Love Equals...A Baby

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Camping

I paced back and forth unaware of the awkward gaze Merlin was giving me. Why was I here was a question. Leslie had taken Katie to the park for the day leaving me and Merlin,alone. I had no idea what possessed me to go and see him about Jade, no Xander. "Sounds to me like you need reassurance. You need to know where you and her stand as well as where her and Xander stands. As far as I know Xander is a stand up and straight forward kind of guy." Merlin says. This for some reason only gets me more riled up. No guy is straight forward and stand up. They may think that they are, but I know from experience that that was a bull faced lie that even Merlin believed."What do you suggest that I do?" I ask reluctantly. I was too jittery to want to listen to Merlin's advice. Never thought I'd say that before, Merlin's advice. "Go see her. Talk to her about Xander being around Conner." Merlin says. My eyes widen in shock and I grab my keys from the table. "I'll call you later." I say and make my way towards the door. "Match made in heaven." I hear Merlin whisper or something along those lines anyway.

I pull up across the street from Jade's house when I see Jade exit the house. Xander follows closely with Conner in his arms. They look like a true American family only it wasn't Xander's family, but mine. My son, my girl, my family, that was my life and he sort of stole it from me. Jade opened the Jeep door for Xander and he sat Conner down to put him in his car seat. Why did Xander have a car seat for Conner anyway? I stepped out of the car and took off my sunglasses in my attempt to be as cool as humanly possible. "Dad." Conner yells jumping out of the Jeep.

"Ethan." Jade says surprised. I give her a half smile and Xander shakes his head as if I'm the unbelievable on. I'm not the one trying to steal another man's family. "I was just thinking about how I have to talk to you, Jade." i say confidently. It's now or never I think to myself. "I'll go get the rest of the bags, wanna help me Conner?" Xander asks trying to give Jade and I some privacy. I hate to admit it, but that was pretty stand up of him. "Yes." Conner says as they reenter the house leaving me and Jade alone. "Xander's a friend of mine." Jade quickly clarifies.

"Why do you need bags?" I ask, Xander's words finally sinking into my brain.

"Xander's taking us camping for the weekend. I have off work and so does he. Plus Conner can miss a few practices says his coach." Jade says.

"You didn't think that you should have told me before taking off. What if I stopped by to see Conner and you guys were just missing?" I ask knowing damn right that wasn't the reason for my anger.

"The trip was planned way before you Ethan. I'm not going to cancel especially when Conner has been awaiting this trip and Xander's return from California."  Jade says. So, Xander's some hot shot in California. Note, you're probably richer than him. "I don't like Xander around Conner so much." I finally confess. Jade give me the are you fucking kidding me face and flips her hair over her shoulder. "You're engaged Ethan and soon enough my son will be called her step mommy. Xander has raised Conner more than you have ever raised him. He spends whatever time he wants with Conner. If you'll excuse us, we have a trip to get to." She says and pushing past me opening the trunk. The door opens revealing Conner with a ton of bags and Xander behind him. "You alright?" Xander asks Jade when he reaches her as Conner tries to put the bags in the trunk. "i'm fine, really I am. I'm just ready to get this show on the road." Jade says calmly. Why is it that every time i try to do something right, it comes out completely and utterly wrong. "Come on Conner, let me help." Xander says as they start to pile the bags into the trunk. "Come on uncle Xander, push." Conner says.

"Are you calling me weak squirt?" Xander asks. Conner laughs cutely and shakes his head no. "I think you're really strong, like daddy strong." Conner says and a small smile plays on my lips.

"Say 'See you later' to daddy before we leave." Jade says.

"See you later, daddy." Conner says wrapping his little arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze lightly. "First day you're back you're all mine." i whisper to him.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Xander for you." Conner whispers.

"Come on ducky,it's time to go." Jade says and Conner releases me. I smile at him and he gets into the car. Xander slams the trunk shut and Jade walks around to the passenger side. "See when we get back, Ethan." Jade yells pulling her hair into a ponytail before getting into the car. Xander winks at me and gets in. The car starts and their off, life I was just a guest interrupting their lives.I wave at the vehicle and try not to feel the pang of jealousy that sparked throughout my body. Jade was gone and so was Conner. I lost both of them to Xander, and Camping.