I Want A Daddy

*****Avy's POV*****

Three months later*****

I had been going steady with Bryce and, within the span of three months, we'd grown so attached that I found it difficult to live my day without calling him to hear his voice. 

 Every so often I felt like I was being too forward and falling deeply.

But then, this was the first time I had fallen in love and dated a man. Getting pregnant at 18 when I just turned an adult and having to run away from home to take care of my son as an independent woman didn't give me the chance of falling in love like girls my age did. I had to grow up fast and be responsible for myself and my son.

So now that I've finally found a man who I fell in love with, I don't know how to act around him.

“Avy, why do you look so lost in thoughts?”

 I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and took my gaze up at Katie.

“Katie, do you think I'm getting too attached to Bryce?”

 Katie stared at me with a curious gaze, and then she smiled afterward.

“But of course. You'd fall head over heels for him if you asked me.”

“Do you think it's a good thing? I mean, I know what happened to Neil's father and how much you loved him. I'm just scared.”

“Oh don't even get me started with that bastard! He didn't deserve my love for him one bit. He's a jerk! But then, Mr. Bryce doesn't seem to be that kinda guy.”

“That's what my heart keeps telling me, but I'm scared. I'm scared about making a wrong choice or becoming the reason we fall out.”

“Oh come on, Avy. The relationship is just too young for you to be thinking this way. Now that you mentioned it. I think the only problem I see is you telling him about Aiden.”

“Huh?”

 Katie quickly brought the coffee she had prepared to the table and sat next to me.

“Listen, I understand that you didn't want to put your child up first, and I completely understand your reasons, but then, I want you to understand that in due time, Bryce might find out about him.”

 The moment Katie said the word, my heart skipped. Actually, before she mentioned it, I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I know I'll have to tell Bryce eventually if our relationship should go even further.

“Bryce is a great guy, I believe he is, Avy. And for that, I think you need to find a quiet time to bring him up.”

“Katie, I know. But, I can't help but get scared. What if he's not someone who likes kids, or maybe he dwells on the fact that I lied to him? God help me, I wouldn't be able to bear it.”

“Come on, Avy, give yourself a break. I'll tell you this, if Bryce truly loves you, and you are both meant to be, I believe he'll understand you. I mean, this is how you can tell if he will truly look past your flaws and love you like he claims. I'm not saying Aiden is your flaw, God forbid. All I'm saying is the whole keeping your son a secret thing.”

Hearing Katie lecture me on this, made me feel a little relaxed. She's right. If I really want to know how much Bryce loves me, I'll have to tell him now, rather than later. I wouldn't want a situation where he'll find out on his own.

“Thank you so much, Katie, you've always been the best friend others desire. I'm so happy you are mine,” I pulled her into a warm hug and we both chuckled loudly.

*****

I was making dinner after getting back from Katie's house when Aiden suddenly walked into the kitchen.

“Hey sweedy, do you want something?”

 Aiden looked at me with a curious expression, and that scared me. I've never seen him look at me that way before.

“Baby, is something wrong?”

“Do you have a boyfriend, mom?”

 The spoon I was holding instantly fell from my hand.

“What?” I said with a gasp. My ears must have failed me, or maybe I imagined him asking me that.

“Aiden, what did you say?”

 Aiden suddenly folded his arms across his little chest, still looking at me with this curious expression.

“I said, do you have a boyfriend now?”

“Oh my God!” I quickly scurried over to my son and knelt in front of him, holding his hands.

“Baby? What do you mean, a boyfriend?”

“Don't call me baby, mom, I'm a big boy. I always see a man dropping you off every single weekend. He isn't a friend because I haven't seen him before, else you would have invited him home.”

 I sat on my knees because even my knees had gone weak.

I stared at my son who was holding a serious expression, speechlessly. I shook my head, still holding a gaze at my son.

"D..did you really see him?”

“Yes! So is he your boyfriend or my daddy?”

“Oh God! This can't be happening to me now.” I whispered. 

 I had been planning to introduce Aiden to Bryce, only when he had accepted him. I didn't want to bring just any man into my son's life who wouldn't love him.

“I'm so sorry, honey. Mommy will let you know everything in due time. And besides, you are too young to be saying this now.”

“But I'm not a baby. Tracy's mom has got a boyfriend, and she thinks she will have a new daddy soon. I also want a daddy.”

Hearing my son say this only broke my heart. My heart was in shreds. I pulled my son into my arms and hugged him tightly.

“I'm sorry sweedy. So sorry I couldn't give you a daddy. Be patient with me, please, I promise I'll give you the best daddy when the time is right.”

“Okay mommy. You don't have to cry,” Aiden said. He pulled out of the hug, and took his little fingers to my face, and slowly wiped off my tears.

“I'll wait for you, mommy. Don't cry,” Aiden said, still wiping my tears.

“Thank you for understanding me, my love. Everything's going to be okay, I promise, son.”