Bad Boy Summer

t w e n t y s e v e n

"You're cute, my love." Vera cups my cheek with a cute grin, "But do you think I'm stupid?" 

I frown in confusion and shock, "I—" 

"I am co-captain of this chaotic ship, Hayden. Did you not think I saw you and Chase canoodling on the armchair of my hospital room when you thought I was in a world of slumber every night?" Vera questions in her posh way, "Chase seems brighter and happier and you seem to have this glow about you. And either you're back together or you've got a shit ton cocaine  and have been holding out on me." 

I tilt my head back and laugh, "We don't have any fucking crack, V." 

"So you're back together?" Vera questions excitedly as she grabs my hand. I bite my lip nervously as I nod my head. Vera squeals as she pulls me into a hug, "Ah! I can hear the wedding bells already!" 

"Shhh, Vera. We don't want anyone to know yet." I whisper into her ear as she pushes my shoulders back and gives me a curious look. 

"Pray tell why? Vera emphasises the last word heavily. 

"Well, I told Chase I didn't want anyone to know and I made up some bullshit excuse." I explain as Vera drops her hands from my shoulders and folds her arms across her chest, "But you know the real reason, right?" 

She nods, "Because of his shitty grandfuck." 

"Yup," I giggle at her name for him, "The least people that know, the least likely it will be for Thomas to find out. I just want to spend as much time with Chase while I figure out what I'm going to do with him." 

"You both deserve to be happy, Hayden. And it seems that the only way for that to happen is for the two of you to be together." Vera explains as she pulls me in for another hug, "When you guys are apart, it's like when an important animal dies from the ecosystem. It's pure pandemonium." 

"Wow, you're using an animal analogy?" I scoff, "You've been hanging out with Levi too much." 

"It's all that moody loveable idiot watched in my hospital room." Vera laughs as we pull back from the hug and our hands slip down to intertwine together, "But until you sought everything out, my lips are sealed." 

"Thank you, Vera." I smile just as baby cries echo in the background. Sam appears in the doors, bouncing a bawling Stella in his arms. 

"Okay, she's either hungry or she's shit herself." Sam explains as Vera rushes over to him and helps take her from his arms. I take a mental image, promising to paint it later. It's about time I started painting again. Vivianne said it would be a good idea to do it as well. 

"Wanna flip a coin?" Vera chuckles as Sam slips his hand around the back of her neck and kisses her forehead. Vera stares down at her daughter, "You ready to try and latch again, madame?" 

Vera carries the crying Stella out of the room as Sam breathes out heavily and walks over to me. His blue eyes were truly a sight and Stella was so lucky to have gotten them from him. They were lighter than mine and almost looked like clear glass. 

"No one said it was going to be this hard." Sam sighs as he runs a hand through his hair. 

"If it's worth anything I think you're doing a fantastic job." I smile up at him as he leans back against the door frame, taking Vera's spot, "You know she missed you a lot, right?" 

He nods, "I know. If it's even half of how much I missed her, I know it was a lot. I just wish I was here—fuck, she wasn't suppose to go through that on her own. I was meant to be here." 

"Hey, you're here now and that's all that matters." I say, reaching up  and placing my hand on his shoulder, "Do you remember the night you first met?"