Chapter 4

Jake's POV

Never in a thousand years would I ever have imagined that the reason Aurora would finally call me after all these years was to tell me I had a child. A son. Noah.

And I had not been in his life the past seven years. I was not there when he grew inside the woman I cared about and I wasn't there for all his first. Heck, he probably had no idea who I was.

I had no doubt Noah is my child, I didn't even need a DNA test to know that. He looks too much like me, but I am going to order one anyway. It will be necessary given the fact that it was only a matter of time before my father found out about him.

But for now I let Noah drag me into his room to show me his play area.

He tossed a ball at me and I easily catch it. I am tempted to pinch myself to confirm that I am actually playing catch with my son.

"Mum says you save the world like Damien's dad." Noah states.

And I am surprised she spoke about me to Noah at all. "Your mum talks about me?"

He nods. "I always ask lots of questions and she answers. She even gave me some of your pictures."

He points towards his nightstand and I finally tear my eyes from his face and turn to see the frames that have pictures of Aurora and I when we dated in highschool.

I circle back to everything Noah has been saying knowing I will be doing that a lot. "Who is Damien?"

"He's my best friend. His dad is a marine. Mum says your not a marine but you save the world anyway."

"Yeah, I'm not a marine." I say but when Noah gives me a questioning look I know he expects more, "I oversee a company that improves technology."

He nods in satisfaction moving his arms in a gesture for me to throw the ball back. "Does that mean you make video games?"

I laugh as I toss the ball surprised when he catches it easily, "No, not that. More of something along the lines of… electric cars."

"Oh." His head drops as he avoids my eye.

"Would you like me to have one made for you ?"

"You can do that."

"Definately." I could not think of a single thing I would not do to keep Noah's smile on his face

"I'd like that." His brows furrow like he is thinking and his face morphs, his resemblance to me is shocking. "This company, is that why you're never home?"

His eyes raise to meet mine as he waits for my response. I notice as tears gather in his eyes and my heart breaks.

How do I tell me six year old son that I had no idea he existed?

Instead I pull him back into my arms and hug him. "I'd always be around now. I'd never leave you again."

He nods. "You have to see my friends at school tomorrow, they never used to believe me when I tell them about you."

"Of course. I'd be there."

Aurora opens the door and walks in and I wonder what she had to go through to have my child. She looked a little skinny compared to sven years ago.

I wonder where her mother is and make aental note to ask later.

"Noah, it's time for bed. You need to take a shower."

"Dad can do that for me, right?" He turns to me and I am half certain he has no idea what to do with me around, no matter how much he wants me to stay.

"Of course I can. I'd read you a story afterwards." I stand to carry his to the bathroom for a shower and brush his teeth.

I dress him in his pajamas and he quickly falls asleep.

"Don't leave again, dad." He whispers in his sleep.

"I'd never leave, I promise."

I hate the fact that my child needed me and I was not there for him. Even if this all feels like a dream, I don't want it to end.

I make a few calls to have a couple of things delivered and they arrive almost immediately.

Aurora looks at me, and the boxes with the same amount of venom drenched in her eyes.

"What is all this?"

"I ordered a couple of things for Noah."

"A couple?"

Okay maybe it was more than a couple, but of course I get to buy things for my son when I was never able to.

"Yeah."

"Jake, you don't need to come in here and try to do things you never wanted in the first place."

I arch my eyebrows at her statement.

"You didn't ever want anyone to tie you down, you like to be free to fly. You don't need to come around her and make my son crave things he might not have for long."

"It has been a long time since then Aurora."

"But it doesn't mean you are a different person. I don't want you to be around him too often, it will hurt less that way when you leave."

I approach her slowly till she backs into a wall, I raise my hand to her neck and feel her pulse throbbing beneath my touch.

"I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I'm not going anywhere Princess."

Then I pull away. I tighten my palm into fists to stop myself from reaching for Aurora again and head towards the door instead.

"If Noah wakes up before I return let him know I'd be back soon. He wants us living together and you're going to need a bigger house."

I slam the door shut behind me but a closed door could not stop Aurora's scream from reaching me.

I start my car and drive into the darkness. I even let a smile spread across my lips and imagine how wonderful it would feel to have Aurora back into my life. It was the first genuine smile I have had in years.

In my happiness filled daze I almost managed to forget the wide number of problems I had weighing on my shoulders.