A Tough Moment

Chapter Two

Ethan smiled at me as he picked up Georgia and carried her up Caleb's driveway. As I looked around at the large house, I couldn't help but gasp. Clearly a lot of things had changed for Caleb in the last few years and we'd had no idea! I couldn't help but notice that Ethan was walking slowly, almost as if he was dreading ringing the door bell.

I glanced at him as I heard him chuckle when Georgia played with his glasses. Once we finally reached the door, he stood and stared at it silently, almost as if he was frozen to the spot.

"Do you want me to ring the doorbell?" I offered, as the waiting became painful.

He nodded slowly and stared at the ground as I rung the doorbell

"We should have just booked a hotel." I heard him mutter as we heard movement from inside the house.

I sighed as I waited for Caleb to answer. Even though I was hurt that Caleb had cut us off, I was ready to put all of the anamosity to one side for the sake of our family, but it seemed as though things would be as awkward as ever.

"Daddy, I want to get down!" Georgia whined, squirming in Ethan's arms.

He sighed as he gently set her down and quickly took her hand. I took a deep breath as a shadow appeared under the door. There was a moment of silence, before the door slowly opened.

I gasped slightly as I saw Caleb standing before us. It seemed weird to be seeing him after all this time. I'd forgotten how handsome he was, and suddenly all the attraction that I'd once felt for him came flooding back.

"Hey." he said quietly.

I glanced down at Georgia as I saw that she'd moved to hide behind Ethan. She wrapped her arms around Ethan's leg tightly as if she was hanging on for dear life.

"Hi." I said nervously, glancing at Ethan as he remained silent.

"Hey Nibbles." Caleb said tentatively.

"Yeah whatever." Ethan muttered as he quickly stepped over the threshold and disappeared into the house.

"Do you want to come in?" Caleb suggested as we both stared at each other in awkward silence.

"Yeah I guess so." I muttered as I followed him inside, Georgia following closely behind.

"Hi, you must be Georgia." Caleb said, as he crouched down in front of her.

"Mummy!" Georgia squealed, sounding panicked.

"It's okay baby." I reassured her.

She glanced up at me, before slowly walking towards Caleb.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked gently.

She slowly shook her head and watched him closely.

"I'm your Uncle Cal." he told her.

I watched her as she stared at him in silence.

"She's just shy." I told Caleb.

"Come here Pumpkin." I jumped as I heard Ethan's voice from behind me.

She giggled happily and ran into his outstretched arms. He laughed and gently twirled her around.

"Where have you been?" I asked Ethan quietly.

"Bathroom." he answered, quickly pecking me on the lips.

"So how have you guys been?" Caleb asked nervously.

"Like you care!" Ethan snapped, causing me to wince at his tone.

"I do actually." Caleb replied sarcastically.

"You have a funny way of showing it." Ethan insisted.

"Cut it out." I told them both, as they glared at each other angrily.

"When are you taking Ethan to meet your Mother?" I asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Whenever he's ready." Caleb sighed.

"We'll leave as soon as we've unpacked." Ethan stated shortly.

"The guest bedroom is the first one on the right." Caleb told us.

I nodded my thanks and followed Ethan upstairs.

"Shall I see if I can find you some toys?" I heard Caleb ask Georgia as we walked away.

As soon as Ethan and myself were upstairs, I quickly closed the door behind us.

"What?" Ethan sighed, when he noticed me glaring at him.

"You two are bickering like a couple of kids." I said impatiently.

"I can't just forgive him for what he did." he pointed out.

"I understand that, but you have enough to worry about with all this stuff with your Mum. I know what Caleb did was wrong, but he's here now and maybe we have a chance to be a family." I explained.

He sighed and gazed at me as he perched on the bed.

"I'll tolerate him, but he's not my family anymore." he said shortly.

I sighed and decided not to press him, he needed to take some time to see things clearly.

"How are you feeling about meeting your Mum?" I asked.

"Okay I guess." he muttered.

"It's okay to be nervous." I reassured him.

"I'm sure it'll be fine." he said quickly.

"Do you want me to come with you?" I offered.

"No, it's okay, you stay here with Georgia." he said, as he slowly put on his jacket.

I sighed and hugged him tightly.

"I love you so much." he whispered in my ear.

"Love you too." I whispered back.

I watched as he walked across the room. He glanced back at me for a moment when he reached the doorway.

"Good luck." I smiled warmly.