The Girl He Craves

Sophie’s pov

“What are you two doing here?” Aiden asked as he struts over until he was beside me and Ashton.

His mother’s eyes left mine and Ashton’s to peer at her son. They glisten:

“Why didn’t you tell me we have a grandson Aiden?” She whispered brokenly, making my heart ache.

“Mom I-

Aiden’s voice is shaky with surprise and pain.

“Love,” Aiden’s dad called out to his wife and enveloped her in a warm hug. He sends Aiden a

disapproving stare.

She sniffles. “I’m fine Grant.” She reassured him even though the sound of her voice said otherwise.

“Aiden,” His father starts, his voice tight with disapproval. “You better explain this mess!”

Aiden looks completely lost, his eyes sweeping from my mortified expression to his father’s tight and

disapproving stare.

“|-

“It’s my fault.” I butted in quickly before Aiden could tell them anything. I knew he’d take the fault for my

stupid decision so I had to do something.

I couldn’t stand there and act innocent.

His mother pulls away from her husband to peer at me in confusion.

“Sophie-

Aiden warned, looking at me fixedly and telling me silently to keep my mouth sealed.

I tear my eyes away from his and focus them on his parents.

“I’m the reason he hadn’t told anyone about Ashton. He also hadn’t known about him until a couple of

days ago.” I rip my gaze from Mrs. Xavier and set them on the floor in shame as I continued.

“I kept the knowledge of his son away from him. If there’s anyone to be blamed, it should be me.”

It’s so quiet after my words that you would be able to hear the sound of a pin dropping to the floor.

It’s silent and awkward for a few, making me shift on my feet, praying for someone to break the

uncomfortable silence. My prayers are answered a few seconds after.

“Well then,” Mrs. Xavier breathed out. “Now that we got this out of the way. I’m sure you already know

me Sophie, I’m Meredith but you can just call me Mere.”

An outstretched hand comes into my vision. I’m stunned not only by her passiveness but by the fact

she hadn’t asked why I kept Ashton from Aiden.

“I had an inkling the mother of my grandchild would have been you Sophie. I just knew it in my bones.”

Her voice wasn’t shaky like it was minutes ago. Now it was lighter, more airy and filled with a bit of

happiness.

I can’t seem to fathom the fact that she even has a bit of happiness to see me. The last time we saw

each other, I was on the stand and she was in the crowd with tears in her eyes.

I thought she would hate me. Loathe me and not want to be in the same room with me, but she was

proving me wrong.

Aiden nudged me a little with his elbow and I let out a light giggle and took her outstretched hand.

“Oh come here you,” She voiced when her hands clutched mine. She tugged me into a hug, Ash in the

middle of us.

He squeals and Meredith pulls away. “And what’s this little handsome boy’s name? Please don’t let it

be Grant junior.” She asked while playing with Ashton’s finger.

I couldn’t help but smile at hearing her elated tone. “It’s Ashton.”

“Oh thank God. Such a handsome name for a handsome boy.” She cooed and pinched Ashton’s

cheeks. “Thank God you weren’t named Grant huh?” She joked, blowing him strawberries.

“Hey! I thought you loved my name!?” Mr. Xavier whined, playfully glaring at his wife’s back as she

cooed at Ashton.

“You have it all wrong my handsome. I love you, not your name.” She corrected him without sparing

him a glance.

Mr. Xavier rolled his eyes and settled his irritated glare on Aiden and me. “You two still need to explain

why you decided not to tell us sooner about Ashton. ‘

“Oh leave them be Grant. They’re young, God alone knows the drama and trials we went through to be

what we are today. We wouldn’t be Xavier’s if we didn’t have a bit of drama in our lives.” Meredith

winked at me.

“Besides your son is a pain in the butt just like you. Poor Sophie must’ve gone through so much.”

Meredith sighed.

“Thanks a lot mom for thinking the worst about me and not being on my side.” Aiden uttered

sarcastically as he looped his arm around my waist.

“You’re welcome.” Meredith grinned widely making me giggle.

“Dad a little help here?” Aiden looked at his father for some help. Mr Xavier walks over to Aiden and

taps him on the shoulder.

“At least you got the girl son.”

Aiden beamed, his shoulders straightening and his chest puffing out. “She was a bit difficult to catch

but I managed to get her.” He said while winking down at me.

“Men and their ego.” Meredith uttered with a roll of her eyes.

“Come on Sophie let’s talk about wedding plans.” Meredith winked, clutching my hand and practically

dragging me away from Aiden and his father.

“Poor Sophie,” I heard Mr. Xavier uttered behind me softly while his wife guided me to the sofa.

We spoke about wedding plans for a few hours, and though. Meredith had not taken a single breather, I

kind of weirdly enjoyed talking to her about it.

She was eager to see me wed her son, I could tell by her voice and the way she looked at me.

“Son by this rate your mother will have you bankrupt.” Mr. Xavier

joked as he took a sip of the beer Aiden gave him.

“Oh hush Grant! Our baby will only be married once to the love of his life. Everything must be grand!”

Meredith argued, sending a sharp scowl at her husband who looked at her amused.

“Grand isn’t always good. The kids may want a small wedding love.” Mr. Xavier voiced.

“I forbid!” Meredith argued.

I looked at Aiden who shrugged, a smile playing on his lips.

“You’re going to have a grand wedding Sophie. I promise.” Meredith reaches over to squeeze my hand.

Ashton’s on her lap, looking at everyone like we were some kind of aliens from out of space.

From his point of view, perhaps I cannot blame him. We looked like a crazy family.

“Thank you,” I whispered, moving my eyes off her hand to peer into her eyes. “For not hating me.”

She tilts her head, looking confused. “For what sweetie? Why would I hate you?”

I looked down at Ashton.” For what happened in the past with Aiden and-

I stopped, not able to say it. I swallowed.

“Oh that. You wasn’t the cause of anything Sophie. It was an accident. You can’t blame yourself for

something that was an accident.” She squeezed my hand again.

“How can I ever hate the girl who my son had been in love with for

years? The girl who manages to make him smile. You know, he hadn’t smiled in a while.”

I flick my gaze back to hers.

“Thank you for coming back into his life and giving me back my son.” She whispered, a grateful one

that made me feel warm.

I’m about to respond, emotions bubbled in my throat. But before I could, the buzzer goes off.

“I’ll get it.” Mr. Xavier declared and stalks over to the door.

I looked over at Aiden. We both were not expecting anyone.

Who else is here to surprise us?

Sergio perhaps?

The door pries open and I brought my gaze back to the door.

The air gets snagged in my lungs.

“Aiden Xavier?” The police officer steps into the room, the other four following after him.