The Little Things Pt 813/? (Forever After Sequel)
Chapter 813
Flash Forward 2039
“So are you still feeling relaxed after our little trip away?” Kris quizzed as he stood at the bedroom door.
“Very,” Adam smiled as he stretched out on the bed.
“And your life is going well?” Kris asked taking a step forward.
“It’s going great,” Adam nodded.
“Got any plans for today?”
“I’m going to go and spend a few hours with my new little grand daughter,” Adam nodded. “You want to come?”
“No,” Kris sighed. “I think I have things to do here.”
“Okay,” Adam shrugged before turning back to his book. “Well you have fun.”
“If I told you something would it ruin your day?” Kris quizzed.
“Ah come on,” Adam groaned. “What are you doing to me?”
“I have something to tell you,” Kris answered.
“I don’t want to know,” Adam said shaking his head.
“If I know you should too,” Kris frowned.
“No,” Adam said shaking his head again. “I don’t need to know.”
“I think you do.”
“Does it involve one of our kids?”
“Yep,” Kris nodded.
“Is it Elle?”
“Yep,” Kris repeated.
“Then I really don’t want to know,” Adam frowned.
“I think you need to,” Kris pushed.
“Fine,” Adam groaned as he he threw his book to the bottom of the bed. “What has she done?”
“I’m not complete sure,” Kris began. “But I think she might be dating a guy.”
“Okay,” Adam shrugged. “She’s done that before.”
“This time its different.”
“How is it different this time?” Adam frowned.
“This time its not a boy,” Kris answered. “This time it’s a man.”
“Excuse me?”
“I was talking to Mr Jackson from down the street and he said he’s seen Elle parking her car outside of his house an getting in and out of an older man’s car”
“Why,” Adam groaned. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know it,” Kris answered. “But now that you know it, you can’t freak out. If we let her know this we hate the idea of this, then she’ll just do it more.”
“So you’ve told me and now I have to stay calm?” Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Exactly,” Kris nodded. “Be calm. Don’t do what you usually do.”
“Do what I usually do?” Adam laughed. “Excuse me, but when we were in this exact same spot with Sophia, it was you that acted crazy. I was the calm one.”
“I don’t remember it like that,” Kris shrugged.
“Well I do,” Adam said dryly. “I went to visit Sophia and Tristan in New York and you acted crazy.”
End of Flash Forward
Flashback
“You're going out?” Adam quizzed as he stood at the entrance of Sophia's small bathroom while she put her make up on. “I thought we were going to have dinner.”
“I was sort of hoping you would babysit Tristan for me,” Sophia said giving Adam a pleading look. “Don't worry if you don't want to. Aunt Allison said I could take him over to her place.”
“Well, where are you going?”
“To dinner with a friend.”
“So I come all the way from LA and you're going out with your friends?”
“And I'll be with you all day tomorrow.”
Adam looked down the small apartment where Tristan sat watching TV. “I guess it will be fun to hang out with my grandson for a few hours, but I want you home for...”
“Papa,” Sophia laughed. “You're really not going to give me a curfew, are you?”
“Midnight,” Adam said pointing a warning finger at his daughter. “If you're not home, I start charging you babysitting money.”
“You're the best,” Sophia said leaving a kiss on Adam's cheek as she past him.
“Apparently I am,” Adam sighed looking towards his grandson.
….........................................
“So you like being in New York?”
“Every things so big,” Tristan said wide eyed as he sat on Adam's knee watching TV.
“And your new schools good?”
“Yep.”
“What's your teachers name?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?” Adam frowned. “You've been at the school for almost two months now, and you don't know what your teachers name is?”
“I forget.”
“You are so your Grandpa Brad's kid, aren't you?”
“Cheeks,” Tristan corrected.
“He's Grandpa Brad to you.”
“I'm not allowed to say that.”
“Listen, when you have gray hair like Grandpa Brad, it's time to accept your old.”
“Martin has gray hair,” Tristan said looking back at the TV.
“Is Martin your teachers name?”
“No,” Tristan said shaking his head. “Martin is the man that kisses Mommy.”
“What?”
“Shhh, Tom and Jerry is on.”
…................................
“Alright, your pyjamas are on, and your teeth are brushed.”
“Now we can talk to Grandpa?”
“Now you can come talk to Grandpa,” Adam laughed as he picked up Tristan to sit on his knee. “Okay, look into the camera.”
“I see him,” Tristan said with excitement as he looked towards the laptop. “Hi Grandpa.”
“Hey, big guy. Look at you.”
“I grew.”
“I see that,” Kris laughed. “I miss you.”
“Where's Uncle Jake?” Tristan asked trying to look past Kris's head.
“He's on a date with Gabe tonight,” Kris explained.
“So is Mommy,” Tristan said causing Adam to look at him.
“What?”
“Shh, Grandpa's talking.”
“What do you mean, Mommy's on a date?” Kris asked gently.
“She went to dinner with Martin.”
“Martin with the gray hair,” Adam said looking into the camera.
“Who the hell is Martin?” Kris frowned.
“He takes me to the park,” Tristan explained. “And he makes pancakes on Saturday mornings.”
“Is he Mommy's boyfriend?” Kris asked gently.
“He's not a boy, he's a man,” Tristan explained. “He works at Mommy's school.”
“Oh my god, she's dating her professor,” Adam groaned as he rubbed his forehead.
“Adam?” Kris quizzed with fear in his voice. “What's going on out there?”
“Baby, don't worry about a thing,” Adam said looking into the camera. “I'll talk to her.”
“Call me when she gets in,” Kris sighed.
“I better get this one to bed,” Adam sighed looking down at his grandson.
“Night Grandpa,” Tristan smiled as he waved his hand at the camera.
“Night, big guy,” Kris smiled. “Good luck Adam.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Adam sighed as he turned the webcam off.
….................................................
Adam paced up the small apartment hallway outside of Tristan's bedroom until he heard the front door being pushed open. He quickly raced into the kitchen and pretended to pour himself a glass of water.
“You still awake?” Sophia called out as she poked her head into the kitchen.
“It's past one.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” Sophia sighed throwing her coat over the back of the kitchen chair. “I lost track of time.”
“Your friend didn't have watch?”
“Guess not,” Sophia said giving Adam a look. “Tristan asleep?”
“Like a baby,” Adam smiled handing Sophia a glass of water. “So what did you say your friends name was?”
“I didn't,” Sophia answered taking a seat at the table.
“Is she in one of your classes?”
“Tristan told you about Martin, didn't he?”
Adam sighed heavily as he took a seat next to his daughter. “You're dating a professor?”
“What?” Sophia asked choking on the water she was drinking. “Who told you that?”
“Tristan said Martin works at your school, and that he has gray hair, which means he's older than you,” Adam said annoyed. “And please tell me he's not married.”
“He's twenty-seven,” Sophia laughed. “And he doesn't work at my school. He's a contractor. He was at the school fixing some old classrooms.”
“He's twenty-seven?” Adam frowned.
“Yeah, and?”
“And you're eighteen,” Adam pointed out.
“I'll be nineteen next month,” Sophia sighed. “And it's no big deal. We're only dating.”
“He makes pancakes on Saturday mornings.”
“He comes by every Saturday morning to help me with Tristan while I study. He doesn't spend the night.”
“How long have you known this man?”
“Since the first week I came here,” Sophia answered. “He was the first person I met here. He helped me with things around the apartment.”
“And why haven't you told me or you Dad about him?” Adam asked. “Why did we have to hear it from Tristan, and why does Tristan even know about him. Isn't it a little early to be introducing him to your son? And what about Tye?”
“Okay Papa,” Sophia said holding up her hands to stop Adam from continuing. “I didn't tell you about him because there was nothing to tell at the start. He was just a friend helping me out. Tristan met him because he was helping me fix things around the apartment. He built Tristan his bookcase, and Tye knows all about Martin. I told him the night Martin asked me out on a date.”
“But I thought you and Tye were...”
“We're Tristan's parents,” Sophia said. “We are not a couple.”
“I just thought with Tye moving out here next year that...”
“Papa,” Sophia sighed. “Tye and I have never been a couple. I love him. I always will, but he's Tristan's Dad, that's all.”
“Okay,” Adam sighed sitting back on his chair. “So how long have you and this... guy been dating?”
“This was our second date tonight,” Sophia answered.
“And he's really twenty-seven?”
“Yes.”
“And he's not married?”
“Of course he's not married,” Sophia said annoyed. “Papa he's a great guy. You would love him.”
“I doubt it.”
“Come on,” Sophia said taking Adam's hand in her own. “Don't judge him before you've met him.”
“So I get to meet him?”
“Not right now,” Sophia answered. “Maybe on your next visit.”
“And you're sure he's twenty-seven?”
“Papa.”
“I just want to make sure before I have to go call your Dad with the news.”
“His age isn't important,” Sophia said giving Adam a look. “He's a sweet guy who's nice to me, and he's great with Tristan.”
“And he's twenty-seven?”
“Papa,” Sophia whined.
“Okay,” Adam said holding up his hands. “Just making sure. And I won't meet him on my next visit. I'll meet him on this one.”
“Papa...”
“It's either that or your Dad makes his way out here to meet him,” Adam said. “Trust me. I'm the better parent for this.”
“Okay,” Sophia sighed. “I'll say to Martin.”
“Good,” Adam said standing up from the table. “Now I'm going to break the news to your Dad.”
“Good luck.”
“Yeah,” Adam sighed walking towards the kitchen door. “I'll need it.”
….…………………………………
“Of course I'm not going to embarrass you,” Adam laughed as he balanced Tristan on his hip. “Why would I do that?”
“Because that's what you do,” Sophia sighed as he moved around picking up Tristan's toys from the floor. “And Dad isn't here, so you're going to be so much worse.”
“I only want to meet the guy.”
“And get pancakes?” Tristan quizzed.
“I don't think Martin's going to be making his pancakes this time, baby,” Sophia said smiling at her son.
“Why?” Tristan complained. “He always makes pancakes on a Saturday.”
“Buddy can't have pancakes,” Sophia explained. “They make him fat.”
“Hey,” Adam frowned. “They do not.”
“So can we have pancakes?” Tristan asked with excitement in his voice.
“Just go and put your toy cars away,” Sophia said taking Tristan from Adam's arms. “And don't drag anymore out.”
“He's a great kid, isn't he?”
“The best,” Sophia smiled.
“But he's a lot of hard work,” Adam mused. “I mean it must be hard for you, coping with him alone.”
“We get by,” Sophia shrugged. “We're a good little team.”
“Exactly,” Adam said nodding his head. “It's a good little team that doesn't need to get bigger.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I'm...” Adam paused to look down the hallway to make sure Tristan wasn't listening. “I just hope you're being careful.”
“With what?”
“Martin,” Adam whispered. “You don't need anything coming along and ruining your chances with collage.”
“Did you not hear me last night?” Sophia frowned. “Didn't I tell you that this was only my second date with Martin?”
“Yeah but...”
“But nothing,” Sophia interrupted. “I might have been stupid in the past, but that was almost four years ago now. I've grown up a lot since then.”
“I'm saying that...”
“I've not slept with Martin yet,” Sophia snapped. “Not that it's any of your business, but we're not there yet. And I'm not going to be there for a long time. I need to focus on Tristan and my studying.”
“And does Martin know this?”
Sophia opened her mouth to answer only to pause at the sound of the apartment door being knocked. “Yes,” Sophia whispered as she passed Adam. “He knows where he stands.”
….…………………………………..
“So you're a contractor?” Adam asked trying his best to fill the silence in the apartment.
“Yep,” Martin answered with a forced smile.
“And that's good work?”
“Papa,” Sophia warned.
“I'm just making conversation,” Adam said holding up his hands.
“It's okay Sophia,” Martin laughed placing his hand on Sophia's knee. “We get a lot of work, Adam. Especially this time of year. People like to get work done before the Holidays start.”
“Right,” Adam said looking down at Martin's hand. “So you got any kids?”
“No,” Martin laughed. “And I've never been married.”
“My Buddy and Grandpa are married,” Tristan announced from his spot on the floor. “They got married in a big church. I've seen the pictures.”
“He talks a lot about you,” Martin remarked looking down at the little boy. “He raves about his Uncle Jake too.”
“Well, we're a pretty close family,” Adam said glancing down at Martin's hand again. “We look out for each other.”
“I know what that's like,” Martin said removing his hand from Sophia's knee. “I come from a pretty big family myself.”
“Then you should...” Adam paused at the sound of the apartment door being knocked. “Expecting someone?” Adam quizzed looking at his daughter.
“It might be Uncle Neil,” Sophia shrugged walking towards the front door. “He's always... oh my god.”
“What?” Adam quizzed looking over his shoulder. “Oh my god.”
“Grandpa,” Tristan yelled as he ran towards Kris.
“Hey big guy,” Kris laughed picking up Tristan to hug him. “Miss me?”
“Always,” Tristan giggled burying his face in Kris's neck. “Uncle Jake.”
“Jacob?” Adam asked standing up.
“Hey Papa.”
“Hi Papa,” Elle smiled walking over to hug Adam.
“Hi Papa,” Sebastian sighed from behind Jacob.
“Why are you all in my apartment?” Sophia asked with a confused look on her face. “Why are you all in New York.”
“I don't know,” Sebastian shrugged pushing past Jacob so he could sit down next to Martin. “Whats up?”
“Hey,” Martin smiled. “What's your name, little man?”
“Sebastian, and I'm best under fourteen boxing champion in all of America,” Sebastian said giving Martin a look. “And you're the guy dating my sister. So you should know that I'm the best under fourteen-year-old boxer in the country.”
“Okay,” Martin said with a nervous laugh. “I'm Martin, I've never boxed in my life.”
“Why are you here?” Adam whispered as he pulled Kris into his arms.
“I heard the words he's twenty-seven,” Kris whispered back. “I freaked and dragged the kids to the airport.”
“I see,” Adam whispered looking over Kris's shoulder where Sophia stood giving him dirty looks. “That probably wasn't a very good idea, baby,” he whispered into Kris's hair.
End of Flashback
Flash Forward 2039
“So are you still feeling relaxed after our little trip away?” Kris quizzed as he stood at the bedroom door.
“Very,” Adam smiled as he stretched out on the bed.
“And your life is going well?” Kris asked taking a step forward.
“It’s going great,” Adam nodded.
“Got any plans for today?”
“I’m going to go and spend a few hours with my new little grand daughter,” Adam nodded. “You want to come?”
“No,” Kris sighed. “I think I have things to do here.”
“Okay,” Adam shrugged before turning back to his book. “Well you have fun.”
“If I told you something would it ruin your day?” Kris quizzed.
“Ah come on,” Adam groaned. “What are you doing to me?”
“I have something to tell you,” Kris answered.
“I don’t want to know,” Adam said shaking his head.
“If I know you should too,” Kris frowned.
“No,” Adam said shaking his head again. “I don’t need to know.”
“I think you do.”
“Does it involve one of our kids?”
“Yep,” Kris nodded.
“Is it Elle?”
“Yep,” Kris repeated.
“Then I really don’t want to know,” Adam frowned.
“I think you need to,” Kris pushed.
“Fine,” Adam groaned as he he threw his book to the bottom of the bed. “What has she done?”
“I’m not complete sure,” Kris began. “But I think she might be dating a guy.”
“Okay,” Adam shrugged. “She’s done that before.”
“This time its different.”
“How is it different this time?” Adam frowned.
“This time its not a boy,” Kris answered. “This time it’s a man.”
“Excuse me?”
“I was talking to Mr Jackson from down the street and he said he’s seen Elle parking her car outside of his house an getting in and out of an older man’s car”
“Why,” Adam groaned. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know it,” Kris answered. “But now that you know it, you can’t freak out. If we let her know this we hate the idea of this, then she’ll just do it more.”
“So you’ve told me and now I have to stay calm?” Adam asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Exactly,” Kris nodded. “Be calm. Don’t do what you usually do.”
“Do what I usually do?” Adam laughed. “Excuse me, but when we were in this exact same spot with Sophia, it was you that acted crazy. I was the calm one.”
“I don’t remember it like that,” Kris shrugged.
“Well I do,” Adam said dryly. “I went to visit Sophia and Tristan in New York and you acted crazy.”
End of Flash Forward
Flashback
“You're going out?” Adam quizzed as he stood at the entrance of Sophia's small bathroom while she put her make up on. “I thought we were going to have dinner.”
“I was sort of hoping you would babysit Tristan for me,” Sophia said giving Adam a pleading look. “Don't worry if you don't want to. Aunt Allison said I could take him over to her place.”
“Well, where are you going?”
“To dinner with a friend.”
“So I come all the way from LA and you're going out with your friends?”
“And I'll be with you all day tomorrow.”
Adam looked down the small apartment where Tristan sat watching TV. “I guess it will be fun to hang out with my grandson for a few hours, but I want you home for...”
“Papa,” Sophia laughed. “You're really not going to give me a curfew, are you?”
“Midnight,” Adam said pointing a warning finger at his daughter. “If you're not home, I start charging you babysitting money.”
“You're the best,” Sophia said leaving a kiss on Adam's cheek as she past him.
“Apparently I am,” Adam sighed looking towards his grandson.
….........................................
“So you like being in New York?”
“Every things so big,” Tristan said wide eyed as he sat on Adam's knee watching TV.
“And your new schools good?”
“Yep.”
“What's your teachers name?”
“I don't know.”
“You don't know?” Adam frowned. “You've been at the school for almost two months now, and you don't know what your teachers name is?”
“I forget.”
“You are so your Grandpa Brad's kid, aren't you?”
“Cheeks,” Tristan corrected.
“He's Grandpa Brad to you.”
“I'm not allowed to say that.”
“Listen, when you have gray hair like Grandpa Brad, it's time to accept your old.”
“Martin has gray hair,” Tristan said looking back at the TV.
“Is Martin your teachers name?”
“No,” Tristan said shaking his head. “Martin is the man that kisses Mommy.”
“What?”
“Shhh, Tom and Jerry is on.”
…................................
“Alright, your pyjamas are on, and your teeth are brushed.”
“Now we can talk to Grandpa?”
“Now you can come talk to Grandpa,” Adam laughed as he picked up Tristan to sit on his knee. “Okay, look into the camera.”
“I see him,” Tristan said with excitement as he looked towards the laptop. “Hi Grandpa.”
“Hey, big guy. Look at you.”
“I grew.”
“I see that,” Kris laughed. “I miss you.”
“Where's Uncle Jake?” Tristan asked trying to look past Kris's head.
“He's on a date with Gabe tonight,” Kris explained.
“So is Mommy,” Tristan said causing Adam to look at him.
“What?”
“Shh, Grandpa's talking.”
“What do you mean, Mommy's on a date?” Kris asked gently.
“She went to dinner with Martin.”
“Martin with the gray hair,” Adam said looking into the camera.
“Who the hell is Martin?” Kris frowned.
“He takes me to the park,” Tristan explained. “And he makes pancakes on Saturday mornings.”
“Is he Mommy's boyfriend?” Kris asked gently.
“He's not a boy, he's a man,” Tristan explained. “He works at Mommy's school.”
“Oh my god, she's dating her professor,” Adam groaned as he rubbed his forehead.
“Adam?” Kris quizzed with fear in his voice. “What's going on out there?”
“Baby, don't worry about a thing,” Adam said looking into the camera. “I'll talk to her.”
“Call me when she gets in,” Kris sighed.
“I better get this one to bed,” Adam sighed looking down at his grandson.
“Night Grandpa,” Tristan smiled as he waved his hand at the camera.
“Night, big guy,” Kris smiled. “Good luck Adam.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Adam sighed as he turned the webcam off.
….................................................
Adam paced up the small apartment hallway outside of Tristan's bedroom until he heard the front door being pushed open. He quickly raced into the kitchen and pretended to pour himself a glass of water.
“You still awake?” Sophia called out as she poked her head into the kitchen.
“It's past one.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” Sophia sighed throwing her coat over the back of the kitchen chair. “I lost track of time.”
“Your friend didn't have watch?”
“Guess not,” Sophia said giving Adam a look. “Tristan asleep?”
“Like a baby,” Adam smiled handing Sophia a glass of water. “So what did you say your friends name was?”
“I didn't,” Sophia answered taking a seat at the table.
“Is she in one of your classes?”
“Tristan told you about Martin, didn't he?”
Adam sighed heavily as he took a seat next to his daughter. “You're dating a professor?”
“What?” Sophia asked choking on the water she was drinking. “Who told you that?”
“Tristan said Martin works at your school, and that he has gray hair, which means he's older than you,” Adam said annoyed. “And please tell me he's not married.”
“He's twenty-seven,” Sophia laughed. “And he doesn't work at my school. He's a contractor. He was at the school fixing some old classrooms.”
“He's twenty-seven?” Adam frowned.
“Yeah, and?”
“And you're eighteen,” Adam pointed out.
“I'll be nineteen next month,” Sophia sighed. “And it's no big deal. We're only dating.”
“He makes pancakes on Saturday mornings.”
“He comes by every Saturday morning to help me with Tristan while I study. He doesn't spend the night.”
“How long have you known this man?”
“Since the first week I came here,” Sophia answered. “He was the first person I met here. He helped me with things around the apartment.”
“And why haven't you told me or you Dad about him?” Adam asked. “Why did we have to hear it from Tristan, and why does Tristan even know about him. Isn't it a little early to be introducing him to your son? And what about Tye?”
“Okay Papa,” Sophia said holding up her hands to stop Adam from continuing. “I didn't tell you about him because there was nothing to tell at the start. He was just a friend helping me out. Tristan met him because he was helping me fix things around the apartment. He built Tristan his bookcase, and Tye knows all about Martin. I told him the night Martin asked me out on a date.”
“But I thought you and Tye were...”
“We're Tristan's parents,” Sophia said. “We are not a couple.”
“I just thought with Tye moving out here next year that...”
“Papa,” Sophia sighed. “Tye and I have never been a couple. I love him. I always will, but he's Tristan's Dad, that's all.”
“Okay,” Adam sighed sitting back on his chair. “So how long have you and this... guy been dating?”
“This was our second date tonight,” Sophia answered.
“And he's really twenty-seven?”
“Yes.”
“And he's not married?”
“Of course he's not married,” Sophia said annoyed. “Papa he's a great guy. You would love him.”
“I doubt it.”
“Come on,” Sophia said taking Adam's hand in her own. “Don't judge him before you've met him.”
“So I get to meet him?”
“Not right now,” Sophia answered. “Maybe on your next visit.”
“And you're sure he's twenty-seven?”
“Papa.”
“I just want to make sure before I have to go call your Dad with the news.”
“His age isn't important,” Sophia said giving Adam a look. “He's a sweet guy who's nice to me, and he's great with Tristan.”
“And he's twenty-seven?”
“Papa,” Sophia whined.
“Okay,” Adam said holding up his hands. “Just making sure. And I won't meet him on my next visit. I'll meet him on this one.”
“Papa...”
“It's either that or your Dad makes his way out here to meet him,” Adam said. “Trust me. I'm the better parent for this.”
“Okay,” Sophia sighed. “I'll say to Martin.”
“Good,” Adam said standing up from the table. “Now I'm going to break the news to your Dad.”
“Good luck.”
“Yeah,” Adam sighed walking towards the kitchen door. “I'll need it.”
….…………………………………
“Of course I'm not going to embarrass you,” Adam laughed as he balanced Tristan on his hip. “Why would I do that?”
“Because that's what you do,” Sophia sighed as he moved around picking up Tristan's toys from the floor. “And Dad isn't here, so you're going to be so much worse.”
“I only want to meet the guy.”
“And get pancakes?” Tristan quizzed.
“I don't think Martin's going to be making his pancakes this time, baby,” Sophia said smiling at her son.
“Why?” Tristan complained. “He always makes pancakes on a Saturday.”
“Buddy can't have pancakes,” Sophia explained. “They make him fat.”
“Hey,” Adam frowned. “They do not.”
“So can we have pancakes?” Tristan asked with excitement in his voice.
“Just go and put your toy cars away,” Sophia said taking Tristan from Adam's arms. “And don't drag anymore out.”
“He's a great kid, isn't he?”
“The best,” Sophia smiled.
“But he's a lot of hard work,” Adam mused. “I mean it must be hard for you, coping with him alone.”
“We get by,” Sophia shrugged. “We're a good little team.”
“Exactly,” Adam said nodding his head. “It's a good little team that doesn't need to get bigger.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I'm...” Adam paused to look down the hallway to make sure Tristan wasn't listening. “I just hope you're being careful.”
“With what?”
“Martin,” Adam whispered. “You don't need anything coming along and ruining your chances with collage.”
“Did you not hear me last night?” Sophia frowned. “Didn't I tell you that this was only my second date with Martin?”
“Yeah but...”
“But nothing,” Sophia interrupted. “I might have been stupid in the past, but that was almost four years ago now. I've grown up a lot since then.”
“I'm saying that...”
“I've not slept with Martin yet,” Sophia snapped. “Not that it's any of your business, but we're not there yet. And I'm not going to be there for a long time. I need to focus on Tristan and my studying.”
“And does Martin know this?”
Sophia opened her mouth to answer only to pause at the sound of the apartment door being knocked. “Yes,” Sophia whispered as she passed Adam. “He knows where he stands.”
….…………………………………..
“So you're a contractor?” Adam asked trying his best to fill the silence in the apartment.
“Yep,” Martin answered with a forced smile.
“And that's good work?”
“Papa,” Sophia warned.
“I'm just making conversation,” Adam said holding up his hands.
“It's okay Sophia,” Martin laughed placing his hand on Sophia's knee. “We get a lot of work, Adam. Especially this time of year. People like to get work done before the Holidays start.”
“Right,” Adam said looking down at Martin's hand. “So you got any kids?”
“No,” Martin laughed. “And I've never been married.”
“My Buddy and Grandpa are married,” Tristan announced from his spot on the floor. “They got married in a big church. I've seen the pictures.”
“He talks a lot about you,” Martin remarked looking down at the little boy. “He raves about his Uncle Jake too.”
“Well, we're a pretty close family,” Adam said glancing down at Martin's hand again. “We look out for each other.”
“I know what that's like,” Martin said removing his hand from Sophia's knee. “I come from a pretty big family myself.”
“Then you should...” Adam paused at the sound of the apartment door being knocked. “Expecting someone?” Adam quizzed looking at his daughter.
“It might be Uncle Neil,” Sophia shrugged walking towards the front door. “He's always... oh my god.”
“What?” Adam quizzed looking over his shoulder. “Oh my god.”
“Grandpa,” Tristan yelled as he ran towards Kris.
“Hey big guy,” Kris laughed picking up Tristan to hug him. “Miss me?”
“Always,” Tristan giggled burying his face in Kris's neck. “Uncle Jake.”
“Jacob?” Adam asked standing up.
“Hey Papa.”
“Hi Papa,” Elle smiled walking over to hug Adam.
“Hi Papa,” Sebastian sighed from behind Jacob.
“Why are you all in my apartment?” Sophia asked with a confused look on her face. “Why are you all in New York.”
“I don't know,” Sebastian shrugged pushing past Jacob so he could sit down next to Martin. “Whats up?”
“Hey,” Martin smiled. “What's your name, little man?”
“Sebastian, and I'm best under fourteen boxing champion in all of America,” Sebastian said giving Martin a look. “And you're the guy dating my sister. So you should know that I'm the best under fourteen-year-old boxer in the country.”
“Okay,” Martin said with a nervous laugh. “I'm Martin, I've never boxed in my life.”
“Why are you here?” Adam whispered as he pulled Kris into his arms.
“I heard the words he's twenty-seven,” Kris whispered back. “I freaked and dragged the kids to the airport.”
“I see,” Adam whispered looking over Kris's shoulder where Sophia stood giving him dirty looks. “That probably wasn't a very good idea, baby,” he whispered into Kris's hair.
End of Flashback