Strings. //s.m.

Chapter 14.

I overhear Taylor and Shawn talking about Carter. I put the dishes away slowly trying not to make as much noise, and try to listen in.
"Dude hes going to be pissed."
"I know..." Shawn says, matter-of factly.
"Why dont you just not tell him, wait for him to find out through the media and stuff."
"I dont want the media to know...It's going to be difficult but I want to keep it out of the public eye for as long as I can."
"Makes sense" Taylor agrees.
I finish unloading the dishwasher and hear Shawn walk up behind me.
I smile as he appears at my side.
"Hey, you ready to go soon?" He asks me.
"Yes." I respond thankfully, I was more than ready to leave. "Ill go wake up April."
I walk over to the couch where she is passed out, watching her chest rise and fall. She looks like shes having a good dream. I pick her up trying not to wake her.
Shawns standing on the balcony. Back towards me, on the phone.
"Yeah I know, but something came up.."
"-I know-but I think you should come out here. Yeah I know I said I'd come home"
Uh oh...is he talking to his family? Memories of his conservative mother and quiet father come to mind. I'd only met them twice and they didn't really bother to get to know me.
"Id rather tell you in person. Um...Actually...Yeah" he scratches the back of his head.
I can hear the other person on the line, they dont sound too thrilled.

"No no it wasn't like that...its Jade. And Shes four years old."
I can't believe they'd guessed it. It makes me wonder wether Shawn has had many girl friends or hookups in the last few years.
I walk up to him and put a hand on his sholder. He looks at me sympathetically. Its hard telling your parents you got a girl pregnant. They would have 9 months to take it all in. Never mind having to come home to your son and his four year old daughter.
"I- I didnt know. Just get on a flight here and ill explain everything."

"Are you okay?" I ask. I dont think now is the best possible time to ask why in the he'll he would call his parents like this and spill the news so soon. But he's never been one for secretisim.
He lets out a sigh. I bet a huge weight must have been lifted off his sholders. "Yeah" he replies kissing my forehead.

"Are you nervous?" I ask him as we drive back home.
"I guess, a little bit" he answers from the passenger seat. "But its probably better that I told them now instead of just springing it on them. It will give them time to get used to the situation." He voices.
"Have you?" I ask. "...gotten used to the situation?" I clarify.
He thinks for a moment.
"Yeah..I think this is the best things thats happened to me in a while actually" he says.
Shocked I ask.
"What? How?"
He looks at me like im crazy.
"Well for one..I got you back. Second-" he looks behind him to the backseat.
"Are you going to tell me thats not the best thing thats ever happened to you?"
Never. April is probably the best thing that ever happened to me.
"We made that" Shawn says, laughing in disbelief.
I smile at him and sigh in relief.  He takes my hand and squeezes it.
************************************
"Hello Jade" Shawns mom greets me. I dont see complete hatred in her eyes. Thats good right? They are completely in love with April. After a long talk with Shawn in the living room they've seemed to be warming up to the situation.
I took the whole day of from work just so Shawns parents could meet with us. Aayliah is here too. Gosh she look so mature...she was 12 the last time I saw her and now shes a beautiful teenager. 
"She has to take a nap soon. Do you want to help me put her down?" I ask. She hasn't been able to let go of April all day.
************
"Just so you know, I've always liked you" she tells me as April falls asleep. Im a bit confused by her sudden confession.
"What makes you say that?" I ask.
"I dont know...I know you and my parents used to be...on not-so good terms. I dont know why but I had a feeling thats why you and Shawn broke up... or whatever it is happened." She shakes her head. "But I saw how happy you made each other. And thats more than I can say about the other women my parents tried to set him up with."
I cringe at her statement and push away the thought of Shawn being set up with "other women.
"And when they saw that he never paid attention to them, they realized that you where the one he actually cared about" she explains. "I know they feel bad about freezing you out like that"
"I don't blame them. They were just trying to look out for Shawn." I acknowledge. Over the years I've had a lot of time to think. Yes they should've given me more of a chance, but would I have even given me a chance? An recovering alcoholic prostitute dating a teenager. No wonder everyone thought Shawn was crazy. I just wish this time they'd give me a proper second chance, and not just because of April. 
**************************
Shawns family is getting ready to leave. His parents havent said much to me. They've only asked questions about April. I told them that they can come by to see her when ever they want. Im taken aback when Shawns dad hugs me as he leaves and says. "Glad to see you Jade"
I try not to read to much into it but I am even more shocked when Shawns mother embraces me, for a long time... as if saying "I'm sorry" or "thank you", though she doesn't say anything. I allow my self to squeeze her back.