Love Me

Chapter Nine

I bent down to his level with an affectionate smile. “It's Okay.” I told him. “Hi, Oliver, I'm Alyssa, nice to meet you.”

“Alyssa.” He repeated. “You have a pretty name, I like it.”

“Thank you.”

“Can I call you Ally?”

“Sure.”

He grinned again and surprised me with a hug, this time to my neck. Out of instinct, I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him gently.

This was the first time I was getting a hug in years. Although it was from a kid, it didn't stop it from feeling nice. Great, actually. I think I would enjoy living with Oliver. If I marry Nathan, that is.

I mean, I would love to spend more time with Oliver, but I don't think marriage is for me.

“Time for Lunch!” We heard Sophia announce from presumably the dinning room.

It was only then that Oliver pulled away from me, still grinning.

“Let's go, eat. My granny's cooking is the best!” He said, dragging me by my hand to the backyard. There was a picnic table with everything set on it for lunch and Nathan and his mother seated already. “You can sit by me.”

Oliver stopped seeing that Nathan and Sophia were sitting opposite each other so there was no way we could sit next to each other. I could see the wheels turning in his head as he thought of a solution.

“Dad, could you sit next to granny so the pretty lady can sit next to me?” He requested with these cute puppy dog eyes.

Nathan laughed. “So you'd rather sit with 'the pretty lady' than with your own Dad?”

Nathan thinks I'm pretty.

Oliver put his hand on his chin, stroking it and looked up like he was thinking. “Of course I would. She's pretty and you're well... you”

Nathan's eyebrow shut up in surprise as he looked at his son. “For that I'm not moving anywhere.” He said.

“Suit yourself.” He turned his grandmother. “Granny, can you sit next to Dad?”

“Of course, love.”

By the time the we had finished dessert and the plates were cleared, Oliver had captured my heart. He loved talking and bantering with his dad. I could tell they were really close and respected Nathan for raising Oliver as a single dad. I may not know anything about parenting but I know it's hard and Nathan was able to do it all on his own and he's doing a great job.

Oliver it's such a sweet child, polite, friendly. I would love being his stepmom.

So no more doubts about marrying Nathan, huh? My subconscious teased.

Yes. I was going to marry Nathan. I couldn't let Hailey raise Oliver, she'd corrupt him. And to be honest, I'm just an inch away from loving him. Oliver, I mean.

“I think it's time we leave.” I heard Nathan announce.

“Already?” Sophia almost whined.

“Mum, it's nearly seven.”

“You can stay a while longer.”

Nathan sighed and looked at his mother apologetically. “Mum, Oliver is about to fall asleep. I promise, we'll visit some other time.”

It was her turn to sigh. “Oh. Alright. Let me say goodbye to Oliver while you get his bags.”

Nathan agreed. Sophia came to my side and stroked Oliver's cheek. The boy, who was half asleep on my lap only stirred, nestling his head on my chest. It was surprising how fast he warmed up to me. I've heard stories of kids hating their stepmother's, I'm just glad that's not the case.

“You're good with him.” I looked at Sophia who looked right back at me. “Oliver, I mean. He likes you.”

“Thanks. I don't exactly know what I'm doing.” I answered.

“Mothering sometimes comes naturally, especially to those with a lot of love in their hearts to give. You're a good person, Alyssa, promise you won't leave him like his mother did.”

My eyebrows furrowed but I nodded nonetheless.

Like his mother did?

Before I could asked what she meant, Nathan came back empty handed. I thought he was getting Oliver's things.

“Let's get going.” He said briskly and started walking through the house.

I got up carefully, making sure I wouldn't disturb Oliver. Sophia stopped by her front door, waving us goodbye from there. There was a car seat at the back for Oliver. Nathan had to help me with it because I had no idea how to strap him in.

This mothering stuff is hard. I thought as I put on my seat belt.

I waved Sophia goodbye one last time before the car rolled into the road. A few moments later, I relaxed in my seat and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. A lot was on my mind once again and thinking of it all was giving me a headache.

I need some time to myself.

“It's overwhelming, isn't it?”

I turned to the one that spoke and nodded my head.

Nathan gave me a sorry smile, glancing at me for two seconds before concentrating on the road. “I'm sorry for springing this up on you like that. I should have given you a heads-up before taking you to meet my mother and son.”

“Yes, you should've. But I don't really mind. Oliver's a good child, you've done well with him.”

“Thank you. I try my best to be both a mum and dad but I know no matter how much I try, it'll never be the same for him.”

I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You don't have to be the mom anymore.”

“Thank you, Alyssa. Most women would run for the hills the moment I mention children.”

“Well, I'm not most women.” I joked, trying to get a laugh out of him.

Success. “I can see that.”

We fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes until he spoke again. “You probably want to know where his mother is.”

“Only when you're ready to talk about it.”

“How about Saturday, over dinner?”

Like a date? “Huh?”

Smart move, idiot.

“I want to take you out on a date on Saturday. I'll tell you everything then.”

“O-kay, I'd like that.”