*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

I have to admit, I’m pretty pissed. I felt like I was really getting somewhere with Chloe and then for Jake to tell me she went out with this guy Corey, it was such a buzzkill. After some more thought though, Jake was right. Chloe missed out on a lot of stuff because she had our son and that included dating other people. I couldn’t count the number of girls I dated since Chloe left me, and the number I had slept with was even worse. It was no surprise Jake knew about my tour adventures as word gets around in this industry and the magazine he worked for covered a lot of tattooed musicians that I’m sure he asked about me since we were old friends. I’m sure that if Chloe didn’t already know, Jake told her.

Fuck. No wonder she went out with Corey. I’m a fucking man-whore. Such great father material…ugh.

I opened the back door to the house and Jake followed me inside. We went into the living room, sitting on the couch, chatting lightly and catching up, the intense conversation outside being left outside. I looked over at the clock on the wall noticing it was already 5 pm.

“I better get going. I have a lot of work to catch up on at the office… tell my sister I said bye.” Jake said getting up from the couch as I walked him to the door.

“Sure thing man.” I told him.

“Zacky, just remember what I said please. You’re my friend but I will kill you if I have to.” Jake smirked.

“I’ll never put you in the position, don’t worry about it.” I replied as he turned and walked to his car.

I shut the door quietly and made my way upstairs to check on Chloe and Jayden. I walked into the bedroom seeing Jayden still latched onto Chloe, her arms wrapped around his body sprawled out across her torso, holding him in place. She had fallen asleep, propped up on the pillows, her bright red hair swept perfectly to the side and out of the way, her chest rising and falling just slightly with every deep breath. Jayden was lying on his mother’s body, much like the same way he held onto me earlier, and had one of his thumbs in his mouth, the other arm wrapped around her neck. I came to the side of the bed, crouching down to their level and listened to Jayden’s little congested breathing and Chloe’s soft snores.

I brushed Jayden’s hair from his forehead, gently kissing it, “Love you my son.”

He stayed unmoved as I looked up at his mother peacefully sleeping.

I won’t lose you again, Chloe.

I stood over the bed, leaning down and softly kissing her forehead as well, “I love you, Chloe.”

She moved slightly, her grasp on Jayden tightening a little as she shifted in the bed. I checked Jayden for a fever again before silently padding out of the room and back downstairs. Just as I reached the kitchen my phone started going off on the counter.

“Hey Brian. What’s up?”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m at Chloe’s. Why? What’s up?”

“Uh, it’s Tuesday… what do we do every Tuesday? Let’s start off at Johnny’s Bar and maybe try that new place, Starlight after. ” Brian said.

“Not tonight Brian.”

“What?!”

“Jayden’s sick.”

“Sooooo?.....” Brian responded.

“Soooo, I have to take care of my kid Brian.”

“Why? Chloe can do it. She’s been doing it this whole time…” Brian replied before I heard Michelle smack him and say, “Brian! What the hell is wrong with you?!”

“Thanks Michelle. Yeah, not coming out Brian. Sorry bro, my son comes first.” I told him.

“You’re turning soft on me man… but seriously is he okay?” Brian said changing his tone.

“Yeah, he’s had a cold for the past few days… he’s pretty cranky when he’s sick.” I said thinking about it.

“That’s how kids are Zacky. I’m proud of you for hanging in there and helping Chloe.” Michelle said.

“At this point I don’t think I have a choice. Jay won’t let me even put him down for a nap. He wants to be carried everywhere… I didn’t think it was going to be like this…” I replied running my hand thru my hair.

“It’s not all pillow forts and smiles, Zacky. Now just imagine Chloe doing this on her own…” Michelle responded.

“Geez Michelle, just make him feel worse why don’t you?” Brian said to her, “Well, do you want us to come over? I know it’s not your house or anything but you’ve been there every day it seems like and I don’t think Chloe would mind…”

“Nah, it’s okay. Chloe and Jayden are sleeping and I think I’m gonna just make some dinner for us while I wait for them to wake up.”

“Alright, well if you need anything man, just call me up. We may or may not go out tonight. Feels kinda weird without you around. I know having a kid is new to you and stuff, but don’t forget about us too.” Brian said.

“I couldn’t if I wanted to. When Jayden feels better, I promise you will see me more.” I promised.

“I’ll hold you to that. See you later man.”

“Later.” I said before hanging up the phone and looking around the kitchen.

I HAD been staying here almost every day and I for the most part knew where stuff was. Chloe was always such an awesome cook and besides the one morning with the pancakes, she has been making all the food, only letting me and Jayden help her a few times. I went into the pantry looking for something to make for dinner, finding supplies to make spaghetti. I dug thru the refrigerator for the rest of the things I would need and got to work.

*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

The California sun was warm against my skin and I thought to myself ‘God, how I’ve missed this…’ as I stood on the sidewalk. A soft crying caught my attention and I looked down, realizing I was carrying a bundle in my arms. I unwrapped the bundle of blankets to find a beautiful baby with raven hair and green eyes.

“Jayden.” I said to the baby in my arms.

I felt a tug on my shirt and looked down to see a little boy, struggling to get on his small bike, holding onto my shirt to stabilize himself. He didn’t look up but he also had jet black hair. I looked back to the baby in my arms and noticed a small stripe of brown in the baby’s eyes and realized this baby wasn’t Jayden.

“Mommy help me.” The little boy said, looking up at me, revealing he was Jayden.

I helped him up onto the bike with one arm still holding the baby in my arms as someone came running up from the corner of my vision.

“Here babe. Let me help Jayden, you have the baby.” The man said but I couldn’t see his face.

He helped Jayden onto the bike and came back over next to me, pulling me to his side and wrapping his arm around my lower back. I looked at him but for some reason his face was blurred. His voice wasn’t familiar either as he went and directed Jayden on his bike. I looked at the baby again before the man hugged me careful not to crush the baby.

The smell of cologne mixed with cigarettes… I know this smell…only one person I know smells like this…it’s…it’s…it’s Zacky…

“I love you, Chloe.” I heard a voice faintly say.

My eyes fluttered open and I saw Zacky walking out of my bedroom. I blinked a few times, trying to gather my thoughts on my dream and reality before Jayden’s arm around my neck slid down to rest on my chest where he grabbed onto my shirt as he moved. Knowing there was no getting up with Jayden attached, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep once again, confused on the meaning of the dream.

I awoke to Jayden squirming on my chest in a substantially darker bedroom than when I laid down with him hours ago. I looked over at the time seeing it was about 6:30pm before smelling something amazing from downstairs. I wrapped Jayden in the blanket and carried him into his own room, carefully setting him down in his bed, nestling Ralphie with him. When I was sure he would stay asleep I made my way downstairs, following the smell into the kitchen.

Zacky had his back to me and was stirring something in a pot on the stove. From the smell, I could tell he was making spaghetti sauce, the way his mother taught him. I smiled as I made my way quietly around the kitchen island to stand next to him by the stove.

“Oh, hey. You and Jay were sleeping so I figured I’d make dinner.” He smiled as he held out the spoon for me to taste.

“Mmm. It’s good. Just like I remember when your mom used to have us all over for dinner and had to try to figure out how to feed 5 starving boys, 3 girls, and her own family without going broke.” I said laughing lightly after tasting it.

“Our parents really had their work cut out for them. We put them thru hell…” Zacky said as he added a few more spices to the sauce.

“I hope Jayden doesn’t do that to me…” I said as I leaned against the counter and Zacky shot me a smirk, “Oh you’re right… who am I kidding, he’s both of us… I’m doomed.”

“We’re doomed.” Zacky corrected smiling as he turned back to the stove. “You aren’t in this alone anymore Chloe. I told you I’m not going anywhere unless you want me to.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so used to doing it alone.” I replied before going over to the cabinet and finding some dishes. “How was your talk with Jake?”

“It was okay. In fact there was something I wanted to talk to you about.” He answered.

“Alright.” I said scared of what he would say as I sat the dishes down on the kitchen island and took a seat.

“Well, Jake had a lot of concerns, which I expected him to have anyways but there was something he said that really bothered me…” Zacky said as he turned around and leaned on the counter across from me.

I felt my palms get sweaty as I cursed myself for ever mentioning to Jake that I had gone out with Corey for coffee that afternoon. I looked Zacky in his bright green eyes, finding a sadness in them that wasn’t there earlier today.

“No matter what happens… whether you give us a chance or not, I want you to know that I will be there for Jayden. No matter what. He’s my son and I will do anything for him. I know you’re scared that I’m going to leave but I’m telling you now, I’m not. I love that kid and I will do anything to be a part of his life. If you find someone else, just let me meet him before you bring him around our son please. I think it’s a reasonable thing to ask of you. I’d do the same if I found another girl. It’s not that I don’t trust your judgment or anything, but I’d like this guy to know that I’m still around and I won’t tolerate any mistreatment of my kid or of his mother.” Zacky said seriously.

“I think that’s only fair if that’s how things go. I don’t know right now Zacky. I’m still partially wrapping my head around the fact that you’re here at all. I’m just really confused on what to do. I just can’t help but get this feeling that you’re going to wake up one day and just be fed up with having to take care of Jay and just leave.”

“Never. He can be a handful, but he’s a kid and he’s my son. I love him and I really can’t wait until we tell him I’m his dad, Chloe. I can’t wait for him to know and I just hope he’ll be happy having me as his dad.” Zacky replied.

“I think he will be. He already adores you Zack and he doesn’t even know yet. I know that you love him and I know he can be a handful, which is part of why I want to wait. I want to make sure you know what you are getting into and you’re sure.” I told him.

“Chloe,” he said as he took my hands from the countertop and looked deep into my eyes, “I’m sure. I want my son to have his father.”

I nodded my head in acknowledgement as the timer went off for the oven, “What do you have in there?”

Zacky smiled big, “Garlic bread.”

As he took it out of the oven, the wonderful aroma of the butter and garlic filled the room making my stomach rumble. After he shut the oven off, I could hear Jayden crying in his bedroom upstairs and got up from the island.

“Jayden’s up… cranky pants round 3 here we come…” I said.

“You can hear him crying up there?” Zacky asked.

“It’s a mom thing I guess. I don’t know… I’ll be right back.” I told him as he started cutting the bread.

“Ok. Dinner is ready, I hope he’s hungry.” Zacky said.

“Probably.” I said as I started walking from the room, stopping and coming back over to his side, “Oh, and Zack?”

“Yeah?”

“I know it’s only been a week but thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

“Thank you for trying to be his dad without telling him. I think you’re doing a great job.” I said before standing on my tiptoes and kissing his cheek.

*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

Damn I love this girl.

I thought as I put all of the cut garlic bread on a plate and took it over to the table. I was putting some noodles in a bowl for Jayden when I heard Chloe calling for me. I set the bowl back down on the counter and made my way up the stairs. I could hear Jayden crying even before I walked into the room. He was sitting up in his bed and clutching Ralphie to his chest as he cried and coughed as Chloe stood back with her hands on her hips.

“What’s wrong Jay?” I said as I crouched down to his level.

His arms wrapped around my neck instantly, and I picked him up, setting him on my hip before he looked up at me with big tears in his emerald eyes, “Zacky…”

“Yes, little man.” I said as I rubbed his back softly.

“I don’t want you to go home.” He mumbled with his head on my shoulder.

“I’m not going home right now… I made some dinner. Why did you think I was going home?” I asked confused.

“He woke up wondering where you were and wanted you so I told him you were downstairs but that you were going to have to go home sometime to your own house…” Chloe said rolling her eyes as she put her hand on his forehead. “Let’s get some more medicine. He’s burning up.”

I followed Chloe to her bedroom, Jayden still wrapped around my neck and lying on my shoulder, “Jayden are you hungry? I made spaghetti.”

He nodded his head as Chloe gave him the medicine, “Here baby boy… You know Zacky’s mommy used to make this spaghetti and she taught Zacky how to make it.”

“Zacky will you teach me how to make it?” Jayden asked me, sniffling.

“Sure little man. Next time you can help me make it.” I said as he laid his head back onto my shoulder.

We made our way downstairs and into the living room where I went and sat down on the couch, waiting for Jayden to release my neck so I could serve up dinner. He just clutched on tighter, his little fists bunching up the back of my shirt.

“Come baby, let Zacky go make our food.” Chloe said to him.

“No.” Jayden replied.

“It’s alright. I can do it one handed.” I told her as I stood up and carried the little boy on my hip into the kitchen.

He didn’t sit up while I made the food with one hand, remaining in his position and laying on my shoulder. Chloe helped me bring everything to the table, as I sat down and tried to get Jayden to sit in his own chair.

“I don’t want to.” Jayden pouted and I nearly burst into laughter at the sight.

This kid is definitely mine.

“Come now Jayden, in your own chair.” Chloe said sternly as she set down a glass of wine in front of me and one for herself.

I looked up at her, “Thanks.”

“When I came home you looked like you needed it.” She answered before turning her attention back to Jayden, “Jayden Zachary Baker, in your chair now.”

He started to cry again, “I don’t want to mommy… I want to sit with Zacky.”

“Jayden you need to sit in your own chair and eat so Zacky can eat his dinner too. He’s right here next to you.” Chloe said softer this time but still firmly.

“But mommy…” he started to whine between his sobbing.

“Jayden. You have until 3 or Zacky is going to go home… 1…..” She started counting.

“Mommy no! Mommy!” he cried clutching onto me as he looked at her.

“2…… I mean it Jayden Zachary….. this is your last chance.” Chloe said.

I picked him up and set him in his chair next to me, scooting it closer, his little hands still gripping onto my forearm, “Here Jay. I’m right here with you, alright?”

“Alright.” He sniffled as the tears still rolled down his little cheeks.

“Don’t cry. Let’s eat some dinner and then maybe we can watch a movie?” I told him, brushing his hair from his face.

“Can we watch Monsters?” he asked.

“Sure. Now eat up.” I said as I took a sip of the wine Chloe had poured me, “You’re right. I needed this.”

“Told you. You learn after the first year, you need it more than you think you do.” Chloe said clinking her glass softly with mine before taking a sip.

After a few minutes of quiet eating Jayden reached over and put his hand on my arm, “Zacky I like this. Can I have more please?”

“Yeah.” I said taking his bowl and going to get him more.

When I returned, Chloe sat there staring into her empty glass of wine that she was actively swirling.

“Would you like more Chlo?” I asked her, causing her to snap out of her trance.

“Yes please. Sorry, I spaced out a little.” She said handing me her glass and picking up her fork again.

“Mommy, are you sick too?” I heard Jayden ask as I went into the kitchen to make Chloe more wine.

“No baby. Mommy is fine.” She replied as I set down the glass in front of her. “Thanks.”

“So, how was your time out today? I never got a chance to ask you.” I asked her curious if she would tell me about Corey or not.

“It was good. I had a nice time. It was relieving to know that Jayden was in good hands while I was out. Jake can be a little distracted sometimes.” She answered nervously.

“Well I’m glad you had a nice time.” I said as I took another bite of my food to keep myself from asking more and getting bent out of shape by the answers.

We continued eating, Jayden finishing off his second bowl before Chloe and I, and insisting to sit with me as I finished eating. Honestly I didn’t mind and would have been fine with it the first time, but I wasn’t about to undermine Chloe’s discipline. He laid his head on my shoulder, his arms around my neck as he sat in my lap sucking his thumb and waiting for me to finish so that we could watch the movie. Chloe stood to clean up and shooed me and Jayden into the living room. Just as I found the movie on the shelf, there was a knock on the front door.

“Who on earth could that be?” Chloe asked as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

“I’ll get it.” I said carrying Jayden in one arm as I pulled the door open, “What the-?!”

Notes

Boom! Cliffhanger much? Don't kill me for it. lol. So any guesses on who's at the door? I'd love to hear who you think it is... As always all votes, subs, and comments are appreciated from the depths of my heart. Love you all! Much love and aloha XoXo <3 <3 <3