The alarm on my phone screamed at me to wake up, a groan of annoyance spilling past my lips as I opened my eyes and forced myself out of bed.

Wishing I could hit snooze instead of dismiss, I turned off the annoying sound blaring out of my phone and woke up Declan.

I noticed the empty space on the right of him where Levi had slept. He must've woke up at his usual time, so he could workout before having to go to work.

Leading a half sleep Declan into the bathroom, he stepped onto his stool and yawned.

After helping him wash his face and brush his teeth, we went into his room so we could pick out his clothes for the day.

Picking a solid white tee and a pair of overalls, I helped him into his clothes and we headed downstairs for breakfast.

Their personal chef was here this time to give me a little break after last night's disaster. We were having French toast and fresh fruit this morning, the delicious smelling food permeating my nose.

Thanking the chef, I made Declan's plate first, cutting up the French toast into smaller pieces and pouring just enough syrup on them before placing it in front of him.

Making myself a plate, I grabbed more fruit than French toast and only poured just a little bit of syrup, before joining Declan at the table.

I started using Levi's in-home gym so I can whip myself into shape. I use to frequently jog through the park as a way to get my work out in when I was living in my apartment. But since I started working here, I've been putting all my time and energy into Declan.

"Alright buddy, we have to get you to school." Wiping the syrup off his mouth with a napkin, I had him wash his hands while the chef took his empty plate to clean. "Do you want to say goodbye to daddy first?" I asked, drying his wet hands with a paper towel and throwing it away.

He nodded, knowing just where to go. I followed him down the hall and watched from the other side of the glass as Declan went inside to say goodbye to his father.

Levi dropped the weight that was in his hands, bending down to hug and kiss his son.

Seeing them together always made me miss my family. I could always just pick up the phone and call, but I haven't spoken to them in awhile. And for good reason.

The reason I left Texas wasn't just because of my grandmother, but because I can't stand my two older sisters. They never have anything nice to say and they love throwing their success in my face.

Declan ran back to me, grabbing my hand so we could go. And since his school wasn't that far from the house, it didn't take us long to get there.

Walking into the building, I stopped at the front desk so I could sign Declan in. The woman seated behind the desk didn't make eye contact once, and hasn't since she mistook me for Declan's mother.

When we made it to Declan's class, his teacher walked up to us and took his hand. Saying goodbye, I turned to leave only to have Declan scampering back in my direction.

He attached himself to my leg, shaking his head in refusal everytime I tried to peel him off me. I didn't understand what happened. He's been doing so well with the other kids.

"What's wrong Declan?"

He pointed to one of the windows in the classroom. His teacher and I both looked out the window, but saw no one.

"It's okay Declan. There's no one out there." I rubbed his back, trying my best to soothe him. He only clung tighter to my leg, unwilling to detach himself and join the rest of his class for story time. "Do you mind if I stay with him for a bit?"

His teacher shook her head. "No, not at all."

Thanking her, I sent Ivy a quick text to let her know that I would be running a little behind for our meet up. I was supposed to be meeting her at the bridal shop, so she can try her dress on again before the big day tomorrow.

Is everything okay?

Declan's feeling a little shy, so I'm going to stay here with him for a bit. I hope that's okay.

Of course! And you are welcome to bring him here too. I would love to see the little guy again.

For a half and hour I tried to get Declan to participate in class, but he just would not budge. So instead of trying to pressure him to do what he so clearly didn't want to do, I signed him out for the day and took him with me to the bridal shop.

I made sure to call Levi and let him know the change in plans. The line rang, his face popping up on my phone screen when he answered.

I gave Declan the phone so his father could talk to him while we waited for Ivy to put on her wedding dress.

She came strutting out of the fitting room in her lacy mermaid tail wedding dress, the elegantly designed gown embracing her curvaceous body in all the right places.

Ending the call with his father, Declan handed the phone back to me just as the wedding dress consultant walked out with Ivy's veil in hand.

When the wedding dress consultant added in the veil to complete Ivy's look, I found myself tearing up as if it were my first time seeing her in the dress.

She just looked so beautiful. And I couldn't be more proud of the woman she's become and the woman she will become once she's married.

She began to tear up as well when she saw me crying in the mirror's reflection.

When both started laughing, tears still streaming down our faces when Declan reached up to wipe the tears from my eyes.

"Aweing" at his adorableness, I hugged and thanked him. I held onto him a little longer, still unable to fathom the fact that his mother could just up and leave such an amazing child.

It's a shame she won't be able to see how much her son has blossomed. And truthfully, I hope she never does. She doesn't to deserve to experience this. She may have given birth to him, but she will never be his mother.