Chapter 25 Part 2// She ruined it for me

"Thank you," She says as we walks on passed as I was stunned.

"Whos next please," He asks as I snap out of it and walk on up.

"Give the man your toy sweetie," I say as Eddie places it on the counter as the man scans it and hands it back to him.

"Thank you," Eddie says as he walks passes me and stands besides me.

"That's 9.45,"
I take out my wallet as I pull out a ten for him.

"Keep the change," I say.
I wasn't worried about the change, more worried about getting out of here.

"Thank you Ma'am have a good day,"
I grab Eddie's hand.

"That's Ariel," Lauren says as she gets besides me.

"I know and she has a baby, she didn't look pregnant to me when I seen her last month," I say.

"I want to kick her ass,"
I knew how bad she did cause I wanted to kick her in the ass as well.

"I know, let's walk passed her,"
We came close to the exit as I hear "Do I regonize you?"
It was her voice.

We turn around as she covers her mouth.

"It's you two bitches, the one I stole Dustin from and the little bitch who has that kid with James. what the fuck are you doing here? shouldn't you be in Shittsburgh?"

I seen the rage in Lauren's eyes as I pick up my son to cover his ears.

"Fuck off Ariel," I say.

"Fuck off? really?  Your the shank who took my man,"

"You wanna call her a shank you bitch, I'll fucking slap your ass with or without your child there," Lauren says as she walks over to Ariel.

I quickly place Eddie down and told him to stay put as I rush over to Lauren, stopping her.

"No, we are not doing that," I say as I turn and look at Ariel.

"Just go away," I say.

"Yeah you'd wish but thankfully you get your wish because I'm leaving this shit town for Philly,"

"Good!!" Lauren says.

"Yeah, and oh by the way bitch, I can get your man as easily as I got Dustin," Ariel says as Lauren rushed back over to her and hit her one good time.

"Fuck you!!!" Lauren yells.

"Let's go," I say as I go over to Eddie and start walking.

"That's right, I win!!! and oh I'm Steve's Ex-Wife. I know you two hooked up back in Oiler Country"
I knew Lauren wanted to go after her as I seen she was gone.

"Eddie stay here," I say as I rush back up and grab Lauren before she could do anything to Ariel.

"Your a evil bitch, trying to tear up relationships. Oh wait you ruined mine," Lauren says.

"I'll ruin your next one too with whoever you date next," Ariel says as Lauren was fighting me to let her go.

"Ignore her," I say as I physically move her back to the car where Eddie is crying.

"Mommy what was that?" Eddie asks as tears come down his face and rushing over to me.

"It's ok baby," I say as I hug him.
I hear Lauren crying as she starts to talking on the phone.

Well this day just got ruined, BIG time.

I open the door as I place a crying Eddie into.

"Mommy is you and Aunt Lauren ok?" Eddie asks as I wipe his tears off.

"I'm ok but I think Aunt Lauren is hurt. She's probably calling cousin Ryan," I say as I close the door and get into the driver's side of the car.

Lauren gets into the car as tears are coming down.
I just reach over and give her a hug.

This shit can seem to ever get away from her.

"Ryan is taking a flight out tonight to come home," Lauren says as we break our hug.

"Alright, I'll take you to pick him up," I say Justas my phone starts to ring.
Grabbing my phone, I answer it.

"Hello," I say.

"Hey, you ok? I just found out from Ryan that he is heading home. Is everything ok?" James asks.

"We seen Ariel at the Toys R Us. We just got into it and some hurtful words were said, mainly to Lauren. Eddie was crying but he is ok and I'm ok," I say.

"Want me to head back on the jet with Ryan?" James asks.
He just wants to come back home and be with us.

"James we are fine but if you want to head home I wouldn't argue with that,"

"Alright, I'll let you go and I'll call when I land. I love you,"

"I love you too,"
I hang up as I begin the car up.

"Want to still shop?" I ask.

"Yep, I wouldn't skip out on shopping," Lauren says as I smile.

"Everything will be ok, I promise expectally with the boys coming home tonight," I say softly so  Eddie couldn't hear me.

"I know, so what stores are we going too?"

"Doesn't matter too me, it's a Lauren afternoon,"

"Yay!!" Eddie says as we all smile.
I cross the street as I pull into the back side of the mall as I park besides the food court.

"Everyone out," I say as I turn off the car and get out of the car with my purse in hand.
I turn to see Eddie out of the car with Daniel Bryan in his hands.

"You taking Daniel on the trip too?" I ask as I get his hand in mine.

"Yep," Eddie says as we walk to the front of the car as Eddie grabs Lauren's hand with Daniel too.

"Well thank you Eddie and you too Daniel Bryan," Lauren says as I smile.

Walking into the mall, we walk passed the food court as we go on our adventure.

"Let's stop here," Lauren says as I look up

Victoria's Secret, guess she wants something for when Ryan comes home.

We walk in behind her as she goes over to the shoes.

"These are the best high heel shoe that I know of," Lauren says as I look at the prices.
Too much for me, I prefer American Eagle flats then high heels.

I watched as she grabs a pair of heels then headed over for the bras and panties.

I wanted to get some sexy stuff for James but I couldn't with Eddie in here.

Wondering around I picked up two black teddies and a red babydoll. whatever the heck that is.

"Mommy what you got?" Eddie asks as I walk up tot he check out counter.

"A surprise for daddy," I say as I place the items on the counter.
She rings then out as she gives me the total and I pay for them.

I hand her the money as she bags up my stuff.

"Thank you," I say as I go walking around to find Lauren with a lot of things in her hands.

"Want help?" I ask as take a few of the items into my hands.

"Thanks, so get what you wanted?" Lauren asks.

"Yep, James won't keep his hands off of me when he gets home, still want a lift down there or want to drive down yourself?"

"I'll ride with you down, is Eddie staying home?"

"Yeah, I'm planning on it,"

"Ok, I think I'm ready,"
I follow her up to the check out as I place everything down.

"We are going to go down to the sports store, its right down the way,"

"Alright, I'll meet you two there,"

"Come on Eddie," I say as we walk out of the store as I grab his hand into mine as we walk a short distance as we walk into the sports store.

"Good afternoon, need any help today?" A man asks.

"No thank you," I say as we walk around the store as I see a Neal shirt. It's his new shirt with his new number on it.

"Mommy can I get one?" Eddie asks as he pulls down a small, since he is small.

"Sure, I'm gonna grab one for me too,"
I look for a large as I pull it off a hanger.

"Mommy come here,"
I walk over as I see him holding a Sidney Crosby jersey that's made for youth. It was the one from the Winter Classic in 2011 when he got injuried.

"Can I get it?" Eddie asks.
Not too sure what James would say.

"No Eddie, you have enough Penguins shirts and you have a Crosby jersey as well,"
Eddie makes sad face.

"Not working," I say as I turn to see Lauren walking in.

"What you got now?" Lauren asks as I pull up James's new shirt for Columbus.

"Wow they got that out already, maybe they'll have one of Ryan soon,"

"They should soon but we don't know his number or anything yet," I say as I see Eddie walking over to me with a Penguins glass in his hand.

"Can I?" Eddie asks with his puppy dog eyes.

"That's it," I say as he hands it to me as I walk over to check out as Eddie is looking with Lauren.

"Neal fan huh?" the man asks as we rings up the shirts.

"Yep, he's mine and my son's favorite," I say.

"Still like the Pens though?"

"Yep, we are still hardcore Pens fans though Neal is over here now,"

"You'll get used to the Blue Jackets, total is 12.18,"
I take out my card as I hand it to him and he scans it.

"Thank you have a nice day," He says as I place my card back and take the bag off the counter as I see Lauren looking at jerseys with Eddie beside her.

"Ready to head out of here?" I ask.

"Yes," Eddie says as he yawns.

"Naptime for you," I say.

"No Ryan, guess I'm ready to head out," Lauren says as Eddie grabs her hand.
I smile as I walk behind them right out of the store.

We walk through the mall as we stop at a few more stores as we head back outside to the car.
Just as we get to the car, my phone goes off as I grab it out and answer it.

"Hello," I say.

"Hey we are getting on the plane so it about 3 hours we should be in Columbus," James says as I hear Lauren's phone ringing.

"Alright gives me enough time to get Eddie back home and get him lunch,"

"Ok, are you coming alone or with Lauren?"

"I'm taking Lauren down there," I say as I watch Eddie get into the backseat as I place my bags into the backseat with him.

I cover the phone

"Buckle up," I say as I close the door and take my hand off my phone.

"Alright, well we are fixing to take off, be there soon,"

"Love you,"

"Love you too,"
I hang up as I close my door.

I never imange James placing hockey on the back burner for me, Lauren and Eddie.

I start up the car as Lauren hops into the car.

"I love you," Lauren says as she hangs up her phone with a smile on her face.

My cousin has made her the happiest girl alive.

"Ready?" I ask.

"Yep," Lauren says.

"Buckled up Eddie?" I ask.

"Yes mommy and so is John and Daniel," Eddie says as I take off out of the parking lot and headed for home.

Chapter 25 Part 1// What the....

Opening my eyes up, I see a blurry sight as my eyes adjusted.
I look down at the empty space next to me as I see the time on the nightstand.

11:30 AM

I reach on the bed as I dial James's number.

"Good morning honey, I didn't expect you to call me at 9:30 in the morning," James says.

"It's 11:30 in the morning here and I didn't hear when Eddie got up. I mustve slept well," I say.

"Must of, so your just waking up?"

"Yeah, I'm still in the bed, laying down looking at the empty side of the bed,"

"It will be filled tomorrow night by me,"

"I know, I better get up and start my day. I gotta register Eddie in class then we are going around Columbus,"

"Well have fun, tell Eddie that daddy loves him,"

"Will do but for now, mommy love you,"
He starts laughing as I knew it would.

"Daddy love you,"
I smile.

"Love you,"

"Love you too. Talk to you in a few,"
I hang up the phone as I get out of bed and walk over to a few boxes which were my clothes were in, since I labeled everything in my house.

 I pull out a pair of yoga pants and a pink top to go with it.
Changing into that as I redo my hair.

After doing all that, I walk down the hall and out of the guest house.

"Mommy," Eddie says as I watch him drop his ball as he comes rushing over to me.

"Hey baby, where you good for grandma?" I ask.

"Yes mommy, where is daddy at?" He asks.

"He is still with the team, he will be back tomorrow afternoon,"
He just put on a sad face.

"Why didn't be come back with you?"

"He is playing a game tonight, do you want to watch it with mommy?"
A smile comes on his face.

"Yay,"
He goes back to playing in the yard as I watch the back door opening up.

"I figured this is where everyone is," Lauren says as she walks down off the patio.

"Yep we are down here, you sleep ok?" I ask.

"Yeah, I slept ok but not enough,"

"She was talking on the phone til about 7 or 8 this morning," Mom says.

"Yeah, Ryan didn't want to hang up and neither did I," Lauren says.

"Your dating Ryan again or is this a different Ryan?" Mom asks.

"Oh it's your nephew,"
I watched as mom smiled.

"Aww I'm glad you two are back together but wait he is up north and your down here," Mom says.

"Mom Ryan got traded yesterday to Columbus, he is coming home with James tonight on the flight," I say.

"Is he staying here?"
Mom starts laugh.

I just smile, my mom likes when Ryan is happy and he seen how happy he was when he was with Lauren.

We just stand out in the backyard as I watch Eddie play with his ball.

"Well we need to head out before the school board is closed," I say.

"I'm going to school?" Eddie asks as he stops playing.

"Not today, probably on Monday or Tuesday you will be," I say.

"Ok," Eddie says.

"Are my keys in the house?" I ask.

"Yes, they are hanging up where we hang keys up at," Mom says as I rush up onto the porch and into the house.
Turning I see all the keys as I pull down my keys and head back out the door.

"Let's go you two," I say as I walk back down the stairs.

"I gotta go get my purse real fast," Lauren says as she passes me into the house.
Eddie walks over to me as he grabs my hand.

"Let's head down, Aunt Lauren will catch up," I say.

"Bye Grandma," Eddie says as he waves.

"Be have Eddie, have fun,"
We both walk out of the gate and down the driveway to my car.

Using the key, I unlock the doors.

"Go ahead and get in Eddie," I say as I let go of his hand as he opens the door to get in.

I hop into the driver's seat as I close the door.
Grabbing my seat belt, I buckle up.

"You all buckled in back there?" I ask.

"Yes mommy," Eddie says as the passenger side door opens.

"Sorry, I had to make sure I head it for when we go around town," Lauren says as she buckles up.

"It's alright, first stop to the Ohio Health Westerville office," I say as I turn the wheel to go down the road.

"Where is that at?" Lauren asks.

"About 10 to 15 minutes from here," I say as I contuine to go down the road.

"Mommy put Mickey Mouse on please," Eddie says as I look over and press the button for the back TV to work in the back.

"Thank you," Eddie says.

"You welcome," I say

"So where are going afterwards?" Lauren asks.

"We will go to the mall that's not very far from there, then we will shop there and probably at Easton as well. They are two malls here in Columbus,"
I turn up and head up Westerville Rd until I hit the road I need to go down, so I take a right.

Then a phone starts to ring.

"That's me," Lauren says as she answers her phone.

"Hello," Lauren says as I tune her conversation out cause I knew it was Ryan.

I stop at a light as I place on my right turn signal and turn into the parking lot of the campus.

"Are we here?" Eddie asks as I park facing the street.

"Yep," I say just as my phone begins to ring.
I reach into my pocket as I grab onto my phone pulling it out to answer it.

"Hello," I say, opening the door getting out.

"Hey, what you doing?" James asks.

"Just arriving to the building to enroll Eddie at," I say as Eddie gets out of the car.

"Ahh, can I talk to my little guy?" James asks.

"Sure," I say as I place my hand over my phone.

"Want to talk to daddy Eddie?" I ask as his face lights up.

"Yes," Eddie says as I hand him the phone as we walk to the back of my car.

"Hi Daddy, no I've been good. Just played some with grandma before mommy go up. I miss you daddy. When you coming home? Aww ok, I love you,"Eddie says before passing the phone back to me.

"So you practiced yet?" I ask.

"Nope, just bored in this hotel room by myself," James says.

"Damnit now I wished I made the trip with you,"

"I know me too, well I really don't want to let you go but I got to go enroll our son,"

"Alright honey, I love you,"

"I love you too James, call me before the game tonight,"

"I will,"
We hang up at the same time as Lauren is off the phone and besides Eddie.

"Ready to head in?"

 "Yep, hope this doesn't last long," Lauren says.

"It shouldn't, maybe 30 minutes tops," I say.

"Alright,"
I grab Eddie's hand as we walk in front of the building.

"Good morning, can I help you?" A lady asks as I walk over to the desk.

"Yes, can you show me the direction to go in to enroll my son in school?" I ask.

"Yes ma'am, go down this hall right here and go straight into the double doors,"

"Thank you,"
We walk down the hall and into the doors as I head up to the desk.

"Good morning, may I help you?" She asks.

"Yes ma'am I need to enroll my son in school,"

"Alright, has he been in the distract?"

"No, we just moved here from Pittsburgh,"

"Alright, come through this door and we will help you,"

"does my son need to come?"

"No ma'am, he can stay out here with your friend,"

I turn and face Eddie.

"Mommy will be right back, stay with Aunt Lauren," I say as I walk passed the door and into the back.

"So what made you guys move here?" She asks as we walk into a room with a desk and chairs.

"We moved here with my boyfriend, my son's father," I say.

"Ahh for work?"

"Yes, he is a professional hockey player,"

"Ahh ok, so what grade is your son in?"

"Kindergation,"

"Ok, well can you fill this out and do you have a birth certificate or social sercurity card of your son?"

"Yes,"
I open my purse up as I grab folded up papers.

"Here you go,"
I hand her the birth certificate for Eddie.

"Thank you,"

I take a pen as I start to fill out the form as I got to fathers name.
Smiling, I happily put James Neal in it.

I finish filling out the paper work as I hand it back to her.

"Thank you, so your son has your last name and not his fathers?" She asks.

"He will have his fathers last name by next school year, I just found out he was my son's father. It's a long story," I say.

"Alright, so does your son has any special needs?"

"No ma'am,"

"Alright, so by where you live, your son will be going to Huber Ridge. I'll make you appointment to meet the principal and take a tour of the school. He will also tell you your son's teacher for the remaining of the year. So what time on Monday would you like?"

"After the school starts if that's ok,"

"How about 10, the building should be calm,"

"That sounds good, thank you so much,"

"Your welcome Miss. James or is it Mrs. Neal?"

"It's Ms. James,"

"Ms. James, have a good day and I'll let them know on Monday you'll be there,"

"Thank you,"
I walk out of the room and back down the hallway to the lobby area.

"Mommy," Eddie says as he runs over to me.

"You miss me that much?" I ask as I see Lauren walk up.

"Yes, can we go?" Eddie asks.

"Yep but in Monday we have to go to the school, so I think Tuesday you'll be in school,"

"Yay,"
We walk out and back down the hallway then out the front doors.

"So are we going to the mall now?" Lauren asks as we walk back over to the car.

"Yep but I want to go somewhere first," I say as I take out my keys and unlock the door.

I open the back door as I see Eddie getting into the car.

"Buckle up," I say as I close the door and get into the driver's seat of the car.

I begin up the car as I hear "Mommy I'm bucked up,"

"Good boy, ready?" I ask Lauren.

"Yep, so were are going first?" She asks as I pull out of my parking place and back onto the main road up to the mall.

"It's a surpise for someone," I say as I look in my rearview mirror.

"Ahh, I think it might be something someone likes,"

"Yep,"

Her phone then rings again and I'm not too sure who it is but I got a feeling.

"Hello, what the fuck are you calling me for? I don't care Dustin you cheated on me with that slut. Bye,"
She hits end and just dials another number.

I slowly turn on the radio so I don't listen to her conversation with Ryan.

"Mommy where are we going?" Eddie asks.

"Somewhere that you will like,"

"You sure?"

"Yep,"

"Mommy when is daddy coming home again?"

"Tomorrow morning or afternoon,"

"Am I going with you to pick him up?"

"Of course, I wouldn't leave you behind,"

"Yay, I'll get to see daddy tomorrow,"

"Yep and you'll get to see some of the hockey game tonight as well,"

"Yay!! Mommy how is Penguins doing?"
I didn't expect that question.

"They won their game last night 4-0. Geno and Kuni scored once and Duper scored twice,"

"Yay, is Sid doing ok?"

"As far as I know, you miss the Penguins huh?"

"Yeah, why we living with grandma again?"

"Because daddy got traded to Columbus and we moved here with him. We are staying with grandma until we find a place to call home here,"

"We ever going back home?"

"Not sure sweetie, maybe we can go this summer,"

"Ok,"
I stop and take a left as I ride pass the mall and pull into the parking lot of Toys R Us.

"We are here," I say as I shut the car off and Lauren is still talking.

"I love you too,"
She hangs up and sighs.

"Dustin is such an ass for calling me, Ryan made me feel better. Tomorrow I'll follow you to the airport and pick Ryan up. We are going to stay somewhere where it's just the two of us," Lauren says.

"That's fine and Dustin is an ass," I say as I get out to see Eddie closing the back door.

"Mommy can I get a toy?" Eddie asks as he grabs my hand and Lauren's hand.

"That's why we came here to get you a new toy," I say as all three of us walk to the building as Eddie lets go of our hands and walks in before us.

Once inside we follow Eddie as we end up in the wrestling/ action figures.

"Mommy can I get this?"
He shows me a Daniel Bryan and CM Punk wreslting figures in the same pack.

"If that's what you want sweetie," I say, knowing that Eddie hasn't watched wrestling in forever in a day but he knows who they are.

"yay, can I get something else?"

"No that's it, let's go to the check out,"
Eddie grabs my hand as he hald the wrestlers in the other hand.

We walk up to the checkout and in front of me is a girl who has short blonde hair, a Steve Mason shirt on with jeans. In the cart was a baby in a baby carrier.

As she turns around ,it was someone who I never expected to see here in Columbus.
It was the bitch who tortured me and Lauren in Pittsburgh, thought she was put in jail?