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-'ˏ Margo's Pov ˎ'-

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The Apartment

Tuesday, 1:21 p.m

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"I can't expect you to do all that." I mumbled while leaning forward to lay on his chest.

"I don't mind sunshine." He replied while running a hand through my hair. I just sighed and readjusted myself in his arms, too tired to argue with him.

It was quiet for a while. Our breathing had synced without any effort and I was already half asleep when the sound of Billy's voice pulled me back to consciousness.

"I hope it's a girl."

"Why?"

"I've always wanted a girl." He said shrugging.

"You? Imagining a family?" I snorted while still resting against him.

"I mean yeah. Had to replace what I couldn't have for myself."

That caused me to sit up and grab his face. "How are you and your mom?"

"Michelle." He corrected me with a reprimanding look on his face. He then unwrapped his arm from around me to rub his face.

"You haven't talked?" I asked flatly.

"Yeah we talked.. I said it was okay."

I stared at him dumbfounded. "You seem not as affected as I thought you'd be. And you guys hardly said two sentences to each other about the subject."

"I don't want to stress you out." Billy said with a light tap on my stomach. "Later?"

"It's practically the size of a peanut Billy I can't damage it!"

The pleading look in his eyes convinced me to drop it. I'd fix the problem on my own since he wouldn't do it himself.

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A couple days later I had already began my risky plan of forcing Billy to bond with his mother.

He had left me all alone with nothing to do but scheme, so that's on him and not me.

So far everything was falling into place like a perfect jigsaw puzzle.

Michelle had arrived with her toddler in tow and Billy was on his way home from work.

"You sure he said it was okay?" Michelle nervously asked while still bouncing the toddler on her hip.

"More or less." I replied.

She opened her mouth to reprimand me but was quickly cut off when the door began to rattle.

A tired Billy walked in and slowly shut the door behind him. A dirty shop rag hung from his jeans while his shirt was also covered in the same dark smudges of oil and grease.

He looked too tired to even argue. His eyes tiredly met mine.

"Hi baby. Hi mom. Hi little buddy." He awkwardly said.

Once Michelle had placed the child on the ground he ran over to Billy.

He bent down to meet him halfway. Billy held out a large hand that easily engulfed the laughing toddlers.

"And whats your name?" Billy said while sounding like he was in a surprisingly good mood.

"Christopher.. but you can call me Chris too." He replied with a small and suddenly shy smile.

"My name is William. But you can call me Billy."

Christopher made grabby hands at him so Billy easily picked him up and swung him over his back. Walking towards me he leaned in and whispered "We have to talk later Margaret.".

"Yeah we have to talk later." Christopher mimicked in a know it all voice.

I rolled my eyes playfully and reached forward to poke his forehead, followed by a laugh from them both.

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It was past dinner and the sun had began to set. The last few rays of sunshine slipped in through the blinds. But Billy and Christopher were just as entranced with each other as they were when Billy first showed up. He hadn't even changed out of his work clothes out of fear that Michelle would take him home. They both were on the floor, Billy on his back and Christopher perched on top of him in a game of superman. The TV played softly in the background while Michelle napped on the couch. The attempt at hushed giggles filled the apartment as I stood and watched from the doorway.

Billy played with him so gently. Encasing Christopher's arms with his hands if he began to slip followed by a "be careful" and an entertained laugh.

"Again! Again!" Christopher screamed in delight as he clapped his hands.

"Shhh! We can't wake mom. Or she'll take you back home." Billy responded while lifting him up in the air again.

"Too late." Michelle groggily muttered from the couch.

"Noooo!" They both whined at once.

She rolled her eyes at them with a slight smile on her face as she sat up.

"Ten more minutes?" They both said in unison.

"You've said that five times. Come on it's time to go home."

They both visibly pouted which made me stifle a laugh.

Billy even helped him put on his shoes before they were on their way. With a sad sigh Billy shut the door once they were out of sight.

I sneakily tried to creep back down the hallway but I was caught in seconds. I first felt arms wrapped around my midsection before a soft kiss was placed on the back of my neck.

"Thank you." He told me.

I simply shrugged at him. "No need to thank me."

"I love you." He quickly added.

"You don't even know what love is." I said teasing him while trying to untangle myself from his arms.

"Two damaged people trying to heal each other is love." He mumbled to me.

🥺