My Little Piece of Heaven

“Wha-What?!” Zacky exclaimed setting his beer down on the table nearby as the vomit that was dripping down my back fell to the floor.

Jayden started crying as he continued to throw up all down my back, “I’m sorry mommy…”

Zack ran into the kitchen grabbing a towel and started wiping up the mess on the floor before holding the towel up under Jayden’s mouth as he vomited.

“It’s okay baby… just get it out…” I said as I rubbed his little back soothingly.

“I’m sorry mommy… I didn’t mean to…” Jayden cried between his little sobs.

“It’s okay little love… come let’s make you a bath to get cleaned up.” I said as he finally stopped throwing up.

“Let me run the bath. Upstairs?” Zacky offered.

“Yeah please… I’m sorry Zee.” I apologized.

“Don’t. Let’s just take care of little man.” He replied wiping off my back with the towel.

“Thank you.” I told him as we started to head upstairs and into the bathroom.

Zacky threw the towel into the hamper before pulling back the shower curtain and starting the warm water. I gently rubbed Jayden’s back trying to get him to stop crying and calm down as I paced in the bathroom.

“Come here little man.” Zacky said holding his arms out for him.

“No Zack, you’ll get it all over you.” I replied.

“It’s fine. I have other clothes anyway. Come here Jayden.” Zacky repeated as Jayden turned around in my arms and went to Zacky.

He crouched down and set Jayden on his feet before stripping his little clothes off and placing him into the warm water of the bathtub. He sat on his knees by the side of the tub trailing his hand thru the water.

“Can I have bubbles?” he asked Zacky, the tears still in his little green eyes.

“Of course you can.” Zacky said finding the bottle on the side of the tub and pouring some into the flowing faucet.

“What do you say Jay?” I said as I picked up Jayden’s dirty clothes from the floor.

“Thank you Zacky.” Jayden replied as he found his bath toys in his little basket and began to play.

Zack turned and looked up at me, “Why don’t you get cleaned up too? I can watch Jayden.”

I smiled at him, “Alright, I’ll be right back. Jayden you be good for Zacky.”

“Ok mommy.” He replied playing with his little rubber ducky.

“Zacky did you get any on you?” I asked.

“I don’t think so.” He said looking at his shirt before looking up at me, “Don’t worry Chloe.”

“Ok. I’ll just be a minute.” I said walking towards my bedroom.

I left the bedroom door open just in case Zacky needed something as I went over to my dresser to find another shirt to change into. I pulled an old Social Distortion T-shirt out from the drawer and set it on my bed before walking into the bathroom. I pulled my braid to the front looking it over for any traces of vomit, thankfully finding it free of any as I pulled my shirt up over my head, tossing it into the hamper. I looked at myself in the mirror, inspecting the darkening circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep I had been getting lately. A loud splash and Zacky’s yelling jolted me from my examination in the mirror as I grabbed my shirt off the bed tossing it on and rushing to the bathroom down the hall.

“Everything okay?!” I exclaimed as I came to the doorway to find Jayden giggling hysterically and Zacky soaking wet.

“Yeah Chloe… everything’s fine…. A little water never hurt.” Zacky said between laughing with Jayden.

“You two scared the shit out of me…” I sighed.

“Mommy! You said a bad word!” Jayden scolded with his pouty face.

“Sorry Jayden.” I replied.

“Oh my God! He does it! Hahaha!” Zacky exclaimed laughing and referring to Jayden’s little pout.

“I told you he does… now not too much longer.” I said as I leaned against the doorframe and looked at my watch.

“Where’d you get that shirt?” Zacky asked as he looked at me, “I could’ve sworn I had one like that…”

“Maybe it’s yours. It’s that old…” I smirked as I turned and walked down the hall finding a towel for Zacky.

*~*Zacky’s POV*~*

I watched as she walked away and found myself licking my lips thinking of her sweet ass. Jayden splashing me again, knocked me from my thoughts as I found the washcloth and soap to make sure I cleaned him up good. Chloe came back and sat on the toilet seat near me, putting a towel over my head and rubbed my wet hair, attempting to dry it as Jayden laughed at the spectacle.

“Mommy, Zacky can’t see!” Jayden giggled.

“Well if someone didn’t get him all wet he wouldn’t have that problem…” Chloe said back to him as she took the towel off my head and handed it to me.

“Sorry Zacky.” Jayden said putting his head down.

I tipped his little head up with my finger, smiling as I spoke to him, “Don’t be sorry Jay. I had fun playing.”

I finished washing his little body and grabbed his towel from the rack before pulling the plug in the bathtub to drain the water. Jayden stood up as I wrapped his body in the towel and lifted him out and onto the bathroom rug. Chloe stood and felt Jayden’s head before shaking her own head.

“He’s still burning up.” She said as she ushered him out into his own room.

I grabbed the towel she had handed me and tried to dry some of my clothes with it as I followed them into his room. Chloe went over to his dresser and pulled open the drawer.

“No mommy… I want Zacky to pick my nai-nai clothes.” Jayden snapped before she could pull anything out.

She put her hands up and walked away from the dresser, sitting on his bed, “Alright Mr. Baker.”

“That’s not very nice Jay. I’m sure your mommy can pick you some clothes.” I said not liking the little attitude he was getting with his mother, “Tell mommy you’re sorry.”

Chloe looked at me a little surprised by what I said to him. Jayden also looked at me surprised but ultimately apologized.

“Sorry mommy.” Jayden said still bundled in the towel.

“It’s alright son. What do you want to wear?” Chloe said kindly, getting up from the bed and going thru the drawer.

“Green please mommy. I want to wear green.” He said as I went over to him, kneeling down and started to dry him off as Chloe found his clothes.

“You always want green clothes little love.” Chloe said as she sat on the floor next to me and started to dress him.

“Mommy, can I stay up a little more? I want to look at more pictures with you and Zacky.” He asked.

“Alright, go downstairs and pick a book to show Zacky.” Chloe told him as he scurried out of the room.

She stood, picking the towel up from the ground before turning to look at me, “You didn’t need to do that Zee.”

“Do what?”

“Make him apologize to me.”

“I didn’t like his attitude towards you. Just because I’m here doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants. Don’t you want our son to have manners?” I asked her.

“Of course I do… I don’t know, I guess it just kind of shocked me is all. I didn’t expect you to do that.” She said as I followed her out to the bathroom.

“I’m sorry. Maybe I overstepped my boundaries…” I said from the doorway, staring at my feet.

She put her hand on my damp forearm before looking up at me sympathetically, “It’s alright Zee. You were right. He gets that little Baker attitude sometimes…”

“Baker attitude? More like Edwards attitude woman!” I replied as she giggled heading down the stairs.

“Why don’t you go get your clothes and change too? You’re soaked and you don’t need to get sick too.” She turned and smirked as we entered the living room.

“I’ll be right back.” I said as I headed out the door and to my car for my clothes.

When I came back in the house, Jayden was sitting patiently on his mother’s lap with a photo album ready to go. He had Ralphie tucked under one arm and his little blanket covering him. Chloe put her hand on his forehead again, a look of concern on her face as she looked up at me with a faint smile.

“How are you feeling Jayden?” I bent down in front of him and asked.

“I’m cold still.” He said quietly.

“Does your tummy still hurt?”

“No but I don’t feel good still.” He replied.

“Let me go change into dry clothes real quick and we can look at the pictures okay?” I told him as he nodded.

I went into the downstairs bathroom and changed quickly, hanging up my wet clothes on the hook in the bathroom. I quietly walked down the hall and dropped my shoes at the doorway before going over to the table and picking up my beer from earlier.

“Sit right here Zacky. Right here by mommy.” Jayden said patting the spot next to Chloe.

I took a seat next to her as I took a drink of my now warm beer. I put my arm across the back of the couch as I leaned back and Jayden opened the photo book. I stole a glance at Chloe, thinking about how much I really missed her over these years. I couldn’t help but feel this was how it should be. Me, her, and our son sitting on the couch having family time.

“Zacky this is when we went to the Stature of Libety.” Jayden struggled to say.

“Statue of Liberty.” Chloe smiled as she had him repeat it.

“Wow Jayden. It looks really cool. Did you go to the top?” I asked as he nodded.

“Yeah, we went to the top and all the people looked like ants. Just like when we went in the airplane, right mommy?”

“That’s right Jayden.” Chloe answered.

“Will you take me there one day Jayden?” I asked him.

“Sure if me and mommy go to visit again. We can bring Zacky next time right mommy?” Jayden looked up at her with his bright green eyes.

“If Zacky isn’t busy baby…” Chloe replied.

Chloe’s phone in the kitchen started going off. She looked at her watch questionably before picking Jayden up off her lap and setting him on the couch in her place.

“Sorry, I don’t know who would be calling right now…” She said as she went into the kitchen, “Just a minute.”

“It’s fine.” I said as I took another sip of my beer.

“Can I sit with you Zacky?” Jayden asked.

“Sure little man, come here.” I said lifting him and setting him on my lap tucking his blanket around him, “There, warm enough?”

“Yeah.” He said before flipping the page and showing me more of the photos.

*~*Chloe’s POV*~*

I rushed into the kitchen wondering who on earth would be calling this late. The east coast wasn’t awake yet so I knew it couldn’t possibly be any of my old contacts from school or work. Picking up the phone off the counter I saw Jake’s face flash across the screen.

“Hello?”

“Chlo… what’re you doing?” Jake slurred.

“Um… not much. What’s up Jake?” I answered.

“That sounded like a lie… but I wanted to know if you could maybe…” he trailed off.

“Chloe, could you grab me another beer please?” Zacky called from the living room.

“Yeah, hang on.” I held my hand over the phone and called back.

“Whoa! Who was that!?” Jake suddenly perked up. “Do you have a guy over?! Where’s Jay?!”

“He’s here with me, he’s not feeling well.” I said trying to get him to lose track of the conversation because of his drunkenness.

“Well I was gonna ask you if you could come pick me up?” Jake slurred, “I’ve been drinking and the bartender lady took my keys…”

I sighed as I opened the refrigerator door grabbing Zacky another beer, “Can’t you call a cab?”

“But I want to see my lovely sister and my fun loving nephew…” Jake practically whined as I handed Zacky the beer and he thanked me, “Wait! Who is that?”

I walked back into the kitchen, “I have company Jake.”

“I heard. Who is it? Who do you have there with my nephew?!” Jake yelled drunkenly in the phone.

“Zacky.” I replied quietly pinching the bridge of my nose as I leaned on the counter and waited for his crazy response.

“WHAT?!?! ZACK!?! LIKE JAYDEN’S FATHER!?!” Jake screamed into the phone.

“Yes, Jake. Zacky is here spending some time with us.” I answered calmly.

“Holy Fuck! Does he know?!” Jake exclaimed, “You told him right Chloe? Please tell me you told Zack about his kid…”

“Yes, of course I told him… why do you think he’s here…” I sighed heavily as I continued quietly, “Jayden doesn’t know yet so please keep it to yourself.”

“So……are you gonna come get me or what?” Jake asked.

“Hold on. I don’t want to drag Jayden out when he doesn’t feel good.” I said before covering the phone again with my hand and walking out to the living room.

“What’s up?” Zacky asked when he saw me holding the phone.

“I hate to ask this of you but do you mind staying with Jayden for a little bit? Jake is stupid
drunk at some bar and they took his keys. He won’t let me call him a cab either…” I told him.

“I don’t mind at all.” Zacky smiled at me before asking Jayden sitting in his lap, “Is that okay with you little man? You okay to stay home with me while mommy goes to get your uncle?”

“Are you going to bring Uncle Jake here mommy?” Jayden asked.

“No sweetie, Uncle Jake isn’t feeling good so I’m going to take him home. Do you want to stay with Zacky or come with mommy?” I asked him.

“I’ll stay home with Zacky. Can we watch TV mommy?” he asked as he closed the photo album.

“Sure.” I said as I took the phone back in the kitchen.

“Alright Jake, where are you? I’m coming to get you…” I told him as he gave me the address and hung up.

Notes