Chapter 4: Wouldn’t have it any other way

It had been a little over a week since Martin got to New York with Aaron. They had really just been hanging near his aunt and going to see the city. He wanted to call Cecilia soon. Just to catch up on everything before he headed back to California. Today he was going to meet Matt, Sarah and Mary for some lunch.

“Hey, Kiddo. Heading out somewhere?” His aunt asked as him and Aaron were up pretty early and leaving the house.

“Uh, yeah. Were going to see Matt and Sarah and Mary.”

“And they are?”

“Camden’s”

“Alright. Enough said there.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” Martin said as he left with Aaron in his arms.

They decided to walk to the restaurant where they were meeting them since it was so nice out. Plus it was only like 8 blocks. They got to the restaurant and went inside to see all three of them already there waiting for him.

“Hey, Martin! Over here!” Matt yelled from across the restaurant

“Oh, hey.” Martin said as he walked towards them.

“Martin. Man, its been a while, huh?” Matt said as he got to the table

“Yeah. Hey, Sarah. Hi, Mary.” He said giving them both hugs

“Wow. So this…your son?” Mary asked

“Yeah. This is Aaron.”

“He is so adorable.” Sarah said to Martin

“Thanks. Looks like you two are having one too. And you too, Mary. Wow. Congrats. I had no idea.”

“Yeah. And neither does anyone else. Its gonna be a surprise at Simon’s wedding.” Matt said.

“Oh, well I bet it will be. As if that wedding won’t be filled with enough surprises.”

“True. And I won’t even be making it.” Mary said

“Well, that may be a blessed thing.” Matt said

“Yeah. Rose is…interesting choice.”

“Yeah. I never got to meet her.” Matt said

“Really? You didn’t meet her when you spied on Lucy when she went to talk to Sandy and then the whole family knew about my secret.”

“Yeah. Hey, man. I’m sorry about that.”

“Yeah. Its okay.”

“You spied on Lucy?” Mary asked

“Yeah. Kind of.”

“That couldn’t have ended well.”

“Oh, no. Not at all.”

“So, who’s Sandy exactly?” Sarah chimed in.

“Oh, she was my….Aaron’s mother.”

“Oh. Yeah. I’m sorry about Sandy, man.” Matt said sympathically

“Oh, yeah. It’s fine. Really.”

“Well, I can imagine since you hated her.”

“I didn’t…hate her. I was just….young.”

“And what are you now?”

“Young. But all this made me grow up before I was ready.”

“Yeah, I bet.”

“What happened exactly?” Sarah asked

“From the beginning?” Martin asked

“Yeah. Sure. Why not?” Mary said

“Alright. Well, last summer I went up visit Simon at school and I met Sandy. And within that short amount of time I ended up….sleeping with her.”

“And aren’t you not that guy, Martin?” Mary asked

“Yeah. Well, people change. Anyway, she ended up…getting pregnant. And I was the worst possible person I could ever be. And I am so ashamed of who I was then. I was really a….irresponsible jerk. I barely even talked to her until the day Aaron was born. And I feel awful about that now. But I can’t take it back. So, now I have to be the best father I can be. On my own.”

“What happened to Sandy?” Sarah asked

“She…uh…died four months ago. It was pretty hard to come back from. But…I’m at least trying to move forward. That’s why I’m here. To get away from…my dad. And your parents. I mean, their great. I know their just trying to help. But…sometimes it gets to be too much, you know?”

“That’s mom and dad for you.” Mary said

“Yeah. But me and Aaron are gonna be fine.”

“That’s great that your able to do that.” Sarah told him

“I honestly don’t have a choice. And I wouldn’t want it any other way”

“That’s great. So….can I hold him?” Mary asked.

“Yeah. Sure.” Martin said handing Aaron to Mary

“I’m next.” Sarah said.

“Alright.” Martin said

“Oh, Martin. He’s amazing.”

“Yeah. He’s pretty great. I mean, I have no complaints. He’s really a good baby.”

“He seems it. Good job.” Matt teased Martin

They all continued to talk and ordered their food. Aaron had fallen asleep on Martin’s shoulder and they continued to discuss Martin’s life and what he was doing now. When they finished they walked outside.

“So, how long gonna be here for?” Matt asked

“I’m not sure yet. At least another week.”

“Alright. We should meet up again before you leave.”

“Yeah. Absolutely. I’d love for you to meet Carlos and Charlie.”

“Yeah. I’d love to. Sounds fun. Well, I better head back with Aaron here.” Martin said with a sleep Aaron still on his shoulder

“Here…let Matt get you a cab.” Sarah said

“Oh, no. You know, its fine. We can walk. Really.”

“Don’t be silly, Martin. He’s gonna get heavy. Trust me I’ve tried that with Charlie.” Mary warned him

“Alright.”

They all said good-bye. And he got in the cab and he moved Aaron just into his arms are he cradled him. Suddenly his cell phone started to ring. He grabbed it out of his pocket to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Martin…..”