Stepped Up

Chapter 44

Oakley's POV

1.5 months later

"Today is the day.

My baby boy is turning a year old.

These past 2 years have been nothing but crazy and difficult. From becoming pregnant, being left to do everything by myself, to having Elliot, and then the months that followed up to this day. None of them have been easy.

None.

But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Elliot coming into my life was one of the best things that could've happened. He taught me how to love, and appreciate the little things in life.

When Elliot was first born I had promised myself every single day and night that I would let nothing, and I mean nothing hurt him. I had been hurt and torn down by the lies that his father had spread. I never wanted him to feel the way that I had felt in the early months of my pregnancy.

I wanted to protect him from this big world.

Whether that meant limiting my social life or completely eliminating it, I was willing to do whatever.

But then I met someone.

And that someone is Drake." I looked up from my reading, making eye contact with Drake.

He smiled at me while he held Elliot in his arms.

"When I first met him, I made sure to keep as much of my life private. He was a classmate, a stranger, someone I never thought would be involved in my life.

But then, not only did I become his tutor, my bestfriend began to date his cousin. Now you know what that means, she wasn't just going to let me just third wheel so they made sure to bring him. She tried to act completely innocent with what she was doing, but I knew her moves. Months previous she wanted nothing more than for me to get back out there and experience life.

But every time she was trying to push me out in the world again I would use the same old excuse, 'I'm a mom now. I have responsibilities.' And every time she would always tell me the same thing, 'Responsibilities don't mean the end of a life.'

I never listened because like I said, I wanted to keep my circle small.

That was until feelings began to develop. Feelings that I was scared to feel because the last time I had, it didn't exactly turn out the greatest.

But the people around me pushed me to open up more, pushed me to let myself live a life that I deserved.

Finally, I broke.

I let him in.

And it was one of the best choices I have made.

Not only did I gain my soul mate, Elliot gained a father figure.

Someone that from day one of us, made sure that Elliot was a happy little boy. He bought diapers, formula, would get up with him in the middle of the night when we would spend the night, he did everything that a father would do.

He could have just been in a relationship with me. He didn't have to take on the responsibility of Elliot, but he did.

He stepped up.

He was the missing piece from my and Elliot's life.

I was scared that Elliot was going to miss out on the father figure that he needed, but all my fears were erased when Drake walked into my life." I looked up from the sheet of notebook paper to see everyone smiling at me some even with tears in their eyes.

" My point being, that if Elliot, my baby boy, hadn't been placed in my life then I wouldn't have ever met my soulmate. So for that I am forever and always grateful for Elliot Rowan. Happy birthday baby boy, mama loves you the mostest."

I walked down off of the porch and to the table where Drake and Elliot where sitting. I scooped Elliot up in my arms, while Drake stood. I turned looking at the people the crowded my backyard. Drake wrapped his hand around my waist. "The speech was beautiful."

I smiled. "It seemed better in my head."

He laughed. "Speeches always do."

"This is everything I wanted and more. I mean there's not many people here but there's still more than my mom, Issa, and me."

"Well Elliot is a special little boy. He deserves to have the best and biggest birthday we could give him. Plus most of my co-workers were happy to come when they heard the word cake."

I laughed. "Yeah, same with mine."

Drake sat his chin on my shoulder. "These past couple of months have been nothing but easy. We dealt with so many bumps that have come in the roads, but we've fought through everything and I plan to continue fighting. Elliot and you deserve the world, and a month and half ago I scared that I wouldn't be the one able to do that for you. But know, I know that all things happen for a reason and it has just made us stronger. So just like you said, I'm beyond proud that Elliot was born because not only did I meet my soulmate, but I was able to become a father." He lifted his chin, walking in front of us.

"So forever and always, I love you two the mostest."

The End!!!

And that's the end. I know it wasn't some big end that you all might of wanted, but it was a happy ending. Now, I'm still unsure if I will being doing a second book. Right now, I'm working on something a little different, which if you guys don't mind checking out, please do and leave me some feedback. It called 'The rainbow after the Storm', the first chapter was just posted. But there may be a chance that after that book, there could be a second book. It really depends, but if I do end up doing one you guys will definitely be made aware of.

Now I just wanted to thank all of my supporters for all the love they have given me. You guys have done nothing but inspire me to keep writing for you.

I would love for your support on the next book, but if you choose to go your separate ways, just know I appreciate all of you.