The Child

Chapter 3

Marie

I wake up, feeling refreshed and ready for the day. I go to the kitchen to start brewing some coffee. I go to the bedroom and throw on my hoodie, shorts, and some flip flops after I start the coffee pot. I go back to pour myself some coffee, and let Bru out. I grab my mug and open the front door and Brutus goes running out like he is on a mission. I shrug my shoulders then sit on the couch, enjoying the quiet before Ollie wakes up.

The quiet is short lived as I hear a small cry from the bedroom. I open the door and see Ollie sitting in his pack and play. I remind myself to get a crib as possible. Oliver and I lock eyes and he starts clapping, “momma!” I smile at his excitement, knowing he is clapping for me. I pick up the blond haired toddler.

“Are you ready for some breakfast, hungry boy?”

“Yum yums!” He claps again.

“Ok buddy! Let’s get that belly full.” I reposition him to be in front of me, lifting him as high as I can, giving him a raspberry on his big tummy. He giggles uncontrollably, trying to protect his stomach from my assault.

We make it back to the kitchen, and I put him down. He toddles about exploring every drawer and cabinet in the place, pulling things out as he goes. I cut up some fruit and whip up some scrambled eggs while he does his thing.

“You ready for yum yums?” I pick Ollie up and put him in his high chair and lay the fruit and some eggs in front of him. I walk to the door to let Bru in so he can clean up anything Ollie drops on the floor. The perfect vacuum cleaner. I grab my coffee on the counter and wait for Ollie to be finished with his breakfast.

“How about an adventure today boys?” Bru’s ears perk up and he wags his tail, he knows what an “adventure” is. “Es!” Ollie shouts. I love the way he says yes. I get Ollie cleaned up and dressed, then load him in the car. Brutus sits next to the passenger door waiting for me to let him in. I open the door and then run back to the house and grab his leash. I shut all the doors and and start the car. Off we go, winding down the mountain to the picturesque town at the bottom. It surprises me how quaint it is, but it has a modern touch to it.

We reach our destination, a cute little park at the base of the mountain at the edge of the town. It’s the middle of the morning so not many people are there. Kids are playing on the jungle gym while a couple parents sit on the bench, talking. I go to the trunk and pull out Oliver’s stroller, gettting him settled in. Next is Brutus. He jumps out of the car and sits next to the stroller. I attach his leash then wrap the leash around the handle bar. When Ollie was born, I taught Brutus to walk next to the stroller because it is easier to handle both of them.

“Off we go, on to the next adventure,” I say, quoting my dad. Oh no! I remember I forgot to call my dad. He is probably freaking out. I grab my phone out of my bag and dial dad, while walking down the path that circles the park.

It rings a couple times, “Hello?”

“Hey dad, I am sorry I forgot to call you! I got a little overwhelmed with everything. Thankfully we are settled now.”

My dad chuckles on the other end, “It’s ok, Marie. I figured you had a lot to deal with. So how is it? Is it everything you dreamed?”

“It’s amazing here. I am blown away by all the beauty. It’s definitely slower than home, but I like it that way. Well I am walking Ollie and Bru so I am gonna go, I just wanted to check in.”

“Thank you so much, sweetheart. Maybe once you get settled I can come visit.”

“That would be awesome. I love you, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

“I love you too.” He hangs up and I throw the phone back in the diaper bag.

I can only imagine how my dad feels. I am his one and only child, who moved so far away. My mom passed away when I was a little girl and our little crew was all my dad had left. I feel bad for leaving him, but it was necessary. I had to protect Oliver at all costs.

“Boo Boo,” Ollie tries to grab Brutus, but fails. “Boo Boo,” he says again, referring to Brutus. I finally pay attention to Brutus. He is staring at a man, who is across the park. He wags his tail, almost as though he has met him before. The man stares at us, I blush and put my head down and continue to walk on the path.

I look around for something interesting to point out to Ollie, trying to avoid the gaze of the mysterious man. I feel his eyes on me, making me feel anxious. I am getting closer to him. I get butterflies in my stomach. I take a peek at him. He is the most gorgeous man I have ever seen. He has nothing on Damion. He is probably 6’ 5”, all muscle, short light brown hair that is perfectly messy on top. I can easily compare him to Chris Hemsworth, my favorite actor. He looks to be in his early 30’s. His blood red hoodie and light jeans give him a relaxed look, but somehow he seems out of place. Almost like he is too perfect for this little town. He is still looking at me, watching as I slowly get closer.

As we get closer, Brutus practically pulls us to the man. Once Bru is close enough he sits expectantly, refusing to move. I try to keep walking but Brutus doesn’t move.

“Beautiful dog, what’s his name?” A deep voice says to me. I look up and the man is freakishly close. I see his bright green eyes, I could easily get lost in them.

“Uh, thank you. His name is Brutus. For some reason he seems to like you. He usually doesn’t like men.”

He laughs, and flashes a smile that can make any woman swoon.

“I am good with animals,” he winks. Damn! I tried to not get weak in the knees.

“By the way, I am Joey,” he sticks his big hand out. I grab it and shake it, tingles fly up my body. What the f**k? “I’m Marie. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You must be new here, I have never seen you around.”

“Yeah, I just moved here, trying to escape the city life,” I say laughing.

“Well, this is definitely the place to come for that. Who is this little guy?” He crouches down to Ollie’s level and smiles at him. I see something in his eyes, sadness? I blink and the look is gone. “This is Oliver, he is 18 months.” People usually ask how old he is so I rather avoid the question.

“Hi, Oliver, I’m Joey. It’s nice to meet you.” He gives him another dashing smile. Ollie gives him a shy wave then reaches for Brutus who is sitting their watching the whole scene with extreme interest. “Well, it was wonderful to meet you, Joey. Maybe we will see you around.”

I start walking away, pulling Bru with me. “Wait,” he says in a sad voice. I stop and turn around as he takes a couple of steps towards me. “If you ever need someone to show you around town, just let me know. I have lived here my whole life and know the best spots,” he offers. I look at him and smile. “That would be wonderful. How about we meet up here tomorrow at 11 and you can fill me in about the town. I sadly have to take Ollie back for lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he says with a small smile.

“Ok we will see you then!” I walk away, giving him a little wave.

We make it back to the car and I load my crew up. Did that really just happen? Did a handsome man just offer to show us around town? And what was with the tingles when we shook hands? So many questions. I pull out of the parking spot and head home.

Joseph

I am sitting at my desk staring out the window that faces a little park, watching the kids play on the jungle gym. I am listening to Andrew read off financial reports, trying to pay attention. My mind keeps drifting back to her. I can get her out of my mind. Her long blond hair…. Her pouty, full lips…. Those light blue eyes… Then my mind goes to the blonde baby she was carrying out of the bedroom. What is the story there? I only smelled 2 people in the cabin. Where is his dad? “Are you even listening?” My brother raises his eyebrow, cutting my train of thought.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I am listening.”

“Liar. You’re thinking about her. The new girl in town,” Andrew calls me out.

I smile sheepishly and nod. Andrew rolls his eyes. He doesn’t understand how the mate bond works, he has yet to find his. She invaded every part of me. She invaded my dreams, my thoughts. Her voice rings in my head. I am hooked already. I look back out the window at the park and I see a car pull up. And she walks out of the car. I smile like a kid and stare at her.

I see her walk to her trunk and pull out a stroller. She disappears and then comes back with the baby in her arms and gets him settled into the stroller. Next the dog jumps out, sitting next to the stroller like the well trained dog he is. She hooks him up and starts walking. I see her bend down and pull out her phone, dialing someone. She gets a really big smile and starts talking. It was probably the child’s dad. My heart clinched at the thought.

“What are you staring at?” Andrew asks with curiosity. I point to my angel.

“It’s her, isn’t it?” I just nod.

“Go say hi, you need a break anyways.”

“Thanks man, I’ll be back in a little bit.”

“I got things handled here.”

I jump up from my desk and rush across the street. I watch her walk, with the little sway in her hips, hypnotized by her movements. Then she glances up and looks at me. My heart starts racing. I watch her circle around the walking path. Oh Gods, she is coming straight at me. My beast starts screaming MATE in my head repeatedly.