Dirty Little Secret

*POV Switch*

I finally got Evie to calm down after a few minutes of rocking and shushing. She sure was raising Cain after Zacky left. Like I said, she’s a daddy’s girl already and I’m sure she’ll be a spoiled one at that.

The door opens and Chuck enters the room, letting the door slam behind him.

Evie screeches and I squeeze my eyes instinctively at the unpleasant sound of her wails.

I quickly begin to rock her again, gently shushing her like I did only moments ago.

“I just got her to fall asleep,” I grumble as I glare at him.

“Sorry, it’s just… Zack Baker is an infuriating man!” Chuck fumes.

“Why do you say that?” I ask as I continue to calm Evie down.

“He said he won’t be able to make it tomorrow to see you after all.”

My heart falls and I stop rocking Evie. “What?”

“He got a call from Gena. He has to do something with her tomorrow.”

My brows knit together. “He and Gena broke up…”

“You know how they are. Always on again off again.”

“Yeah… They are…” I mumble.

Why doesn’t he ever learn?

I bite my trembling bottom lip, fighting the tears that so badly want to escape from my eyes. What happened to being in love with me?

Was it because I told him no? Was that why he went back to that whore who could care less about him? Was he just trying to piss me off?

Or maybe it’s love, just like Chuck said… You don’t keep going back to someone like that if there’s nothing there…

“Are you okay, baby?”

I blink the moisture out of my eyes and look up at him, trying my best to smile.

“Yeah, I’m alright. Just kinda tired… Do you think you can take Evelyn back to the nursery for me?”

“Of course.” He leans in and kisses my forehead. “Do you want me to let you rest for a little while?” he asks as I transfer Evelyn into his arms.

She begins to wail again and I groan. Why does she have to choose the worst times to cry?

“Just a second,” he says, placing Evelyn back in my arms. “I’m going to get a nurse.”

He walks out of the room and Evelyn quickly calms down. I guess she didn’t want to leave me.

Chuck returns with a nurse a few moments later. She takes Evelyn and she goes peacefully into the nurse’s arms.

“So, would you like me to let you rest for a while?” he asks again.

“If you don’t mind,” I reply with a weak smile.

“Of course I don’t mind,” he replies, placing a soft kiss on my lips. “Now you get some rest, okay? I’ll be out with the guys, let us know if you need anything.”

“I will.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“Love you too,” I mumble sleepily.

I hear the door gently shut and I quickly drift off into sleep.

~

I smile as I watch the little girl toddling along the shoreline; her short dark brown hair bouncing with each step she takes.

I love children, they’re so cute!

She runs up to me and smiles at me, her green eyes shining brightly.

Oh my God, it’s Evie!

“Mommy, I gonna play wif Amber,” she says, pointing to a girl a couple years older with curly blonde hair, Myla’s daughter.

“Okay, you two be careful!”

“We will!” Amber calls out as she takes Evie by the hand.

I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me and my smile grows wider.

I take it I know him since I’m not screaming for help.

“Hey, you,” I murmur.

“Hmm,” he responds, placing a soft kiss on my neck.

I giggle at him as he continues to place soft butterfly kisses along my neck, stopping just behind my ear.

“I love you, Angel,” he whispers softly into my ear.

My heart jumps at the sound of his voice and I quickly turn around to face him. My eyes meet with his bright green ones; I smile widely at him as I run my fingers through his short black hair.

He leans in, placing a soft kiss on my lips. My arms wrap around his neck as he pulls me even closer to his body. I give a soft moan as his tongue gently parts my lips, finding its way into my mouth.

“Enough of that, you two! There are children here!” Myla exclaims.

We quickly pull apart.

“Thanks for ruining the moment, killjoy!” I mumble.

She sticks out her tongue. “Brian and I are going to take Amber home. Would you like us to take Evie too so you two can have some…alone time?”

Zacky wraps his arms tightly around my waist. “If you don’t mind, that’d be great!”

She sighs. “You two owe me!”

“Thank you!” We call out in unison.

“Now where were we?” he asks, kissing the back of my neck again.

“Oh, I’d say right about here,” I reply as I turn around, catching his lips with mine.

“Mmm, I love you,” he breathes softly once we pull away.

“I love you too, Zacky,” I murmur, bringing him back in for another kiss.

~

My eyes fly open and I take a couple deep breaths as I look, taking in my surroundings to find that I'm still in the sterile hospital room.

It was just a dream…

Of course it was a dream… Evie was at least two years old, Amber at least five, and I know that isn’t accurate.

I bring my fingers to my lips, remembering the kisses that felt so real. And then I remember those words that I murmured to him.

I love you too, Zacky.

Do I really feel that way?