Changing Winds

Part 9

By Yuki Wildstar

 

 

 

He respected her wishes and stayed away. He would past her job at lunch in hopes to get a glimpse of her. His job was his only salvation to keep his mind off her. He threw himself into his work. At times she would let him see their son at the day care she had him in. But she never was there. She didn’t want to see him. He broke her heart and he hated himself for it. He made his way to his assistance desk and stop at his door to see her sitting outside his office. Slowly she stood up and gave him a smile. “Sir, Commander Poe is here to see you.” His assistant announced.

 

He swallowed back and quickly composed himself. “Yes, come in Commander.” He closed the door and sat behind his desk. “Janice please don’t tell me you’ve come here to tell me I’m gonna be a father.”

 

She frowned and looked at him confused. “What? Father? Whoa, wait a minute, Derek. I’m not pregnant. God no, I take my shot, on schedule.” She almost giggled. “No, I wanted to thank you for your support. And to tell you I heard about you and your wife. Derek, I spoke to her and told her that it was all a mistake and that nothing more happened.”

 

“YOU spoke to my wife?”

 

“I’m sorry I thought I could help.”

 

He stayed silent for a long time when he finally spoke, “thank you but next time let me handle my wife. I don’t even know if this sets me back more. I moved out weeks ago on her request. If I’m lucky she calls to let me know that Alex is in daycare, so I can go see him.”

 

“I’m sorry Derek.”

 

“I’m sorry too. This was just as much my fault as it was yours. I’m married and I should have never slept with you. I was stupid and I let my dick take away all my sanity. I should have never allowed it to happen. Anyway, thanks for trying.” He had to ask, “how did she take it?”

 

“She’s a classy lady. She didn’t flinch when I spoke and she thank me for telling her. She just excused herself and went back to work.” He smiled to think that she could keep calm. Yes, indeed she was a classy lady. “I hope that I didn’t make it worst for you.”

 

He nodded and then stood up. “Thanks for trying, so if there is anything else, I have a lot of work to do.” Giving her the cue to leave.

 

 

 

 

Another month went by and she still didn’t talk with him. It was always the same every other day she would text him and let him know that Alex was in Day Care and if he wanted, he could go see him. She never called anymore, she only text or left a message with his assistant. Did she move on? He wondered. He sat in his office late after work and finished what work he had to do. Now he stared at a picture of her and Alex on his desk. He missed her so much it hurt. He knew that she would text him later to let him know that Alex would be in day care and that he could go see him. It was routine for him and her. He heard his phone buzzed and she was on time. *Alex in DC if you want to see him tmrw * He huffed and placed his phone back on his desk. It was getting late and he had nowhere to go. Going to his apartment would only say he is coming home to an empty apartment. No one there to greet him. He looked from his cell to her picture and then back again. He shrugged his shoulders and picked up his phone and dialed her number. It rang a few times before he heard her voice. “Hello?”

 

“Hey,” he said.

 

“Hey,”

 

“I was wondering if it’s okay to take him for a couple of days. I’m off and well maybe since you’re working, I can have some time with him.”

 

“Sure, I think that would be good.” She said. “You can pick him up at day care in the morning. I’ll let them know that you will be coming to get him.”

 

He hoped that she would bring him, but he figured that she wasn’t ready yet to see him. “Sure, that will work.” He sighed, “How are you?”

 

She smiled through the phone, “I’m good. Just working and keeping busy with Alex. He is a handful. I’ll pack everything you need for the couple of days. He loves to get into things so you will need to keep a good eye on him.”

 

He laughed, “really. Well it’s not going to be too hard in this place. I barely have furniture. He’ll have a lot of room to run in there.”

 

“Do you need his playpen?”

 

“Naw, I bought a few things for him to sleep in and some toys to play with. Wasn’t sure if you let me take him for the weekend or a few days so I just got a few things.”

 

“Hmm, I guess we have to work out a schedule.”

 

His heartbeat faster, “schedule?” he asked. “Nova, are you wanting a divorce?”

 

She never thought about it. Did she want to divorce him? It was something she didn’t think of. “I, I’m not sure what I want, Derek.” She had to be honest. She didn’t want to give him any false hope in their relationship. “I really haven’t given it any thought. I just need some more time.”

 

“I understand, whatever time you need.” He said. “Maybe we should talk about it more?” he was reaching. If he could just get her to talk, he may be able convince her to try to make it work out.

 

“I should go. I have to get Alex ready for bed. I’ll text you when I drop him off. Good night Derek.”

 

“Yeah, sure. Good night Nov, I love you.” He said but she hung up before she heard I love you.

 

 

 

 

He picked up his son shortly after she dropped him off. He took him to the park and then brought him to his apartment so he could nap. It felt good spending time with him. After his nap he took him to the new zoo. There weren’t that many animals to see just yet. They were still working on cloning more animals to balance out the Earth eco system. They had a few bears and Deer’s, rabbits, pigs, monkey’s and chickens. Alex laughed to see the monkeys as they laid out scratching themselves. Derek tried to make monkey faces and scratched himself on the head as they did, and he laughed louder. It was a great day for him with his son. He took him for some ice cream and then made their way back to his apartment. He could see that his son was tried. He picked him up and carried him all the way back. It brought joy to his heart to spend time with him. He quietly placed him down on his bed and then went to make dinner. He peeked into the room and found Alex still sleeping on his bed. “He kiddo, time to get up.” He said softly as he gently shook him awake. “Al, wake up buddy.” His son lifted his head and rubbed his eyes. “Come on, time to eat dinner.” He sang as he took hold of him. Alex Wildstar laid his head on his father chest and closed his eyes. Derek placed him in his highchair that he bought for him and noticed that he wasn’t eating but falling asleep. Odd, he slept pretty late today. Maybe he was just tired from the day. He put him back down on the bed and went to eat dinner. It was nearly 10 o’clock when he checked on his son again. He was beginning to worry. Does he sleep this long? He walked over to him and touched his head. He was burning hot making him begin to worry. He quickly dialed her number and waited for her to answer. “Hello?”

 

“Nov, hey, I don’t want you to worry but Alex is pretty hot.”

 

“Do you have a thermometer?”

 

“Uh, no.”

 

“That’s okay, I put one in his bag. It’s on the outside pocket on the right.” She waited for him to get it.

 

“Got it.”

 

“Okay it’s a simple thing. Place it in his ear and then press the button on the side. Then wait for it to beep.” He followed her instruction and she heard the beep. “What does it say?”

 

“101.9, is that high?” he asked.

 

“Hmm, yes, its high. Okay there is a small bottle of liquid Motrin where the thermometer was. Give him 2 drops nothing more. Call me in 20 minutes and let me know how he is doing.”

 

“I don’t know Nov, maybe I should bring him to you. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

 

He could hear her giggle. “You’re doing just fine, Derek. Kids do get sick. Now call me back in 20 minutes.” He checked Alex’s temperature every 5 minutes and each time he began to worry more. He quickly dialed her number again. “What’s up Derek.”

 

“It’s not going down.” She could hear the panic in his voice.

 

“Calm down. What’s his temperature now?”

 

“101.9, it hasn’t moved. I should bring him to the doctor.” He sounded panicked.

 

“I’m coming over. Be there in 30 minutes.” She said and hung up the phone.

 

 

 

 

 

Derek paced the room with his son in his arms. Alex cried for feeling sick. He looked at his clock and realized it was already 40 minutes and she wasn’t there yet. He was ready to take him to the hospital when his door buzzer rang. “Yeah.” He asked.

 

“Sir there is a Nova Wildstar here to see you.” The door man announced.

 

“Let her up!” He snapped. The minute he heard her knock on his door he swung the door open. “He’s still hot. We should take him to the hospital.”

 

She gave him a smile and took their son from his arms. “Shh,” she rocked her son trying to sooth him. “Let’s check your temp again.” She took the thermometer from Derek hand and placed it in his ear. She waited and waited for the beep. She looked at the number image on it and then looked at her husband. “Did you turn it off?”

 

“Huh?”

 

She shook her head and turned it off and then turned it on again. She checked again and showed him the temperature. “It’s gone down.” Derek looked at the number and it read 99.8. “You should’ve turned it off.”

 

He stood there feeling like a jackass. “But why is he still crying?” he tried to redirect his stupidity.

 

“He’s feeling bad, that’s how he expresses his pain. Get me some juice and put it in his sippy cup. You do have juice?” She asked him. She rocked her son gently as he sipped on his juice. Within the hour he was fast asleep. “He’ll be fine. Just keep an eye and ear for him. Make sure you give him some more Motrin in 4 hours unless his temperature starts to go up again. I’ll call you in the morning.” She started to put on her jacket and head out the door.

 

“Wait, you’re leaving me?”

 

“You’re doing great Derek. You’ll be okay.” She said with encouragement.

 

She looked at his face and he looked panicked. “Maybe you should stay?”

 

She smiled, “Derek, you’re doing great. You really don’t need me.”

 

He took her hand and pleaded with his eyes. “Please don’t go. I really don’t want to screw this up and you do it so much better with stride.”

 

She felt sorry for him. It was a time that he looked the most vulnerable. She gave him a slight smile, “Derek, you’re doing an excellent job, he’s just caught a bug. The director at the daycare said it was going around. Just,”

 

“Please don’t go. I could really use your help here. Anyway, its late and I’d prefer you not driving around this late at night.”

 

“And where will I sleep?” she asked cautiously.

 

“You can take my room with Alex, and I’ll sleep here on the couch. Please.” He begged.

 

She had to giggle at him, “okay, but I have nothing to sleep in.”

 

“I’ll get you something to wear.” He slipped into the room and came back with some sweats and one of his academy tee shirts.

 

“Thanks.” She slipped into the bathroom and walked out dressed. He thought she looked beautiful.

 

Her hair was pull up in a ponytail and his clothes fell on her body loose. “That shirt never looked better. You wear it well.”

 

She blushed. “Guess we all should try to get some sleep. He may be up during the night.”

 

“Thank you for coming out and helping. Let me get a blanket and pillow and then you can get some sleep.”

 

 

 

It was a long night for both Derek and Nova. Alex fussed and cried most of the night from sickness. Derek and Nova walked around like zombies from the lack of sleep. She sat back on his couch and closed her eyes. “He’s sleeping. Do you think we should call Dr. Sane to look him over? I’m really worried about him.”

 

She gave him a tried smile. “I called his pediatrician. She said it’s going around and all we can do is keep him hydrated and make sure he is eating something. I should go home and get some fresh clothes. I feel like crap considering he threw up all over both of us.”

 

He giggled, “I wasn’t expecting that either. I can have your clothes sent out for cleaning. I have some more PJ’s for you to wear.” He looked at her closer and she looked pale. He touched her head. “You’re hot.” He took the thermometer from the table and stuck it in her ear.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“Checking your tempter.”

 

“That’s for kids. I’m a grown adult. I can put it in my mouth.”

 

“I would love to stick it in your mouth, but I don’t have one for adults. And do you know how this sounds?” making them both laugh. He looked at the thermometer and whistled. “102, that’s not good.”

 

“I’m fine Derek.”

 

“No, you’re not. Get in bed. I’ll order some more soup from Andres and you will take it. Alex is looking better, and I think I can handle him from now. You on the other hand, get to bed.” He took her hand and led her to his room. She slid into his bed and laid down. Within seconds she was fast asleep. Derek was nonstop with both Alex and Nova. He worked hard to keep them both comfortable even calling in Dr. Sane to check on them. It was 5 nights and days of barely, no sleep. Nova woke up feeling better for the first time in days. She slowly got up from his bed and walked out to the living room. Derek sat sleeping on the couch while their son played with some toys on the floor. She slowly shook him and felt his head. Yup it was his turned to catch it.

 

“Derek, Derek. Get up your hot. You need to lay down.” She tried to wake him. He moaned slightly and opened his eyes. “Hello there, sailor. You need to go to bed. I’ll take over Alex duty.” She helped him to his feet and moved him in the room. He slid into bed and passed out. It was her turned to play nurse. She began to clean his apartment the next day. She packed Alex up, went to her apartment, showered dressed and came back to give his house a good sterile cleaning. She called Sandor up and told him he wouldn’t be in for a week or so. “Yup, it was his turned. Thanks Sandor. I’m sure he will be better in a few days. He’s been so busy taking care of me and Alex he didn’t take care of himself. Between the flu and taking care of us he totally exhausted on top of it.” She stayed at his place on and off, only going long enough to get a change of clothes and food for their meals. Four days later she found him sitting up in his bed. She smiled wide to see he was feeling better. “Hey, you’re up! Are you hungry?”

 

He shook his head and said, “No. just beat.”

 

“Well, you should be. It’s not easy taking care of two sick people and no sleep. But you did a great job. Come on you have to eat. I made some soup for you.” She helped him out of bed and to the table. Slowly he ate. She smiled to see him feel a little better. “Why don’t you take a hot shower, it’ll help. Trust me I know.” He gave a tired smile and finish his soup. She took Alex out of his highchair and let him run around the apartment. He didn’t lie to her about not having much in his place. There was plenty of room for him to run around in. Derek laid down on his couch as Alex played with a toy next to him. His son was aware of his father not feeling well and he gave him hugs on and off. Derek smiled each time to his hug. “Alright young man. Its late and you need to go to bed. Give daddy a kiss and hug goodnight.” She came back into the room and stood in the hallway watching him. He was quiet and trying to keep his eyes opened. It worried her that he looked still drain. She touched his head, no fever. “Derek, are you alright?”

 

“Yeah, just beat. This flu took it out of me. How are you feeling?” he looked up with tired eyes.

 

“Never mind me, you’re making me worried.”

 

“I’m fine, just tired. I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll feel a lot better. Now I know you’ve been running back and forth from your place to mine. I think I can take care myself from now on. If you finally want to go you should.”

 

“Now what makes you think that I want to run off the minute your back to life. You’re not all better yet. I want you to rest just a day or two more.” She stood up and kissed the top of his head. “get some rest. I love you.” She said making him smile.

 

 

 

 

Derek Wildstar opened his eyes and felt better. His body didn’t ache anymore and all he felt was a slight cough. He ran his hand down his face and went into the bathroom. Splashing water on his face he knew he was feeling better. Alexander Wildstar poked at his mother’s face and laughed. She smiled as she woke up to her son smile. “Good morning, Al.” She said. He jumped on the bed and then on top of her. “Okay, okay, I’m up. But we need to be a little quiet daddy is probably still sleeping. Come on, I’ll make breakfast for us.”

 

She stepped out the room and happy to see him standing there. “Hey,” Alex ran to his father and he hugged his leg. “Hey there kiddo.  How do you feel?”

 

“Da Da?” his son said.

 

“Yeah, a lot better thanks to mommy.”

 

“I’m making breakfast, are you hungry?” she asked.

 

“I’m starving. Thanks.” They talked about their work and she thanked him for taking care of her and their son. “It’s my job.” He told her. “I’d do anything for you.” She looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity. But his eyes also showed sadness of being apart. He lived for a short time with her and now he knew she would be moving back to her apartment. “So guess you’re heading back today. Guess we’re back to our lives.” He said with so much sadness and pain it almost broke her heart.

 

She shrugged her shoulders and said. “Yeah, but hey, you can come over sometime and spend time with Alex.” It was an opening to him.

 

“I would like that very much.” He reached across the table and touched her hand. “Maybe we can do dinner?” he asked.

 

“Alex would love it.”

 

He frowned, “only Alex?” She didn’t say she would like to have him over for dinner and it made him sad. He then coughed and she began to worry instantly.

 

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

 

He gave her a small smile and nodded his head. “I’m fine. You’re starting to worry about nothing. Anyway, I don’t want you changing your plans because of me. I know you want to get back to your place.”

 

“Your more important. I can’t leave knowing that the father of my son is not well.” She reached over and felt his head. “You’re not hot. Which is good. I’ll stop out and get you some cough medicine. It will help.”

 

“No, you’ve done enough its time you go back to your life.” He got up and walk over to the couch and sat down. He still felt tired and just wanted to rest. 

 

She looked at him annoyed. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

 

“No. I just don’t want this to be some kind of rebound and then you turn around and regret it. So, Ms. Forrester or Mrs. Wildstar I will be just fine and will be heading back to work in a day or so.” His voice was sad. He knew that their time is now over and it will be back too normal. Eventually she would stop calling and the texting will start.

 

She stood up and placed her hands on her hip. “You know. I do love you, you may not think that, but I do. And yes, we are going through a rough patch. I don’t know what I still want to do. But I want to work it out somehow. But it may take a little while before I let you in totally. You cheated on me. On us, it’s just not you and me. It’s Alex too. I have to think of him not just me. I can’t and won’t raise a child with someone that has or continues to cheat. I don’t want him to think that it’s okay. In a way I’m grateful I have a son. Suppose we had a girl. Do you think you would like it if it was done to her?”

 

“No, I wouldn’t. And your right. It’s just not us, it’s Alex too. I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking. And I wouldn’t blame you if you filed for divorce. I’m glad you haven’t. I don’t know what more I can do to fix this but wait.” He looked back into her eyes and said. “I’ll wait forever if I have to.”

 

She gave him a crooked smile and touched his face. “I don’t think it will take that long.” Her eyes soften and she leaned down and gently kissed his lips. “I love you, you, big chooch.”

 

He chuckled a little and kissed her back. “Do you think that we’ll get sick again. I mean we are passing our germs back and forth here. We may never feel better again.” She laughed and he pulled her onto his lap. “I love you very much Mrs. Wildstar.” He kissed her with passion and she let him. She felt his hand roam her body and then their son climb on the couch and jumped up and down next to them breaking their passionate embrace. “Okay Al, I’ll play with you.” She laughed that their son would interrupt an intimate moment. “Pick this up later?” She winked and got up. He grabbed her hand and asked. “Would you stay for dinner?”

 

It wasn’t what she had planned but he was trying and she needed to either work it out or let him go. She loved him too much to let him go. “And who will cook?” she asked.

 

“Figure I call our favorite place and have them deliver. What do you say?”

 

“And what will we do until dinner that is about 6 to 7 hours away?”

 

He looked at his son and smiled. “We can take Alex here out to the park, go to the zoo. He really likes going to see the monkeys and now I heard they have an elephant, a zebra and two lions. What do you say?”

 

She kissed his cheek and nodded yes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .