Loving Adam Scott

Moments That Matter

Addison's P.O.V.

"Hurry, Mia! We have to go now or we’ll miss the event," I called out, checking my phone for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Yes, Mum!" came her voice from upstairs.

"She’s turning five soon and already takes this long to get ready. What’s going to happen when she becomes a teenager?" I groaned. "She’ll take forever."

Nate chuckled, sliding his arm around my waist and drawing me close. "Let her take her time. That just means we have more time for ourselves. The event is for what again?"

I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "The event is for older adults. My parents started it last year as a joke. They loved it so much they made it a quarterly tradition. Games, snacks, stories. And they are happy that Mia and I are coming. They can’t wait to show off their adorable granddaughter and their ‘successful’ daughter. They are also sad you won't be coming, but bet me they are going to boast about you too."

He grinned. "Let your parents brag all they want. Just don’t go too hard on the old folks at the games. They’re not built like me."

I raised an eyebrow, laughing. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear. "You were pretty… energetic last night. I’m still recovering."

I pulled back, my cheeks heating. "Nate!" I hissed, glancing toward the stairs. "She’s going to hear you!"

"Oh? You don’t want her overhearing her parents planning her sibling?"

My smile faltered.

I know Nate had always wanted another child. But not now. Not when my career was finally thriving. A second baby would disrupt everything I’d worked so hard to build.

"Hey, hey," he said gently, cupping my face. "It’s okay if you’re not ready. I can wait. And we have Mia. That’s enough for me."

I nodded, the tight knot in my chest loosening slightly.

"I’m sorry I can’t go with you. I would love to meet your parents and join the fun," Nate said, changing the subject and brushing a soft kiss against my cheek.

"It’s alright, mi casa." I smiled, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. "And I’m sorry I can’t drive you to the airport, but have a lovely flight."

"I will, my love. Send my best to your parents." His voice dropped an octave as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in. His kiss was slow and deep, his tongue brushing mine. Familiar. Comforting. Warm.

"I’m here now," Mia announced from behind, waving Mr Button dramatically.

We pulled apart too quickly, like teenagers caught by a chaperone. Nate leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Something to remember me by."

Later—At My Parents' Home

"No more cookies for today," I said, gently taking the cookie from my mum’s hand before she could offer it to Mia.

"Why not? She hasn’t had enough. I specially made them for her!"

"She has been eating cookies all day, during the event and after. When I was her age, you wouldn’t have let me have more than two," I said dryly.

She scoffed, pressing her hand to her chest like I’d offended her. "Are you jealous of my granddaughter? You had terrible teeth back then. Mia’s are perfect. She deserves more."

I laughed, shaking my head. "No, I’m not jealous. And her teeth are perfect because Nate and I take her to the dentist. Religiously.

We saw the dentist before coming back to New Zealand, and we’re not going again for at least six months. So, no more cookies today."

She chuckled, "I can't help but spoil my only grandchild."

I smiled, though I shook my head in mock disapproval.

"How’s Nate?" she asked a few moments later. "Was the business trip that important?"

"Mm-hmm." I nodded, shifting against the couch. "It’s at the main branch in Sicily, so yeah, it’s important. He’ll come see you both once he gets back."

My mum nodded in understanding.

"I heard someone is not leaving today," Dad said with a grin as he entered the house, the late afternoon light streaming in.

"We are going to stay for two more days," I said, just as Mia squealed, "Grandpa!" and ran into his arms like she hadn’t already seen him just this morning.

He lifted her effortlessly, laughing. "My adorable one. You are never tired of Grandpa, huh?"

"Did you finish cleaning everything up? Where’s Adelson?" Mum asked, glancing toward the door.

"All done," Dad said with a satisfied nod. "Your son should be walking in any second now."

I smiled faintly. How time flies. Who would’ve thought this would be us five years later? The sound of their laughter dragging me backwards in time. A familiar ache hit me square in the chest.

I remembered the first time I told them about my pregnancy.

Flashback—Five Years Ago

"I’m pregnant," I whispered, standing at the base of the stairs, watching my parents as they sat glued to their evening program.

My dad turned around with a smile. "You said what, darling?"

I wanted to backtrack, run to my room, and erase the words. But I knew it was now or never.

"I’m pregnant," I repeated, louder and bolder this time, gripping the hem of my shirt.

Even with the TV on, I could still feel the silence.

Mum stood and crossed the room toward me. "What do you mean, love? How can you be pregnant? You don’t even have a boyfriend. Do you know how pregnancy works?" She blurted out, cupping my cheek.

"Mum…" I said, gently moving her hands away. "I know how pregnancy works."

"Who’s the father?" Dad asked, still seated but tense.

"I don’t know," I lied.

A sharp slap cracked the air. Dad was in front of me in a second, his hand stinging across my cheek.

"Addy!" Mum shouted.

"What, Melissa? We completely spoilt her. This is the result. We gave her everything."

"Everything?" I shouted, tears rising. "Everything but Adam! You couldn’t give me him!" I spat naively.

My mum stared at me in absolute shock. Looking at me and my stomach. "You’re still obsessed with Adam. So how can you be pregnant by someone else? Unless… Oh no. It can’t be. You can't go that far."

"Why not?" I challenged, holding her gaze.

Dad looked at us, confused. "What are you two saying?"

"She’s pregnant for Scott," Mum finally whispered.

Silence.

"He’s married," Dad said, voice hollow. "You… slept with a married man?" He stared at me in utter disbelief.

"I know," I muttered, my head bowing in shame. I am not sure if it was my father's tone or the realisation of what I had done that finally woke up my conscience.

"Have you told him?" Mum asked.

"No. I haven’t been able to reach him."

"Then don’t," Dad said firmly. "Don’t ruin his marriage. What a man doesn’t know can’t hurt him."

"What about me?" I cried. "What about the baby?"

"We’ll take care of you both. Just… don’t involve Scott," he muttered.

I scoffed bitterly. "You care more about him than me, don’t you? Are you sure he is not your son, and I was just adopted?"

"Addison Storm!" Mum yelled.

I stormed off, tears hot on my cheeks.

Later that evening

"How far along are you?" Mum asked as we gathered for a tense family meeting.

"I think… ten, maybe eleven weeks." I answered, calculating with my fingers.

"And you’re keeping it?" Her tone was sharp.

"Yes. That’s not up for discussion." I said, staring at everyone.

Mum looked at me for a long moment, her lips trembling. Then she crossed the room and pulled me into a hug.

"I don’t like it. But you’re my daughter. And if you want this baby, then I’ll support you."

I cried into her arms, relief flooding me so fast it made my knees weak.

But the peace didn’t last long.

"You do realise," Adelson cut in, his voice cold, "this was bound to happen."

I stiffened and pulled away from Mum. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You always chase things you shouldn’t. Things that don’t belong to you. You don’t listen to anyone. Not even your own instincts. And now you expect us to pretend like this is normal?"

"Adelson, that’s enough," Dad said.

"I never said I was perfect." I mumbled, not knowing what else to say.

"Of course, you are imperfect, and you never stop flaunting your imperfections, either. Despite all this, you will still be the golden child. The golden child who got knocked up by someone else’s husband. Well done."

He stormed out, slamming the door.

Present Day—My Parents’ Home

"Addie?" Mum’s voice snapped me back to the present.

"Hmm?" I blinked, still seeing the memory flash behind my eyes.

"You zoned out," Dad said, cradling Mia on his lap.

"Just tired," I lied.

"How’s business?" Mum asked, handing me a glass of juice. "So, what else are you up to now? We were worried when you told us that you were moving here permanently."

"Actually…" I took a sip. "There’s something I should probably tell you."

Both of them looked at me suspiciously. Adelson had returned and was leaning against the kitchen doorway, arms folded.

"We are investing in the Scott Industries." I said sharply, looking around me.

"As in Adam Scott," my brother said, giving me a dirty look.

"Yes, it is strictly business."

"And you did not suggest it, right? It just happened to be a coincidence out of the millions of companies out there, right, Addison?" Adelson asked.

I scoffed. "I suggested it. His company fits our needs."

Mum’s voice was soft but deliberate. "Addie… are you still obsessed with him?"

I flinched. "No. No! I’m with Nate now. You know that."

"Then why are you still entangling your life with Adam Scott?" Asked Adelson.

"Because it’s work," I snapped. "It’s my project. I can’t run from the past forever."

"And your daughter?" Dad asked. "You want her in the middle of all this?"

"She’s not in the middle of anything. I’m careful."

"Just like you were last time?" Adelson muttered.

I stood, heart pounding. "I’m not that girl anymore."

"Yes, but you still make reckless decisions." Adelson snapped.

"Stop," Mum said firmly, rising from her seat. "That’s enough."

I gathered Mia into my arms. "I’m going to my room. It's late already."

Without another word, I climbed the stairs, my throat burning.

The past still followed me. No matter how far I ran.