Part 40

Part 40
It had been a week since Aiden found out about his father. Things drastically changed but in a good way. Edward was trying to involve himself as much as he could. He always made sure to have at least one meal of the day with Aiden. No matter how busy he was he always picked up Aiden's calls and sometimes even answered his ridiculous questions.





The worry I had about him disrupting everything was slowly fading away. There were sometimes those awkward moments in between us where we had too much to talk but didn't know where to begin. Aston was definitely not happy about Edward's involvement but he tried not to let it show openly. I was actually glad for that because the last time they're together in the same room was a disaster. Even though there was no physical fight or verbal exchange in between them their looks were enough to kill.




Aston, on the other hand, was being extremely protective of me. It was sweet to see how he was excited about seeing me every single day. Our date was not as awkward as I thought it would be. He made sure of it.





Fast forward to next weekend when Ashton called. It was one of his friend's birthday and I had to leave with him. In the beginning, I thought that he would go alone but instead, he wanted to take me along with him. So I had no one to look after Aiden as my parents were out with my brother. Having no choice I had to call Edward. From the past week, I wanted to talk to him about Sara and whether he asked her anything. It was important for me to know but we did not get an opportunity.





He picked up on the first ring. His breath was ragged like he was doing something strenuous before lifting the call.



"Hello?"




"Hello" I breathed deeply at his gruff tone. That was another thing that I was trying really hard to avoid. My attraction towards him. How could I feel attracted to him even after all the things that happened between us? Whenever he was with Aiden, so carefree and happy it always made me sit and watch what he was like. Even though that sounded a bit creepy I couldn't really take my eyes off him sometimes.




"Aria, hey!" He cheerfully greeted.





And he was bloody nice to me! Why can't we go back to being the bad guy I was painting him in my head? After he found out about Aiden and met him he was nice to me. Maybe because I had our son with me but it went beyond that with the way he sneakily smiled at me.




"Hey, am I interrupting something?"




A laugh spluttered out of him, "No I was just working out..."




I clenched eyes shut trying not to imagine what he looked like while working out. There was no denying that he was an incredibly attractive looking specimen, sometimes made others look like toys in front of his godlike persona. And whenever he smiled those crinkles by his eyes made everyone question their own beliefs. Gosh, I really need to stop thinking about him! I thought while gripping the phone tightly against my ear.




"So what's up?" He questioned after a beat





I took a deep breath and my eyes automatically moved towards the huge clock in my living room. A sigh escaped my lips knowing that I should have called him a little later. It was only 9 in the morning.





"Aston wants me to go to a birthday party with him so I was hoping you can look after Aiden. That is if you don't have any plans or I can always call the babysitter"




I held my breath hoping that he could say yes because I had no desire of leaving Aiden with the babysitter on the weekend. He would be really upset.





"Hey no..." His voice low before he inhaled sharply, "I can look after him. In fact, I wanted to take him out at the weekend. My parents really want to meet him. Is that ok?"





I exhaled the breath I was holding. It completely slipped my mind that his parents were also aware of Aiden. They definitely wanted to meet their first grandchild, at least that's what Edward mentioned three nights ago.




"Yes, I have no problem besides I was actually hesitant about leaving him with the babysitter."




"It's settled then! When should I pick him up?" Edward breathed from the other side




"Fiveish? Your parents live an hour way right?"




"Used to but they recently shifted closer to my apartment."




I raised my eyebrows at that but hummed, "Oh"




"See you then?"




"Yeah" He exhaled to which I hung up the phone and threw it on the sofa. Why was it so tensed between us?


"Love I already told you that I have to leave" I softly whispered while staring at my son who was rolling on the mattress. He had prior knowledge about my plans but suddenly he did not want me to leave. As I told him that Edward was going to pick him up he was buzzing with excitement and wanted me to come along.





"It's a long drive mummy" He pouted lifting his tiny head from the heavy duvet and blinking his eyes at me.




I closed the wardrobe door and set the dress I was going to wear on the bed. Ashton was picking me up as soon as Aiden leaves with Edward. He did not want to meet Edward again and I was sure the same was going in Edward's mind.




"So? You can have fun with your dad" I raised my eyebrows at him.



He shook his head and sat up, leaning against the headrest. I noticed that he was surrounded by the huge duvets which made him look tinier.




"But mummy Alex went with both his parents" He moaned, slapping at the duvet and I frowned. Lately, he had been hinting that Edward and I should do most of the things as normal parents do. It was impossible because we were not together.





"Aiden I already told you we are not like Alex's parents"




"But why?"



I sighed. How should I explain to him that his father was going to marry someone else? I had Ashton. We were not meant to be together. The five-year-old would definitely not understand the complex relationship.




"Because your dad and I are not together" I shrugged and turned around to check the wardrobe again for the matching heels. Aiden was still staring at me and following my every action with his eyes.





"Why?" He asked in a small voice which made my breath hitch. I simply had no answer to his question. Why we not together? I thought for a moment. So many things happened between us but even after everything, we managed to find each other. Was everything a mere coincidence?





"You don't need to know that. Now can you please go downstairs and watch something while I get ready? Edward must be here in a few minutes"




"Fine" Aiden huffed, running out of the room in anger.

The soft peach dress hugged my curves, showing off my legs and had a boat neckline. I slipped on the matching heels and did a light makeup. Picking my clutch I rushed downstairs when I heard the doorbell go off. It must be Edward.





As I tried to hurry down the stairs, my heel stuck in the last step and I was about to collapse, face first on the floor when I felt his arm. He steadied me by gripping my forearm and I flushed in embarrassment.





"Are you okay?" He whispered, his face an inch apart from me. I could see a five o'clock shadow and he looked tired. His minty fresh breath was hitting my face and I was aware of Aiden staring at us from the living room.





Licking my lips I managed to balance myself and pulled away from his touch, "I'm fine... thank you"




His face fell at my sudden movement but he nodded his head and moved away. I stepped down and shyly tucked my hair behind my ear, still unable to meet his eyes. He was standing in front of me.





Edward coughed, clearing his throat before he stared at me, a giddy smile on his face, "You look really pretty"




My cheeks reddened even more as if that was possible. My tongue felt heavy in my mouth and I could not say anything in return for a few seconds. It was ridiculous how much he had this effect on me.





"Thank you" I softly said and then proceeded to walk towards the couch. He followed me naturally and I felt his eyes on me as we were walking.




"I am so sorry for the last minute," I whispered as he reached down to pick Aiden's bag.





"Mummy I need water" Aiden said pushing his popcorn bowl away. I narrowed my eyes at him and then stared at the kitchen.




"You know where the water is"





He groaned, standing up and dragged his feet towards the kitchen in a zombie manner. Edward looked amused at that and blinked his eyes.





"What was that about?"





"He's just being lazy and besides he needs to be a little self-independent."





Edward hummed a soft smile on his face, "Yeah but he's a good kid. You raised him really well"





My lips twitched at that and I ducked my head down shyly. I never really got used to compliments by him so it was always new for me.





"Thanks" I whispered when I felt my phone vibrate. Ashton was waiting downstairs.




"Again sorry for this. Sara must be angry with me" I sheepishly said while glancing in the direction of the kitchen. Aiden picks the bottle from the fridge and managed to pour the water for himself. It was important that he learn these things all by himself because Edward spoiled him the most.





Edward bitterly chuckled, the sound caused to prickle my skin. He took a deep breath, his eyes closed like he was thinking something.





"I should have told you earlier about this but we never got to talking..."



I frowned. What was he talking about?




"Sara and I...We are no longer together. I broke it off with her when I found out about Aiden. She lied to me and even though she knew about you she did not say anything. That just..." He shook his head and exhaled with his mouth.





My eyes widened at the information. Edward and Sara were no longer together? Why did that make me feel happy?





"I'm so sorry" I whispered




"No...it's alright. I should have known about it earlier-"





Before he could continue Aiden marched back into the living room. Edward signalled that he will talk later. I nodded my head and kissed Aiden before bidding him goodbye.





As I slid in Ashton's car the only thing I could think about was Edward.