Broken Bones and Shattered Hearts

Chapter Thirteen.

Lexi came downstairs the next morning to see Bam still fast asleep on the sofa. Rather than wake him, she went straight to the kitchen and prepared some coffee. She had a feeling they would both be needing it. She waited at the kitchen table for him to stir. The sight of him sleeping on her sofa had brought back memories and she felt a little uneasy being around him again.

Eventually the smell of the coffee directed Bam into the kitchen, where he pulled up a seat next to Lexi and drank his coffee enthusiastically.

“How’s your head?” she asked, after he had finished his mug.

“It’s been worse.” He laughed. “And yours?”

“Not so bad.” She smiled, pulling her dressing gown tighter around her. She felt strangely vulnerable around Bam this morning.

“I’d better get going.” Bam sighed. “I suppose I should let Ape and Phil know.”

Lexi nodded, feeling a little awkward. “They’re going to hate me.” She groaned.

Bam shook his head. “I don’t hate you. I’m just a little bit upset it’s taken this long to tell me.”

Lexi looked at him shyly. “If you want to keep in touch, here’s my number.” She pressed a small piece of paper into his hand.

She had been debating all morning whether or not to give him the option and let him take control of the situation but it was the least she could do. If he had her number he could decide whether or not he wanted anything to do with them.

“Thanks.” He smiled, holding her hand a little as she passed him the paper.

Lexi stood at the doorway and watched him leave. She couldn’t help but wonder where things would go from here.

***

Needless to say April was more than a little pissed off that she only just discovered that she had a three year old grandson. The day after Lexi had given Bam her number, she received a call from him asking if she would take Caleb round to April’s. Lexi knew she had no choice, but it didn’t stop her from feeling anxious.

She spent the afternoon watching April and Phil bond with Caleb and avoiding glares from April. Bam was nowhere to be seen and Lexi felt strangely disappointed, however Caleb kept everyone entertained. He was learning new words every day and by now you could have a proper conversation with him. Before leaving, a text came through from Bam.

Meet me for coffee 2moz at 2? Love B x

Lexi’s stomach began performing somersaults. She text him back to say she would be there and took this opportunity to ask April and Phil if they would like to have Caleb that afternoon. They were more than happy to have him and Lexi hoped that she would win them back over if they spent lots of time with him.

The next day after dropping Caleb off at April’s house, Lexi drove to the coffee shop. She spotted Bam’s car and was surprised to see that he was already waiting for her in the cafe. She pulled up a seat opposite him and smiled. She had decided to dress casually, in a checked shirt, skinny black jeans and her converse. Bam looked up at her and grinned. He was wearing a black blazer over his shirt and baggy jeans. Lexi tried to avoid meeting his eyes. Those eyes that were still enough to make her melt in her spot. She was determined to do her best to be civil to the father of her child, no matter how much he annoyed her.

“What’s up?” she greeted him.

“Thanks for coming.” Bam smiled quietly, staring at her.

“No problem.” She replied, wondering what he wanted. It had only partly been the curiosity that had caused her to agree to meeting up. The rest of it had been something much deeper. They ordered drinks and chatted briefly before Bam turned to Lexi with a serious look on his face.

“So, now I know I have a kid, I kinda want to be involved.” Bam told her, a little unsure.

Lexi stared at him in surprise. “You do?”

Bam nodded, looking at her in earnest. “I know I need to prove myself and everything but I think the least you can do is give me a chance.”

Lexi let out a heavy breath. He was right. “Ok.”

“So.” Bam said, ignoring his coffee. “What do you think?”

If she was honest, Lexi thought it was a bad idea, and she was convinced that he would mess it up, but like he said, the least she could do was to give him a chance.

“You can babysit Caleb tomorrow night.” Lexi decided, without thinking this through properly.

Bam did not hesitate and broke out in a massive grin. “Thank you.”

Lexi nodded and sipped her coffee. “Don’t mess this up Bam.” She told him seriously. “We might have messed things up in the past but I am not going to give you the chance to mess things up with your son. Prove you can stand up to the mark and be a dad otherwise you won’t have anything to do with him.”

Bam nodded. “I understand Alex, I won’t let you or Caleb down this time.”

“You better not.” Lexi warned him. “You can come round at six tomorrow night.”

Bam made a mental note and promised to be there. Lexi knew much better than to believe a word that came out of his mouth but resolved to see whether or not her would live up to his word this time.

***

The following night at ten to six, Lexi couldn’t help but stare at the clock in anticipation. Tom was still not back and Ryan had invited her out for a few drinks. That is, if Bam turned up. Lexi was more than a little anxious about leaving her son in the less than capable hands of Bam Margera, but at the end of the day he was his father and there was nothing she could do about that.

The second the clock chimed six, there was a knock on the door and Lexi opened it to the sight of Bam holding a box of toys.

“Hi.” Bam smiled a little nervously. “I brought presents.”

She laughed. “Come in.” Lexi greeted him, letting him in and following into the living room where Caleb was playing with Lego blocks.

Lexi was all ready to go out. She had made a bit of an effort in a pair of heels and nice top. She had curled her long brown hair and applied a bit of makeup. She turned to Bam who was sitting on the floor next to her little boy.

“His bedtime is seven. Good luck.”

Bam looked up at Lexi, expecting more instructions but she simply grinned and kissed he son goodbye, leaving him to chatter away to his new friend.

“I won’t be late.” She added, taking note of the terrified expression on Bam’s face. This truly was his chance to prove himself.

“I can’t believe you’ve left Bam with Caleb.” Ryan said, shaking his head as Lexi climbed into his car.

“Neither can I.” Lexi sighed, “But I need to give him a chance don’t I?”

Ryan nodded. “But tonight is your chance to let your hair down and have a good time.”

“Thanks.” She smiled at her cousin as he drove into town.

Later that night Lexi climbed out of the taxi outside her house and stumbled up the drive to the front door. She was more than a little tipsy, but predominantly anxious to see how well Bam and her son had coped with one another.

To her surprise, on opening the living room door she was greeted by the sight of a floor covered in toys. Her breath quickened at the mess, wondering what on earth they had gotten up to but she was instantly relieved as her eyes fell on the couch. Bam was fast asleep on the sofa with Caleb tucked protectively up in his arms, similarly in a deep sleep. The two of them looked so content and peaceful it shocked Lexi.

Evidently the night had gone fairly smoothly. She had told Bam she wouldn’t be late but it was two o clock in the morning. She wondered how long they had been asleep for. Rather than wake them, Lexi kicked off her shoes and made a space for herself on the end of the sofa. It didn’t take long before she too had fallen asleep.

The next morning Lexi awoke to find herself being jumped upon by Caleb.

“It looks like mommy had a rough night.” A voice teased from the kitchen.

It took a few seconds for Lexi to realise that Bam was still in her house. She was surprised to smell that he was making breakfast and even more surprised to see that Caleb had been washed and dressed.

“Ugh.” She moaned, coming to discover just how much of a hangover she was inflicted with. Her head was literally banging and the room was still spinning from the night before. How much had she drunk?

“Coffee?” Bam presented her with a hot mug of very strong coffee. Cartoons were playing on the television and Caleb seemed quite happy, dividing his time between jumping on his mother and watching Bam in the kitchen.

“Thank you.” Lexi murmured, propping herself up on the sofa and watching bemused at the interaction between Bam and Caleb.

It appeared that Caleb had taken to Bam straight away. He could sometimes be shy around strangers but with Bam he was unfazed, following him around all over the kitchen and asking him incessant questions.

“Go have a shower, I’ve got this covered.” Bam grinned, acknowledging the look of amazement on Lexi’s face and scooping Caleb into his arms.