Chapter 21
“Hi sweetie,” AJ said greeting Lauren and her son at his front door, “...and this must be Elijah?”
“Lij, this is AJ, one of mommy’s friends.”-Lauren
“Hi.”-Lij
“So are you glad to be back here?”-AJ
“Yeah, but not on these circumstances.”-Lauren
“Yeah I understand.”-AJ
“Well, change of subject please...why aren’t you, Mr. Alexander James McLean, married?”-Lauren
“Me married! Nah, I’m too young to get married right now I have a life to live.”-AJ
“AJ, you’re almost 27 years old!”-Lauren
“...and you’re point would be?”-AJ
“Are you ever going to get married?”-Lauren
“Yeah, someday...well enough about that. What do you want me to get at the store tonight? I was planning on cooking dinner for you two.”-AJ
“Whatever you feel like making, we don’t need anything special.”-Lauren
“Ok, well, I’ll be back in a little bit, make yourself at home.”-AJ
“Well, I’m going to take ‘Lij down to Fashion Square, he needs some new clothes, and so do I.”-Lauren
“Ok, well dinner will be ready in about 2 hours ok?”-AJ
“Ok, see ya then.”-Lauren
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Once they got to the mall her and Elijah headed straight towards GAP Kids. She picked up a little boy’s short outfit off the rack and was looking at a price tag when someone bumped into her.
“I’m sorry,” the man apologized as he turned and stared at Lauren’s face with shock, it was Nick.
“Lauren!”
“Hi, Nick.” Lauren said quietly.
“Where have you been?!”-Nick
“Could we go somewhere and talk?”-Lauren
“Yeah, of course,” Nick said as they walked towards a cafe. They sat down and ordered a drink.
“So, who’s the little guy you’re baby-sitting?”-Nick
“A friend.”-Lauren
“So, why’d you leave?” Nick asked Lauren the question she had been dreading. She went on to explain everything, except the baby.
“Nick, he’s the reason I left.” Lauren said pointing to Elijah.
“What do you mean?”-Nick
“He’s yours Nick. His name is Elijah Nickolas Carter...and like I said, he’s yours. His birthday is November 20th, and he’s 3 years old.”-Lauren
“You mean...”-Nick
“Yes, Nick. I left because I didn’t want to ruin your career. That was why I was so sick that whole week. I was pregnant and I couldn’t face you. So I just left.”-Lauren
“So, I have a kid. Thanks A LOT for telling me!”-Nick
“Nick, I did it for you, for your career.”-Lauren
“I’m sorry, but you didn’t have to leave. We were getting married soon and I was expecting kids someday. And I helped make him...it’s partly my fault that you got pregnant in the first place.”-Nick
They talked for a little while and decided to go out to dinner the next night. They also worked things out so that Nick could spend some time with Elijah. Lauren also found out that Nick had a girlfriend and that was why he was in GAP kids...because she worked there.
“So, I could see if my girlfriend could watch Elijah when we go out.”-Nick
“No, that’s ok...I guess I can call Brian and Lisa and see if they could watch him.”-Lauren
“Have you talked to them lately?”-Nick
“Not for about a year. When Westin, my ugh...my boyfriend died I kinda shut the world out.”-Lauren
“Well, Lisa had a baby about 5 months ago, Justin Thomas Littrell. They told me they tried to get a hold of you, but they couldn’t. We were all worried.”-Nick
“I’m sorry. I’ll call them tonight, or I’ll stop by their place,” Lauren said looking at her watch, then at Elijah who was asleep in her arms. “I guess we better go, call me at AJ’s tomorrow ok?”
“Bye,” Nick said kissing Elijah on the forehead then walking away. Later that night Lauren went over to Lisa and Brian’s and talked to them for awhile. They made arrangements for them to watch Elijah the next night when her an Nick went out. Lauren and Nick went out the next night and had a great time, but they knew things would never be the same. And life would never be the way it was before. These are the times...No, those were the times.
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This STORY is copywritten to Lauren , 1999
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