Wife Swap - S01 E24

6 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E24

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 24

I have been fighting the urge to flee whenever i see Rome. He seems usual and to have forgotten that his hand was down on me. While all i think is about that night. I don't touch myself, but he did awaken a need in me after a long dry spell. I have tried to experiment with my hand, but it is not the same even when i am thinking about him.

I finish packing all the orders that Fiona asked me to do. Despite ghosting her, she was willing to give me a catering job. It is a lot since it is meant for hundred people. Based on how much I have consumed in cooking, I must contribute to Rome's electric and gas bills.

Lia pushes the door open and Jax rushes in. He jumps up counting one to five.

"Wow! you can count," I say as I pause and open my arms to embrace him. That he can pronounce those numbers impresses me and makes me emotional. It's a big step up from just knowing the word Mama.

I look up to Lia and she shares a similar look of happiness, "He just woke up and that is all he has been saying. Athena my baby can count and say words," She Is happy and in disbelief.

"It is wonderful." I say.

She nods and walks to the couch with Jax's overnight bag. "Are you sure Rome will be okay with Jax staying here today?" She confirms.

I have not told Rome yet, but somewhere in my brain i imagine he will be overjoyed and will never want Jax to leave. Yeah, that is what i will go with.

"He will be over the moon." I exaggerate, and Lia is aware of it, but she ignores what I say.

She will be working outstation for just today and return tomorrow.

"Is his grandmother okay with Jax being here?" I inquire about Mason's mother and my mother-in-law.

"I am not leaving my son with that devil." Lia spits.

"Tyler?" I ask about Jax's father and my brother in law.

"He is travelling with me." She says avoiding any eye contact with me.

"Why? How?" I can't hide my surprise.

"I will explain when i return. Thanks for looking after Jax." She says as she starts to leave. I grab one of the packed foods and hand it over to her. She sucks at taking care of herself, it is either she starves herself or just overeats junk food.

I hug her one last time as she leaves. I turn expecting to find Jax crying because his mother has left, instead i am met by a boy who is preoccupied with the Television.

Time goes by too fast and finally Fiona comes to pick her order.

"He does remind me of my son." he attention shifts back to me from Jax. She has been helping him with talking. Sing to him and using her hands as she talks. The movement captures his attention, and he tries to say the syllables that Fiona pronounces.

"I had no idea you had a child." I say, She looks young for her age with a clear skin and an glass hour figure. I would think she is a college kid.

"Had." She says sadly.

"Sorry." I mutter.

She nods and walks over to me. I want to comfort her and ask her what happened but i suck with conversations. I spent more time thinking when it is appropriate to ask, talk or console and end up doing nothing and being misjudged that i don't care.

"After that, everything goes silent, and your world comes to a halt. The other world continues, but the pain never fades. When I first held him, I never imagined in a million years that I would be the one to say goodbye. It's not right, and I want to meet with God to tell him that it's not right for a mother to bury her child." While tears fill my eyes, she remains calm.

"Don't cry." She says.

"I miss my father." I weep. Her pain reminds me of my father, he died when i was thirteen.

She hugs me as I sob, and not a single tear falls from her eyes. She must be in a great deal of pain, which has numbed her. "Don't," she says again, "I'm sure your father wouldn't want you to. I promised my son I would not cry." Her voice trembles.

I wipe my eyes and step back, "Can i ask what happened?" I ask her.

"I am not ready," she shakes her head, "to do that would be reliving it."

"I understand." I respond with sincerity.

"I should go, i have a crowd to feed." She smiles.

"Thanks for trusting and giving me a second chance." I remind her.

"You shouldn't feel that you have to disappear on me when you are overwhelmed. Saying you are not okay to me is enough just don't ghost me." She calls out my behavior.

Being called out makes me nervous, but it also frees me from the mistake. It is not okay to ghost someone who cares and is willing to listen to your situation.

"I am sorry." I acknowledge i was wrong.

"It is okay, i will sent your pay tomorrow. Can help me load them in the car?" She raises her head and meets my thoughtful look. "You have earned it." she reminds me.

Sometimes when you master your craft, it becomes easy to you and start to feel like a fraud and wonder why people will be paying for such simple work

Rome looks at me while i place a plate in front of him. Since he came back and found Jax here and told him he will staying for the night. He hasn't said another word.

Jax walk to me rubbing his eyes, "Mama." He calls my name.

"I will put him to bed." I say to Rome and since he doesn't look like he will say anything i pick Jax bag and start heading to my bedroom. The bed is small and hope Jax will be comfortable.

"Wait," Rome calls out. "There is a spare room for him." He says.

I watch him stand and walk past us and i follow him. All i know is that his house is big, I have only used my bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. I felt it was inappropriate to pry. We walk down the hall past his bedroom and another locked door and take a turn to another room. He takes out the keys and opens it. It is a baby's room. Decorated and all that. Rome hesitates by the door, and for the first time, i notice the pain in his eyes.

It must be the room they had prepared for their baby before Esme had a miscarriage. "He can sleep with me." I suggest.

"It is okay." He assures.

I look up at him and move closer to him, but do nothing after.

"Who wants to nap?" He turns to Jax and lifts him up.

Jax laughs throwing his legs playful.

"Don't worry, i will put him to bed." Rome assures but i have no intention of leaving.

I stand by the door, watching both of them. This is how i envisioned my life. With a husband that loved me and kids that i loved. That died as soon as Mason said he wasn't going to have any kids with me. It both pleasure and pain to watch. I leave afraid Rome will see my tears.