The Runaway Bride

Chapter 15

It's two weeks later since I let Reid stay here from the last time.

And two weeks later, he held on to his promise. He spends his time with Eli. And Eli likes him and they are getting along really well.

Reid barely speaks to me unless it has something to do with Eli. There were no more of his sarcastic remarks or his heated stare.

Though we still shared a bed, there was none of it.

Which was nice since I could focus my attention on Chris without him still in the back of my mind.

Chris and I hadn't gotten the chance to go out again since we were both busy and there was nothing more than our hallways run-ins or Elias wanting to see him at times, but even that has become less frequent.

Reid had been there any moment he needed him. He actually was being a good dad.

He went into his office when Eli was at school and I was at work and even sometimes found the time to pick him up.

They were currently watching a movie on the tv with Eli spread across him while he held on to him.

I brought popcorn for them.

"Mommy, watch the movie with us," Eli begged as I set the bowl down.

"Mommy has work to do. I'll watch it later," I told him. But he whined louder.

I tried to explain to him further but he wouldn't take a no for an answer.

"Just stay and watch the movie for a bit," Reid said, taking a hold of my wrist.

I sigh looking between both of them and took my seat beside them.

Eli positioned himself in the way his head was on my lap and his feet were on Reid's.

And we began watching the movie. It was a good thing that tomorrow was Saturday and I didn't have to go to work, so I had all day to finish my work at home.

So we continued to watch the movie silently until I was too tired to keep my eyes open to continue to watch.

I couldn't even remember when I had fallen asleep until I was in my bed. I got up to find that Reid was next to me and he hadn't gone to bed.

Instead, his eyes focus on the ceiling, his eyes wide open.

"Hey. Why are you still awake?" I ask him, scooting a little closer to him.

"I'm tired, but my mind won't be still," he said.

"Why?"

"I'm just thinking," he said.

"I hope it's not about you leaving Eli again cuz that would really hurt him." It was meant to be a joke, and I almost expected him to laugh, but he didn't.

"I'm not ever planning on leaving him, so don't think that way ever again," his voice was rough.

"I was kidding," I tell him, rolling my eyes. I turned around my back to him so I was facing away from him.

I didn't care whether he slept or not, but I needed to sleep.

"I'm just thinking whether I should move out," he suddenly says and all my tirednesses disappeared and I turned back around.

"What?"

"I was thinking it's probably weird for us to live together, anyway. And you trust me with Eli now, so if I go back to my place we could probably work out some shared custody plan," he looked at me this time.

He did make a valid point. I have been letting Eli alone with him. I do trust that he will keep my son safe at all times and he, most of all, was a good father.

But the idea of having shared custody did not sit well with me.

I could barely handle being without Elias for a while, but imagine days or weeks while he lived with Reid. Even the thought makes me feel like I'm going to have a panic attack.

"Absolutely not!" I say, easing my voice higher than intended to. "I can’t be away from him. You know I can't,"

"But Anna, this would the best for us," he says.

"What do you mean? I'm okay with you living here. I'm used to it at this point, so why do you want to leave now?" I questioned. Sitting up on my elbow.

He moved so fast that I didn't have time to react. I was on my back again with him hovering on top of me. My hands pinned into the bed with his.

I stared at him wide-eyed. "What are you doing?" I asked, a little breathless.

"Trying to control myself," he whispers.

My breath got heavier. I didn't have the power to move or push him off and he made no moves to move, either.

I stared into his eyes as he stared back into my own.

"Reid, you have to get off," I say.

"You know why I want to move out?" He says "It's not about Eli. It's about you. Having to live with you share this bed with you is questioning my willpower," he says.

I squinted my eyes. "What do you mean? I haven't done anything to you," I say.

"Maybe not," was all he said before he got off of me.

I was still lying on my back while he turned around.

I was left confused, wondering what had just happened. And why my heart won't stop beating out my chest.

"But you're beginning to kill me," was the last thing I heard him say when finally sleep came to me.

-

I didn't get up to do anything this morning. When I woke up, I found a text saying that Reid was going to take Eli out for a bit.

He texted me all the information as well as where they were. Because he knew I would have freaked out otherwise.

So I took the opportunity not to do anything but lay in bed. Reid has again begun to occupy my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened last night.

So much for those 2 weeks.

I couldn't figure out what he meant by any of it. But the way he stared into my eyes as I laid on my back made me only realize it had been a while since I actually slept with someone.

I didn't realize it last night, but this morning I remember the excitement I felt in my stomach.

I couldn't stop thinking about the way he hovered on top of me. All of his body weight pressed against me.

I had to get up now if I won't be able to focus for the day.

I got up from bed and got myself ready before I began doing the most random thing in the house.

I began cleaning the fridge. Eating popcorns out of the hood of my hoodie. Brushing my hair for the 10th time.

And by the time they arrived home, I was practically doing a split in the middle of the living room.

Reid and Eli both stopped dead in their tracks and stared at me.

"What the f**k are you doing?" It wasn't Eli or Reid that spoke, but it was in fact Chris who seemed to have to come as well.

"Language!" I yell. "I'm practicing yoga," I say, still in my split stance.

"That's barely even spitting and you haven't been active since I met you, so get up!" Reid said.

"You don't know. You haven't been here for 3 years," I say.

"Well, clearly I didn't have to be here to know. I can bet you 10 bucks when you get up, your legs will turn jelly and you fall," he challenged, crossing his arms.

I hugged, getting up fast on my feet. I stood there for 5 seconds with a proud smile on my lips before, like he said, my legs turned to jelly and I collapsed to the floor.

Eli laughed. "Mommy is clumsy," he says.

"Little prince, mommy will give you chocolate if you help me get up," I said.

"Bribery is not a good form to teach our kid,"

"Neither is letting me lie on the floor. So one of you boys get me up,"

Thankfully for me, it was Chris that helped me up. He held me against him for few seconds before he let me go and that made my whole frustration even worse.

I had to move away from him. "Thanks," I mumbled.

"Ducky, I wanna show you my new toys," Eli grabbed onto his arms and pulled him onto the couch, taking out all the new toys that Reid had gotten him.

"You know, if you want to learn yoga, I could teach you," Reid came up behind me and whispered in my ears.

"You do yoga?"

"Not regularly, but I know a thing or two." He grinned amusedly.

"I'm good, thanks. I'll figure it out," I say.

"Suit yourself. I could have made you sit in the right and even helped you bend over," he winked.

I basically shivered in the spot as the electricity hit right down my core.

If Chris made me feel frustrated. Reid made me go mad