Pregnant With The Nerds Baby

44

ZACKS POV

I'm taken back by seeing my brother. Not seeing your brother for 2 years is a long time. I get a tightening feeling in my chest when I look into his eyes.

There's so many unspoken words between us, So many times I've needed him and he wasn't there.

Seeing him now is just bringing all my anger and hurt to the surface.

I push those feelings aside because this is mom's day and she deserves this, she's worked so hard.

"Come in" I say after what feels like forever

"Ethans here" I say as we both enter the living room

"Wow, Ethan. You look amazing. Come here and give your mother a hug." She says and pulls Ethan towards her

He still hasn't said anything and I wonder why.

"Who are you?" Mary asks while going up to him

"You don't remember me?" He asks her

"No"

"Of course not." He says and curses under his breath

What's his problem?

"I'm your big brother" He says "we used to play together and hang out" He tells her trying to get her to remember him

She just walks away from him not caring that she doesn't remember him.

"So, how are you doing, Ethan." My mom asks him

He still hasn't spoken to me

"I'm great actually. I'm graduating from college soon. I have an amazing girlfriend, We've been together for a year and a half. Life's good." He says and sits on the couch

"That's great honey. I would love to meet this girlfriend of yours."

Ethan just laughs and says okay under his breath with an eye roll.

We all just sit in awkward silence for a few minutes all you can hear is Ayden sucking on his bottle.

Ethan still hasn't said anything to me or asked about my son.

"So.. Do you want to hold Ayden?" I ask trying to make conversation with him

"Who's that?" He says

"My son."

"Oh" is all he says

"So no?" I ask

Ethan bends down and picks Ayden up.

"Hey, little guy." He says as soon as he looks at him his tough act starts to fade

"He's just the cutest little thing ever, isn't he?" My mom asks

"He is pretty cute. How's it being a dad?" Ethan asks finally speaking to me

"It's great, I love it."

"Even at this age?"

"Of course. I wouldn't trade it for the world." I say

"That's good, I guess." He says while looking down at Ayden

We hang out for a few more hours mostly talking about Ayden and Ethans girlfriend.

He won't shut up about her, he must really love her.

"Well, I really should get going" Ethan says breaking the silence in the room

"So soon?" Mom says

"Yeah, long drive back home. Got work early. "

"It was nice seeing you" I say

"You too." He sighs "ill try to come around more, As much as I can. I want to be apart of your life. Sorry I've stayed gone for so long. I was just so hurt from dad I couldn't come back. Things are good now. You have a good life, a family. I want to be apart of your family." His wall he built up is finally going down

I can understand his pain, dad was abusive all those years before he went to prison. He hurt us all in one way or another and mom was never there.

I can't stay mad at him for getting a better life.

"It's okay. I'm glad you're back." I say and hug him

I walk Ethan to the door and we say our final goodbyes.

It's about 10 o'clock at night and when I drop my mom off at her sober living community.

She's living hers so they can help her get and job and a house.

"I'm really proud of you, Zack. You're an amazing dad. " She says on the verge of crying for like the tenth time today

"Thank you" I say and hug her tightly

I've missed her so much, even after all the hurt she's caused me she's still my mother and I do love her.

"I'll see you soon." I say

"I love you."

"I love you too."

I drive away and I see her waving at me in the distance.