Ex-Husband's Regret

Chapter 97

Ava

"Mommy, are you almost done?" Noah yells through my bedroom door. "It's almost time. We are going to be late." "Just give me a sec* I yell back as I quickly put on my outfit for the day.

Nowadays, I'm more comfortable with dresses, so that's what I had on. I had on a cute sundress with thin straps and that reached above my knees. I paired them with sandals. Since we were going to spend most of the time walking, I assumed they will be more comfortable.

My hair was in in a curled pony tail with loose tendrils framing my face. I didn't have much make up on. Mainly because I felt too lazy to do it.

I didn't want to do this whole thing. I easily get tired nowadays and I didn't want to ruin the day by being worn out too quickly. The smile on Noah's and Gunner's faces is what made me change my mind. They were both so excited for this day.

Gunner needed this after what happened last week. He needed to feel loved and treasured. I hoped that being surrounded by those that love him will give him new memories. Memories that would replace those few painful ones of his mother.

I take my purse and open my door only to find Noah waiting for me outside.

"I'm ready. Let's go

Just as I finished the sentence, we hear a honk outside my house. I guess that both Calvin and Gunner were also ready to go.

Since were going to the same place, we saw no need for travelling separately. We decided that we would take Cal's car since it was bigger and that he would be driving.

"I'm so excited...I've been waiting for this day since you agreed" Noah says as he gently pulls me down the stair while being mindful of my condition. "I even called dad yesterday. He was sounded funny, but I let him know that I won't be home today"Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

I'm surprised that he called Rowan. He usually tells me when he's going to call his father. He never mentioned it yesterday though.

At the mention of Rowan, I get an uneasy feeling. In the past months he has been what I can only describe as unpredictable. I don't think he would show up, but I also wouldn't put past his new persona.

Pushing thoughts of him aside, I focus on the day ahead.

We get out of the house and Noah rushes to Cal's car. I follow behind him once I've locked the door. Climbing into the passenger seat, I smile at the father-son duo.

"Hello you two" I greet as cheerful as I can.

"Hey Ava!" Gunner screams with excitement.

Cal smile back at me "Hey"

We all buckle up and then Cal starts the engine and drives off.

Thirty minutes into the trip, the boys are still as excited as the first day we made these plans. They were so hyper that it was funny how they behaved.

"How long till we get there?" Noah asks, buzzing with joy while Gunner bounced up and down his seat.

"About forty minutes give or take" Cal answers.

They are quiet for a while before they start conversing on their own. Their talk mostly consisting of all the things

they're going to do while there. The games they're going to play. The rides they're going to try and the foods they're going to eat.

"They're really excited" Cal says, his eyes flashing to mine before going back on the road.

I chuckle. "That is an understatement. Noah barely slept last night and he when he did. He was up again at the crack of dawn, waking me up like there was a freaking apocalypse"

He laughs at that. Real laughter. I stare at him in wonder. Unable to tear my gaze from him.

"What is it?" he asks when his laugh dies down.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts. "Nothing. I've just never heard you laugh like that before. You should laugh more often. It suits you"

The smile he had earlier disappears. He was back to being unreachable and detached.

I really needed to help. Show him how to live. Whoever Gunner's mom is, sure did a number on both father and son. I'm only grateful that Rowan only hurt me. I don't know what I would have done if my situation had been similar to that of Calvin.

We drive in silence after that. Mostly it's the kids that engage us in their conversation. Those two surprised me at how in sync they were with each other. They were even finishing each other's sentences which Calvin found hilarious.

Soon we get to our destination. We get out of the car immediately Calvin finds a parking spot.

"Where to first?" Cal asks as we faced the gate to the amusement park. There were probably thousands of people walking about.

"The rides, definitely" Noah and Gunner chorus together.

The faces were split into wide grins and their eyes were shimmering with excitement.

"The rides it is" I grin and take both their hands as we head into the sea of people.

About two hours later, my legs were aching, but I was happy. I take a seat by the bench and watch as Cal, Gunner and Noah play around.

Rubbing my feet I can't help but turn wistful. This is what I always wanted for me, Noah and Rowan. I always wanted us to do such fun things together. Every time I broached the subject, Rowan would turn me down.

He always said that he didn't mind spending time with Noah, so long as I wasn't there to ruin their moment because my presence disgusted him.

It hurt as always, but I swallowed it down. Except that vacation we went to as a family, and which Noah insisted. We never did anything as a family. It was always either Rowan and Noah or Noah and me. Never the three of us.

"I don't like another man playing dad to my son" I sit frozen, unable to believe that I'd just heard his voice.

It's like my thoughts had conjured him out of thin air.

Yeah. I should have definitely listened to my brain when it told me that Rowan was probably going to show up. This was sure going to be a fucking disaster.