When You Love Someone

“Congratulations,” was all I managed to get out before walking past him to reach the door.

“Tilly wait,” was all that he said to stop me from entering the house. I refused to turn around and face him because I knew that at this point the hurt would be clear on my face. I wasn’t going to let him see how much this has affected me.

“Is that why you haven’t been spending time with our kids?” I asked still facing the door.

“It’s part of it. I wasn’t there for your pregnancy so I wanted to make sure I was there for every part of hers,”

“I get that, but if you can’t also focus on the two children you already have now let me know. Let me know so I can prep and protect my children from the wave of hurt that’ll hit them when I’ll have to explain why their daddy doesn’t spend time with them anymore. While you may have a new perfect life with your girlfriend and your new child those two will forever be missing a piece of them,”

“Of course I want to be in their lives! They’re my children and I’d do anything for them. I just won’t be able to see them or spend time with them as much as before. I have to focus on Tyla and the pregnancy first and foremost right now,” He said and I turned and looked at him.

“Maybe you should figure out how to balance the two out, because these kids should be a top priority. If you can’t make them one then don’t bother trying to enter into their lives when it’s best for you Harry. I refuse to let you hurt my kids more than you already have. I’ve been acting as mom and dad for four months now and if I have to continue doing that for the rest of their lives I will. I just need to know what you want. Why don’t you take a day or two to think about it and let me know when you’ve decided,” I said to him before turning and entering the house. I sat back down on the couch and James looked up at me.

“Your crying,” He said scooting over to me to wipe away my tears. I felt the lump in my throat grow, but I didn’t feel it give out and I didn’t feel the tears fall.

“I’m okay buddy,” I said putting on a fake smile.

“No mummy. Why you cry?” He asked me completely worried, “Did daddy do it?” Just like his father James is very protective of the women in his life. Even though he’s almost four he takes the happiness of the people in his life very seriously and if someone hurts one of us he instantly doesn’t like him.

“I’m honestly okay bud. Let’s focus on the movie,” I said to him and he cuddled into my wrapping his arms around me, well as much as he could anyways. A few minutes later Harry walked into the house and we just looked at each other for a second before he picked up the remote and paused the movie.
“Daddy has to go bye-bye and he can’t pick you guys up tomorrow. I’ll call you soon though. Come give me hugs and kisses,” He said and they both got up to give him a hug and kiss. As soon as the front door closed after him Mila turned and looked at me.

“Does daddy still love us?” She questioned and that was the real heartbreak of the night. No child should have to wonder if their dad loves them or not.

“Of course he does. He’s really busy right now,” I said covering for him.
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It’s the next week and I haven’t heard from Harry since he left. The kids’ birthday is on the 28th, but we’re flying out to Florida today, the 25th, just so we can have time as a family. Anne and Gemma aren’t able to fly out until the 27th which works out great since we’re going to Disney on Saturday, the 28th.

“Mumma?” James asked raising his head up a bit off of my shoulder. I’m currently getting the kids in the car with the help of my best friend, Piper.

“What’s going on little man?”

“Where we going?” He asked while rubbing his eyes.

“It’s a surprise bubs. Why don’t you go back to sleep and I’ll wake you up when we get to the airport,” I replied before kissing his forehead. He rested his head on my shoulder just as my phone rang. When I answered it, it was Sailor telling me that she couldn’t make it and that Cody was bringing his best friend with him instead. Her reasoning for missing her god-children's’ birthdays is because her fashion line is in dire distress at the moment.

“Looks like Sail won’t be there,” I said to Piper as we buckled Mila and James into their carseats.

“Her line?”

“Would it ever be anything else at this point?” I asked her and she rolled her eyes. Don’t get me wrong I love my twinny to death, but she also isn’t the most reliable person. She’ll always put her line in front of family functions.

“We’ll make it the best birthday ever for them then,” Piper said and I completely agreed with her. When we got to the airport I filled my parents and siblings in on the fact that Sailor won’t be joining us they all were various forms of frustrated. The flight to Florida went by as fast as it could with two three year olds and a seven year old. There were various forms of impatience among them and sleep was not an option that they allowed us to have. The joys of motherhood I guess. When we landed in Florida we got our rental cars and then headed to our rental house. It was big enough for all of us to be under one roof. Once there I settled the kids in their room for their naps and then went back to the living room and sat on the couch. I checked my phone and saw that I had a text from Cody telling me that he had just landed with his best friend and that they were on their way to the house.

“Want to have some mommy time?” My mom asked as she and Vivi approached me.

“What would that entail?”

“I was thinking that we could walk around for a little and we’d be back by the time the kids wake up from their naps,” Vivi said. I went to disagree, but that’s when I got a text from Harry telling me that he was in Florida as well and would like to meet up.

“As long as Pipes and Eddie are invited I’m in,” I said to them and they got excited. I went into my room and changed into a long sleeve yellow crop top with jeans and white heels. I left my hair down and then put my phone and keys in my pocket. I took one last look at myself in the mirror before heading downstairs. When I got to the last step I bumped into someone.

“I am so sorry,” I exclaimed knowing how clumsy I actually am.

“You’re absolutely fine. I wasn’t paying attention, I guess texting and walking is a hazard,” The person said before looking up at me from their phone and that’s when I realized it was Thristian Lucas. Sailor and I went to high school with him and he was a senior our freshman year, but he was still nice to us.

“Matilda Hart! How have you been?” He asked pulling me into a hug.

“Pretty good! What have you been up to since high school?” I asked him.

“Let’s see. I’ve been married and divorced, I have a five year old son, and I’m a pretty successful graphic designer. What have you been doing since I guess your freshman year?”

“I work in Piper Grey’s bakery and post some songs on YouTube. When I’m not doing either of those I’m in full mommy mode,”

“You have a kid? Woah a lot has changed since your freshman year,” He said causing me to laugh.

“I actually have two. When I was 18 I became pregnant with twins and ever since I’ve been a single mom doing the best I can for them both,” I explained.

“That’s awesome. I know it isn’t easy, especially since I grew up with a single mom. I’m sure you’re one of the best moms ever though. Who’s the idiot who let you go?” Right as I was about to answer him Piper walked around the corner.

“Ready to go Tilly?” She asked and I nodded my head.

“I guess I’ll talk to you later then,” I said stepping past him and earning a raised eyebrow from Piper. I walked past her and she just stood there still looking at Thristian with a smirk.

“Come on Pipes,” I said not even turning around. When we were freshmen I had the biggest crush on him and Piper and Sailor both knew it.

“This trip just got a lot more interesting,” Piper said and I rolled my eyes laughing.

“This trip is about my kids, plus nobody wants all the baggage that I have. Anyways I got over my crush on him once Harry and I started dating freshman year,” I explained closing the door to the house behind us.

“Let’s get to walking ladies,” my mom said once she saw us. The five of us continued to walk until we saw an art studio and we were all instantly drawn in to it. Piper and I were almost magnetically attached to a series of flats that were painted.

“You can stand in between them and take a picture if you want to,” a lanky male about our age with blonde hair said.

“Would you mind taking it for me?” I asked him and he agreed. Once he handed me my phone back he introduced himself.

“I’m Logan. I’m actually the artist of the piece you just took a picture with,” He said looking directly at Piper who had a goofy grin on her face. That’s her tell tale sign that she finds someone attractive.

“I’m Piper and this is my best friend Matilda. Did you do everything in here?” She asked him looking around at the art surrounding us.

“Not all, but a majority of it is mine. Do you like them?” He asked her and I took this as my que to walk away and leave the two of them alone.

“Looks like Pipes may leave Florida with a possible love interest,” Vivi said as I walked up and hugged her side. Like any siblings we fight sometimes and when we do, we fight hard, but when we love, we love even harder.

“We’ll see,” I said and a if on cue my phone began to ring. I looked at the caller ID and groaned. It was Harry, I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever so I did the only thing that I could do. I answered the call and walked away from the others.

“What do you need Harry?” I asked in annoyance.

“I know that the last time we talked I walked out on them, but I want to be there for their birthday. Even though I can’t go to Disney with you guys please let me see them at least today or even on the 27th. It’s just me, Tyla is still in LA. Please give me a chance to celebrate my kids turning four. I promise that from now on they’re one of, if not, my top priority,” He said in a rush. I thought about it for a little letting silence fill the space between us. I wasn’t doing this to make him squirm, I was doing it because I was battling with the fact that my kids need their father, but he also might break their hearts again.

“Fine. Tomorrow we’re going to Clearwater tomorrow around one. Meet us there,” I said to him.

“I will. Thank you so much, you won’t regret this,” He replied and I just said good-bye and hung up.

“I got his number!” Piper shouted coming and tackling me to the ground basically and giving me a laugh that I needed.

“I’m proud of you! Are you going to call him tonight?” I asked regaining my balance and fixing my shirt.

“He’s going to call me once he gets off of work tonight and we might go out, is that okay? I know we’re here for Mila’s and James’ birthday,”

“It’s perfectly fine! I need some more god-children,”

“Baby steps Tilly. Baby steps, now let’s going because we all know your kids take the shortest naps in the world,” She said and it wasn’t a lie. According to my parents though, just like them my naps were always short and the same length.

“Good point. Maybe we can get the boys to go grocery shopping while we stay home with the kids,” I said while the other approached us. The five of us headed home and when we got there we found pizza boxes sitting on the table with the men and kids around them.

“Thanks for letting us know food was here,” Vivi said going and sitting down next to Nalani.

“It just got here,” Cody said with just as much sass.
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We all just finished eating and talked Alex and Paul into going grocery shopping. Right now we’re in the movie room with the kids watching Moana while our food settles and once the movie is over we’re taking them swimming in the pool the house has.

“I love you momma,” Mila said reaching up randomly and touching my cheek.

“I love you too Mila Gray,” I replied kissing the top of her head. By the time the movie was over the guys still weren’t back so we all changed into some sort of bathing suits and helped the kids get into their.

“Can you teach swimming?” James asked Cody as they walked out of the house hand in hand. Out of all of his uncles he’s really close to Cody and it’s honestly adorable. I can tell that Cody is ready to settle down and have kids of his own, but everyone knows that Sailor is nowhere near that point in her life right now. She’s very focused on her fashion career.

“Of course. Does Mila want me to teach her too?” Cody asked the little girl who was sitting on the chair while I put sunscreen on her.

“I coco, I want him to,” She said pointing to Thristian.

“Then let’s get to it little lady,” He said coming and picking her up. I guess the pair got close between the time that Mila woke up from her nap and the time that we got home from our walk about. Right now my dad and I are sitting on opposite ends of the same pool chair just talking to each other.

“So is Harry meeting us here at all this week or what? What’s happening there?” He asked. My dad is protective of me, but he’s wayyyy more protective of his grandchildren.

“Yeah, he’s meeting us at the beach tomorrow to celebrate their birthday with them then. You can’t tell anyone else this, but his current girlfriend is pregnant and that’s why he hasn’t been around,” I said resting my head and hands on my knees while looking at him.

“That’s why he hasn’t been around?”

“Yup. He said since he wasn’t there for my pregnancy with the twins he wanted to be there for all of Tyla’s pregnancy. I basically told him that he needs to make the kids he already has a priority as well,”

“You’re right for doing so. God that’s so annoying. I’m sorry your kids got stuck with such a POS of a father,” He said pulling me into a hug and I just rested there.

“It’s not your fault daddy,” I said closing my eyes with a sigh. When I got pregnant it was my senior year of high school and the year my parents were separated. It was just me and my dad there and he blames himself for the fact that I got pregnant.

“So tell me. Who’s this Thristian fellow?”

“He’s Code’s best friend. He was a senior when Sail and I were freshmen. Honestly he was the one I had a crush on before I realized my feelings for Harry,”

“I don’t know. Something about him doesn’t seem right,” My dad said and I rolled my eyes as I sat back in my original position.

“Something about every guy doesn’t seem right to you,”

“I call it like I see it,” He said with a shrug and I laughed.

“Look at me! Look at me PeepPeep,” Mila shouted, “I’m swimming!”

“Good job Mila bug. Maybe you can teach me to swim next,” My dad shouted back to amuse his youngest grandchild.

“What about me PeepPeep,” James shouted as Cody held him as he pouted.

“You can too Jamers,”

“I want to help,” Nalani replied as she stopped swimming and began to tread water.

“What did I start,” He questioned in a voice so quiet that only him and I could hear it before telling Lani that she could help as well.

“Mumma come join me,” Mila shouted. When I got in the water wasn’t as cold as I expected it to be so that was a pleasant surprise. When I got over to her and Thristian she held her arms out to be transferred over to me. Once she was in my arms she began to kiss all over my face. Even though for the majority of the time she acts like a threenager there are times when all she wants is cuddles and kisses.

“She looks like you,” Thristian said as he both treaded water while speaking.

“Yeah and sadly she has my attitude most days. Mom says it’s payback from when I was younger,” I stated making him laugh.

“PeepPeep come in! Please bring my floaties,” Mila shouted to my father, but shouted it in my ear as well. Soon my dad was in the pool and had indeed brought Mila her floaties. The two went off to do their own thing while I stood there and continued to talk to Thristian.

“So your son, does he live with you?” I asked out of curiosity.

“No, he lives with his mom, but I get him every weekend so it’s not like I don’t see him weekly. Whenever I have to go away on business on a weekend I have him he usually tags along. He’s my little buddy,” Thristain explained. As he talked about his son he was beaming the whole time and it made my heart melt. Whenever I see a father beaming while talking about their children it does something to my heart.

Notes