trying to place the piece back in.

Oh, so she did have an honest bone in her.

“How the hell did you even do that?” I asked, picking up some of Nick’s toys that lay scattered around the penthouse.

“I-I’m not sure. One minute I’m admiring the wing, the next, I’m holding a piece of it in my hand.” I chuckled at the explanation as I placed all the toys in his chest and moved to sit next to Aria.

“Let me see it.” I sighed. She crawled further up the coach until she was nestled between my legs as she handed me the statue and broken piece. Her eyes were started to lift heavily as she laid her head on her hand, against my chest. The piece looked like clean break, something superglue could fix, but as I glanced down at Aria, I didn’t feel like going anywhere. Her head rested like a child’s against my chest as her breathing became in tune with mine.

“You smell good.” She mumbled, lazily drawing circles on my stomach before resting them on my side.

I was approached with an ultimatum.

My hands were still occupied with this fucking angel.

Ah fuck it.

I dropped the angel and the piece on the ground somewhere, hearing a few more pieces break off, and dollar bills run down the drain. But it was completely worth it as my hands wound their way around her waist and she snuggled closer.

I wasn’t too sure when I even fell asleep, but the warmth and scent from Aria’s body was too intoxicating to not send me into a deep slumber.

Chapter 19: Lacey

I massaged my temples harder as the screaming intensified. Jesus Christ, I thought, gripping the edge of my desk.

Timmy was crying for his mother the third time today.

“Timmy, honey, it’s okay. She’ll be here in an hour.” I cooed in a somewhat calming voice as his cries started to turn into hiccups.

“Sh-She will?” He asked, wiping away the mixture of snot and tears as he pulled the paint brush out of his mouth. A string of saliva followed.

“Yes.” I sighed, leaning back into my chair.

“Ew, Timmy, that’s gross.” Nick whined, as he sat in the chair next to me and painted.

This was basically an everyday occurrence. Timmy would cry for his mother, and Nick would sit on his spiny chair that he stationed beside me, and look down on Timmy like a peasant. It was actually quite hilarious how civilized Nick was for his age, compared to his peers.

Nick was currently painting a scene out of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. His favorite character was Kylo Ren, although I liked to argue that Han Solo was the best part of the movie.

Was.

Too soon?

“Timmy, don’t put paint brushes in your mouth.” I instructed, pouring more paint onto my little protege’s pallet. Nick smiled up at me and nodded a thank you before going back to painting his light saber.

“How come you get to sit next to Aria, and we don’t?” Timmy whined, whipping the slob off his mouth as I took a drink of my water.

“Because she’s dating my father, obviously.” Nick replied. I just about choked out my drink as water spewed all over my desk.

“W-What- wait, no-” I started, trying to piece together an explanation.

“Oh, I gotchu Nick.” Timmy nodded, accepting Nick’s explanation full heartedly. I wasn’t even sure what was going on, but these two kids had somehow come to an agreement.

~

Lacey’s POV

“Grab me a beer from the fridge.” Steve barked out, as I continued to wash the dishes. My arm stung slightly from the events that had happened earlier today.

“Hey, honey, I’m home.” I spoke, walking further into the house as I set my keys on the table near the front door.

“Come here.” He spoke, his voice soft and caring from somewhere in the living room. I climbed the steps near the door and walked into the living space but I didn’t see Steve anywhere until his hand grasped my arm forcefully from somewhere behind me.

“W-what’s wrong, honey?” I asked, my voice breaking slightly as fear rushed through my body.

“You’re an entire hour late.” He barked, his voice now malicious as his gripped tightened.

“I-I had car trouble.” I spoke honestly. I had accidentally left my headlights on in the morning and it had run down my battery, I had to have a coworker jump start it. But Steve wasn’t listening. He suddenly forced my body up against the wall near our kitchen as his fingers bruised my skin.

“I had to wake up and make my own damn lunch today. Are you cheating on me,

Lacey

? Are you fucking cheating on me?“ He seethed, as he got even closer to my face. I could smell the alcohol on him and knew that he had had too much to drink. He always got this way when he had too much to drink.

“I-I’m sorry baby, you know I’d never do anything like that to you.” I whispered, shutting my eyes tight as his breath made them teary. My arm had started to go numb with pain.

“I know, baby, I know.” He whispered, his voice turning sweet again as he finally let go of me. He then wrapped his arms around my slightly trembling body, whispering sweet and caring things into my ear before letting go.

I glanced down at my now swollen arm as I wiped a tear away. Steve had went back to the living room to watch some football as I headed to the kitchen to do the dishes. He always had a temper when he touched alcohol, but he had never hurt me before now. Sure, he’s thrown things at me, but this was the first time he had laid a hand on me. I tried to calm down my nerves as I went to the fridge and grabbed him a beer. As I reached down, I could literally see the hand imprint that was left from just how hard he had grabbed me. It was now all inflated and irritated with a deep purple and blue bruise to go with it.

I walked into the living room and set the beer on the table. Steve glanced down for a fraction of a second before his eyes were back on the tv. I was sure he had seen what he did to my arm, but he chose not to speak on it.

He never used to be like this.

He used to be more apologetic about the incidents.

Our relationship started with a friendship, and it was beautiful. He was the man I had always wanted. He showed me so much love and compassion, helping me through the divorce, and being there for me and Nick, but he had recently started drinking within the last month, and he was a different man then. It used to be only at night, after he had had a few drinks, he would come home from the pub drunk, and start a fight for no reason. Now, he was drinking constantly during the day, I wasn’t even sure of the last time he had been sober.

I kept telling myself that if it got physical, I would get out, but here I was now. With a large bruise on my arm. Still washing these damn dishes. I thought back to the lunch we had yesterday with Aria. I could tell by the way Chris looked at her, that he loved her. The adoration that shone in his eyes were hard to miss, and who could blame him? Aria truly was amazing.

She was so sweet to me, even when I started our brunch off acting like a bitch. I truly was happy for Chris.

“Babe, make ribs for dinner.” Steve called out over the sound of the commentator on tv. I sighed to myself, walking to the fridge to pull out a packet of ribs to defrost, before going back to washing the dishes.

---

You all will be getting a double upload tonight because I forgot to upload yesterday! This was quite a serious chapter. Anyone else kind of want to baptize Steve’s face into a table? Because I do.

Chapter 20: Daddy And Ari Sitting In A Tree

Did I say two uploads yesterday? Lol yes, I meant today.

Chris’s POV

“Chris!” Sarah called from the admission office as I entered the school.

“Hey, Sarah!” I smiled qawkwardly, trying to beeline it towards the art room before she could strike up a conversation. I couldn’t get there in time as she cut off my path down the hallway.

“How are you? You haven’t stopped by in a while.” She smiled, nibbling on her bottom lip as she walked with me towards the art department.

“I’m good.” I nodded, internally sighing from how done with this conversation I already was.

“Oh wonderful! I’m excited to see you this weekend for the festival, the signs you made were perfect!” She chirped, as her arm graced mine slightly. I placed a bit more distance between us as we reached the art doors.

“It was all Aria.” I confessed, lifting my hand up to knock on the door before Sarah placed her hand on my arm to stop me.

“Well, I was actually wondering if you’d want to grab a drink after?” She asked, her hand remaining on my arm as she looked at her hopefully. Before I could answer her question, the hinges of the door roared to life as Aria pulled open the heavy wooden slates. She froze. I openly stared at her as she was covered head to toe in paint. Her hair was tied up in a work style, enabling her to juggle the empty boxes in her arm.

“Am I interrupting something?” She asked, her voice holding no emotion as she glanced between Sarah and I. I quickly moved my arm away from Sarah as Aria walked back into the art room. Sarah glanced between Aria and I, before slowly backing away.

“I’m going to leave you two to whatever the hell this is. Call me if something comes up, Chris.” She nodded, before disappearing. I wanted to run after her and apologize, but I had to clear things up with Aria.

She had started to pack up all the paints and supplies as the school day drew to an end. Nick was apparently outside playing with some kids since he earned some free time hours.

“Aria.” I called, trying to get her attention as she ignored me.

“Aria.” I called again.

“It’s none of my business, Chris.” She stated, dipping the used paint brushes into the water cups. I quickly walked towards her before spinning her around and pulling her into me. She didn’t resist me, but her arms stayed at her side.

“There’s nothing to be jealous of.” I whispered into her ear.

“I’m not jealous.” She mumbled grumpily into my chest.

“She asked me out for a drink.” I said honestly. Her body went rigid in my arms, and after a while, she finally spoke.

“What did you say?”

“Well, I was going to say no, but you came to the door before that.” I replied. Her body relaxed a little more, but her hands still remained at her side.

“You turd.” She grumbled into me.

“What do you mean?” I chuckled:

“Why couldn’t you be ugly or something.” She hissed.

“So you think I’m cute?” I smirked, placing my chin on her head.

“Never.” She replied, leaning into me a bit more.

“I think you’re cute.” I replied dishonestly. The truth was, cute could even compare to how beautiful this woman was.

“Shut up.” She grumbled again. I wasn’t sure if it was me, or the way she was. But seeing her like this, acting like a child throwing a tantrum, just attracted me to her more. I loved how serious she could get around people, but when she felt comfortable, she opened up and became this goofy person. I pulled her back from me a bit by her shoulders so I could see her face. My facade quickly slipped as I saw just how inviting her lips were and had to have a taste.

I dipped my head down and captured her lips in mine as she tilted her head more towards me. She reacted immediately, pulling me into her as her hands grasped my back. My hands shot to her lower back and I broke the kiss as I pushed her back towards her desk and lifted her onto it. I went to capture her lips again but was interrupted by a cough at the door. Aria and I instantly broke apart as we turned to see Nick and his free time superior standing in the doorway.

“Daddy and Ari sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes the love. Then comes marriage, then comes-” Nick was cutoff by the free time advisors throat as she cleared it once again.

“Not appropriate, Nick.” She shook her head, “neither was that.”

“It will never happen again, Mrs. Burckbahm.” I nodded, sending her one of my  signature smiles. Her facade quickly dropped as she sent me a flirty smile back.

“Sounds good, Chris. I’ll see you at the festival.” She replied, before turning and leaving.

“Daddy!” Nick called, sprinting directly into my legs.

“Oh, so now you’re excited to see me, huh?” I teased as he grinned up at me.

“Well, I saw Aria earlier today so I didn’t feel the need to hug her. We already had a moment during 4th period.” He giggled.

“A moment? Are you trying to steal my girl from me?” I joked, winking at Aria as she blushed feverishly and looked away.

“I don’t need to steal what’s mine.” Nick replied, winking at her. She laughed at that, before swooping down and picking up Nick.

“Ofcourse, bud. No one can resist your charm.” She giggled, pretending to drop him before her arms securely caught him again. He was giggling uncontrollably at the act.

“Alright kid.” I spoke, breaking up the moment, “we gotta head home now. You have homework you need to finish, and I have work I need to get to. I’m sure Aria has some stuff she needs to get done as well.” Aria gently set him back down, before ruffling up his hair.

“That’s right, bud. I have a bunch of art I need to grade and mount for the festival this weekend.” She nodded, as Nick grabbed his book bag from his cubby.

“Well, it was nice seeing you Aria.” I smiled down at her as my arms pulled her closer to me. I bent down to give her another kiss but she swiveled out from my embrace.

“No kissing on school grounds.” She tsk’d, moving further away from me before sitting down at her desk.

“Come on Nick.” I grumbled, smiling slightly at Aria as we exited the art department.

Chapter 21: Fine Establishment

How was everyone’s Fourth of July is you’re from the US? Mine got crazy xD more info after the chapter.

Chris’s POV

“So how was school, kid?” I asked, as we drove down the main city road towards my penthouse.

“It was good. Aria has me starting a new painting project. Timmy cried for his mommy again. My free time was fun, I got to hangout with Jake on the blacktop. Uhm, I caught you and Aria doing the dirty-”

“Please, refrain from ever saying that in my presence.” I shivered, as my kid in the passenger seat started to giggle uncontrollably. I was definitely starting to question my parenting capabilities.

“So… Will Aria be my new mommy? Because I’m okay with having two mommy’s.” Nick nodded, as he ripped open a pack of gushers from his lunch pack that he forgot to eat.

“Let’s see where everything goes, kiddo. How about we order some pizza tonight? I know you might rather not suffer through my cooking.” I joked as I pulled in to the underground parking.

“You’re cooking isn’t as bad as mommy’s actually.” Nick smiled, as some gooeyness from the gusher slid down his mouth.

“Thank you, my beautiful son. Clearly, I have done something right.” I smiled back at him as we got out of my car.

~

Aria’s POV

Jesus, finally. I sighed, as I finished hauling all the canvases into the back of the beaten up rental car. I now had to spend the rest of this week grading and putting together an exhibition for the festival this weekend, yet I had no idea what to do about it all. Not to mention, I didn’t necessarily want to ask Sarah for help until her and Chris figured out whatever the hell happened yesterday.

I’m choosing not to be apart of that mess.

My stomach rumbled aggressively as I slid the key into the ignition. Maybe I would try to find a place to eat first before all this grading.

~

I pulled off another dirt road, and knew for sure, I was officially lost.

This is what happens when my bitch ass self wouldn’t settle for some fucking pizza.

I glanced down at my gps on my phone again. It claimed that there was a Chinese restaurant further down this “road,” but all I saw was largely overgrown trees and what looked like a trail made by two cars passing through.

As I drove further down, a small building finally came into view. It looked like a small Japanese temple, that was completely secluded by overgrown forest trees on all 3 sides besides the pathway/ “road” that lead to it. I pulled the car up besides the road so I wouldn’t block any other cars that were trying to pull into the restaurant, but as I looked around, I noticed there was no cars around the area. Yet the neon OPEN sign continued flash, indicating the building was open for business.

This was it, wasn’t it. This was where I was going to die. All because I couldn’t settle for Jimmy Johns or something.

I sighed, climbing out of the rental and locking the doors before heading towards the entrance. My hands reached up to open the doors, but before I could touch the handle, the door was swung open. I stumbled back a bit, unprepared, as I was greeted by an older Asian woman. “Hello.” She spoke, as she stepped aside to let me in.

As soon as I crossed through the doorway, the smell of fried noodles and orange chicken instantly hit me, but as I took a look around, I was blown away by what I was seeing.

The architectural design was so much more than what I had ever seen. Somehow, this small exterior build, looked much larger on the inside.

There were different sections of the building, all with each individual places to sit at and eat. The tables were authentic Japanese style, low. Accompanied by cushions to kneel on. “May I grab you a seat?” The lady asked as she followed me into the building.

“I- yes, yes thank you.” I forced out, as I stood speechless at how beautifully detailed everything was. She walked quickly ahead of me, towards one of the secluded sections, and placed a set of chopsticks next to the already laid down cutlery and wine glass.

What struck me as odd is, she didn’t place a menu down as well, before she left me to get situated.

I knelt down on to the cushion besides the table and began to sip on the complimentary water glass. Within no time, a cup was placed in front of me, with a small pitcher and a tea bag. As I glanced back, I could just barely make out the woman’s back before she disappeared around a corner. I glanced back down at the cup hesitantly, before I though, fuck it.

The tea sachet bore no label, yet it smelt like a mango passion fruit blend. Oddly, my favorite kind of tea.

I placed it in the ceramic cup and poured the hot water from the pitcher before letting the tea bag infuse. She never brought out any sugar or honey, but that was fine, this was the way I liked it anyways.

My mind involuntarily traveled back to the events from earlier today as my eyes drifted closed. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my cheeks. My thoughts began to slur as the peaceful music continued to play.

Was there music playing when I entered? I couldn’t remember.

I was pulled out of my tranquility by the smell of great food as it intoxicated my senses. As I opened my eyes, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. An entire meal had been laid out before me as I had my eyes closed, when I glanced up, I noticed the lady was sitting down across from me. She looked much younger than what I had initially thought when I first came in.

“I didn’t want to disturb you.” She explained, her voice soothing as she broke her pair of chopsticks.

“Who are you? What is this place?” I asked, tearing open my packet of chopsticks as well. I was silently hoping all this food wouldn’t kill my savings, because this looked hella expensive.

“This place was converted from a small Buddhist temple, to a restaurant, around 25 years ago. We haven’t had a visitor in quite sometime, so please, enjoy. The meal will be on the house tonight.” She nodded, as she began to dig in.

I’d never had a member of the staff join in for a meal with me before, but as soon as I tasted that first bite of the yudon noodles, I started to care less and less.

This food was spectacular.

I hadn’t even ordered it, yet, it seemed as if this meal was the meal that I needed right this minute. I wasn’t sure how I had come across this place, but in the seconds I had been here, I couldn’t even remember why I was being so stressed.

I glanced down at the small napkin that was placed under the drink. It read:

The Secret Garden.

---

So my 4th of July was actually great. We watched fireworks over the lake in some lit up paddle boards! Hope you all had a great weekend 💞 first day off in a while so hopefully, I’ll get some more uploads going.

Chapter 22: Running

Aria’s POV

“This food is amazing.” I nodded, smiling at the woman as we ate. I kept stealing glances at her, and at the rooms around us. The whole situation just seemed so surreal, as if this entire restaurant was plucked up from Japan and placed somewhere out in the middle of nowhere, Maine. Once you walked through those doors, the whole atmosphere shifted, you were no longer on the outskirts of Portland…

…or at least I hope that’s where I was. It got confusing from all those left turns.

“So tell me, how do you like Maine?” The woman asked, as she poured me more tea. My body grew rigid, and I felt as if she noticed, when she went to clarify. “You don’t look like you’re from around here, I mean.”

“Oh,” I laughed nervously, “I moved out here a couple weeks ago.”

“Have you resolved the situation that caused you to move out here in the first place?” She asked, pouring some tea for herself.

My heartbeat began to quicken as I thought about what she was asking.

Did she know who I was?

But how?

Before I could respond, she chose to clear up her question a bit more once again. “Im asking because one doesn’t move out to Portland, Maine, unless they are carrying more baggage than just and carry on bag.” She explained, finally glancing up at me again as she sipped her tea.

Oh the irony.

I paused for a second, unsure whether to tell her the truth, or keep it to myself. I mean, I kinda was sitting in a restaurant I was sure all of 2 people in this state knew of. One of which being me, and the other being the woman who sat across from me. As I weighed the pros and cons of telling her, I realized their really were no cons to the situation. “I was going to be married.” I started, setting down my cup of tea.

“It wasn’t what you wanted.” She finished.

Everything she said sounded so nonchalant, but I knew there must have been some underlining meanings. I got this feeling that she knew more than she was letting on, but how? That would have been impossible.

“Exactly.” I sighed. “So I left him.”

“On the alter?” She asked.

I glanced up at her from my food, completely taken back. “Y-Yes, how did you know?” I asked as my eyes grew wide.

“When you walked in, you looked like a deer caught in headlights. This was probably the first time in your life you ran away from anything. Chance has placed you here in Portland, Maine, but what had you find your way to this Chinese restaurant.”

“Google maps.” I spoke, before I could think about it. She chuckled lightly, setting her chopsticks down. I hadn’t even realized it, but we had finished the meal already.

“Tell me about this man that you left.”

I wasn’t sure how to even begin. It had been a while since I had even thought of Jake since moving here. “He was… Perfect, honestly.” I spoke. “He was perfect, but not perfect for me. Everything he did, everything he didn’t do, they were never spur of the moment decisions. If I wanted to go to Paris, he had a schedule we would have to follow down to the minute to, and I quote, “get the most out of our trip.” I guess I just got sick and tired of living that way. I wanted to be an artist, yet he chose to confine me to a 9-5 desk job.“

“How can an Artist create, if she or he cannot experience?” The woman nodded, and for the first time in a very long time, I felt a connection. Nothing romantic, but a true, genuine, connection. As if she understood that while Jake may have never hit me, the relationship was still mental and emotionally abusive.

“Exactly.” I whispered, smiling up at her.

“Have you two spoken since you left?” She asked, as she started to pack up our empty dishes.

“No. He has no idea I’m even here. Although, it won’t take him long to figure out. I saved money from selling art, and have lived completely off of cash since being here, hoping to buy myself some time. I finally have a job now, teaching kids. Who’d of thought I would enjoy this life here so much.” I spoke, a smile gracing my lips again.

“It looks as if a teaching job isn’t the only thing you’ve found here.” She teased, raising her eyebrow slightly.

“I may have found someone.” I joked, as I took another sip from my cup.

“You love him.” She stated, more so than asked.

“I feel as if I’m getting an oracle, or my future read.” I joked again. Her smile grew as she finally stood up from the table.

“I hope I haven’t pried too deeply into your personal life. I can always tell when there’s a story to be told, and you, my love, have so much I’d love to hear.” She nodded, picking up some of the plates. Without even asking, I helped her remove the dishes.

“It’s okay. Honestly, it’s nice just being able to tell someone, you know? I’ve kept it to myself, due to how personal the situation was. I’m afraid to tell the man I’ve fallen so helplessly in love with, in fear that he won’t accept the fact that my love is genuine. I’m not sure how to make him understand that the relationship I was in, wasn’t much of a relationship at all. It was more of an agreement. I don’t want him to doubt everything I’ve done these past couple of days.”

“I cannot tell you what to do, my dear. That choice is yours. What I can tell you, though, is that: when you tell a lie, you dig yourself into a hole. With every lie, this hole grows deeper. Soon, you will find yourself in a hole so deep, you cannot pull yourself out.

“The person you are lying to is on leveled ground above you, willing to help you. The further you dig, the more work he may have to do, when you are finally ready to stop digging. How deep of a hole are you willing to risk digging, and how much work is he willing to put forth to pull you out, before his will gives up on him?”

~

As I thanked the woman and left the restaurant with a promise of returning, I couldn’t help but think about the analogy the woman had left me with- about the hole.

Maybe it was time I stopped running.

Chapter 23: Mother pt. 2

You guys okay with the new book cover?

Aria’s POV

I had surprisingly made it home okay from the restaurant. I tried to put a finger on what it was, but I just couldn’t get that whole experience out of my head.

I wasn’t sure what the hell compelled me to even do this, but my fingers searched through my contacts on my phone until I reached my mothers.

I pressed the call button and brought the phone to my ear. After the first ring, my mom picked up. “Hey, Ari.” She greeted.

“Hi mom. How are you?” I asked, pulling my knees up to my chest like I used to when I would talk on the phone with friends for hours.

“I’ve been better, honestly.” She chuckled half heartedly into the line.

“What’s going on?” I asked, this newfound bravery coursing through my veins as I finally, for the first time in a while, felt comfortable enough to even ask that.

“Dealing with Jake and his family. They all want to know where you’ve run off to. Jake tried to tell them you were mentally unstable, but I put that boy in check real quick. No one says my girls crazy for not wanting to marry some control freak.” She joked. It had been a while since I had seen my mom this loose with me. I wasn’t sure if this was her breaking, or gluing the pieces back to get her, but never the less, I loved every moment of it.

“Thank you, Mom.” I whispered back into the line, smiling.

“Don’t mention it. How is everything, baby?”

“It’s been good.” I choked on a sob/laugh, as I tried to put a cap on my emotions. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so lost, yet so at home before. Everyone here has their own little quirks about them. You won’t believe what job I got.” I started.

“Enlighten me.” She laughed.

“Well, I’m an art teacher for an elementary school.” I replied honestly. I was a bit afraid of what she would think. Being either an Artist or a Teacher was definitely not something my mom saw in my future.

“You always loved to create. Even when you were younger. Do you remember-” her voice broke a bit at the end there, and I knew she was silently crying. It was something she and I both had in common. “Do you remember when your father bought you your first art set?” She asked.

“I could never forget. I still have it packed here at the bottom of my suitcase.”

“You brought that old thing with you?” She asked in disbelief, sniffling slightly before blowing her nose away from the phone.

“Of Course, I bring it everywhere.” I replied honestly.

“You’re something else, Aria.” She joked. “Now tell me more about this boy you mentioned last time we talked.” She spoke, her voice serious now.

“Which boy?” I asked, my heartbeat racing a tad because I had completely forgot I let it slide when I went on a rant about me having control over my life and all that bullshit.

“Don’t play me, Aria.” My mother warned. I sighed, heavily regretting my life decisions right about now.

“His name is Chris. I met him while I was working.” I started. Even his name brought a smile to my face. Jesus, I needed to get a grip. “His uh- his kid is in my class.” I finished hesitantly, just waiting for the lecture she was about to give me.

“How old is he?” She asked, completely unfazed.

“S-Six.” I choked out, completely taken back by my moms reaction to all of this.

“I see. I’d love to meet them both if you’re okay with that.” She spoke honestly.

“A-Aren’t you going to say something about how unprepared I am for this situation, or much work a child is?” I asked, suddenly feeling a bit light headed.

“No.” She sighed. “I’m done. I’m done with everything. I’m done with all the judgment, and expectations I held above your head. I treated you like some lab rat, when I should have treated you like a daughter. So if this man makes you happy, baby girl, then he makes you happy. And whatever makes you happy, makes me happy. All I want is your happiness now, and it that’s in the middle of fucking nowhere teacher little kids art, then I’ll come visit once a year, twice tops. So no. I won’t lecture you on how to be an adult, or how to be a parent for that matter; that would be way too hypercritical of me.” She finished, as she blew her nose away from the phone once again.

“I-I’m in Portland, Maine.” I whispered.

“Y-You’re WHERE?” She asked, choking into the line.

“Portland, Maine. I want you to come visit this weekend.” I spoke with uncertainty.

“I- goddamn, you really are in the middle of fucking nowhere.” She joked, finally calming down some. Who the hell was this woman, because she couldn’t be my mom.

“Yeah, basically. It’s nice here though, very homey.” I nodded, as if she could see my expressions through the phone.

“Well, uh, I could be on the first flight out Saturday morning. How does that work?” She asked as I heard her fingernails tap against her laptop keys. She was probably buying her plane ticket as we spoke.

“Perfect.” I agreed. “There’s an Autumn festival Friday night so the school’s been preparing for that.” I continued on, babbling about my life here, and Petes Hardware. I was about to tell her about The Secret Garden, but decided against it. Something told me that the first rule about The Secret Garden was probably not to talk about The Secret Garden.

But I couldn’t lie. I missed this. I missed talking to my mother like this, so casually. For once, we weren’t bickering over me getting my masters, or what jobs to look at. For once, I talked, and she listened. We continued like this, late into the evening. With every hour that passed, I found myself looking forward to her arrival. When we finally let each other go, it was midnight. I swore silently to myself, trying to find Chris’s number in my contacts before giving him a dial.

“Hello?” He answered, his voice raspy from sleep deprivation.

“Hi. Sorry for calling so late.” I apologized pulling my body further under the sheets.

“It’s okay, what’s up?” He asked, finding some newfound motivation. He didn’t sound sleepy anymore.

“So my mom is coming to visit.” I said hesitantly.

“S-S-She’s what?” He asked, tripping over his own words as his sleepy state completely left him.

“She’s coming… And she’d like to meet you and Nick if you’re okay with that.” I added.

“I would absolutely love to meet you mother.” Chris spoke, his voice still hesitant as he attempted to sound completely sure.

“Are you positive? I mean you definitely don’t have to if you don’t want to. I mean, are we moving too fast? Are we doing this all wrong? Oh god, I mean, we aren’t actually official official, you really don’t have to agree to any of this- Chris?” I asked, as the line was suspiciously quite. I glanced down at my phone again and noticed the call was no longer connected.

He had hung up on me.

Oh shit shit shit shit shit. I shouldn’t have said anything, I thought, tossing my phone back onto my bed as I squeezed and release my hand to calm my nerves down. He probably thinks I’m crazy. I mean, hell, I think I’m crazy. I pulled my large sweater off along with my leggings, and instead, changed into a large painting shirt and some shorts. I was just about to make my way into the studio that Chris and I had discovered earlier, but was brought to a halt as I heard a knock on the door.

I silently snuck downstairs, hair brush in hand as I approached the front door. There was no peep hole to look through, so I was going to have to rely heavily on the element of surprise.

In one swift moment, I unlocked the chain and threw the door open.

There, standing before me, was Chris.

He was shirtless and in a pair of pajama pants as his keys hung loosely from his pocket. It took every being in my body to literally rip my eyes off his body and look up at him. He had a goofy smirk on his face as he tiredly looked back down at me.

“W-What the hell are you doing on my porch?” I asked, trying to steady my breathing from just how fucking amazing he looked.

“Aria Lane.” He spoke, grabbing both of my hands as he pulled me further into his warmth. “Would you do me the fucking pleasure of being my goddamn girlfriend already so you can shut up about worrying and I can go back to bed?”

---

We are approaching a climactic ending my lovelies. Before I write my fucking heart out this weekend, I just wanted to say thank you so flipping much for being spectacular. All your votes and comments have honestly made everything worth it. Including spending all my breaks at work, writing.

All of them.

Anyways, love you all XOXO

This chapter was a bit longer, I hope you all didn’t mind.

Chapter 24: The Festival

Tons of fluff in this chapter. Some would call this the calm before the storm… But before you guys read on, I just want to take a moment to recognize the deaths of the Philando Castile from Minnesota, the state I reside in. Alton Sterling , and the man who was found hanging in Piedmont Park, Atlanta Georgia. These black men found an injustice end through the corrupt judicial system that has been kept in place regardless of the lives that have been taken. Unconscious racism is a thing, it’s about time our policemen learn that. Who do you call when the murderer wears a badge? #blacklivesmatter

Aria’s POV

“I-I-I-” I started, completely shocked as to what was happening.

“God, Aria, it’s past midnight. I don’t mean to rush a moment here… But can you hurry it up?” Chris groaned, leaning against the door frame as his eyelids heavily lifted.

“I- yes. Yes. Fuck absolutely, yes.” I nodded, stumbling over my words.

“Oh thank god.” He groaned, pulling me in by my waist as he connected our lips again. I moaned into the kiss, loving the way his hands felt on me, but he cut it off all too soon. I whined from the loss as he pulled away. “You know I’d love to continue that, but I’m literally about to curl up on your porch and pass out.” He sighed, pulling away completely and backing out onto my porch.

The grin on my face never left as he said his goodbyes and headed towards his car. I watched as he pulled out of the driveway and onto the street, before I closed the door.

“That went well.” I spoke to myself, nodding as I headed upstairs towards the studio. I found myself being drawn to this room every second of the day, yet I hadn’t actually been in here since Sunday night.

Everything was left as it were. I switched the light on and the room came to life all over again. I moved to the first painting from the right this time, admiring its whimsical setting. It looked oddly familiar, like I had seen this place before, but I couldn’t place a finger on it.

The next painting was actually a cityscape. It was the painting that did not belong with the others. All the rest were sole landscapes, paintings which held only trees and rivers, nothing man made. This last one looked like the Arial view for a small city.

I sighed, slowly backing away from the painting and setting up the easel to start my own masterpiece.

~

The rest of the week passed with a blur. The town came to life in preparation for the festival as lights wet up, along with carnival rides. Nick couldn’t hold in his excitement come Friday, and he somehow managed to weasel me into an early field trip to the carnival campground as they put up the tents.

Everything was beautiful.

The signs that Chris and I made, pointed towards the main campground that was filled with food stands and fair games. As the night grew nearer, autumn lights lit up the streets, complimenting the colder weather quite well…

“Do I have to wear a coat?” Nick whined, as Chris zipped up his military green jacket.

“It’s chilly out tonight.” I nodded, slipping a sweater on over my long sleeve shirt.

We were currently standing at the entrance of my home, getting ready for the festival. “Aria’s right. This way, you’ll do less complaining, and have more time having fun.” Chris added, as he opened the front door for the both of us.

“Well done.” I whispered against his lips as I pulled him in for a chastened kiss before we headed out into the chilly night.

“That was far too short for my liking.” He whined from somewhere behind me as I put Nick into his booster in the back, then slid into the passenger side of Chris’s car. We both silently agreed that my death contraption of a rental car was not going to be our pumpkin to carriage tonight.

The drive to town seemed shorter than usual as Chris consistently placed his hand on my thigh, and I consistently swatted it away while Nick consistently make kissy noises in the back seat.

When we arrived, Nick practically bolted out of their car and into the busy streets of children and their parents as they entered the fair grounds.

“Will he be okay on his own?” I asked hesitantly as we watched him run towards the food tents.

“I’ve worked out a chaperone for him.” Chris replied. We watched as he quickly found Timmy and his mother from the stand by the corndogs.

“So where does that leave us?” I asked as I turned to this handsome devil in his trench coat and ripped jeans.

“How about a ferris ride, my love?” He asked, as he slipped his hand into mine.

“I would be delighted.” I replied, pulling his hand into me as we walked toward the Ferris wheel. Smells of fair food filled our nostrils, drawing both Chris and I off track and towards a cotton candy machine besides the Ferris wheel.

“Could we get two blue raspberry cotton candy?” Chris asked, slipping the man a 20 before I could even reach for my wallet.

“Coming right up.” The man nodded, glancing at me and shooting a smile before heading back to make the treat. Chris’s hand moved from mine to my waist as he pulled me closer to him.

“Why does every guy hit on you everywhere we go.” He groaned, as his nose resting against my head and I leaned into his touch.

“Oh hush up, I feel like latching myself on to your torso and growling ‘mine’ at every woman who glanced at you.” I shot back, grinning widely as the guy set the two delicious cotton candy sticks to our hands.

“Alright alright alright. How about that Ferris wheel ride now?” He asked, as he lead me towards the large attraction.

It had been too long since I had last been at a carnival, and it was taking everything in me to not lose my shit. Chris handed the man a few bills and lead me up into the carriage with him behind. He slid into the seat next to me, as the ride jerked to life. My hands grabbed his as we began our ascent.

“This is beautiful.” I whispered, admiring the lights from the aerial view.

“It is.” He whispered back, standing and offering me a hand once the ride stopped at the top. He pulled he into him, as he steadied us both while the carriage rocked. From the top, you could look over the small little town, and literally see out into the ocean. The lighthouse stood at the end of the rocky hills, casting light out into the darkened ocean. Chris wrapped his arms around my waist as I snuggled back into his chest.

“Are you prepared to meet my mother tomorrow?” I whispered, as he rested his chin against my head.

“Will she- will she kill me or something?” He asked uneasily, as his arms loosened up a bit around my waist. I couldn’t help th laughter that tumbled out of me as I tried to muffle the sounds. “What’s so funny?” He asked.

“It’s the fact that I’m actually not too sure if she will or not.” I replied, holding his arms as he hesitantly tried to retract them. “I’m kidding I’m kidding.” I laughed, looking back at the town.

“What have I gotten myself into.” He joked, pulling me closer.

“Buckets of trouble.” I teased, as we went back to admiring the ocean.

Chapter 25: The Festival pt. 2

Aria’s POV

I slid my hand into Chris’s as we walked back from Ferris wheel towards where Nick and Timmy were. The night was winding down to a close as the weather grew colder. The city clock read 11:53 and both Chris and I decided it was best to call it a night.

“Did you have fun?” I asked Nick, swooping him up into my arms and carrying him out from the carnival grounds, towards Chris’s car.

“It. Was. Awesome!” He declared, giggling as I tickled his sides. We made it to Chris’s car safely and I buckled him in before closing the door and sliding into the passenger seat. Chris’s hand reattached itself to my thigh as we carefully pulled out of the street parking and onto the main road.

This time I didn’t swat his hand away.

The drive back to my home was much shorter than I had hoped, but hearing Nicks crazy adventures made the time pass all too quickly. Everything Nick spoke about always had a way of captivating his listeners. His stories were so vividly real, you couldn’t possibly invalidate its authenticity. He really was special.

Before I knew it, we were pulling into my gravel driveway. “Alright kid, I’m just going to walk Aria to her door, I’ll be back in a second.” Chris nodded as we both got out of the car. I glanced back at Nick and gave him a quick wave, to which he wiggled his eyebrows and made a smoochy face. I erupted in giggles as Chris lead me up my porch. That kid would be the death of me.

“So I guess this is it.” I smiled, once we reached the door.

“That it is. It seems as if I must go home now and read up on basically everything in preparation to meet your mother.” He grinned pulling my body closer to his by my waist again. “What’s your mother like?”

“Well,” I sighed, “she’s a bag of surprises. Right now? I’m not sure how she’ll be, but before this whole ordeal happened, my mother was very… Formal. She enjoyed talks on current events and politics. Anything about government and its branches, particularly the Judicial system. She was a real bore.” I spoke. With every word, you could see Chris visibly grimace.

“Shit.” He sighed, holding me tighter as his eyes closed shut.

“Hey, baby, don’t worry about it. Just be you. She’s not the one you’re in a relationship with.” I cooed, as my hands went up to his cheeks. I placed a gentle kiss on his lips and went to pull away, put Chris’s hand slip up to the middle area of my back to keep me in place as he depended the kiss.

“I really liked that.” He groaned against my lips as he steadied me against my front door.

“L-like what?” I stuttered, feeling his lips against my neck now. The sensations were overpowering and I could feel my knees going weak. Luckily, Chris’s hands were securely wrapped around me as one settled firmly on my hip and helped hold me up.

“You calling me baby.” He groaned, pinning me further into the door. “I love it.”

“C-Come upstairs.” I moaned, as I tilted my head to give him more access. His hand moved to the doorknob but stopped himself short as realization finally settled in.

“Damn it.” He hissed. “Nick’s still in the car.”

We both looked back slightly to find Nick watch us intensely, eating his bagged kettle corn as his sticky fingers gave us an encouraging thumbs up. We quickly pulled away from each other with Chris dramatically leaning his entire body into my neck. “I’m a horrible father.” He joked.

“Nah, you’re a great one.” I giggled, as his breathing tickled my neck.

“I really do have to drive this munchkin home.” He nodded, pulling away from me after some time.

“That’s okay.” I nodded, slipping my keys out from my pocket. I went to turn around and open the door but Chris pulled me in for one more elongated kiss and a few pecks before finally letting go. “Go.” I nodded, shooing him off my porch as he reluctantly walked back to his car.

“Bye Ari.” He smiled, sliding into his car.

“Bye Chr-” I started, but my smile quickly faltered. “AriA! Not Ari you twat.” I hissed, unlocking the door and slipping in into the warm house.

~

Chris’s POV

Rain began to trickle down as we drove back to my penthouse. As soon as I had got into the car, Nick made all kinds of kissy noises all the way home.

“Oh hush, you little weirdo.” I laughed, unlocking him from my booster before locking up the doors and heading inside once we reached the building complex.

“You loooooooooooooove her.” He cooed in my arms. I just glanced down and smiled at him, not denying it.

~

Aria’s POV

I turned the water from the shower off, and wrapped the towel around myself before heading into my bedroom. Instead of opening up my suitcase, I slid open my closet and picked out a long sleeve oversized shirt with some fuzzy shorts.

I had finally unpacked this week.

It felt like such a small milestone to accomplish, but now everything was so… Official. I was officially moved in. The suitcase was packed away under my bed as I had all of its contents neatly in drawers and closets now. I couldn’t help the smile that had spread across my face as I glanced bat at my neatly hung clothing.

For once in my life, I felt truly accomplished. I had created a life for myself, a life I was finally proud of.

I was startled by the noise from my roof as rain began to poor down. Quickly, I ran down the flight of stairs to check if the ceiling had leaked. To my surprise, everything was okay. “Oh thank god.” I sighed, moving to make my way back upstairs to paint. I was frozen in place by the knock on my door. I really need to get a peep hole installed.

I walked towards the door as my hand hesitantly reached for the knob before finally pulling it open. As I did, I was completely stunned as a pair of hazel eyes stared back at me.

“Lacey?” I asked in disbelief. She was in a large sweater with a hoodie up, but I couldn’t miss the darkened bruises all around her face, along with the busted lip that was now trickling blood down her chin. As she shifted sides, I saw her squirm a tad in pain. She must have had at least a few broken ribs. “What happened?” I asked.

“C-Can you help me?” She spoke, taking a few steps forward before she lost her footing and her body collapsed into me.

---

Just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who was patient yesterday. I’ve been organizing a few things that are in the motion to honor

Philando Castile

. A few artists of mine want to graffiti a mural for not only the black lives that were lost, but the cops that were killed in Dallas. I also held an open house at my art studio for prayers last night so writing wasn’t the first thing that was on my mind.

Thank you again. I appreciate each and every one of you.

#stopthehate #stopthekilling

Chapter 26: Beer Bottle

This chapter has some graphic descriptions of abuse and the aftermath of such actions. Please read at your own discretion. Perfectly acceptable to skip this chapter of you feel it be necessary.

Lacey’s POV

Earlier that day

“Hey, babe, I’m home.” Steve called as he entered the house. I quickly wrapped up the remaining bandage around the bruise on my arm that had now swollen up throughout the week. I meant to go in and get it checked, but I just couldn’t find the time with work and everything going on.

“I’m upstairs.” I called from the bathroom as I made my way into our bedroom. I could hear his heavy steps and somehow, I knew he must have been drinking again. My suspicions were confirmed when he stumbled into the bedroom after me. “Baby, we talked about this.” I whispered quietly, taking in his drunken state as I sat down on the bed. My arm was covered by the long sleeve shirt I was wearing, but the throbbing sensation was almost too much for me to handle.

“I only had a drink.” He replied, his words slurring as he dropped his book bag on the floor against the wall and opened another bottle of beer he must have grabbed from the fridge.

“Please, just lay down, let me make you something to eat. You don’t need to drink, baby.” I cooed, standing up slowly to reach for the bottle. He bang to hand it to me but stopped suddenly.

“What day is it?” He asked.

“It’s Friday.” I replied.

“Wasn’t it our weekend to have Nick?”

“Y-Yes, but he’s at the school’s festival.”

“So?” Steve demanded, his temper starting to flare again. “We could have taken him.”

“H-He wanted to be with his father.” I replied, my heart starting to quicken in pace as he took another drink from the bottle. I wasn’t sure how to explain to him, I no longer felt comfortable with a Nick and him being together. I could handle Steve’s temper, but I’d never put Nick in any harms way.

“WE are his family now!” He bellowed, getting closer to the bottom of the bottle as he continued to drink the liquid.

“I-I just don’t t-think- in y-your state-”

“That’s right! You just don’t think!” He cut me off, finishing the bottle before tossing it on the floor. He advanced towards me as I backed up until the back of my knees hit the edge of the mattress.

“P-please, Steve, baby.” I whispered, my voice shaky from fear as the smell of alcohol hit my senses. His hand came out and delivered the first s

lap

to the side of my cheek as my body stumbled back a bit. I caught myself, but uncontrollable tears started to stream down as my entire left face burned. He retracted his arm before it shot out, and a right hook connected with my lip, send me back into the bed.

Before I could fall back, I felt him wrap his fingers around my throat, holding me in an upright position. My fingers instantly went to his hand to try and pull them off me, just he just gripped me tighter. Blood had began to spill from my lip and onto his hand.

“You’re mine. That child is mine. This family is mine.” He growled, lifting my body up by my neck before slamming me back into the mattress. My arm felt like it was on fire, but I couldn’t focus on that due to the whiplash from the force. My hands were still on his, trying to get him to loosen his grip as he tightened his hold. I could feel his nails digging into my skin as my oxygen supply began to deteriorate.

“P-pleas- Ste-ve.” I choked, he pushed me further into the bed.

“I’m going to teach you to respect me.” He growled, lifting me up once again, his grip never loosening up as I felt the room begin to spin. “Understand who’s in charge here. You don’t get to decide shit.” He whispered into my ear, causing fear to run through me as he lifted me higher before throwing my body against the wall beside the doorframe.

I felt impact instantly. My body crippled with pain from the feeling of my bones shifting. I was positive something must have broken from the crack I heard. The wall itself caved in from how hard he had thrown me as my l

eg

fell against the glass beer bottle he had tossed on the floor earlier. He bent down next to me, gripping my face in his sweaty hands

while

his fingers dug into the swollen skin, making more tears fall. I cried out from the pain.

“You’re going to fight for full custody and we’ll raise Nick together.” He whispered. Fear raced through me.

I wasn’t afraid of what would happen to me, but I would never let a Nick near him. He’d ha

ve

to kill me first. Anger boiled through me as my fingers wound their way around the neck of the

beer

bottle.

“If you don’t, I’ll just take Nick myself.” He whispered, the smell of alcohol filling my lungs as a crooked sinister smile graced his lips. Without a second thought, my good arm whipped the bottle out from underneath me and I smashed the glass against the side of his temple. His body fell beside me, instantly knocking him out. “Shit.” I sighed, holing onto my side with my good arm as I leaned against the wall. I used it as a surface to shimmy by body up from before stumbling to my bedside table to grab the keys for my car. I glanced down at Steve’s unconscious body for the last time before leaving the bedroom. As I slowly stumbled down the stairs, I passed by the window near the entrance of the door and couldn’t recognize the person looking back at me.

My bottom lip was swollen to at least three times the size of the top lip. My whole left size had swelled up from the powerful slap, already starting to bruise. My hands reached over for the large hoodie that was hung as I carefully

attempted to

pull it over me. Instantly, pain shot through my side as I tried to slide my bad arm through it. I cried out in pain. I could hear Steve’s moans from upstairs and knew he was regaining consciousness, I didn’t have much time left. I quickly pulled the hoodie over, ignoring the excruciating pain as I pulled the door open and walked out into the rainy, cold streets.

~

I pulled up at Aria’s place shortly after. I had grabbed the address from Chris for emergencies. The house looked much better from the last time I had passed through here, Everything looked much more homey. I pulled myself out from the car, silently thanking the gods that the sweatshirt was dark enough to cover up the blood as I flipped my hoodie up.

I stumbled up the stairs, trying not to fall from their uneven wobbliness before knocking on the door. Shortly after, I heard the lock click and the door was pulled back to reveal Aria in casual house attire as her eyes grew large.

“Lacey?” She asked, taking in my appearance as my body crippled to the side slightly. “What happened?”

“C-Can you help me?” I croaked out, my voice rough from how tight Steve had held me. I tried to take a step forward but completely lost my footing as I fell, collapsing into her body.

Chapter 27: C-Can You Help Me?

Keeping this one in Lacey’s POV, just so you can understand what was running through the mind of a victim and not a witness to the aftermath. Thanks for reading, you beautiful people ❤️

“Here, lean against me, let’s move you over to the couch.” Aria instructed, sliding her arm under my good side as she surprisingly lifted me with ease.

“T-Thank you.” I whispered hoarsely, limping towards her coach while she carefully laid me down. I hissed in pain, feeling my broken ribs shift again.

“Okay, I’m going to need to take off this hoodie to assess the damage. Are you okay with that?” She asked gently, waiting patiently for my reply. I gave her a stiff nod.

Her hands grabbed the edge of the sweater before lifting up. She carefully slid my good hand through the sleeve before pulling it up over my head. Then, she slid the remaining fabric off through my bad arm, eliminating any unnecessary movements towards it. She moved as if she knew where every injury in my body was. All I could do was watch her as she walked around to the side table and grabbed a pair of scissors to cut my tight, long sleeve shirt open. As soon as she did, we both glanced down and saw just how bad it actually was.

My entire left side was completely bruised and swollen, with dark purple patches cast all around my fair skin. Blood had soaked through my shirt from the open scrapes I had when I hit the wall. Scrapes were all over my arms and legs. She then carefully slit open the long sleeve area of my bad arm, and saw the visible hand print bruise. As she traveled further up to completely take off the shirt, her hands froze.

“Jesus.” She whispered, examining my neck that I could only guess, looked the worst.

“How bad?” I groaned.

“Literal handprints.” She replied, as she finished cutting up the shirt. “I’m going to go grab the first aid kit, I’ll be right back.”

I nodded slightly. My eyes drifted closed as I continuously replayed the events these past few months.

I hated myself.

I hated myself for staying.

For settling.

I hated the fact that somewhere, deep down, I felt no sympathy for me. Everything that happened tonight was the escalation of my actions and I should have been brave enough to put an end to it all earlier.

Aria returned seconds later, with a large kit in hand. “I won’t lie to you, Lacey, this will hurt. I’m going to disinfect all the cuts and place some bandages on your side. First, we’ll handle the most painful thing, that’s going to be your rib cage.” She spoke, pulling out some ointment and gauze, along with alcohol and a wrap.

“Shit, no hydrogen peroxide?” I asked, already prepping my body for the amount of pain I was about to be feeling.

“Only rubbing alcohol. I know, this will hurt. A lot.” She opened up some gauze packages and poured the alcohol over them, before gently starting to clean the cuts on my side. Instantly, I felt the sharp stinging pain as she disinfected the area. “Try not to talk too much, I’m not sure if he bruised your windpipe or not, but it looks like he did.”

My eyes widened at her suddenly as my arm went out to stop her from what she was doing. “How did you know it was Steve?” I croaked out. She smiled, her demeanor changing slightly.

“I’ve become familiar with the signs.” She spoke, her face unreadable as she continued to clean the cuts. After she was done, she applied this cooling sensation ointment to my ribs that felt extremely good. “This will help with the swelling before I wrap it.” She explained, as she she got a few more pieces of gauze and a bondage wrap out. I nodded silently at her.

She placed the gauze down, then held it in place along with the start of the wrap. She slid it over my stomach and under my back, but when she approached my ribs again, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of pain I felt when she pulled tight. I screamed out, biting on my good arm in attempts to silence the sound as she continued. It got immensely worse as she went on. I could feel the pressure of my side but I tried not to squirm too much for her.

After what seemed like hours, she finally sucked the wrap into itself. I had broke sweat from the amount of pain I was feeling. Visible, deep teeth marks were on my arm from where I bit a little too deep and broken skin.

“You’ve gotten through the worst of it.” She commemorated. “Now, let me take a look at that face.” She nodded, moving closer to me as she gently held my chin. “I cannot put the ointment anywhere near your eye so we’ll have to, instead, ice this area. First, I’ll clean up the cuts, then I’ll make some ice packs for you. Here, take these. They are pain killers and will help with the pain from your ribs.” She nodded, ripping open some packages and handing me a few pills. “Let me grab you some water.” She added, standing up quickly and heading towards the kitchen.

As she went to fill it up, I finally took in the interior of her home for the first time. The inside looks so much better from what it was. The walls were a nice pale grey that complimented the wood furnishing. She had done a great job with the place, but it was a large home for only one person.

She returned again shortly after and handed me a glass of water. I slipped the two pills into my swollen mouth and rushed it down with some water. I quickly started choking, spitting up the water as the pills not so gracefully, traveled down my throat. Aria moved to my side and lifted my heads carefully, as I finally stomached everything down. “Your throat has started to swell. I’m going to fix up these injuries, but I think it’s time you really think about going to the emergency room, Lacey.” She spoke. It had only dawned on me that she never even asked to take me to the ER before now.

“Why didn’t you take me straight there when I came here?” I asked, my eyebrow s scrunching up in confusion.

“Because you came here. If taking you to the hospital was an option, you would’ve gone already. I’ll do everything I can tonight, but I must recommend professional help.” She claimed, pouring more alcohol onto new gauze pads.“this’ll hurt.” She added, before wiping off the blood and wound from my mouth and cheek. I did everything in my power to stay still for her as that stinging sensation took over.

~

This torture went on for another 15 minutes before Aria finished and started to clean up the mess of bloodied Gauze pads. She came back down with a large t- shirt as she carefully slid it over my head. “I would offer you my bed, but I rather not move you just to be safe. I’m locking all the doors, and leaving this baseball bat I fount in a room, here. If you need anything, you call, okay?” She nodded, setting the baseball bat down beside me before heading over to the front door and triple checking all the locks.

“Aria?” I called, before she could make it to the staircase.

She glanced back at me.

“Thank you.” I nodded, holding her eye contact as she smiled slightly.

“Don’t mention it.” She nodded, before heading upstairs.

Chapter 28: The Decision

8k reads?!?? Y’all be doing the most. But in all honesty, thank you so so much. Your views and votes mean the world ❤️

Aria’s POV

I was awakened by the sound of my phone going off as the vibrations erupted from under my stomach.

This shit took me like 400 years to find.

Note to self? Set phone on the fucking bedside table before going to bed.

“What.” I grumbled into the line after I finally got the phone to my ear.

“Excuse me?” My mother answered. In seconds, my body was up and out of bed.

“No- I didn’t know it was you- shit, hi mom.” I answered, brutally stumbling over my words as I awkwardly paced my room in sleep deprivation.

“Hi. I’m outside. Open up.” She demanded, her voice losing its angry edge as I slipped some house shoes on and took off my sleeping cap. The bedside clock read that it was already 8am.

“Right. I’ll be there in a second.” I said, before ending the line and opening up my bedroom door. As I reached the top of the stairs, I could see Lacey down below resting peacefully on my couch as she unconsciously held the frozen peas to the side of her face. My body froze completely.

I had forgotten about that whole situation the night before. And my mother was right outside.

It wasn’t like I could kick Lacey out, she was horribly injured and I still didn’t feel okay enough to move her. My mother, on the other hand, would break down that door if I didn’t open it up with the next 30 seconds. I sighed, silently walking down the stairs before heading to the front door. From what I could see as I passed her, the swelling on her face had gone down significantly since last night.

I undid the locks and slowly opened the door. My eyes quickly came face to face with familiar hazel ones. “Hello, Mother.” I smiled, unable to mask the sheer amount of happiness from seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar place.

“Hi, baby.” She smiled back, before walking through and embracing me. Hugs weren’t something my mom and I did often, so my body stiffened a little at first. Soon, I relaxed into her touch.

“How was the flight?” I asked quietly, as we pulled away.

“It was good. This home looks nice. I can already feel your touch shining through with it.” She commented as another smile graced my lips. Compliments from my mother was not something to be taken lightly.

“It’s been a process. Lots of work still needs to be done, but I’m not in a rush at the moment.” I explained, taking her coat and hanging it up for her. “How do you like Maine?”

“It’s… Different.” She paused, choosing her words carefully. I chuckled at her reply.

“No worries, I felt the same when I arrived. I’m just out on the outskirts of Portland though, as you drive further in through the main road, the town appears. It’s actually quite beautiful there.” I explained.

“You’ll have to take me.” She nodded. “So shall I come in? I’d love for you to give me a tour.” She pushed, trying to see the house behind me.

“Y-Yes.” I whispered, attempting to figure out how to go about that without her seeing the half beaten up girl laying on my couch.

“And why are we talking so low?” She asked, her voice dropping to a whisper to match mine.

I glanced at her for some time, before I slowly grabbed her hand, letting her slip of her boots by the door and leading her out, into the living room.

That was when she saw Lacey. “Who is this?” She whispered to me.

“T-This is… Lacey. She’s, uhm, she’s Chris’s ex wife. Nick’s mom.” I whispered as we drew nearer to her.

“What the hell happened to her? Did Chris do this to her?” My mom asked, her voice getting rougher. My eyes softened.

“No. It was her boyfriend, Steve. She came to me last night in a really bad state so I did everything I could to help her.” I explained.

“Why didn’t you bring her to a hospital?” My mother asked, although, she already knew why.

“It wasn’t an option for her.”

She nodded, silently watching Lacey as she slept.

~

“What were you thinking?” My mother asked as we moved into the kitchen area.

“I’m not sure yet. It all depends on how Lacey wants to go about this. It’s her call.” I replied, sipping more of the rich dark roast coffee my mom had made. I’d almost forgotten how good my mom was at brewing coffee.

“That sounds reasonable.” My mother nodded.

“Aria-” my mom and I both whipped our heads around to find Lacey leaning against the wall of the kitchens entryway.

“Shit, Lacey, you shouldn’t be up.” I scolded her, quickly latching my arm under her armpit to hold her up as we walked her back to the couch.

“Who’s that?” She asked, referring to my mom as she moved closer to us.

“I’m Aria’s mother, Ms. Lane. It’s nice to meet you, Lacey.” My mom introduced herself, sitting beside me. “I’m sorry that this is the way we are meeting.”

“It’s okay. Nice to meet you to.” Lacey croaked out, her voice catching in her throat.

“Is it okay if I take a look?” My mom asked, moving closer to the side of the couch where Lacey lay. Lacey hesitantly nodded, lifting the large shirt up to where the bondages where. My mom quickly but carefully unwrapped the bandages and revealed a large purplish-blue bruise that covered the span of Lacey’s entire rib cage. The swelling was reduced, yet the bruise itself didn’t look good at all. “Oh honey,” my mom whispered as she sighed, “you really need to go to the ER.”

Lacey’s eyes shut for a few minutes before she finally spoke. “O-Okay.” She nodded.

“I’m just going to help Aria grab a few things upstairs, then we’ll come help you. We’ll take my rental to the hospital.” My mom added, glancing at me to throw some serious shade at my ride outside. Lacey nodded, as her eyelids fluttered closed. My mom signaled for me to follow her as we went upstairs. “What’s going through your head?” She asked me as we made it into my room.

“It depends on how she wants to go about it but I… I want to represent her, I want to be her attorney if she does decide to take legal action.”

---

I’m not going to lie to y’all. I had work yesterday, then played Pokemon Go directly after. I completely forgot to upload this lol. Anyways, thank you so much for all the support you’ve been giving this book, I seriously appreciate it. ❤️

Chapter 29: The Hospital

Aria’s POV

The drive to the hospital wasn’t as long as I suspected. My mom gently held Lacey up as I drove carefully toward our destination. Getting Lacey into the car was a bit of a challenge. We had to be extremely careful not to shift any bones or open any wounds as we slid her into my moms rental.

I pulled up into the emergency care drop off as my mom got out then helped Lacey. “You guys go in ahead, I’m going to park the car.” I nodded to them as they slowly made their way through the doors. I pulled out from the drop off area and drove up towards the main clinic spot where they had parking. As soon as I pulled into a lot, I pulled out my phone and dialed Chris’s number.

“Hello?” Chris asked, his voice still a little rough from lack of sleep.

“Chris?” I asked into the line.

“Hey baby, what’s wrong?” He asked a bit alarmed by my tone. I tried to ignore the flutter of butterflies as he called me that.

“It’s Lacey. We’re in the hospital now-”

“Wait what?” Chris asked, his voice getting frantic as he started to panic.

“Please, just come to the Ridges Hospital.” I pleaded, realizing how bad it would be if I told Chris that Steve beat Lacey up. Chris would probably go out on a man hunt for blood.

“I’ll be there in 10.” Chris answered, “are-are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay.” He rushed out, his emotions undetectable.

“I’m okay.” I assured him, trying to calm his nerve as I felt the situation slip through the cracks of my fingers like sand.

“Please. Just stay there. I’ll be there soon.” He instructed, as I heard the engine of his car start.

“Okay. Drive safe.” I replied, ending the call. I slid the keys out of the ignition and got out, making my way towards the front entrance where I was going to wait for Chris.

My mind was running miles a minute, trying to figure out the whole situation. I wanted to represent Lacey, but it would have to be completely up to her, if she was planning to take legal action. From my experience, most women usually don’t. And I couldn’t blame her, taking anyone to court leaves you with a jumbled bag of emotions, especially if you have a personal connection with them. Regardless of what this man did, she still loved him. That was the thing. It’s hard to stop feeling those feeling towards a person if they’re so strong, regardless of what that person did to you.

I wanted to tell her that she owed him nothing, that she had a right to get her own justice, but it’s never that easy for a victim to abuse. Out of 1000 domestic assaults, only 344 are reported. Those were the facts and the facts never lie.

As horrible as it sounded, I would need Chris’s help to motivate her to speak out against this asshole, so I could do everything in my power to make sure this never happened to anyone else ever again.

I had to admit though, it had been quite some time since I’d last even thought of practicing law. The thrill of entering a courtroom and holding the floor gave me an edge. It was a high like no other, and for a cause as detrimental as this, I was more than prepared to go to war.

I noticed Chris’s car pull up as he grabbed the available parking besides my mom’s rental. He had arrived here in record time as he sprinted towards the entryway. As soon as he took sight of me, his hands were already around me in the tightest hug I’ve had in quite sometime. “I’m okay, Chris.” I assured him, as he snuggled his nose into my neck. He started to give me peppered kisses against the side of my neck, and I could feel everything heating up.

I gently nudged him away before it went any further.

“What happened?” He asked as we pulled apart.

“It’s Steve. He beat Lacey up pretty bad.” I explained as delicately as I could, refusing to let go of his hands as anger erupted through his body.

“Where is he?” He gritted out through his teeth, holding my hands tighter.

“That’s not what matters right now, Chris, first go check in on Lacey. I did everything I could to treat her wounds-”

“What do you mean? When did this happen?” He asked, suddenly forcing his hands out of mine.

“Last night.” I whispered, my voice getting small as I felt his anger radiate of him. My eyes began to sting as it felt as if my heart was just ripped out.

“The mother of my child gets beat up and you don’t think to tell me until the next day?” He hissed, struggling to put a cap on his emotions but failing miserably.

“Please, Chris-”

“What room is she in?” He demanded, already walking into the hospital.

“335.” I replied, watching him turn around as he moved towards the elevator. I could feel my heart visibly drop. I never expected him to react in that way, because I never even thought about the repercussions of any of my actions.

I slid into a chair in the main lobby as my hands began to shake. I could feel a panic attack starting to come on, something I hadn’t had to deal with in quite some time up until now. Slowing my breathing down, I took calming breathes, trying to hold my world together as it shattered around me.

Chris’s POV

I rushed through the halls, looking for room 335. I could feel my anger consuming me, unable to calm down as I finally found the room. Lacey was laying in a hospital bed, with the monitor and IV hooked up to her. Her face had faint remnants of bruising as I got closer. There was a woman who stood beside her bed, holding her hand while they talked gently.

“Lacey.” I whispered. They both glanced up to see me. The woman looked oddly familiar. “Who are you?” I asked, as I walked into the room.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” She nodded, quickly saying her goodbyes before slipping past me.

“Chris.” Lacey croaked out, her voice rough.

“I’m here.” I nodded, standing beside her. There was horribly visible marks around her neck where the bastard must have choked her out. “I’m so sorry I let this happen.”

“Shut up.” She snapped, looking back at me with such fierceness, I stumbled back a bit. My eyes widened at her. “You didn’t let this happen, I did.”

“B-but-”

“No. Don’t you dare feel sorry for me. And don’t you dare do anything sudden and irrational. This situation is something I will deal with.” She ordered, turning fully towards me.

“Aria told me this happened yesterday.” I spoke, as the anger began to simmer. Fuck, Aria. I thought about how I had just treated her. I ran my hand through my hair.

“Yes.” She replied, her eyes narrowing in on me. “What did you do, Chris?” She demanded.

“I-I- She didn’t call me to tell me-”

“Ofcourse she didn’t, all you would have done was slaughter Steve. I told her I didn’t want anyone to know yet. She spent all night helping me, and tending to my wounds. I swear to fucking god, Chris, you better not have said some shit.”

Realization just dawned on me. “Shit!” I hissed, “that woman that was just in here, she was her mother wasn’t she.”

“Yes.” Lacey rolled her eyes, turning around again. “Go make this right, you idiot, before you actually lose her.”

My heart sped up, as I felt worrisome emotions take over again.

I had really fucked up this time.

Chapter 30: The Confession

Aria’s POV

My hands nervously shook in my lap as I waited patiently for any updates on Lacey while I sat in the lobby area. I had tried to cool my feelings, knowing Chris had every right to be mad, but I just couldn’t. I should have known better than to keep this from him.

I knew first hand what it was like to love someone so dearly, even though they acted in a nature that brought pain to you and the ones you love. I also knew how hard it was to reach out for help with such a tough situation. I felt as if Lacey needed me, and she needed her privacy through the whole ordeal.

I smelt my mothers perfume as she walked over and took a seat beside me. Her hand silently slid into mine. “He’s just emotional, baby.” She whispered, tightening her hold on me, the way she used to when I was younger.

“I know.” I nodded, pulling her hand further into me as I leaned into her. I rested my head into her shoulder and she rested her head on mine. I’d never been this close to my mother these past few years, like I was today.

“Give it time. From what I’ve seen, I know he cares too deeply, and doesn’t know how to explain it.” She whispered after some time. I sighed against her as we watched the nurses busy themselves with potential clients in the waiting room. There was a family that had been there since we arrived. A man was grasping a women’s arm in his own as she cried uncontrollably against his side.

The whole situation was uncomfortable for me. I was never a fan of hospitals or how artificial the environment was to be in. As I stared at the carpet flooring, I noticed a pair of shoes walking toward us. My mom and I both glanced up to find Chris staring at us awkwardly. “Hello, Ms. Lane.” Chris stuck out him arm, his eyes pleading silently with her for forgiveness.

“So you finally figured out who I was.” My mother nodded, gracefully slipping her hands into his as she stood up.

“I apologize profusely.” He said sincerely as he let go and backed up a bit to give her distance.

“Apology accepted, I’m sorry to hear about Lacey. I’m going to go check on her and give you two some privacy.” My mother nodded, bending down to place a light kiss on my forehead before grabbing her purse and heading towards the patient rooms. My hands continued to fidget in my lap as she disappeared around the corner. Instantly, Chris dropped to his knees as his hands rested on my knees.

“I’m so incredibly sorry.” He whispered up at me as my eyes held his.

“I’m not mad at you.” I whispered, slipping my hands into his as he stood and pulled me up with him. His hands instantly wound their way around my waist and he pulled me into a tight embrace.

“I’m so sorry.” He mumbled into my ear as I hugged him back. His scent filled my nostrils, sending me into a natural high once again. It frustrated me, how his touch could just silence my demons like that… Make me feel so safe and secure by his embrace.

“It’s okay.” I nodded, finally pulling away from him. “The whole situation had just been more than either of us had thought we could handle.” I explained as Chris lead me through the glass doors and out into the crisp air for a breather. The weather had started to get seriously colder with winter on the brink. There was only a few more days till Halloween yet it felt like it could snow at any moment. I would have to get used to the cold.

“Agreed. But regardless, that didn’t give me the right to snap like that.” Chris sighed, as we walked towards a bench on the far side of the parking lot with his hand in mine. The parking lot had began to empty as the time dragged on. I hadn’t even noticed how late into the day it was until I glanced at my watch and it read 4:52.

“It’s okay, there’s just been a lot on my mind.” I spoke honestly as we took a seat.

“What’s wrong?” Chris asked, his hand holding mine tighter.

“I-I have a lot to explain, and I’m not too sure how to say it, so I’m just going to say everything and I need you just keep and open mind about it all, okay?” I pleaded, as I held both his hands in my lap.

“That’s okay.” He nodded, giving me his full attention.

“Okay,” I sighed, taking a long breather, “so I want to be able to represent Lacey in court. My mom is currently speaking with her about building up a case.”

“In court? As in, be her lawyer?” He asked, his eyebrows furrowing up in confusion.

“Yes. Before I moved here, I was a lawyer for a Law firm.” I confessed, watching him intensely as he continued to process everything I was saying.

“That’s- that’s fine. I’m sure you had your reasons for not wanting to talk about it. I’m also sure you were a kick ass lawyer. If anyone is to represent Lacey, I’d want it to be you.” He nodded, assuring me.

I bit my lip nervously, trying to offer him a polite smile. “That’s actually the problem.” I sighed.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, in order for me to represent Lacey, I’ll need to work independently. Right now, my license is held up at my previous law firm. Up until last night, I never wanted to be a lawyer again.” I confessed.

“Couldn’t you just call in and ask for it? Or talk to your old boss to get cleared to work this case?” Chris asked hopefully.

“It isn’t that easy.” I replied honestly.

“What do you mean?” He asked, his hands loosening their grip on mine.

“My old boss… He’s also my ex fiancé.”

---

Chapter 31: Jake Tulley

Chris’s POV

“Y-Your what?” I asked, as my mind just went blank. Did I hear her right?

“Ex-fiancé.” She reiterated nervously.

“O-Okay.” I nodded, unsure of what to say.

I wasn’t mad per say, that would have been very hypocritical of me considering I too was marry and have a son. The only difference was, I was honest about that part of me. “Was this recent? Or a while back?” I asked her as the wind started to pick up.

“About a month ago.” She confessed.

I felt my heart practically drop into my stomach as she spoke. I was worried about how soon she had jumped into this relationship. Was I just a rebound for her? Hell, she was going to be married!

“It’s not like that.” She spoke quietly, look at me. “You weren’t some guy that I was using to get over my ex.” She said, surprising me by how well she could already read me. “The relationship wasn’t much of one to begin with. Things ended… Badly.”

“What do you mean by badly?” I asked, trying desperately to read her face and see what she was thinking, the way she knew what I was.

“I- I ran out on him… At the alter.”

“Wait, so you were actually seconds away from getting wed, before deciding you couldn’t follow through with it?” I asked, honestly unsure of how I felt about it all.

“Yes- and no. I never wanted to marry him. It was just what I was supposed to do- what my family wanted me to do. I finally had a clear moment while standing at that alter, looking at faces I had never seen before in that extravagant church I couldn’t give less of a fuck about. I realized that that life wasn’t what I wanted. I realized whatever dream Jake had for me, wasn’t the dream I had or wanted for myself, and I decided to finally do something about it.”

“Jake. Is that his name?” I asked, trying to keep a cap on my jealous side. This guy, for whatever reason, still had a hold on Aria, and I didn’t like it. I wanted to be the only man in her life.

“Yes. He’s the person I’d have to talk to, to clear all this up with.” She nodded, her body starting to relax a bit. I had a feeling that we had gotten over the worst part of this talk and I thanked the heavens for it. I wasn’t sure how much more I would have honestly been able to take. I still wasn’t mad at Aria, I could tell that this had been eating away at her for some time now and I counted my blessings that there wasn’t some child or law suit she didn’t tell me about. I could handle an ex fiancé.

“How did you and Jake meet?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. I needed to know everything about the man who almost trapped THE Aria Lane in a lifeless marriage.

“He had connections with my mother’s friends. I wasn’t even sure how everything happened, but before I knew it, my mother had set me up on a date with him. He was handsome and charming and everything I thought I wanted at that time… But as soon as things started to get serious, I saw a side of him that I hadn’t seen before. He soon became very… Controlling.” She explained uneasily. “It wasn’t like he would outright tell me which friends he liked and which friends he didn’t, but he would always find a way to ruin the plans I would make with the friends he didn’t.

“I hadn’t noticed it at the time, but my friends group began to dwindle out. I was only left with the friend who had an influential impact of entertainment or politics, I was left with the friends who were in a sense “better off” than my others. He had that way with him, the way to manipulate me into doing what he wanted. When he met me, I was just starting out law, but I wasn’t too sure about perusing it any further. Within months, he had me working for his firm.“ She continued.

I could feel my blood boiling just by the way Aria described him.

“After a few months, being a lawyer was the only thing I did that could get me praise. Jake never told me to stop art, but he made the practice of law more important than breathing sometimes. At first, when there was that spark, he made the judicial system seem exciting- defending the innocent and prosecuting the guilty, but now I see it for what it really is… A cheated system. A system made to benefit the rich, and only the rich. It made sure there was that 1% of cases where the underdog won, to give the poor that false hope in actually benefitting from such a corrupt system. I grew to hate the practice of law.” She admitted.

Hearing her broadcast her thoughts were insanely enlightening, and made me want her even more. The fact that she was so open to everything around her, was what made her different. “You stayed because of your mother.”

“Exactly.” She replied. “We grew up poor. My father was an abusive alcoholic, and my mother was a victim of the abuse. This is why this case means so much to me. I know what it’s like to hate the man you know, yet love the man you knew. After my father passed, my mother made it her mission to provide a life for me that I would never have to struggle with. Without knowing, she provided a relationship that I struggled with daily.”

I held her hands tighter, as I felt my heart drop once more. Hearing her history, and everything she went through when she was younger, made me just want to whisk her away from this life. I wanted to show her that the world can be a beautiful place if you’re willing to open your eyes to it.

I wanted her to realize that she could be loved, if she would let me.

---

Thank you all so much for reading! It’s come to my attention that wattpad doesn’t actually notify me when one of you guys post on my wall or message me with questions. If you ever want to reach me, my Instagram is probably the only platform I’m on so feel free to message me there.

Chapter 32: Negotiations

Jake Tulley, the very sexy asshole up above.

Aria’s POV

“In order to get that practicing license, would you have to fly back out to California?” Chris asked me, as we walked hand-in-hand around the hospitals garden.

“Well, I would much rather like to avoid that entirely.” I answered, gripping his hand tighter for reassurance.

“Me too.” He sighed, as we neared the back entrance of the hospital. “So the alternative would be to call him.”

“Yeah, I just texted my mom and asked her to forward the contact information to me.” I nodded, pulling him further into me as we both decided to shimmy through the entrance of the hospital at the same time.

“Wow, you deleted his number?” Chris asked surprisingly.

“I was done, my love, completely done. If someone is cancerous to your life, you’ve got to cut out the cancer before it spreads. When I moved here, I started a new life for myself. I won’t allow something as little as a phone call with with an ex, ruin that.” I continuously reassured him, although I felt a competitive vibe start to flow through him.

Sometimes I forgot who it was, I was talking to.

“Did you want me to stay with you when you called?” Chris asked as he watched me pull out my phone in the vacant waiting room. I had felt it buzz in my pocket.

“It’s okay.” I nodded, pulling up his contact as Chris planted a soft kiss on my forehead before heading towards the elevators. My heart hammered against my chest as I stared at the text my mother had sent. I couldn’t lie to myself, regardless of how much I tried. I didn’t need my mom to send me this contact info.

I had that number engraved in my memory.

I sighed, hands shaking with anxiety while I slowly hit the call button before bringing the phone to my ear. I could feel my whole body start to go numb as I tried to get a grip on life when the I heard the first ring. Before it could ring again, the line was picked up.

“Aria?” Jake asked into the line, his voice uneasy while I did everything I could not to hang up the phone. “Aria?” He asked again. I realized I hadn’t even answered him yet.

“Hi Jake.” I croaked out awkwardly, finally taking a seat next to the rear entrance with my legs giving out.

“Hi… How are you?” He asked into the line. I could hear the lock of a door click on the other line before shades were closed. He was probably in his office right now.

“I’m good. I’m really good.” I answered honestly, feeling my nerves start to recede as I slowed my breathing.

“T-That’s good… I- I miss you.” He said. For the first time in my life, I heard Jake Stan Tulley sound… Off. I’d never heard him mix up his words, or show any raw emotions before now. I sat silently at the end of the line as I tried to process the billions of emotions that were running through me, but I didn’t have to think hard before answering him.

“I… Don’t- miss you. I don’t.” I whispered back, trying desperately to sound put together and failing.

“I still have our wedding rings in my bedside table.” He spoke honestly, his voice breaking off with emotion.

“I had a reason for calling.” I replied, choosing to ignore what he just said. “I need my practicing license. I no longer want to work for your firm, I’m going to be an independent contractor.”

“I can’t do that.” Jake answered, his business voice coming back almost instantly. That was the thing about Jake…

… His acting would put Johnny Depp to shame.

“Yes you can Jake, and you will. It was funny though, because a month ago, that whole wedding ring thing would’ve have me on the first flight back to L.A. Now? Not so much. I’ve built a life for myself here, Jake. A life that I’m so glad to say you’re not apart of.” I snapped back, whatever fear I once had was being replaced by the anger that was now coursing through me.

“Ari, I-”

“Don’t call me that.” I snapped. “Listen Jake, I meant for this conversation to be a civil one, but if you want me to take legal action against getting my license, I will. You may have forgotten, but I was a lawyer before you turned me into your prodigy. That license is mine, you do not legally own it and you cannot legally keep it, so ship it to my mother’s address.” I deadpanned, feeling whatever feelings that might have arisen for this guy, quickly get choked down by the anger.

“I may not be able to hold it, but I would have to look for not only that but your contract. It could take a while.” He answered, his voice now fully business. It was the voice he had, when he knew he was about to close a deal.

“What do you want, Jake?” My voice grew agitated as I approached the end of my rope.

“Tell me where you are and I’ll bring everything over.” He replied simply, ignoring my agitation.

“Wow Jake.” I laughed, my voice changing to something hysterical, “Jake Tulley. It’s funny, for a split second there, I thought you had actually changed. No, you’ve actually surpassed the level of scum. Who knew you had it in you to hold up a prominent abuse case, for your own self interest!”

The line at the other end was quiet for some time. “This-This is my finally offer Aria. I need to see you one more time.”

I scoffed again. “There’s nothing you can say now, Jake. You don’t have that hold on me. Because of how deeply this case means to me, I’ll text you the address. Understand, Jake, if you’re coming here with any other intent than to give me my practicing license, you’ve got another thing coming.” I threatened, my voice going dangerously slow.

Before Jake could say anything more, I immediately ended the call. No second thoughts went into it as I blocked his number.

I noticed Chris heading back down the hallway towards me. His face studied me intently. “What’s wrong?” He asked.

“It’s Jake…” I sighed, standing up to meet him half way as I slid my phone back in my pocket, “He’s coming to Maine.”

Chapter 33: The Café

Nick is my spirit animal.

Aria’s POV

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” Chris reminded me, as he helped wrap my scarf around the inside of my coat collar.

“Yes We do, Chris.” I replied, sighing while Nick ran around my legs like he was a race car and I was his obstacle track.

“Whatchya doing there, bud?” Chris asked after some time. This is what happens when you give a kid some early Halloween candy.

“Does it really matter, father?” Nick asked, taking a seat by my feet as he struck a thinking pose while glancing off into the horizon. “Does anything really matter?”

“Jesus, his sugar high has stages? It’s like we got him drunk or something.” I joked with Chris.

“Yeah, we just witnessed his first candy bar hyper stage, and now he’s on his second lollipop psychological thought process.” Chris explained, picking Nick up from my path and placing him on the couch. “Anyways, we should head out soon. We told Jake to meet us at the cafe around 4.”

“Yeah, we’ve got about 15 minutes.” I nodded, glancing at my watch.

“Alright bud, you know the drill. Pete’s in the office down the hallway if you need anything. Try not to disturb him. We’ll hopefully be back before dinner, but until then, Behave ya little brat.” Chris grinned, tickling Nick’s sides.

“But to behave, or not to behave…” Nick replied, striking another thinking pose with a lollipop in his mouth, “…that is the real question, my father.”

“Bye kid.” Chris rolled his eyes, as he opened up the penthouse elevator for the both of us.

“Goodbye, Henry!” Nick called sadly, waving his candy wrapper like it was a handkerchief, “I shall miss you dearly, my sweet sweet boy!”

“Who’s Henry?” I laughed, as the elevator jerked to life.

“I couldn’t tell you.” Chris replied honestly, rubbing his temples. We both laughed again, before he slid his hand into mine and walked us down towards the garage, where he parked his car. I felt my phone buzz inside my pocket as we slid into the comfy seats and he started the engine. It was a text from Jake.

Jake: “I’ll be at the address in 5 minutes. Would you like me to knock or ring the bell?”

I replied: “neither, the address I sent you was for a cafe in town. We’ll be there soon.”

I glanced up from my phone as we pulled out of the parking garage and back onto the familiar streets of Maine. My eyes jerked back to the screen as the phone buzzed again.

Jake: “we?”

I replied: “Yes, we. Me and my boyfriend Chris.”

I got a reply almost immediately.

Jake: “You have a boyfriend?”

I replied: “Yes. We’ll be there in a couple minutes.” I texted, glancing up to notice the familiar street where the cafe was. Chris pulled into the on street parking and we both got out.

“Listen Chris, when we get in there, try not to go all caveman with each other. There’s no competition between the two of you, you’ve already got me.” I nodded to him as he held open the cafe door for me. His mouth twitched up into a smile at that.

We were instantly welcomed with the strong scent of coffee. I had missed this place. The last time I was here was a few weeks ago. We both scanned the cafe, looking for Jake, but found no signs of him. “Looks like we’re here first.” Chris nodded, as we slid into one side of a booth.

“That’s weird. He talked like he was almost here.” I noted, pulling out my phone as it buzzed again.

Jake: “ I just pulled up.“

I replied: “We’re inside at a booth.”

“Okay, he’s here.” I spoke to Chris, as I slid my phone back into my pocket.

“Alright, I’ll go order us some coffee.” Chris nodded, shifting out from the booth.

I glanced back at my phone to open the Pinterest app, but was interrupted by a different voice. “Is this seat taken?” I glanced up to find Jake, with a large bouquet of flowers in his hand. He looked exactly as I last saw him, his beard was perfectly shaven with his hair blown out to the t.

“Hi.” I spoke, not moving as he slid into the booth across from me. His scent was so familiar, it made me nauseated.

“No show with the boyfriend?” He asked, setting the flowers on the table. He couldn’t mask the smile that was on his face.

“Just grabbing us coffee.” Chris interrupted, setting three cups on the table before sliding in the booth beside me.

“Jake.” Jake nodded.

“Chris.” Chris replied.

“So uhm, these are for you.” Jake gestured towards the flowers. The smile on his face wavered.

“Thank you, they’ll go so well in our home.” Chris replied, wrapping his arm around my waist as I picked up the cup of coffee.

“Hmm, so you too are living together?” Jake asked, the vein on his right temple was starting to throb.

“Yes.” I replied, pouring some creamer into my cup. “Now can we move on to what we all came here for?”

“Yes.” Jake nodded, pulling out some files from inside his coat. “This Maine weather is atrocious. You always loved the warmth, Ari.”

“First off, it’s Aria. Secondly? I hated the heat.” I snapped, feeling my blood start to boil. Jake looked taken back.

Up until now, I had always been that timid girlfriend who allowed him to control me. That was no longer the case.

He laid the files down on the table. “T-This is the license, this is the contract to my firm. They are both now at your dispense.” He nodded, pushing the files towards us. “Can I ask what this case is about? You mentioned abuse.”

“My ex-wife,” Chris said, “her boyfriend beat her up pretty badly.” Jake nodded, fidgeting with his coat collar awkwardly.

“If you need me, if any of you guys need my help with something, just call.” Jake nodded, shifting out of the booth seat. “Thank you for the coffee.” He nodded, dropping a $20 on the table. “It was nice meeting you Chris, and seeing you again Aria.” I nodded at him, and Chris told to shake his hand. “Goodbye.” Jake said, before exiting the cafe.

“He… Wasn’t bad.” Chris confessed, as he sat and we continued to drink our coffee. “Do you feel better?” He asked.

“Much.” I sighed. “I feel as if the hardest part is over and dealt with.”

“Let’s hope so.” Chris sighed, pulling me closer into his side as we enjoyed the atmosphere of the cafe.

---

Onto the case! Thank you so much for the reads and votes. I wasn’t sure how to actually write this part out, I hope I didn’t completely mutilate it.

Chapter 34: Steve Garret

Chris’s POV

“So what’s the first step in all this?” I asked as I watched Aria and her mother pull out documents among documents from their briefcases.

“First, we must build a case. I need to know every fine detail from the past couple months. With Lacey still in the hospital, Aria and I will dig up everything we can on Steve Garret. Hopefully, something more will come to light to not only convict him on domestic abuse, but hammer him with various charges to keep him in jail.” Ms. Lane explained, as Aria pulled out my laptop.

“Getting a man convicted of domestic violence is challenging, it’s even more challenging for them to spend the recommended time in jail. What we need to do, is discredit every excuse the defense will try to throw our way during the trial. Steve was arrested last night. He was brought in for questioning but quickly lawyered up. The trial will be held three days from today.” Aria explained, as her fingers typed away.

“It feels as if we are gearing up for war.” I commented, watching both Aria and her mother as they got down to business.

“Steve’s lawyer is a big shot from New York. This very well could be war.” Aria’s mom commented. I nodded, pulling the sleep deprived Nick into my arms as he cuddled further into my chest.

“Are you guys gunna get the bad guy that hurt mama?” Nick asked sleepily.

“You bet your ass we are.” I replied, patting his back gently.

“Ass?” Nick questioned.

“Let’s pretend daddy never said that word, okay? And let’s not mention this to mommy, like ever.” I coaxed him, glancing away from Aria and their mother as they gave me a disapproving look.

“Your secrets safe with me, father.” Nick nodded, his eye lids heavily lifting as he struggled to stay awake.

“I’m first going to reverse search for his name in any criminal databases.” Aria’s mom said, as she pulled out her note pad to take notes. “That’s weird.” She said after some time.

“What?” Aria asked, glancing away from her screen to look at her moms.

“Nothing came up. No misdemeanors, no parking tickets, nothing. I can run paper trails next.” Ms. Lane decided, pulling up a new tab.

“When we went out to eat, do you know who paid for the reservation? And do you know how they paid?” Aria asked, turning to me.

“I think it was Lacey, and most likely her credit card.” I replied, trying to remember whether anyone laid cash down on the table before we left, besides the tip.

“Okay, what about living arrangement?” Aria’s mom asked.

“I think he’s been living with Lacey.” I replied, lifting Nick up as he lay asleep in my arms. “Give me a minute, I’m going to go tuck this booger in.” I nodded to the two ladies, before walking down the hallway towards his room. Not so gracefully, I juggled this dead weight kid in my arms as I tried to get open the door, before finally succeeding.

It was crazy how much of my life had changed in the past month and a half. It was even crazier how calm and collected Nick was about it. Some days, I felt as if he was handling this situation better than I was. I had taken him to see him mom earlier today, which Lacey was less happy about but agreed to. She didn’t want Nick to see her like that but in all honesty, she looked much better than she did when I first saw her the morning after the incident. Her normal color had returned to her face, and the swelling had gone down. We still had pictures of how bad it was before, to show in court.

I gently laid Nick down into the mattress before pulling the covers out from underneath him and covering him with it. He didn’t even stir as I tucked him in. I swear, this kid could sleep through the zombie apocalypse.

His room still looked so… Dis-conjoined. Aria and I were actually thinking of painting over that other room in her home, since I was over at her house more than she was at mine. The creepy wall paper would have to go first, before I even though of putting a bed in there.

I exited the room after making sure he was comfortable, before heading back into the living room. “What do we have so far?” I asked.

“This is all so confusing.” Aria whispered, as both her and her mother continued to do their research.

“Why?” I asked, taking my seat across from them.

“Well, according to the criminal network, Steve Garret had never been arrested until now, and according to his paper trails, he doesn’t have any.” Aria explained.

“What exactly are paper trails?” I asked.

“They are basically the reports of every credit card purchase that that person has made within their lifetime. For Steve to not have a single paper trail, it would mean that either Steve Garret doesn’t exist, or he’s been using cash to pay for quite literally everything.” Aria’s mom added.

“Couldn’t you do facial recognition or something?” I asked, trying to wrap my head around what I was just hearing.

“We can’t, only government based have that system. Even if we could, we can’t confirm that it would help us any. If Steve has been this good with keeping who he really is a secret, odds are, any files of who he was prior to this new alias, could all be exempt. As far as anyone knows, he is Steve Garret. I gotta ask you, have you noticed anything weird about the guy?” Aria asked, glancing up from her screen to look at me.

I tried to think back to when I first met him, at Lacey’s. Everything about him put me off from the get go, but intuition wouldn’t hold up in court. I remembered pulling back out of the driveway… “His vehicle, it was unlisted. There was no tabs on the car, and the license plate was fresh print, yet the car wasn’t new.” I recalled, trying to see if I remembered the plates.

“Did you get a good look at the license plate?” Aria asked.

“No, I mean I did, but I don’t remember what it was exactly. Partial plate was 147-S. I know the make was a Honda Civic Coupe, older model.” I explained.

“I could run that against his name.” Ms. Lane nodded, her fingers already typing at the speed of sound. “Okay, looks like this vehicle was involved in a string of robberies back in the 2000’s. The prime suspect in these robberies was a guy named Pat Gonzales.” Ms. Lane read. She spun the laptop around to show us a picture of Pat Gonzales…

…otherwise known as Steve Garret.

“Something isn’t right here…” Aria said, pulling up a file on Pat with her own screen.

“What?” I asked, standing up to peer over her shoulder.

“It says Pat Gonzales was killed in a shootout three years ago… According to this, Pat Gonzales is deceased.”

---

Y’all know it wouldn’t be a book by me if some shit didn’t go down ;)

Chapter 35: Ms. Golding

Aria’s POV

“Okay, so basically, back in ’02, there was a string of vehicle robberies that took place around the outskirts of New York. 7 cars where stolen directly off shipping cargo from overseas- places like Germany and Japan. There was literally not a trace, it was as if these cars just disappeared into thin air.” I explained, reading over the incident files. “They questioned every employee at the shipping docs, suspecting it must have been an inside job from just how clean the entire scene was. Every employee offered a DNA sample. Apparently, one of the employees there at the time was Steve, formally known as Pat Gonzales.”

“In ’03, one of the stolen cars where found abandoned off an old road by a female jogger passing by. The car itself wasn’t very suspicious, but the dead body inside was. The body still remains a John Doe, due to the mutilation of the corpse. His fingernails had been filed off, teeth where pulled out, head was shaven. Anything that could have given them DNA configuration, besides his skin, was non existent. The DNA they were able to grab from the decaying skin, didn’t match anything in the system. This case went cold fast.” My mom added.

“Apparently though, when this car was sent to be compounded at the dump site, another sweep was done on the car, and they found an old sock that was wedged under the seats, next to the isle compartment. The original forensics team had somehow missed that during their initial sweep. The team was able to pull off enough DNA from the sock to be able to run a few tests. Turns out one of the employees from the shipping docs, Pat Gonzales, matched the DNA found of the sock. In his affidavit (witness statement), he claimed he had never even been inside the cargo holds, or had ever seen the cars.” I explained, passing the witness statement to Chris as he sat back down in his seat across from us.

“That was quickly proven a lie.” Chris nodded, as my mother began to print out numerous documents from a printer she happened to have in her bag. This woman would honestly never be caught slipping.

“Pat Gonzales was now a lead suspect. After he heard about the sock that was discovered on the news, he ran. He knew that that sock was his, and that the police department already had his DNA at their disposal.

“Pat Gonzales disappeared… Until 3 years ago. The police department got word that some illegal substances were being shipped to and from these ports through the last 6 months, but every time they tried to make a bust, they’d arrive too late and the cargo would be empty. Once again, no sign of them. No leftover powders, no fingerprints, nothing.”

“The information they had was dodgy at best.” My mother added. “But on September 19, 2013, the police received an anonymous tip that the shipment was coming in that night. Due to all the false calls, the chief of police only sent in a few squad cars to check out the site, he couldn’t risk bringing in S.W.A.T. to another false call. What he didn’t know was that those 7 policemen were about to walk into one of the bloodiest shoot offs in history.”

“How many dead?” Chris asked, glancing. Down at all the documents we already had sprawled out on his kitchen island. I glanced back down at the report documents I was currently reading.

“It says here that only 2 cops lasted long enough for back up to arrive. Once they did, they shot at the 6 criminals who were there that night. Pat Gonzales was the last of the criminals to go as, he was shot off the cargo ports and into the ocean.” I read, trying to piece the pieces together.

“Let me guess, no body found?” Chris asked. I shook my head.

“Looks like it wasn’t. I don’t understand how he could have survived though, he had a round emptied into him. There’s no way anyone could survive that and the swim-”

“Unless he had help.” My mom finished, as she pushed her laptop towards me. I glanced at the screen, at a woman in a surgeon coat.

“Who is this?” I asked, pulling up this woman’s name: Mary Golding. Her eyes looked strikingly familiar yet I could place a finger on where exactly I knew her from.

“Both her and Pat were rumored to be intimate while he was working at the cargo loading docks years ago. She went to a prestige medical school in Russia about 10 years ago, then came to America, to continue private practice. It looks here like she changed her name to Sarah over the years-”

“Did she get plastic surgery?” I asked, pulling up files on Sarah Golding.

“What do you mean?” Chris asked.

“Did she get plastic surgery?” I asked again, already digging through my bag for my phone. My minding was racing as my thought process was moving faster than I was physically able to.

“I-yes, yes she did apparently. Let me see if I can pull up a picture of her after the surgery.” My mom nodded, as I flipped through the pictures on my phone of my working staff. “Here we go.” My mom nodded, turning the laptop to me as I turned my phone to her. The woman on my phone had darker colored hair, but it was still the same woman.

“Who is she?” My mom asked as she saw both Sarah and I from work, in the work photo.

“Sarah Golding, is also Sarah from my workplace… Post hair dye and surgery.” I explained, as we showed Chris the pictures.

“She’s also the one who fixed up Steve Garret, formally known as Pat Gonzales.” My mother added, as all three of us stared blankly at the photos.

---

Chapter 36: Nick’s Tactics

So I went on a hunt to find an image of Nick so you guys could have a visual… But after 30 seconds of searching up “little boy” and finding articles of pedophiles and creeps, I’ve decided that y’all have an imagination and you can use it. So… No picture of Nick lol.

Aria’s POV

“So what do we do now?” Chris asked, watching as my mother and I began to piece our case files together.

“I’m going to send this in to a friend of mine within the precinct. He will let us know what he finds on Pat Gonzales. The only issue that I can think of now is, this case may turn out to be much more than Lacey bargained for. Our first course of action will be to tell Lacey. It’s up to her whether she would still like to press charges, or let the police investigate this situation before hand.” My mother explained, paper clipping the loose printed sheets together.

“I would rather, we get Lacey on that stand with the situation still fresh.” I added, as my mother rose from her seat.

“I’ll leave you two to it. You can continue to investigate, but I recommend you don’t approach Sarah. Remember, you guys aren’t cops. Don’t do anything that could jeopardize this case.” My mother ordered, as she made her way towards the elevator. “Will you walk me down, Chris?”

“Y-Yeah, sure.” Chris nodded, as he slid out of his chair. I eyed my mom skeptically, silently praying she went easy on him. This was the first time Chris and my mother would be alone, and my mother was disastrously unpredictable.

“Goodbye, Aria.” My mom nodded as both her and Chris walked into the elevator.

“Bye, mother.” I nodded back, watching the doors close in front of them, before the elevator jerked to life.

Chris’s POV

“You have a very beautiful home.” Ms. Lane commented, as we descended down the many floors.

“Thank you, I know it’s not very homey, I do t spend much time there.” I admitted.

“Is that because you spend more time at my daughter’s home?” She asked, glancing at me through her false lashes.

“I-I - Well, I-” I stuttered, unsure how to answer that.

“I’m kidding… Partially. Explain to me how you and my daughter met again?” She asked, turning fully to me as she waited for an explanation.

“Well, she works at the elementary that my son, Nick, goes to.”

“You have a very beautiful son.” She commented.

“Thank you. He’s a very big fan of your daughter. She’s really amazing, at quite literally everything she does.”

“You haven’t seen her try to cook, I take it?” She joked, as the elevator doors opened.

“How bad?” I asked, liking this humorous side of Ms. Lane I quite honestly never thought she had.

“She burned out kitchen down when she was 14. It was the fire of ’09.” She spoke seriously.

“Woah.” I whispered, holding the elevator as she walked through. “Well, her art is beyond anything I have ever seen before. She’s ignited this spark of creativity within Nick. Now he paints everywhere and on everything.” I added. Ms. Lane’s face lit up as we walked into the lobby area.

“I’m glad she’s doing something that she has finally found happiness in.” She nodded, walking towards the entrance doors. “I’m also glad she’s met someone who she has found happiness with.” She turned back to me. “But let me make something perfectly clear, Chris. If you even glance at my daughter the wrong way, I will ruin your entire business from the inside. I will cripple your kingdom as I destroy whatever political alliances you may have with other companies. Do not think for a second you are safe.” She spoke directly in a low and chilling tone before pushing open the front door and walking out.

I stood stunned, unsure of what to do or say. Her demeanor had changed in practically seconds as a chill ran down my spine. I wasn’t sure what it was, but within those seconds, I felt as if this woman was capable of doing unthinkable things for her family- for Aria.

Walking back to the elevator, I tried to put everything into place as I slid my key into the key holder and pressed the button for the penthouse. Today had really given both Aria and I a run for our money. Learning who Steve Garret really was, and figuring out that Sarah was Mary. All of this was a lot, and I just hoped that Lacey would take it all well. Through our marriage, I had never exceeded her limitations, but I knew the feelings she had for Steve were real and genuine- genuine enough to ruin her if she learned the truth.

“You’re alive.” Aria sighed in relief, as I walked out of the elevator.

“That-That was real worry I just saw in your eyes… Was I in actual danger?” I asked hesitantly, as I walked towards her.

“Possibly.” She shrugged, moving back to my bookshelf as she searched for something interesting to read.

“Possibly?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind as she pulled The Great Gatsby off my shelf.

“You never know with my mother.” She admitted, instantly leaning into my touch. It felt so good to be this close with her.

“That’s very alarming.” I answered, holding her tighter.

“Morning.” Nick groaned, as he appeared from around the corner of the hallway.

“Bud, it’s almost 11 at night.” I replied, as Aria carefully detached her arms from me to swoop him up.

“Really? That’s unfortunate… Father?” He asked formally, turning to me.

“Yes, my child?” I answered back with the same formal tone.

“I cannot sleep, dear father. Come read to me.” Nick nodded, opening his hands for me to grab him. I reluctantly pulled him into my side as Aria and I made our way down the hallway towards his room.

“I’m only reading a chapter.” I hissed in his ear as he gave me a devilish grin. He was up to something.

“Oh, I’m sorry father, was I about to interrupt something?” He asked in mock sympathy as I pushed his door open.

“Why you little-”

“You know, Aria, I think you should read me those kids chapter books over there.” Nick said, pulling a puppy dog face as Aria nodded almost instantly.

“You know those books are endless and will take forever.” I whispered hastily.

“Oh will they? I hadn’t noticed.” He grinned back at me.

“What do you want?” I asked, feeling defeated almost instantly by the hands of my 6 year old child.

“Sleepover with Timmy Thursday night.”

“That’s a school night.” I shook my head almost instantly.

“I promise you father, I will do everything in my power to interrupt every intimate moment with you and Aria. Tread lightly and choose wisely.” Nick grinned as Aria returned with at least 10 chapter books.

“These are… Quite a bit.” Aria noted, glancing back between the books and Nick and I.

“Fine.” I sighed, grumbling slightly as Nick grinned with excitement before faking a yawn.

“You know Aria? I’m suddenly oh so very tired. You and Chris can leave my chambers now.” Nick nodded as he pulled the covers back over himself.

“I’m not even going to ask.” Aria shook her head as we both left Nick’s room.

That little bugger won this round… But there was no way in hell he was going to Timmy’s on a school night.

---

Fun, filler chapter. Hope it wasn’t too horrible. Thank you so much for the wonderful comments, you guys are fucking hilarious 😂

Chapter 37: Preparations For The Trial

Aria’s POV

“So let me get this straight. Steve is… Pat?” Lacey asked, glancing back between Chris, my mother, and I, as we stood around her hospital bed.

“Yes. We have reason to believe that Steve Garret is a false alias. He assumed that identity after his supposed death. What makes this situation more concerning is the fact that this is no longer just a domestic violence case. We weren’t sure how you felt about continuing with the trial, now that new information has been brought to light. This is very personal the way it is, I don’t want to release you to over exposure from the mingling of both cases.” My mother explained.

“It’s a small town, Lacey. This will spread like wildfire almost instantly, are you ready for that?” I asked.

“I’m ready to nail this asshole. Steve. Pat. I don’t give a damn.” Lacey replied, her face hard with anger.

We had judged Lacey poorly. She wasn’t devastated… This woman was pissed. “I’ll do whatever I can to aide in the investigation and the trial. It looks like the hearing is still on for tomorrow I believe?” She asked.

“Yes. The court date will be tomorrow then. The only thing we will be addressing within the trial will be the charges that are being brought against him. Because of dates among this trial and the trial within the federal government, I must ask that you refer to Pat as Steve. We must make sure that within this case, we do not botch or disrupt the case of the investigators that are looking into his life. Try not to mention anything about Pat or the incidents pertaining to that life during the trial.” My mother instructed, as she slid her phone out of her pocket.

“You will be released from the hospital tomorrow morning, where some officers will accompany you as you make it to the courthouse.” My mother explained, as she read from her phone.

“Officers? Do you think that Steve will try anything after I get discharged?” Lacey asked, her strong facade starting to fade away.

“I don’t believe he will, but we aren’t too sure. His lawyers made bail yesterday-” I started.

“With what money! I paid for everything when he stayed with me.” Lacey interrupted.

“No doubt with some illegal currency.” My mother confirmed.

“Point being, he’s out. I don’t think he’ll do anything but we must take precautions. The officers will accompany you around noon. You won’t see Steve until the trial has started so you won’t have to worry about that. We’ve already prepped you on what to say, but just understand, all you need to do is tell us what happened. I know we are asking a lot of you, but don’t let it frighten you when you’re up on that stand.” I spoke, holding her arm gently as she nodded back at me.

“I’m going to stay a bit longer and walk you through the events of tomorrow, I believe Chris and Aria are going to compose files.” My mom announced, taking a seat beside Lacey as Chris and I geared up for the cold weather.

“We’ll kick ass tomorrow.” I assured her, giving her a quick hug before saying a shortened goodbye to my mom and heading out.

~

“Ethiopian.”

“Thai.” I countered, pulling the laptop back into my lap.

“Ethiopian.” He shot back, pulling the laptop once again into his with my arms still attached to the keyboards.

“Thai.” I spoke again, raising my eyebrow.

“We had Thai last week.” Chris wined, sliding the laptop back over to me.

“We had Ethiopian yesterday.” I replied, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to give up my demeanor.

“Ugh fine.” Chris sighed, defeated, as he and I both spread out on my living room floor.

“I’ll order it now.” I nodded, grinning from the victory.

“Are you… Nervous for tomorrow?” Chris asked, pulling me into his lap as I started up the order from the Thai restaurant down the street.

“Not really.” I mumbled back, trying to concentrate on the food choices while he stroked my back comfortingly.

“Pay attention to meeee.” Chris whined again, nuzzling his nose into my neck as his hands wound their way around my waist.

“Ugh. You’re as childish as Nick.” I teased, trying to not shuddered from his breath that hit the back of my neck.

“You bring out the kid in me.” He mumbled back, starting to lay soft kisses on my neck. I unconsciously set the laptop I was holding, down beside us as I turned towards him.

“You know we’re supposed to be prepping for the case tomorrow. I’m trying to order this food quickly so we can do just that.” I spoke, attempting to convince myself more than him as his hands slowly slid down my back.

“Yeah, but this is more fun.” He grinned back, using his legs to clear the space underneath me before gently laying me back onto the floor. I felt his body heat against mine as he slid on top of me. I couldn’t stop my heart from practically hammering out of my chest as the need to be closer to him became stronger.

His body stilled on top of me as I felt a vibration in his pocket. “Ugh.” He groaned, propping himself up with one hand as he dug around in his pocket for a phone before pulling it out and answering. “Can I call you back?” He asked into the line, his voice hoarse.

“No you absolutely cannot call me back!” Nick replied almost instantly back into the line. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips.

“Nick, please, let’s do this-” Chris started but was quickly cut off.

“Oh, I’m sorry father, were you in the middle of something? Just like I was in the middle of preparing to go to Timmy’s, only to hear from Grandpa Pete that you canceled my sleepover?” Nick fumed over the line.

“Listen-”

“Come home.” Nick demanded.

“Wait what?” Chris asked into the line, completely taken back.

“Come home. I miss you or whatever.” Nick replied, a hint of humor in his voice as he most likely realized what position Chris was in… Both figuratively and literally.

“Fine.” Chris grit out before hanging up.

“Is there something I should know about?” I asked, strutting to suppress my grin.

“I’m regretting the use of contraception 6 years ago.” He grumbled back, reluctantly pulling himself off me as he got ready to leave.

---

Nick will continuously give me so might life. Time for the trial 😱

Chapter 38: The Trial pt. 1

Four years of Mock Trail has prepared me for this moment. I’ll try to explain some of what is going on if the terms get a bit complicated.

These next few chapters will be a bit longer.

Aria’s POV

“She arrived safely, correct?” I asked a uniform outside the courtroom.

The trial was to begin in a few minutes. Nick and Chris had already taken their seats in the audience behind the well of the courtroom along with my mother. My heart had begun to beat quicker as the adrenaline rushed though me. I couldn’t help the giddy feeling I felt by being in a courthouse again.

“Yes. She was already placed in the witness sections for the Prosecution side. The trial has all been set out. Steve Garret is in the witness side for the Defense. You may enter now.” The cop replied, walking me toward the courtroom doors. I nodded a thanks, held the handle of my briefcase tighter, and pushed open the doors of the courtroom.

Instantly, all eyes were on me as I made my way towards the prosecution side of the tables. The judge had yet to enter the room, giving both teams 5 minutes or so to prepare themselves. I made no eye contact with the audience to keep it as professional as possible. Lacey sat to the left of me, and my colleague lawyer sat to the right. His name was Max Hondell.

Hondell and I actually practiced law together back when I had recently received my license. I called him last week and explained the predicament, he accepted my request to help represent Lacey in court.

“All the files are in order, correct?” I whispered to Hondell, as I opened up my briefcase and laid all the documents out. I was completely memorized by now, and ready to kill this thing.

“Yes. Dolton Grey, Steve’s lawyer, has already arrived. You know his reputation. This trial might get bloody. Are you prepared for anything that may be thrown our way during court?” Hondell whispered back, pulling his witness statements toward him for a second analyzation.

“Yes. There are a few things I’ve looked into Lacey’s life about that I haven’t told her yet. If they do get admitted into court, I will do everything I can to discredit them, but you must make sure that Lacey is briefed about the possibility of surprise evidence. The prosecution will most likely throw this in after our 5 minute recess, and she must be prepared for it.” I whispered, but stopped myself short as the doors opened once more and the judge walked in.

Instantly, both the prosecution and defense stood in respect. “You may be seated.” She announced.

I resisted the smile that was aching to slip through.

The judge, and half the jury were female.

This was good. Very good.

“May the prosecution rise and state their claim?” The judge asked.

“Yes your honor.” I replied. “My name is Aria Lane, I am a Prosecution Attorney, here in court to represent Ms. Lacey Jones. This is my co-attorney, Max Hondell.”

“Good afternoon, your honor.” Max nodded, sending one of his signature smirks that apparently had an effect on every lady. Half the woman in this bitch were already swooning.

“Good afternoon.” The judge replied, sending him a smile back.

You see, court was basically a formula. Whether you are guilty or not, if you play your cards right, it doesn’t matter. The jury is the field for manipulation, if you get more than half of them to like you, their opinions become bias. This is why lawyers care about their look and demeanor so much, we’re all here to play the game. Some play it better than others, some close more cases than others. It’s never really been about the innocence and guilt, because with our system, your innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutions job is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that the suspect is guilty. This is why it’s very hard for a prosecution to win a case, they must have some very damning evidence.

“I will be performing the closing, as well as directing Lacey Jones.” I announced.

“I will be performing the opening, as well as cross examining Steve Garret.” Max added. We both took our seats.

“Defense?” The judge asked.

“Yes your honor, My name is Dolton Grey.” Dolton started, giving a slight pause as he glanced at the judge.

“Continue, Mr. Grey. House is on at 7, I don’t have all day.

“R-Right, I will be both directing Steve Garret, and cross-examining Lacey Jones.” He finished.

He most likely paused to wait for the recognition in the judges face because of his name.

News flash, Dolton Grey, this towns population is less than your IQ.

“Good. My name is Dria Marshal. Judge Marshal to you. I will call upon the prosecution for their opening, and then the defense.” She spoke. We nodded in agreement.

The trial had begun

~

I call Lacey Jones to the stand.“ I spoke, slipping out her witness statement before walking to the well of the court. “Please state your name for the court.” I asked.

“Lacey Jones. L-A-C-E-Y  J-O-N-E-S.” Lacey answered.

“Thank you. I offer my sincerest apologies for what has happened to you, but unfortunately, I will have to ask you a few questions.” I spoke. She nodded a thank you.

“October 26th, 2016, you arrived at my home at around 9 o’clock that night, with serious injuries. I would like to direct your attention to Exhibit #3, this was taken by the hospital a day after. Have you seen these pictures before, Lacey?” I asked, setting up the blown out version on a tripod stand so the rest of the court could see.

“Yes.” Lacey nodded.

“And you can confirm that this is you in the pictures?” I asked.

“Yes.” Lacey replied again.

“At this time, your honor, I’d like to enter Exhibit #3 into evidence, its authenticity has been stipulated.” I requested.

“Objection your honor, pursuant to rule 801 this calls for hearsay.” Dolton objected.

“Explain.” The judge replied, her face scrunched up in confusion.

“This pictures weren’t taken by a credited witness, they could have been edited, or altered.” He explained.

“Prosecution?” She asked, turning to me.

“The Wildew Hospital has already written an authentication report prior to the trial, I believe both parties received that letter.” I replied.

“Did you receive this letter, Mr. Grey?” Judge Marshal asked.

“Well yes, but-”

“Overruled. Continue with your questioning, Ms. Lane.” The judge announced.

“Yes your honor. Now, these injuries look to be severe. Could you explain them to us, Ms. Jones, to the best of your ability?”

“Yes. I had a few cracked ribs, along with bruising throughout my side and back. A few teeth were knocked loose by the forces of the hits. A layer of my eye was damaged by the hits as well.” Lacey replied.

“Thank you. Prior to this night, had Mr. Garret ever gotten physical with you before?” I asked.

“Yes. There was a night a few days before, where he grabbed my arm very tightly. Apparently, he cracked the bone in several places by his hold.”

“Thank you, Ms. Jones. No further questions, your honor.” I nodded, taking a seat.

“Cross examination?” Judge Marshal asked, glancing at the Defense.

“Yes your honor.” Dolton replied, moving into the well of the court. “Ms, Jones, You’ve had prior experiences with recreational drugs, have you not?” Dolton asked. Instantly, Lacey’s eyes widened, along with mine.

“Objection! pursuant to rule 601 d2, relevance. How is my clients history with substances relevant to today’s case?” I asked, my body starting to shake slightly from how thrown off everything was. I hadn’t planned for this to come in this early.

“This will move to credit, or discredit the witness, your honor.” Dolton replied, smiling slightly from how quickly he could make an excuse.

“The prosecution calls for a recess.” I replied instantly, silently pleading with the Judge as I glanced at Lacey. She looked completely shaken.

“Recess had been granted. The prosecution and the defense has 5 minutes.” The judge announced, striking her gavel against the sound block.

This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good as all.

---

Two chapters left of the story… I cry.

Chapter 39: The Trial pt. 2

Aria’s POV

“Drug abuse?” Lacey hissed, as we sat inside the defense conference room. So far, 4 minutes and 30 seconds were on the clock. That how long we had, to brief Lacey on the events that took place in the courtroom 30 seconds ago.

“I knew this would come up, but I had no idea this would be brought into court so soon.” I replied, as my hands wrote a thousand words a minute. I had to come up with a redirect that would completely obliterate everything Dolton was about to question her about.

“Wait, you knew about my past addictions, and you didn’t think to tell me?” Lacey asked, already starting to loose it.

“I was trying to avoid this exactly. It wasn’t affirmative that the defense would even be able to discover this. Hell, I had to do some serious digging to learn about your heroine addiction. It was many years ago, and you have been clean since.” I replied, glancing at the clock. We had 4 minutes left.

“Wait, why would he even bring this up in trial now?” Lacey asked, glancing back between Max and I.

“I would think, they are going to argue that Steve knew about your addiction and threatened to expose you. He threatened to essentially take your kid, and that’s why you attacked him first. He’s going to say this is self defense.” Max explained, as he continuously handed me the objections sheet. Anything and everything that comes out of Dolton’s mouth would have to be striken from the record in order for us to win this. That meant, I would have to object to quite literally everything that came out of his mouth.

I wasn’t sure if I was even capable of doing that, but we were about to find out.

“Self defense? Are you fucking kidding me?!” Lacey seethed.

“I know, but listen Lacey, whatever is said up on that stand that I can’t object to, you need to answer truthfully. This situation has just become immensely delicate, any lies can turn the table.” I explained. 3 minutes left.

“What do you mean?” Lacey asked nervously.

“This case started out strong due to how many female jurors there were. Our judge was also a woman. They could sympathize with domestic abuse because they related with the oppressed struggles of being a woman in society. Now, you look like a heroine shoot up druggie who can’t take care of her child. Do you see how bad that is? The fact that they are woman might play against us now.” Max explained.

“Dolton knew this. That’s why he brought it up before the recess. He’s testing just how well Aria can save this issue in her redirect.” Max nodded, as he began to change some things within his cross for Steve.

We had 2 minutes on the clock.

“Listen to me Lacey. Be as honest as you can. Play on the part that you sobered up as soon as you found out you were pregnant. Emphasize the love for your kid and how Nick literally means the world to you. Move the jury in a way a mother who loves her son so much she would sacrifice the world for him, would. Make them feel that.” I instructed, pausing a second to look at her, before finishing up my redirect.

“One minute. We must make our way back to the courtroom.” Max instructed, as all 3 of us stood, and exited the conference room.

~

“Recess is over, the trial will continue.” The judge announced, as Lacey took her seat back up on the stand.

“Do you remember the question I asked you previously to the recess, or must I restate it?” Dolton asked Lacey.

“Yes. I was familiar with Heroine a few years back, I do not deny that.” Lacey replied.

“And here, in this audience, is your son. He’s not aware that you were addicted to heroine, is he?” Dolton asked.

I felt the tides shift in the room.

Dolton slipped up.

You see, along with the distaste the Jury might have for Lacey, no one wants to see a mother have to admit to her son that she did heroine in court, in front of everyone here. Addressing her son was in the room, was probably one of the worst decisions he could do. I could tell he felt it as well, as some of the jurors began to murmur.

“No, my son does not- did not know. It was a part of me I left behind.” Lacey replied, her voice breaking slightly as she refrained from making any eye contact with the audience. She was nailing it with the audience, but it wasn’t an act. Even I could see the pain in her eyes.

“Now isn’t it true Steve said he would take care of your son?” Dolton asked.

“He threatened to take away my son after I was already slumped down against the wall from which he threw me into earlier. That’s when I was posed with the opportunity to knock the beer bottle against his head.” Lacey explained.

“No more questions, your honor.” Dolton spoke, before taking a seat.

“Redirect, Ms. Lane?” Judge Marshal asked.

“Briefly, your honor.” I replied.

“Lacey, while on the stand, you were asked about your drug abuse, can you tell the court more about that?” I asked, once I reached the well of the court.

“Yes. I uh- I started using before I met Chris. While we were together, my drug addiction created a tare in the relationship, but I found out I was pregnant and- I just, I knew I couldn’t continue doing that. I made a promise to myself that I would never hit a low like that again. I would be there for Nick, whenever he would need me.” Lacey nodded, as silent tears started to roll down her face.

“Thank you. Your honor, I have no more questions.” I spoke, taking a seat.

“Okay, Ms. Lane, you may step down. The Defense?” Judge Marshal asked.

“Yes, the Defense calls Steve Garret to the stand.” Dolton replied. We watched as Steve took the stand while Dolton moved into the well of the court. “Please state your name for the court.”

“Steve Garret. S-T-E-V-E  G-A-R-R-E-T.”

“Okay Steve, due to the time of the Defense, I will keep my answers short and to the point. You and Lacey have been in a relationship a few months, correct?”

“Yes.” Steve replied.

“In that time, have you ever hit Lacey?” Dolton asked.

“Not intentionally, no. I never meant for any harm to come to her.”

“Did you love Lacey?” Dolton asked.

“Yes. I still love her.” Steve replied, glancing at Lacey who was right now squeezing the life out of my forearm underneath the table.

“No further questions, your honor.” Dolton nodded, taking his seat.

“Cross examination?” Judge Marshal asked.

“Yes, your honor.” Max replied, standing up and sending a quick wink Lacey’s way before entering the well.

“You’re an alcoholic.” Max started right off the back.

“Objection your honor, this is going to the reputation of my witness.” Dolton objection, his voice shaky from direct approach Max had taken.

That was Max for you. No shits given.

“Overruled, Mr. Grey. You want to bring up the fact that the victims a Heroin addict, the prosecution has every right to bring up the fact that the suspect is an alcoholic.” The judge ruled, allowing Max to continue.

“You haven’t seeked out help have you? Even after all the attempts Lacey has made?” Max asked.

“N-No.” Steve replied.

“When the police did a sweep of the scene, they found a ridiculous amount of beer bottles in your fridge, and empty ones in your trashcan. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes.”

“In Fact, when you were brought in by the police, they could still smell alcohol in your breath and on your body, correct?”

“Y-Yes.” Steve replied.

“Now, as we all know, alcoholism is the leading cause of abuse. When someone consumes a large amount, blackouts are very common. Now I’ve reviewed this witness statement countless of times, and the weirdest thing is, you can’t remember much of anything within it. Actually, you don’t remember the time you and Lacey got into an argument, do you?” Max asked.

“Objection your honor-”

“Overruled. Answer the question, Mr. Garret.” Judge Marshal more or less demanded.

“N-No I mean, Y-Yes-”

“Yes?” Max asked? I could already see him backing up to the desk in order to impeach this fucker.

“No, I don’t.” Steve admitted.

“No further questions your honor. The Prosecution rests.” Max announced.

“Any redirect?” Judge Marshal asked.

“N-No your honor.” Dolton replied, shifting through numerous papers like they’d save him now.

“Okay. I’ll give another 5 minute recess for the jury to come to an agreement.” Marshal replied, before striking her gavel against the sound block once more.

~

“Order.” Judge Marshal announced, drawing the audience to silence. “The jury has come to an agreement.”

I glanced over at Lacey once more, her fingernails were digging into my skin from how tight she was holding my hand.

“In the case of Lacey Jones against Steve Garret, we find the defendant… Guilty to the degree of assault.” The judge announced. The courtroom erupted in murmurs.

“That’s good… right?” Lacey whispered to me.

“Not exactly.” I replied, looking over at Max as we both shared a glance.

---

Chapter 40: Fin

Stay tuned to the end for a little appreciative surprise:) and don’t forget to let me know how you feel about it.

Aria’s POV

“Mr. Garret here will receive 90 days of community service, along with paying a certain amount of fines that will include any hospitalization that has taken place with Ms. Jones. The victim will also have the opportunity of taking out a restraining order against the defendant-”

“That’s ridiculous!” I heard a few men shout from the audience.

“Order. Order in the court! The decision is final.” Judge Marshal announced. “Case dismissed.” She spoke, striking the gavel on the sound block one last time before leaving the courtroom.

“Wait a fucking minute. I didn’t hear jail time in there.” Lacey hissed, finally letting go of my arm. I sighed deeply, running my hands carelessly through my hair as I tried to get a cap on my anger. In all honesty, he was facing more charges than I actually thought he would.

I couldn’t lie though, I was hoping we had nailed him enough for jail time.

We all stood up and packed our things. The audience was released first into the courthouse. Lacey’s head hung low as we made our way out of the courtroom. “Listen to me.” I spoke, turning to her. “That sentence in there? It’s just the beginning.” I admitted.

“What do you mean?” Lacey asked, her eyebrows scrunching up in confusion. I moved to answer her, but my eyes caught sight of the back of a man entering the men’s bathroom.

“I’ll tell you when I return.” I replied, slipping away from Lacey and Max, to follow the man into the bathroom.

I watched as Steve bent down and captured some water in his hands, before splashing it onto his face.

“Steve Garret.” I spoke, leaning against the paper towel dispenser. He jumped slightly as he became aware of my presence.

“What do you want?” He barked out, continuing to wash his face.

“Or should I say, Pat Gonzales?” I asked. His body froze up completely. His hands remained under the running water from the faucet.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He whispered at me, the anger now replaced with something else. Fear.

“You see, Mr. Gonzales, I’m a very thorough lawyer. This trial today had nothing to do with your past life, oh no, you managed to fuck up that situation all on your own with your liability known as Bud Light. But understand, this trial was only the beginning.” I spoke.

He had completely abandoned the act of washing his face as he began to draw nearer to me. “How did you discover my identity?” He asked, stalking closer. I took a few steps back until my back hit the wall.

“You did a very good job of covering up the fact that you’re supposed to be dead.” I commemorated.

“And I’m willing to take even more dire precautions to keep it that way.” He replied, moving closer until we were standing face to face.

“I’m sure you are.” I nodded, struggling to keep my actions and voice as steady as possible while my heart beat practically best out of my chest. “But something troubles me. How can a man as bright as you, forget to check if all the stalls were actually empty in here?” I asked. His eyes grew large as he backed up away from me and started checking underneath all the stalls. He then kicked one open, and his body froze completely.

He slowly raised his hands, backing up out into the middle of the bathroom as an agent advanced him with his gun drawn.

“You see, Mr. Gonzales, I might have been checked for wire taps before the trial started, but these government official men weren’t at the trial. Everything that has been said in this bathroom, has been recorded. Why, you might ask? Well, regardless of how quickly the federal bureau can uncover your true identification, a confession always seems to speed things along.” I replied, watching as the man cuffed him.

“Are you okay, Ms. Lane?” The agent asked while he secured Mr. Gonzales.

“Never been better.” I replied, holding open the door for both of the men.

~

“Explain everything to us.” My mother demanded, as we all sat across from each other in my dining room area.

“The trial wasn’t just to bring Lacey’s abuser to justice. While that was a part of it, it then became something more when we discovered Steve Garret’s true identity. The night before the trial, after Chris left, I was approached by an agent. He requested my help in getting a confession out of Mr. Garret and I complied.” I explained, opening up the box of pizza we had ordered.

“So you followed him into the bathroom and coaxed it out of him.” Lacey nodded, pulling a slice out from the box.

“Yes. A confession would help their case run through quicker. I knew the sentence he would receive would be injustice, hell, I was surprised he even got that many community service days, or that he had to pay any fines. What his sentence did though, was give the FBI a platform from which to continuously nail the guy into a coffin. The charges will pile up.” I replied, pulling a slice out for myself.

“So we got the bad guy?” Nick asked, as he sat in Chris’s lap with pizza sauce smeared all around his mouth.

“We got the bad guy.” I nodded, sending him a wink before we dug in.

As I looked around the table at Lacey, my Mother, Chris, and Nick, it dawned on me.

This was now my family. It may have taken a horrible relationship… Leaving a man at the alter as I pulled an already packed suitcase off that lush carpeted floor, and bought a one way ticked to Portland, Maine, to finally find something I could call my home. It took getting lost, to finally find myself, as cheesy as that may sound.

This town, out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere, was my home. I finally realized my statement earlier was more honest than I thought…

… I really had never been better…

“Aria?” Nick asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, kid?” I answered.

“Have you and my father gotten freaky in the sheets yet?” I choked on the chunk of pizza that was currently trying to make its way down my esophagus.

“Nick!” Chris scolded, swiveling the child in his arms to face him so he give him a stern talking to as my mother and Lacey laughed uncontrollably. I couldn’t help but join in.

Yep, I’d never been better.

---

This wraps up The Artist’s Amour. There will be an epilogue coming in the near future, but I just want to thank you all for reading and voting. You guys are seriously amazing! Now, who would I be, if I wasn’t working on something else to give you guys? I have this series I’ve been working on, where I sort of modernize some Fairytale stories. They will all be BWWM because I’m down with the Swirl Life. Let me know if you guys would like to see that! I have a few chapters already written.

“ The Man Behind The Beast.“ (THIS STORY HAS BEEN POSTED:))

it’s about a woman who becomes a cold hearted Mafia Boss’s cook. When she discovers about his illegal tendencies, her love might inevitably be the one thing to save him from his destruction. A war is looming on the horizon.

Can she learn to love him in time…

Can she learn to love the man behind the beast?

“Silenced.”

This one is about a Marine Biologist who ventures off the coast of New Zealand and stumbles against the discovery of mermaids as well at the lost city of Atlantis. She trades her voice (decides to stay silent and not tell the press about her discovery) in exchange for working with a government agent to excavate the site and uncover the truth about these mythical creatures.

When she gets word of what the government is willing to do with this information…

…can she stay silent?

The other names for the stories I have started writing are:

The Bad Girl Stole The Stage: Alex finds herself in a predicament where she must choose between jail time and community service at a prestige ballet academy. Her biggest challenge yet is trying to to fall for the CEO’s son. ( This one is posted!!)

She’s Not Asleep, She’s In A Coma (a doctor meets a patient who has fallen into a mysterious coma for a few months. He begins to talk to her about his problems, opening up to her… Little does he know, she can hear him)

We’re All Mad Here (A volunteer arrives at a mental ward and falls for a woman he strikes a conversation with. Her insight into the human psyche fascinates him, but he’s quickly pulled out of that fascination, when he discovers she’s actually an inpatient)

She’ll Bring Honor To Us All (

This one is posted and finished

!!!!) (Agent 27 has been dormant within the deep forests of Montana, living out a life of peace and solitude. When Commander McGary issued the activation of this agent to help in a terrorist attack, there’s 2 things he didn’t account for:

1.) Agent 27 is a female

2.) Agent 27 is drop dead beautiful

Let me know what you guys think, and which one you wish to see first! Thanks again for reading ❤️