Chapter 5 Time Together

• M I R A N D A
• Landon just went out to his recording studio and I'm sure he'll be back late again because he'll be doing some major edits on this new album he's getting so pumped up with.
• It was his first album and artist to produce EDM and house music kind of songs. I know how excited he was with this and I know this is a huge deal for him. I was immensely happy for him because he's really expanding his music field on different genres now. Aside from pop, hip hop and some rock-indie music, he's now taking over a whole new different level.
• I was watching TV with Ben because he just loves early morning cartoons and seems like I've gotten used to it too. I was combing his hair for him while he was busy munching on his cookies.
• "Are you ready for your rehab activities today Benny?" I asked him.
• "Yes!" He chimes.
• He just loves going to those rehab activities lately. He met a few friends who were just like him and I'm happy Ben is coping up after that accident. He's getting perfectly good at everything and he doesn't stutter much like before. The pathologist said Ben needs a little more time and then once he'll be ready, Ben will live a normal life again even though his injury will be a lifetime for him.
• "Mrs. Randy?" My housekeeper enters the living room. I moved my head to her.
• "Yes?" I called out.
• "You have a visitor." She says.
• "Who's it?" I asked.
• Hugo enters the living room, making my eyes widened. I didn't expect him to be here in New York today because he didn't call to inform me and never left a message too.
• Hugo had paper bags with him and I'm sure it were all for Ben. I'm happy to see him here.
• Benny moved his head to where Hugo was standing and gasped. "Daddy Hugo!!"
• Hugo quickly walked towards closer us and carried Ben over his arms. Ben was too happy to see his father being around here. He hugged his daddy tight and Hugo held him close to him. I see the longing in between them and I wouldn't lie, I missed seeing Hugo too.
• "I miss you daddy. I miss you. I missed you so much." Ben muffles and I think he's crying.
• I stand from the couch and watched them hug each other. Ben quickly faced me as he says, "It's daddy Hugo mom!"
• I smiled at him and watch Hugo wipe Ben's tears from the corners of his eyes. I walk closer to Hugo and briefly hugged him. "It's good to see you." I tell him.
• "Good to see you too." Hugo answers back.
• I pulled myself away from him.
• "How are you buddy?" Hugo cooed. He planted a kiss on Ben's forehead and I hear him giggle."I missed you so very much."
• "I'm great dad! And I miss you so much too! I'm so happy you're here!" Ben answers.
• Hugo kept his eyes glued on Ben. "And you just took a shower. You smell really good."
• I smiled at the view of them together.
• "M-mom and I are going to my rehab activities today dad. You wanna g-go with us? You'll be p-proud when you'll see m-me." Ben smiles.
• "Will your mommy allow me to go with you?" Hugo asked and turned his head to me.
• Both of them stared at me.
• "Can d-daddy go with us mom?" Ben asks. "Please mom? Pretty p-please mom?"
• Of course I wouldn't deprive my own son not to enjoy this day of spending some quality time with his own father. Hugo comes here in New York very seldom, I know how terribly busy he is back in London and I know Ben is too ecstatic right now to see his own father around town. I know Ben wants to spend so much time with Hugo right now as much as he can because I know Hugo will soon leave us again for Audrey and Alex.
• "What d-do you say mom?" Ben asks me again.
• I smiled. "Of course he can go with us Benny."
• Ben cheers happily. "I'll let daddy dress me up. Let's go up to my room dad!" Ben points to the stairs.
• Hugo smiles that dimpled smile as he kisses Ben's cheek. I can see how much he misses Ben and I know he's very happy to see Ben too.
• Hugo looks at me, "We'll be down when we're done." He says.
• I nod.
• I watch them go up the staircase while Ben instructs Hugo where his room was. I could hear Ben talk about how his activities will go today and how he enjoys so much on going to the rehab center. Ben talks a lot and even forgot to watch his all-time favorite early morning cartoon that he'd never miss to watch.
• I grabbed my phone from the table and decided to let Landon know that Hugo is around today.
• MIRANDA: Love, Hugo's around town today. He's taking us to Ben's rehab activities.
• I grabbed the plate and empty glass of milk on top of the table then walked to the kitchen. I nicely asked the maids to wash the dishes and I stumbled my way up the stairs too. I eavesdropped by the doorway of Ben's room, I stood there and watch my son and Hugo while they were enjoying such a great time together on looking for something to wear.
• Ben was opening the paper bags that Hugo gave him. There were so much Ironman toys, clothes and shoes. Hugo bought a lot for Ben and I'm happy he did.
• "Daddy Landon already bought me this Ironman toy! See?" Ben pulled the one Landon bought him.
• I feel bad for Hugo because he looked ashamed of what Ben showed him. I think he feels that his attention was growing distant from his own son.
• Hugo fakes a smile, "Now your Ironman toy won't be lonely anymore because there's two of 'em."
• I slightly smiled.
• Ben nods. "I'll play with them. I'll take care of these toys and clothes and shoes that you bought me." He smiles at Hugo happily.
• "Are you boys done yet?" I asked.
• Hugo moved his head to me as I match my way inside Ben's bedroom. I sat beside Ben and fixed his shirt for him. "You'll be late for your activities Benny." I say.
• "He's ready." Hugo answers.
• Ben smiles and opened his arms to his father while Hugo effortlessly carried Ben with one arm. The three of us headed out of the room and stumbled our way downstairs. I told the housekeepers that we were leaving already and instructed them a few things to do while we're out.
• The three of us headed to Hugo's car having Ben sitting on the backseat and I was next to Hugo. He begins to drive out the gates and we finally got onto the main road.
• My phone beeps.
• LANDON: I know. He texted me that he's around New York and that he'll drop by the house. I'm sure Ben was surprised :) I'm glad that Hugo's taking you. Take care. I love you.
• I smiled.
• MIRANDA: I love you too. Join us for lunch?
• LANDON: I'll text you when I can :)
• "Did you take Alex with you dad?" Ben asked.
• I gazed at Ben over my shoulder then Hugo's eyes meets mine before he stares back at the road. "He's still little, Ben. A baby. He's not allowed to travel much just yet." Hugo answers.
• I'm sure Audrey doesn't want her own son to meet Ben. I'm so sure she's depriving him to meet Hugo's first child.
• "But don't worry. I'll make sure you'll see him soon enough. I promise." Hugo glares at Ben over the rear view mirror.
• "Does he have curly hair too?" Ben asks with a smile. "I wish he looks like me."
• I remained quiet.
• "Well... He's... He doesn't have curly hair like yours and mine." Hugo admits.
• "He doesn't have curly hair? Then he doesn't look like you and me too?" Ben asked.
• Ben's just too witty sometimes. I still remained silent on my seat.
• "I think he got it from his mommy." Hugo defends his second son.
• I moved my head to where Ben was. "I know you're excited to meet baby Alex."
• Ben nods. "And I'll be a great older brother to him. I'll take care of him. I'll love him dearly. And oh oh oh daddy! Will you let me carry him?" Ben's too happy and I don't want to stop him from feeling that way.
• He's different when Hugo's around.
• Hugo chuckles. "Of course Ben. When you'll be bigger enough then you can carry him."
• "Yes!" Ben chimes.
• We finally reached the rehab center and Ben was getting giddy to start his activities so he could show off Hugo what he's been doing lately while he was out in London. We watched Ben doing his regular activities and I was so proud of him that he doesn't need my hell anymore unlike the first days he was here. He was doing it perfectly on his own and I know Hugo was happy to see his own son improve too.
• "I'll just be out to buy some coffee." Hugo says to me.
• We just stared at each other.
• "You want me to grab one for you?" He asks.
• "I'll.... I think I'll go with you." I said.
• He nods.
• "Benny, me and daddy Hugo will be back real quick okay? You stay here. We'll just be out to buy coffee." I said and told the PTs to look after my son for me.
• Hugo and I headed out of the rehab center and walked to the nearest Starbucks. We marched our way inside and thank god nobody mobbed us on the streets.
• "What do you wanna have?" Hugo asks me while he leans his hand over the counter.
• I take a minute to think. I don't really want anything to drink, I just wanted to come with him. I glanced at him and he's looking at me thoroughly, studying my facial expression.
• "Mocha latte. Venti." I said.
• "Make that two please." Hugo added with his deep hoarse voice.
• "Should we put it under your name sir?" She asked Hugo.
• He nods. "Yes, thank you." He smiles tight-lipped before he looked back at me, "Do you want anything to eat?"
• I shake my head in response.
• When Hugo was done paying, we settled ourselves on a table and waited for our orders to be called out. He sits right across me as he pushes his hair off his face.
• "How's Alex?" I asked out of the blue.
• "He's getting a bit heavier everyday." He answers while he locks his eyes at me. "How are you?"
• I faked a smile. "I'm feeling great."
• "You're looking good as well. When's your due?"
• I gazed at my obviously huge bump as I placed my hand over it and rubbed my palm against my bump. "In a month or two." I answered.
• I pulled my head up to him and he's just looking at me while both of his hands were holding tight onto each other. "Have you and Landon thought about naming the baby?" He asks.
• I shake my head, "I'm excited about the gender. My doctor only knows about it. Landon and I wanted to surprise ourselves."
• He nods. "I'm glad for you and Landon."
• I nod back before I asked, "How are you and Audrey? Are things doing great?”
• He remained quiet for the first seconds while he locks his eyes back on his hands. "Everything's.... Everything's fine." He answers stiff.
• I nod and just waited for him to say something else but he's just focused on his hands. "All's well." He tells me as he pulls his head up and smiled.
• "Two mocha latte for Mr. Hugo Saintclare!" The barista called out.
• Hugo stood from his seat and so did I. I followed him as we both grabbed our orders. "Thanks for this." I said while we head out of the doors.
• "No problem." He answers.
• Both of us headed out of the street and since the rehab center was just near by, we walked along the street while paps were on the other street busy taking photos of us. I take a sip from my mocha latte and noticed that Hugo was just quiet.
• "Is there something wrong?" I asked him.
• He looks at me on the corner of his eyes and shakes his head while he answers, "Nope." He pulled his lips away from the straw. "Why?"
• "You look.... I don't know. Pestered?" I take a sip from my drink.
• He chuckles dryly, "Just tired."
• I nod.
• We continued to walk again silently and to be honest I feel the need of holding Hugo's hand even just for a second. I wanna feel his touch on me but we know we shouldn't. We walk so quietly and I feel a part of his skin brushing against the skin of my hand and I feel something electric running over my body even just a tiny bit.
• "You know." Hugo chimes.
• I turned my head to him as he continues to say, "I've actually just realized that the things in my life happened too fast. It was all planned out for me. It was all... Laid out. Like I had to do this because I know I should."
• My brows creasing.
• "But when you came, you changed my game plan. You came in perfectly. It's weird. You know?" He glanced at me.
• He chuckles as he adds, "Sometimes I think you're never coming back to me. Like what we had, will never come back. Like ever."
• "What are you even trying to say Hugo?" I asked.
• He sighs as he push the top part of his hair that was blown away by the wind. He looks far ahead and purses his lips together. "I don't know why I should say this but..." He placed his forefinger beneath his lower lip while he gazes at me.
• He sighs heavier while he takes an amp amount of time in silence.
• "I just realized that you're never coming back in my life anymore and I am honestly trying my very best to be okay with that." He admits.
• My breathing hitched.
• Hugo and I paused as we stood by the doorway of the rehab center. I was shocked by what he confessed and he always make my very beat like this. And I kind of hate it but at the same time love it.
• Damn heart!
• I quickly acted as if I wasn't affected by it by looking away but deep inside I was dying to scream. We quickly headed inside and I tried to ignore what he said to me because it should not even bother me a single bit. We walked quietly towards he elevator, and a huge sign beamed to us telling us that we needed to take the exit staircase.
• "We just rode it a while ago." I hear Hugo speak before he looks back at me, “Up for some walking?”
• I chuckle under my throat as I nod, “Of course.”
• We had no choice but to follow instructions. We walked to the exit staircase and walked up to the floor where Ben was. We continued walking silently while Hugo was right next to me the entire time.
• Mute.
• Suddenly I feel him grabbing my wrist which caused me to gasp. He pulled me so I could face him and he gently pinned me against the wall. I accidentally dropped my mocha latte and it made a huge puddle-like mess on the floor. Hugo's blue-green eyes locked into mine and I am completely frozen.
• What's he thinking?
• What's he gonna do to me?
• I gulped as I muffled, "H-Hugo..."
• But he's not doing anything. There wasn't anyone here with us and my heart was beating ridiculously fast that I couldn't even try to tame it down even if I want to.
• Hugo begins to move in and plans to kiss me. What’s even disturbing is the fact that I didn't even move away. I was wanting him to kiss me too. No, Randy. This is wrong. Look away! Look the fuck away and don't kiss him! Don't you even dare kiss---
• Suddenly my phone beeps. Saved.
• He sighs as he bends his head down a little bit low. I exhaled and quickly pulled my phone out.
• LANDON: Hey love! Where are you? I'm with Ben right now. He said you and Hugo went out to grab some coffee?
• Shit. I cursed me talk.
• My eyes dropped to my mocha latte. "Landon's here." I announced and wiggled myself away from him.
• He releases me but he sighs.
• "And don't you ever do that again Hugo." I say to him while I fix myself.
• But I cursed at myself for not looking away when he was about to kiss me. I made it pretty obvious that I wanted him to kiss me too.
• "Stop making me do sins." I spit.
• “If you didn’t want to be kissed, you could have looked away.” He says while his eyes pierced through mine.
• He shakes his head, “I’m sorry if I am the only one who still wants this to work out no matter how fucked up it is.”
• I watch him walk ahead of me and my heart is being ripped into pieces right in front of me.