Chapter 54
Fifty-Four
Jaclyn
Present
It’s been a few days since Hayden and I talked about things. He comes over every night to watch a movie with Junior and I. He falls asleep with me in bed every night while playing with my hair.
While I work and while Junior is at school, he’s busy with work.
He tells me that he talks to Rowan and Kayden during the day sometimes. He says he wants me to meet Rowan’s family.
Today is Saturday, Junior and I went to the mall with Natalia and Lilah.
Hayden had things to do today with his brother and Killian. I guess they are in New York. He said after he was done he would come over.
He gave me his card today and told me to go crazy with it and buy whatever I want and whatever Junior wants.
I told him that I would only buy stuff for Junior since I don’t need anything but Hayden said if I don’t then he’ll have Natalia shop for me or he’ll take me shopping.
I only bought two things for myself with his card which were a nice summer dress and a pair of sunglasses. I got more stuff for Junior since he saw a lot of things he liked.
“What are you doing tonight?” Natalia asks as the driver pulls up to my apartment.
Now that Hayden has a more important role in this whole mafia thing he wants us to have a guard and driver. I don’t disagree with that because it honestly makes me feel safer and I know that it will keep Junior safe as well.
“We’re gonna see my papa!” Junior exclaims in his car seat next to Lilah.
He and Lilah got along and it was their first time meeting today. They wouldn’t stop talking about Paw Patrol.
Natalia smiles at him. “Really?! That sounds like so much fun. What are you guys going to do?”
Junior laughs mischievously which I raise my eyebrows at. “It’s a secret.”
Natalia smiles and looks back at me. “So how are things going with Hayden?” Natalia asks.
“I can honestly say that things are better,” I say with a small smile that Natalia is proud of.
I feel like the weeks are slowly passing by with how much time we’ve spent with Hayden. I’m not complaining about it and neither is Junior because he loves seeing his dad everyday. Our driver pulls up to our building. I get Junior out of his car seat and we say ‘bye’ to Natalia and Lilah.
“I’ll take the bags up, miss,” the driver tells us through the cracked window and I just nod my head and thank him.
Junior holds hands with me as we walk to the elevator. When we’re inside the elevator I look down at Junior.
Whenever I’m looking at him I always see his father. “Would you be happy if your papa were to stay here with us, Junior? Or we live with your papa someday?”
Junior looks up at me with an excited smile on his face. “Are we going to live with Papa?”
“No, not now at least but someday if you’re up for it?” I say with a small smile.
Junior nods his head repeatedly and I laugh at him before kissing his chubby cheeks. I think that might be the only thing he got from me because Hayden’s jaw is slim and strong while mine is round and a little chubby.
Or at least was.
Hayden is doing everything in his power to make my cheeks come back whether that be feeding me so much food I might barf or feeding me sweet treats.
The elevator dings before the doors open. We walk towards the apartment as Junior goes on and on about how he would love for us to live with Hayden.
I unlock the door and open it. Junior runs in as soon as I put my bag down on the island. I walk towards my room and my eyes go to the bed that is covered with pink flower pedals and a black box placed in the middle of the bed. There is also a huge bouquet of pink peonies.
Peony season just ended so how did he get them?
“Look what papa did for you mama!” Junior cheers as he stands next to the bed, jumping up and down with a happy smile on his face.
I walk towards the bed and grab the card that says my name on it.
Be ready by 8:30. We have dinner reservations. Junior is staying with Brandon for the rest of the night. I love you, princess.
“Mama, you’re smiling weird.”
I look up from the note and look at Junior. “No I’m not,” I say, wiping the smile off my face. “Did you know about this?”
Junior nods his head. “Papa told me to keep a secret because I was spending the night at Brandon’s place so I promised not to say anything. I was so excited but I couldn’t say anything,” Junior exclaims. “You know how hard it was?!”
“Thank you, baby. I love you,” I say and Junior hugs me as I kiss his forehead.
“Love you too, mama,” he mumbles before pushing me away and running towards his room to go play.
He gets distracted so easily.
The dress Hayden got for me is a light pink silk dress that ends maybe around the mid thigh area. It’s gorgeous and has lace on the neckline.
“Junior, Brandon is going to watch you tonight, is that okay?” I yell so he can hear me from the other room.
“Gots it!” he yells back.
That’s all I need for me to start getting ready.
I take a quick shower while Junior is occupied with his toy cars and the show I put on for him. I shave everything and make sure to also exfoliate everything.
Suddenly I’m a little girl again who is all giddy, feeling butterflies in my stomach over a crush.
But Hayden was never just a silly little crush, he’s everything.
By the time I’m done with my shower and working on my hair, it’s 7:15 pm and Brandon walks in. He entertains Junior while I continue to get ready.
I straighten my hair and do my makeup naturally because that’s how I feel like I look best with makeup.
After I’m done getting ready I have ten minutes to spare.
I clean the petals up and put them in a bag. I put the black box and flowers on the desk.
I look in the mirror, making sure I look good. Brandon comes in and leans on the doorframe. I see his eyes go to the gift Hayden got me on the side table.
“He really loves you.”
“I’m afraid that I feel the same,” I admit.
Hayden already knows though.
And I still can’t help but not get over the overthinking but Patience says it will take time.
“Love has always been scary. But you deserve someone to love you like Hayden does. Don’t ruin what you guys have because you're scared.” I nod my head and lick my bottom lip, taking my strawberry lip gloss from my lips. My phone buzzes and Brandon looks at it on the desk. “He’s waiting for you downstairs.”
I grab my phone and look at the text.
Come down, princess.
I suddenly get deja vu from all the times he would do this sort of thing for dates. He would always give me a note, telling me the time he’ll pick me up and then texting me when he’s outside.
I say goodbye to Junior and he tells me to have fun but not too much fun.
I laugh and promise him I’ll be okay.
My nerves sky rocket as the elevator goes down to the ground floor. I wipe my clammy hands on my dress and take a deep breath as I walk through the lobby.
The door man tells me I look stunning while he opens the door for me. I smile and thank him before my eyes go to a familiar set of eyes that always happen to steal my breath away.
Hayden is leaning against a black 458 Spider.
Hayden knows that I’ve always dreamed of having this kind of car, along with a BMW M5 Competition.
I told him all my dreams and wishes. He always told me that he’d someday make that happen because he loves me that much.
He walks up to me and grabs my hand. “You look beautiful, as always.”
I can’t help but blush. “Thank you.” I look behind him at the car. “Nice car.”
“I got it for you.” Hayden pulls out the key. “I’ll let you drive if you don’t make me wait until after the date to kiss you.”
I smile and chuckle lightly. “Tempting.”
“Is that a yes?” Hayden raises an eyebrow at me and I just nod my head.
I would hate to wait until after the date to kiss him. He leans in and steals my breath and makes my whole body heat up. He grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him. I hold his jaw in my hand and kiss him back.
It’s a soft yet passionate kiss. Hayden keeps it tame and forces himself away.
“Just wait until the end of the night. The whole city will know my name,” Hayden whispers in my ear which sends shivers down my spine. “Here.” He puts the key in my hand. “Go crazy.”
I can’t stop the jittery smile on my face as I walk to the driver side of the car.