Chapter 3: First Meeting

“Come on, Cody. We’re going to miss the movie,” Gwen screamed from the door, as she waited for Cody to grab one of his favorite toys to go with him to the movies.

A few days had passed since they arrived at City X and they spent most of the time outdoors. Gwen took Cody to a lot of places she used to go as a child, which he loved.

Now, Stephanie had to go to work again, and Gwen didn’t know what else to do with a four year old boy who seemed to never stay quiet for long enough.

Cody was an energetic kid and a very curious one. He was always trying to find new things to learn and do, so Gwen was freaking out a little bit. She just wanted to relax a little, but being alone 24/7 with a kid didn’t give much space for her to do that.

“I'm coming, mommy. I wasn’t find Mr. Boots,” he said, shoving the plush little snowman with boots in her face.

When they got out of the movie theater, it was already dark. Gwen had rented a car to get around town with Cody, which made things easier.

As they walked towards the parking lot, Gwen could barely believe what her eyes were seeing.

It couldn’t be…

At first, she thought it was a normal person on the parking lot, searching for his car. But as she got closer, she realized he was leaning against the car she had rented.

It was dark, only dim lights illuminated the place, but even so, she couldn’t possibly be mistaken about him. After all, she saw a mini version of him everyday at home.

"Oh, my God!” she thought.

It was Finn.

But she couldn’t let him see Cody, he could make the connections.

She couldn’t risk it.

Looking around, Gwen spotted an empty stool, but she couldn’t leave Cody there alone while she got the car, could she?

He could be kidnapped, or hurt.

Though a million worst case scenarios ran through her brain, Gwen knew that she couldn’t risk Finn trying to take her son away if he realized the truth.

With her heartbeat pumping in her ears, Gwen had to make a quick decision. She prayed that nothing bad would happen, but she didn’t have another choice. She couldn’t risk making Finn suspicious that Cody was his son.

“Cody, baby…” she squatted by his side, caressing his cheeks. “Mommy is going to get the car and pick you up here, ok? Can you wait seated here? It won’t take long.” She guided him to the stool while the little boy rubbed his eyes, already feeling sleepy.

“Ok, mommy.”

“Don't leave this place until mommy gets here, alright? Otherwise, mommy will be very sad.”

Gwen saw Cody nodding and with her heart aching, she walked towards the car again.

Finn wasn’t aware of her presence yet, and she was trying her best to control her body so he didn’t see her shaking like a leaf. Using her best poker face, Gwen stopped in front of the car, getting a clear vision of the man in front of her now.

He was alone, even more handsome than she remembered, and he was blocking the door with his tall body and sharp green eyes.

How could someone be so imposing and handsome like him? That shouldn’t be allowed among humans.

“Finn?” she asked, trying to sound surprised.

Not that she wasn’t, but she had a few minutes to pull herself together before facing him.

Finn narrowed his eyes and his smile almost made Gwen tremble again.

“Gwen.” That manly and raspy voice was like music to her ears. But she wasn’t going to let that nightmare invade her thoughts again.

He shouldn’t have that much impact in her life anymore, and she cursed her body for betraying her.

“I never thought I would see you again,” he continued.

“How did you know I was here?” she asked, still surprised that he was able to find her.

“Well, I pretty much own half of the city now, so I know what goes on within it,” he smiled.

"Of course,” she murmured.

The billionaire card. He used that real quickly.

“So, how have you been these past few years? I never heard from you again. You look amazing, by the way.”

Gwen gulped with his compliment.

And she was also starting to get worried with Cody being alone. He wasn’t far from her, and she would hear if something happened to him. He was a smart kid, he would definitely scream.

“I'm doing great, thank you. I don’t live here anymore, maybe that's why you never heard from me again.”

“Probably,” Finn said in a low voice.

It had been a long time since Gwen saw him, of course a lot had changed. For both of them.

But Finn was acting weird. And even though he could be a totally different person now, she still could read some of his expressions.

She was always good with that when they had their brief affair.

“So… Where are you living now? What are you doing in life?” Finn asked curiously.

But before Gwen had the chance to think of a proper answer, what she was most afraid of happened in front of her eyes.

And she didn’t even have time to do anything.

“Mommy! Why were you taking so long? I got scared.” Cody’s voice made Gwen turn abruptly to look at the little boy coming in her direction.

She looked from him to Finn, and could see the man looking over her son with a lot of curiosity.

She could almost see his brain working to understand the situation in front of him.

“Cody, didn’t I tell you to wait for me there? Why did you follow me?” Gwen said nervously while grabbing Cody’s hand.

“I was scared to stay there alone. You said you would be back soon."

“I…”

“Is this your son?” Finn interrupted her, completely disturbed.

The expression on his face changed drastically. Before, she could almost say he was happy to see her. Now, she couldn’t read him. She had no idea what was going on inside his mind.

Did he realize that Cody was his son?

Of course the kid had a lot of similarities, but maybe Finn wouldn’t notice it.

“Er… Yes. He is. This is Cody. Cody, this is Finn. Say hello to him,” Gwen said, trying not to sound so nervous.

“Hi, Finn. This is Mr. Boots.” Cody showed the man his puppet, and it took a few seconds for Finn to recover from the shock.

“Hello, Cody. Hello, Mr. Boots. It’s a pleasure to meet both of you,” he said, squatting in front of the little boy.

Gwen’s heart melted immediately; she had never seen Finn interact with children, and she softened at the sight of his kind smile and gentle tone.

“Cody, come. Get in the car and fasten your seat belt. Mommy is coming right after you. Just a second,” she said to Finn as she opened the door and turned on the car.

Finn was analyzing both of them like an x-ray machine.

What was he thinking?

“I never thought you’d be a mom already,” he commented after she helped Cody to get in his baby car seat.

“Yeah… Life never goes as we plan, right?” she laughed, trying to break the ice.

“Are you married?” Finn asked.

He couldn’t help it. Ever since the kid appeared in front of him, it was more than clear to Finn that Gwen’s life hadn’t been boring and unpleasant like his. Let alone lonely.

While he was spending years working to get over her and make more money, Gwen was living her life to the fullest and with a beautiful baby boy.

He glanced at her hand as soon as he saw the kid, but there was no sign of a ring.

So maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t married.

That would make it a little easier to stand the fact that Gwen had moved on with her life, while he hasn’t.