Running From Hell

Chapter 6 Birthday Surprise

Saturday came pretty quickly. Luckily, I had Ann to help me get everything in order for the party. Jax invited 6 friends from his class. I'm just glad the parents understood why I was so last minute on informing them. "Mom! Wake Up! Today is my party. We can't be late," Jax was yelling while jumping up and down on the bed. I let out a groan and said, "5 minutes, baby. Mommy is tired." He began pulling on my arm while saying, "No mom. My friends want to share cake with me." I peeked at him with one eye. "So you like your friends more?" I said with a little pout. He laughed and patted my head. "I love mommy the most, duh." I scooped him into my arms, kissing his cheeks relentlessly. "Aw my sweet boy" You're so big now." He laughed, escaping my hug and turned to look at me. "Hurry up Mom. No more kisses until after the party. I'm a big boy now." I patted his head, nodding along while getting up to get ready for the day. I looked in the mirror as I combed my hair up into a high ponytail. My hair is too long for this heat, I mumbled to myself as I made sure no hair was missing from the ponytail. I glanced down at my body and smiled. Five years and I'm still getting used to having no bruises, cuts, broken bones, bite marks or red belt welts on my body at all times. I rubbed the hem of my flowy yellow blouse to hide my protruding stomach. I hadn't lost all the baby weight, so I just stayed chubby. Being on the run didn't exactly mean I had time to care for a gym or my appearance. My hands rubbing the sides of my light blue jeans. My thighs are the thickest I've ever had. Looking at myself, I wasn't ugly but my body sure as hell wasn't what Nathan would have allowed. He always controlled what I ate. He would say I was a cow if I weighed more than 125. I was 5'2, always keeping my weight at 120 until I got pregnant. He said he would allow me the extra weight, but the moment the baby was out I had to drop all of it or punishment would come. I rubbed my eyes, getting those thoughts out of my head. Today it's all about my baby. No more sad thoughts, I said to myself. I grabbed my car keys and yelled for Jax to head to the park to start setting up.

As we got to the park, Jax immediately ran to the playground wanting to play. I couldn't help but smile and think how good of a day it was going to be. I went to my trunk and started pulling out the box of decorations for the tables, the cooler full of drinks and the chocolate cake he wanted. I looked at my phone and saw a text from Ann saying she would probably be late, but that Delilah said she would bring the pizza for kids to eat. Soon kids and parents started to show up. One parent even asked if i could drop her son back off at her house once the party was over because she had a new baby and wanted to keep him home. I watched Jax running and laughing with his friends chatting about the chocolate. I can't believe I almost missed seeing that happy face. I was just about to text Delilah when I heard her voice behind me. I turned about to ask her about the pizza when my blood ran cold. How was he here? Why was he with her? Those cold blue eyes bore into me and I saw that stupid little smile he did whenever he was ready to hurt me. "Hey Lila, sorry I'm late, but the pizza is hot," Delilah said, snapping me away from his gaze. She looked at me so excited I couldn't bring myself to ask her the million of questions I had. As they got closer, my body tensed up once I could smell his cologne. He looked down at me with his piercing gaze. "Nice party, I'm so glad you could invite me." He emphasized the word invite. I couldn't bring myself to say anything, so I just thanked Delilah and went to sit at the table. My hands were gripping my thighs while I racked my brain on wondering how he found us but also knowing he wouldn't do anything here. No, not here he would wait until we were somewhere quiet, somewhere no eyes could see the monster he was. I had time, not a lot but some. I was watching Jax like a hawk now, making sure I didn't see them anywhere near each other. I didn't even notice I actually didn't see Nathan anywhere until he sat next to me. "He looks just like me...well, besides the black hair." he said with a low chuckle. My grip tightened, but I never moved my eyes for Jax. I felt his breath near my ear when he whispered, "Soon we will be a family again." I felt his fingers trace up my back before gripping the back of my neck. "Seems I was too kind the first time, but your little vacation is over," he said with such a calm, stern voice. He squeezed tightly before getting up from the table. I looked up at him finally, and he smiled down at me. "I'll be waiting in the car," was all he said, then started walking away. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I can't go back there! I would rather die! These were all the thoughts I had until i heard my son laugh. I looked up at him going down the slide and my heart steeled. No, he wasn't going to take this freedom from him. I don't care how far I have to run, even if it means running all the way to hell. I won't let him drag us back.