Chapter - [ 6 ]

[ Evangeline ]

"Marry me, Evangeline and let me be the father of Chase."

I couldn't blink my eyes for a moment after I heard him, same happened to Kate but by looking at his grave expression, it was clearly evident that he  actually came up with the absurd suggestion.

"Wha..what are you saying?" I stuttered with my question when the shock wore off from my brain.

He shook his head,"I am not asking you to marry me like a real couple and a real marriage in Church but on papers, Eve. Just think about the possibilities of Colton finding out about Chase which he would eventually do and if he challenges you in the court, I hate to say but there are high chances that he may win the custody, even I can't interfere in legal matters if it goes into the court. Colton is the biological father and you're still single means no father for Chase."

I remained silent and speechless. He was right and it killed me more from inside that I can't do anything to stop Colton if he want to take my child away from me. I wouldn't survive a second without my son.

"Eve, I think Mr. Rodriguez is right. I mean you don't have to have a wedding with guests and cameras, some legal paper would serve the purpose and I bet Colton can't do anything let alone taking our Chase away." Kate added and it pushed me more into dilemma.

"I...I..don't know. I mean I never thought about marrying again." I finally vent out my thoughts.

I hate to admit but I could never bring myself to move on from Colton. I loved him from the last fibre of my body and devoted my soul to worship him like he was my deity.

"Eve, I know it's your personal matter and I have no right to say this to you but Chase needs a father figure, I am not saying that you aren't capable of taking care of your child. In fact, you are the strongest and bravest mother I've ever seen. You brought him up all these years, endured every hardship with a brave face but Chase feels the absence of a father. He won't say this to you but he misses his father by his side and no men except Mr. Rodriguez would love him as a father. Please think about it." Kate advised me.

"I need some time to think about it." I looked away to avoid the awkwardness in the air.

"Take your time, Eve. I am not asking you to marry me tomorrow. I need you to take a decision on your free will not under some pressure. All I want is to see you and our Chase happy." He says softly.

"Mommy, I finish my food and also brushed my teeth. Can we go home now?" Chase walked in the living room.

"We'll talk about it later." Dominic blinked his eyes in assurance as I didn't want Chase to get a whiff of this new chaos in our lives. He's a smart child who would learn about our past.

"Kate, I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for taking care of Chase." I rose on my feet and grabbed Chase's bag.

"I'll drop you home." Dominic said.

"No, I'll hire a cab. It's already late and you too need some rest. Tomorrow is a very big day for us." I politely turned down his offer because I'd not feel comfortable around him after what he suggested. Never in my wildest dream I imagined him as my husband, for me, he's a great friend who helped me in the bad weather of my life.

"Listen, Evangeline." He sighs and picked a sleepy Chase in his arm,"I am tired not dying, okay and dropping you at your home safely is my responsibility. So, I don't want to hear any argument on this." He said with finalty and walked out of the house.

I rubbed my temples to ease the throbbing headache.

Why Colton? You always bring storm in my life and leave destruction for me to heal and rebuild my life.

"Everything will be fine, Eve. You have faced worst phases. Now, relax and give your son some time because next few weeks will be hectic for all of us." Kate hugged me for the last time before I took my exit from her house.

Dominic had settled Chase in the backseat. He passed me a small smile as I walked out of the house. He opened the car door for me and I quickly slipped inside without saying a word. The ride to my home was filled with agonizing silence.

He yawned and snuggled into my chest.Whole day's exhaustion taking over him.

"Aww my baby is sleepy. Let Mamma sing you a lullaby." I ruffled his silky hairs.

"Mommy, I am not a small baby." He cringed making me laugh a little.

"You'll always be my small baby." I started patting his head so he could sleep sooner.

I stole a glance of Dominic was admiring us. I pretend to be unaware. The more I observe his bond with my son, the more his suggestion confused me.

"Mommy." Chase mumbled a sleepy voice.

"Yes baby, do you need something?" I tilted his face so he could look at me.

"I want to tell you something." His sleep filled eyes lowered guiltily.

I knew this look. He could not match his eyes with me whenever he did a mistake and I was extremely proud of my son for this quality.

"A car could hit me Mommy today, after the recess."He whispered in a cracked voice.

Hairs stood on my body and I jolted up from my lazy state. Blood seemed to freeze in my veins.

"What baby?And you're telling me now! Are you hurt somewhere?Please show me. Where was your teacher? I'll complain to your Principal in the morning." I shot in a panic stricken voice.

"No, Mommy don't complain to Principal Sir. It was my mistake. She told us to stand on the side path but I broke her rule and -"He lowered his head."My teacher is not bad Mommy. principal Sir will punish her Mommy and I won't like it. She needs money for her Daddy."Came his pleading whisper.

Tears rolled down from my eyes without my realization. I could not decipher whether I should feel angry on his reckless teacher or proud of my son who understands human emotions so deeply than a mature person in a very small age.

The boy leaves me in wonder sometimes.

"Chase, why didn't you tell us on the first place?" Dominic too came to sit beside him and asked in concern.

"I was scared and my new friend told me that he I should obey my elders when they forbid us for something." He answered.

It was now our turn to frown in confusion then I remembered Chase tried to tell me about his new friend whom he met but interrupted by Dominic who came there on mean time.

"Your new friend,who is he?Do we know him?Where his parents live?" I asked him.

"No Mommy and he is a big man like Uncle Dom. He saved me from the accident and we become friends." Chase softly giggled.

Sadness on his face replaced by excitement as he told us about his saviour.

"Really? So, do you know where he lives. I want to personally thank him for saving you baby." I asked getting curious as well as grateful for the man who saved my son.

"No, Mommy. I wanted to ask him but he was in a hurry and our teacher told us to sit in the bus so I forgot to ask him for his number. I called him my Batman and he liked it." He pouted sadly. I never saw him praising a man other than Dominic.

"Its okay baby but I am still angry on you. Be careful next time because Mommy can't be around you everytime and a scratch on your body bleed my heart baby. I can't see you in any danger, okay." I said softly to him. Tears brimmed into my eyes but I held them back for Chase.

"I am sorry Mommy. I promise you that I won't do a bad thing again and always obey my elders." He held his ears and apologized.

"You're forgiven." I hugged him tightly on my chest. The image of Chase being hurt was enough to give me a mini heart attack.

"I love you, Mommy."He yawned again.

"I love you too baby." I laid him down and covered him properly with the blanket. His snores could be heard in no time.

"Good night, Buddy." Dominic ruffled his hair and kissed his head lovingly which compelled me to rethink about his proposal.

"Good night, Uncle Dom." Chase closed his heavy eyes. Dominic covered him properly and switched off the lights except a night lamp.

"I love him so much." Dominic stares at his sleeping figure.

Would I do justice with Chase if I marry Dominic?

We walked out of my house. It was almost ten in the night.

"Good night Sunshine. Take rest and call me if you need anything." Dominic said and patted my shoulder.

"Good night and thanks for supporting me everytime I need a friend." I said in a slow whisper and he pulled me into a hug. Feeling his comfort, I snuggled into the warmth he provided me.

"Never mind. It is my duty as your friend to protect you." He smiled and left but I kept staring at his retreating car.

Should I agree to his proposal?

My brain again conflicted with my heart. 

I locked the front door properly and about to retire to my room when my phone chimed with a text alert. My brows knitted together when I saw a private number on the screen. For some reason, an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach as I opened the text to read the content but as soon as I read the single line which was about to bring a tsunami of problems in my life, the phone slipped from my hand and I felt unable to breathe.

"I know your secret now, Evangeline."