Kissing the side of his head, I decide to only bring up his necessities tonight. After grabbing his overnight bag, I head into the apartment building, a growing nervousness budding in my stomach.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Jenna will definitely have something to say about the arrival of my dark-haired, multicolored eyes, piece of perfection. No doubt about it.
Carefully maneuvering my way up the stairs, Maverick wiggles in my arms when he starts getting uncomfortable. His little grunts are the miniature version of his dad's, and I hate that I still notice the small things like that. But it's hard not to when he's the replica of his dad, right down to his toes.
"It's okay, baby boy," I coo, running my cheek against the side of his head to calm him. "We're almost there. Promise."
"Mommy, sleepy," he grunts again, the sound making my heart squeeze in my chest.
Usually, my little boy is literate and speaks full sentences, even at two. But, again, just like his dad, he turns into a grunting male whenever he's tired, angry, or just over whatever it is.
I smile. I can't help myself.
While I hate these tiny reminders of who makes up the other half of his DNA, I sort of love them, too. It's hard to explain. But knowing that Hunter's and my relationship wasn't all for nothing and having the reminder in a tiny three-foot-tall person ... it means something to me.
Making my way through the dimly lit hallway, I manage to conquer the stairs and then get to my door without much of a fuss. Thank God.
However, something doesn't look right. The door, it's not sitting how it should be—the crack is far too big. Upon closer inspection, I notice the door is actually open, having not been closed all the way.
Fear licks up my spine. Immediately, I want to call someone to come to check it out, not wanting to take chances with Maverick's safety. But I can't do that, either. The last time the campus security was here, it was at the behest of Hunter. That means that Hunter has connections in the security office, and so, he'd find out about Maverick by morning.
I know he'll find out about Maverick eventually. But I want to be prepared, and to be able to state my case when he does come around seeking answers.
Because it's going to happen. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Hunter will find out he has a son, and when that happens, I need my ducks in a row.
I swallow hard, breathing elevating by what I know I have to do. Dammit, I wish I had backup for this or something.
"Hey, little man." I stir Maverick in my arms.
Grumpily, he huffs and then raises his eyes to mine, narrowing them. "What, Mommy?"
It takes everything in me to staunch my laughter, but I do. He's so adorable when he's grumpy like this. "I'm going to put you down, okay? Grab my hand and walk behind me?"
He huffs, completely put out. "Fine. But I want bed. Now."
This time, I can't hold back the chuckle that resonates inside my chest. His look turns deadlier, but I can't take it too seriously because a giant yawn breaks his concentration.
Setting him down on the floor, I take his hand in mine and hesitantly approach the door. Anything could be on the other side, and I want to be ready for it. I'm not alone anymore, and protecting my son is the most important thing.
However, neither my stealth nor my protectiveness has anything on my determined, headstrong boy. Without waiting for my signal, he steps around me and uses his tiny foot to kick open the door. My entire soul feels like it's being sucked out of me, all the while he's standing at my side with a bored expression.
When nothing comes running out at us, I peer down at him, seeing him giving me his See, enough with this shit. Let's go to bed look. I give him my really look, but he merely shrugs and pulls me into the apartment without another thought. A small light over the stove is on, letting me know that Jenna is nowhere to be seen. That is our signal that the other will be out late—a signal she only uses, but a signal all the same.
"Okay, let's go to bed." My hackles lower until the bone-aching tiredness shines through. Driving two hours to my dad's house and then two hours back in the middle of the night is tiresome. Lord knows how exhausted Maverick must be, he's usually asleep by nine-thirty.
"Finally," he grumbles. "Which one?"
I'm taken aback by his level of understanding and answer on autopilot. "The right."
He follows the direction I point, without a care in the world, and pushes open my door. Disappearing inside, my little boy doesn't even turn on the light. He's changed so much since I came to GOU in the middle of August. He's more independent than ever before and has this no-nonsense attitude about him.
Actually, he reminds me more of his dad now than he ever did. After shutting the apartment door, I make sure it's locked and then head into my bedroom. Setting down Maverick's bag just on the inside of my room, I peer up at the ball huddled in the middle of the bed.
Shutting the door behind me, I get ready to go to bed myself and slip between the covers. My eyes are heavy with exhaustion. My heart is full, having Maverick next to me once more. But my mind is running a mile a minute, knowing what tomorrow will bring.
His tiny body shifts over as if seeking my warmth and protection. A tear slides down my cheek as I wrap my arms around him and turn on my side, breathing in his baby smell. A familiar scent that instantly puts me at ease.
There is no more hiding, especially when it comes to Jenna. Just as soon as we all wake up in the morning, and she walks out of her room, hopefully clothed, she's going to see what I've been keeping from her. The secret I've been keeping from everyone. I just hope she doesn't freak out like anyone else would in her position. I know it may be a long shot, but I sincerely pray she accepts him as an extension of me.
This apartment was hers first, and if she decides she doesn't want to live with a toddler, having him cramp her style, then all she has to do is go to the housing office and file to have me replaced in another apartment.
Only, there are no other apartments available, so I'd be in major trouble.
My mind whirls with thoughts, plans, and actions on what I need to do, even when the first rays of morning shine in the Eastern sky. The purples, pinks, and soft yellows shine in through the thin blinds. Only when exhaustion takes me over, do I fall asleep with my precious son snuggled under the covers like a cat, completely covered, in my arms.
I’m jolted awake by the sound of my door nearly being ripped off its hinges. Turning over, half frantic but half asleep, I watch as a pissed off little she-devil stands in my doorway, blistering mad as she huffs and puffs. She looks like a bull, blowing through her mouth with her multicolored hair lying askew.
"Where the fuck did you go?!" My eyes trail over her person, inwardly thanking God she’s actually dressed this time.
When Maverick shifts in front of me under the covers, and a familiar guilty look branches across my face, Jenna's eyes drop to the movement. Slowly, I watch as her head tilts from one side to the other, trying to figure out why the ball in front of me is moving.
Finally, she says with a sigh, "You know we can't have dogs. I thought you grew out of this phase of your life."
"Shhh!" I say, forgetting myself as I giggle. I replay everything she said, and it makes me start chuckling even more.