Shattered (15 page)

I felt proud of my little girl. Cam
eron looked at her daddy and then took off to the back yard. Michael was still standing in the door way assessing Caleb.  I couldn’t hold in the chuckle. I slapped my hand over my mouth.

Caleb stood up and gave me a peck on the cheek. “I missed you.” He whispered in my ear. Then he turned around to look at Michael. “Alright Michael show me what you got. I love a challenge when it
comes to video games.” Michael’s eye lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Cool this way. We can
play football. I will be the Cowboys, who do you want?” I already knew this answer so I headed into the kitchen to finish making our dinner.  I was excited to be cooking my favorite meal. Chicken and cream cheese croissants with mashed potatoes and corn.  It is heaven on a plate.

I could hear the boys laughing in the living room and I watched the girls in the back yard playing in the play house.  This night was going great until the door bell rang.  “I’ll get it.” I walked over to the door and was not liking who was standing in the door way.

“What do you want Jason? We are getting ready to have dinner.” Michael paused the game and walked to the front door. “What’s up dad?” He knew that his dad never stopped by this new for him and I could see the concern on his face.

“Hey buddy I just wanted to come over and talk to your mom about a few things.” I wasn’t buying it one bit. I haven’t heard from him since he called me late Sunday night to tell me that McKayla’s fever was gone and everything looked good. 

“Jason you should have called.  Now is not a good time. We have company.  Please call next time.” I proceeded to shut the door but caught it.
“Company? Since when do you have company? Look we need to talk about you dating again.” By this time I was irritated. Plus Michael was still standing next to me.  I have never seen Jason like this and I really didn’t like it.

“Look Jason that is none of your concern, if you have a problem with me dating then I guess you will just have to get over it.” By this time I could feel that Caleb was standing behind me. I looked over to Michael; he was staring down his dad. “Baby go get the girls and have them wash up.  Dinner is almost ready.” Michael hesitated for a moment and then did as I asked.

“Look here Jason, you didn’t ask me when you started dating
what’s her name.  This was bound to happen and you need to get over yourself.  Now if you don’t leave I will call the cops and get you off my property.  You don’t want that do you?” I was pissed but I kept my voice calm. I also felt ok knowing that Caleb was behind me. Not that Jason would do anything but you never know what people are capable of and I wasn’t about to find out.

“Fine but just know this. I don’t like having the likes of him in my house. He has conman written all over his face. This
won’t be the last you hear from me.” With that he walked away.  I shut and locked the front door and let my head rest on it.

“Baby come one don’t let that prick bother you.
Let’s get back to having a nice night.  By the way the food smells wonderful.” He pulled me from the door and kissed my lips. We hugged for a few moments and then headed into the kitchen.

I sent the girls into the dining room to set the
table; Michael supervised as he liked to call it. Caleb pulled the chicken and corndogs out of the oven while I put the mashed potatoes and the corn in a bowl.  I decided to add corndogs because I wasn’t sure if his little girl would eat the chicken. I know my kids will eat one but they will also eat the corndogs. 

We all settled at the table once our plates were made. Celeb sat at one end and I sat at the other.  The two
girls sat together while Michael sat across the table. I was a nervous wreck waiting for him to take his first bite. I don’t cook that often and I love doing it but sometimes it’s hard to do for the three of us.

I heard a loud moan and I looked up to see a satisfied grin on Caleb’s face.
“Good lord woman this is wonderful. I just might have to come over every night if you feed me like this.” I grinned at his little statement.  I would love for him to come over just so I could cook for him.

“She’s the best. She also makes this meat thing.  Dad was the one always cooking but mom does a good job also.” My little man was making me proud.  “Well I
can’t wait to try more.” Caleb was shoveling the food in now. “So does that mean you and Cameron will come around more? I like having a little girl around to play with. Michael is so boring.” McKayla looked so hopeful, I didn’t want her to get too attached because you never know where this road may lead.

“Kayla, if your mom cooks like this more often
than yes we would love to come over and hang out more.” Caleb looked across the table to me with a slight smile and a wink.  I liked the fact that he called her by her nickname and that he also wanted to spend more time with my kids.

“I think that would be cool because then my Cowboys could kick your Texans butt in some more football.” Caleb laughed at Michaels little statement. “Well we will just have to see if you can prove that those Cowgirls can move the ball down the field.” Michael shot him a look and shook his head. “You are so on.”

The rest of dinner flowed nice. Cameron talked about her school and what letters she was learning. Then her and Kayla started talking about barbies and playing dress up.  Michael and Caleb talked about sports and what sport Michael was going to play this summer. (Baseball was it for right now but he always went back and forth between that and football.) I was riding a high with all the conversations.  My home and heart felt full. No one brought up the fact that Jason stopped by.

By the time everyone was done eating and the kitchen was cleaned up we all settled into the living room.
The girls got out coloring books and the boys played some more video games. Nine came to quick. My kids gave hugs goodnight and I sent them off to bed. I walked Caleb and Cameron out to his truck. She wanted to hold my hand while we walked.  I lifted her up and strapped her into her car seat.

“You
be a good girl for daddy and maybe we can go do something fun this weekend.  How does that sound Cammie?” I tickled her and she giggled. “Can we go to the park?” I nodded and leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 

“That sounds like lots of fun. Maybe we can have a
picnic too. How does that sound.” Her eyes got real big and a grin went across her cute little face. “Ok. See you then.” I told her goodnight and shut her door.

Caleb was standing with the driver side door open waiting on me. “I had a great time tonight. Thank you for having us over and feeding us.  It was great.” He leaned down and
ran his fingers through my hair. “No thank you.  I really enjoyed you two being here. And now we have plans this weekend. That just means you have to spend more time with me.” I got up on my tiptoes and kissed him.  It wasn’t a sweet innocent kiss either.  We used tongue and all.

“Woman you are making very hard on me right now.
God how I have missed you.” I couldn’t stop kissing him.  I wanted more but I could settle for what I got. He picked me up and gave me a big bear hug. Setting me back down he bent over and gave me another kiss.

I watched as they drove away and my heart hurt.  I didn’t want either of them to leave but they had too. I couldn’t have him spending the night after just one week.  I could feel my heart start to mend with every moment I spent with Caleb.  After tonight I could tell that I was falling for the guy.  I wanted him with me at all times.

Walking back into my house I felt empty. I cleaned up the rest of the house and decided I need a bubble bath.  I got myself comfy and started to relax enjoying the memories of tonight.  After about ten minutes in the tub my phone went off.  I was hoping it was Caleb but I was soon upset with the fact it was Jason.  I wanted to forget what he did this evening. He needed to move on he didn’t have me anymore.

Jason
: 9:42 pm: Cant believe you wouldn’t talk to me.  If your dating I need to know my kids are my main priority and I don’t need some conman around them.

Me: 9:45 pm: first of all he isn’t a conman second you didn’t tell me when you started bringing your
gf around.  So please drop it.  He is a good guy and the kids liked him. NOW MOVE ON.

Jason: 9:50 pm: Watch it Ryan, I am just looking out for my kids!

Me: 9:52 pm: SO AM I JASON!

He so ruined my bath time. I got out and climbed into bed. I had two more days before I would see Caleb again and I couldn’t wait.  I wanted it to be sooner so I picked up the phone and told him so.

Me: 10:15 pm: Hey are you going to the gym in the morning?

Caleb: 10:16 pm: H
ell yes because that means I get to see you sooner than later.  Oh by the way I miss you and had a great time 2nite.

That put a smile on my face.  I missed him too.
Lots, more than I should.

Me: 10:20 pm: I had a great time too. Thank you! I will see you tomorrow……oh I miss your sexy face to
o


Caleb: 10:23 pm: Night Ryan………

Caleb was outside waiting for me at the gym. He grabbed me up and planted a big wet kiss on my lips. “It’s good to see you too.” I laughed at his actions. “What cant a guy miss his girl?” He winked as we walked in. Hmmm his girl I like the sound of that. Yep I liked it a lot.

The work out flew by and before I knew it I was elbows deep in clients. We were trying to fit in all of our clients since we would be closed the week after next. 
Which worked out because that was the Week after the fishing trip. But I still had to be back for my kids on that Monday. No way was I going to ask Jason to keep them a little longer.

Before I knew it Saturday was upon us.  I was getting the picnic basket ready when Caleb and Cameron walked in.  I knew he was on his way so I told him to just walk in. Cameron ran into my arms and hugged me tight.  I put her down and she headed off into Kayla’s room.  Caleb leaned in and gave me a mouth watering kiss that made my legs go weak. “Gross guys get a room.” I was so embarrassed to be caught kissing by Michael.  He planted one more on my lips and then helped me finish with the basket.

We loaded up his truck and got ready for our day at the park.  Once we found a good spot the girls helped me lay out the blanket and the boys grabbed the football and started throwing it around.  The girls and I played with barbies and colored. It was a pretty May day out.  Not too hot yet.  It was just right. The boys came over huffing like they were worn out from playing hard. 

I got the basket out and we all started to dig in on the apples, peanut butter and jelly and turkey sandwiches.  I also brought chips and lots of water. While everyone ate I got my camera out.  I
can’t go anywhere without my camera.  I wanted to capture as much as I could. Snapping away I realized that this could be my life. And I wanted it to be.

I sat down next to Caleb and positioned our bodies together so we could get a picture together.  A young girl walked by and asked if we would like to have a family photo. Family, yes this scared the crap out of me but excited me too.

Cameron scooted on my lap and McKayla got on the other side Caleb.  Michael laid down in front of us. When she got done I told her thank you and looked at the picture.  It was perfect. Leaning into me Caleb kissed me on the head while taking a peak. I was so framing this.

As the sun started to set we gathered up the kids and headed back to my house.  We got all the kids bathed and in
pj’s and popped in a movie while we waited for our pizza to arrive. McKayla asked if Cammie could spend the night. “Um that’s up to her daddy baby.” As soon as I said that she headed into the living room and asked Caleb. “Caleb, I want Cammie to spend the night ok?” She didn’t ask she just demanded.

I shot a look over to Michael wondering what he was thinking. He looked over to Caleb and just grinned.  “Does that mean you will stay too? Because if you do mom will make waffles in the morning and we can play video games all morning.” Caleb looked at me and I just shrugged. “I think we can manage that.  I will run home and grab a few things.  You
wanna come with me Michael?” Michael jumped and ran to put his is shoes on.  I was a little nervous but if my kids seemed ok with it then I would be to. Plus it meant that I could cuddle with Caleb in my bed.

The boys headed out the door while
us girls finished eating our pizza and finished watching the movie. Twenty minutes later the boys came busting through the door. Caleb had a duffle bag in hand and Michael was carrying two shopping bags.

“We picked up some ice cream mom for dissert. We even got your favorite.” I liked the thought of the two of them going and doing little things like that together. “And mom did you know Caleb had a pool table in his game room with a big TV? He said we can set up my game system and play on it one day.” I looked over and Caleb to read his reaction. “I couldn’t say no to the boy.  It will be fun.  Next time you can cook in my kitchen and we can spend the evening playing video games.  Sounds like fun to me, how about you?”

I didn’t know what to say. I was still trying to process how the most important guy in my life was getting along with one that is becoming more important by the second. “Sounds like a great plan to me.  I can’t wait. Plus since I saw your kitchen I have been dying to mess it up.” He came and sat down next to me.  “You can mess up my kitchen anytime.” He leaned over and kissed me. “Dude that’s my mom stop.” Michael was making gagging noises and I buckled over with laughter.