A Second Chance

So young

April 15th.

"Mom, I want you to be cool."

"Psh!  Michael, I'm always cool!"

Michael had finally official asked Ariel to be his girlfriend and they were all going out to eat with her and her family.

"I'm nice, she just better not break my baby's heart."

Michael smiles and says, "Thanks mom."

"Love you!"

"I love you too."

Jessica was holding Grayson on her hip facing his brother.

He starts giggling and reaching for him.

"Come here, little dude." Michael takes him and Grayson rocks his body back and forth with excitement.

"Look at that smile!  You love your big brother, don't you?" Jessica baby talks to him.

Grayson looked at Jessica and his bottom lip quivered.

He reaches for her and bursts into tears.

"Oh what's the matter?  Huh?  You were fine!" She takes him from Michael and he immediately stops crying.

"He's such a mama's boy!" Michael laughs as he looks at Grayson who was all smiles.

"Yes he is." She smiles and kisses his head.

***

They arrive at the restaurant and Samuel carries in Grayson in his car seat.

"He's fed and changed, so I'm hoping he'll be okay while we're here.  I'm so nervous!"

"Why?" James laughs.

"I hate meeting parents that have kids you boys age.  I always feel like they judge me because I'm so young to have kids this old."

"Mom, fuck what they they!"

"Samuel!"

"I'm sorry, but really!  What's it there business for?  You're a great mom and you always have been!  That's all that matters."

"Thanks, baby." She smiles softly.

***

They were seated, and Ariel and her family arrived shortly after.

"Stand up, Michael!" Sam nudges his arm.

"Hey!" Michael stands up and awkwardly waves.

"Oh nice one!" Sam makes fun of him.

"Samuel leave him alone!"

Her parents greet Jessica, and and Ariel's mom's eyes widen.

"Wow!  I wasn't expecting someone so young!" She laughs.

"When Ariel mentioned that Michael had two older brothers that were about to graduate high school, I thought that you would be much older!"

"Oh yeah.. Haha.. No.." Jessica chuckles awkwardly and looks down.

They take their seat and Samuel whispers to Jessica, "I don't like her!"

"Stop it!" Jessica whisperers. 

Sam sighs and doesn't say another word.

Grayson was in the highchair next to Jessica and Ariel's mother, Amanda said, "I didn't know you had a baby!"

"I told you, mom!" Ariel says.

"I didn't know!  He's very cute.  What's his name?"

"Grayson." Jessica smiles as she lightly finger brushes his hair.