Enough For Him

I couldn’t just let him back in my life so easily. Leon needed to earn my trust again and it wouldn’t just happen overnight and he knew that.

But ignoring him was going to be very difficult as an old friend from school was having a pregnancy reveal party.

Kaleb and Hailey were my closest friends. Kaleb and Leon were inseparable when we all were at school together but ever since Leon focused on work with his new partnership, our old traditions seemed to have died out.

I feel bad for not keeping in touch but luckily they were very understandable and still wanted both of us to be present when they reveal the gender to all of their friends.

I finished getting changed and went to grab jayson from the lounge where he was sleeping. He woke up extremely early this morning so he was taking a short nap now before we had to leave.

I walked out to the car and put him into the car seat before heading our one hour journey to the venue. Hailey owned a really beautiful beach house out of the city. Near the coast.

Every so often I would check on Jayson but thankfully throughout the whole ride he just slept. Ironically like a baby.

When we started to hit the coast he started to move more and finally wake up as the roads were less seamless and smooth and causing the car seat to press against his skin.

I managed to park outside the house before getting out grabbing my gift and Jayson who’s head was resting on my shoulder peacefully. I balanced him on my hip and walked up to the house. I could faintly hear music playing from inside and smell what I guess was a barbecue.

I poked my head around the back and saw that a lot of people were already here.

“lizzy” I heard a voice say from behind me. I turned around and saw the beauty that is Hailey. She wore an A line dress and little converses as her bulging stomach took centre stage as she waddled over to me.

I hugged her gently with jayson still on my hip.

She returned the hug and kissed little jay on the cheek which had him shying away.

I instantly felt guilty. ” that’s what happens when you become a stranger” a much deeper voice said making its way over to us. Kaleb stood next to us with his charming smile.

He looked handsome as always, he seemed to be sporting a beard recently.

Proper dad look.

” you’re here now though” hailey says as she seemed to notice my guilty expression as I looked at Kaleb. The 4 of us were the closest in the past, I didn’t know what to do with everything going on. I wondered if Kaleb would take sides but now that Kaleb is staring at me I knew that Kaleb was prepared to maintain the same relationship has had for many years. I felt blessed to have a friend like him.

“come I want to show you the room we made, I want your mothers expertise” she said pulling me along with her.

This obviously wouldn’t be their main home but I guess it would be right to have a room her when they visit. I guess they could benefit from a quiet place away from the city and busy life of Kaleb with his popular bar right in the middle of the city thanks to Leon’s great connections.

She led me up the stairs and into a room. I noticed the bright walls and nice open windows along with a beige carpet. One of those extremely soft ones that felt like heaven under your bare feet..

” I can’t wait to finally start decorating once I know the gender” she says walking around the room admiring her work. I can understand that, I was the same when I was waiting.

“you not doing a gender neutral room, you know that’s the trend now” I said as I traced my fingers along the cot she had in here.

She scoffed ” nope, my baby will either be a girl or boy nothing else. When they get older I will let them choose whatever they want to be or do but I’m not confusing the poor child straight out the womb” I smiled at her words.

Of course.

A few seconds passed and I instantly knew that the conversation was going to change to me. I have only really spoken to Jess about mine and Leon’s problems. After experiencing first hand back in school. I didn’t want to stress out a heavily pregnant best friend of mine. ” how are you ?” she suddenly asked.

I smiled, of course she didn’t just drag me up here to show me this empty room.

” managing” I answered. ” I still love him which makes it impossible but he really did a number on me, all I ever wanted was to be happy with him and our son and he ruined that” Hailey obviously sensed me getting all emotional she rushed over hugging me tight.

She rubbed my back ” whatever your decision is Liz I support you, you deserve everything you dreamed about don’t ever settle for less and I mean that” she whispered into my ear.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we pulled apart. Mostly because her large belly was pressed against my stomach and I was scared that it was painful for her.

I linked my arm with hers as we went back down to the party. People continued to file in, some of them I recognised as people from school.

As I recognised more people I felt a dark cloud wash over the room, My mood plummeted instantly when I realised why.

Many things changed since school and even though I was happy to see so many familiar faces I couldn’t but think about Luke.

Luke was the funny guy back in school, he was earning a lot of money selling designer sneakers in school, he was like our very own business guru and Leon and him often worked together. Leon often liked to contribute his wealth and success to Luke.

A year into uni, Luke got involved in a car crash travelling back from a trip to new York. He collided with a motorcycle on the motorway and later died in hospital after losing too much blood. It really hit all of us in school especially Leon who spent hours crying alone in his room.

I made a mental note to visit the cemetery later just so that I could visit him. Pay my respects.

It wasn’t long before Leon arrived. I was leaning against the dinner table talking with an old friend when he finally entered. Just like a magnet everyone’s eyes moved with him. Mine followed him with every step.

I watched as guys called out to him but instead of stopping to speak to them, Leon rushed straight to Jayson who was enjoying a fresh bottle of milk that I brought with me. Once Jayson spotted his father who bent down to his level he grinned enthusiastically which had Leon mirroring his expression.

I physically had to turn away at how painful it was to see.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

But thankfully Kaleb entered with his father and brought all our attention to him.

” reveal time” Kaleb’s dad shouted gathering everyone around. At his words we all crowded around a bunch of huge balloons near the cake and waited patiently.

I watched Kaleb wrap his arms around Hailey as they waited patiently to learn more about their baby. My mind instantly drifted to the moment I find out the gender of my own baby. It was just the two of us out in the city but I preferred it like that. The intimacy is what made it so special.

Leon would always try to surprise me and do the little things yet it meant so much to me.

I watched with a smile as the balloons all popped revealing a beautiful bright pink powder that covered the couple entirely. It surrounded them both and had us all clapping.

Hailey screamed as the guys patted poor kaleb on the back. Good luck with that, I thought.

I’m sure he will enjoy every second but I can imagine that this girl is going to have a very strict daddy. I’ll be lucky if he lets my boy play with her.

The rest of the party we all socialised and spoke about so many different things. Sooner or later everyone was having pictures taken with the photographer. I was more than happy to take pictures with the two upcoming parents.

But my mood soon shifted when I realised what was happening next. The family pictures.

” it’s one picture liz” Kaleb whispered into my ear as he obviously saw the worry and dread on my face at the prospect of being close to Leon.

Finding the courage I followed after Jayson and Leon as we all walked up to get into frame for the photographer.

” you have a beautiful family ” the photographer said urging us to stand closer. I currently had jay on my hip but had to shift him since my arm was getting tired from holding him for long as the photography suggested that he changed his lens.