Free Never Forever by L. R. Johnson

drove to your flat. He had someone let him into…”
    “Who?” I interrupt, “And how?”
    “God knows. That boy is so smooth he can probably talk the queen into giving him her crown.” A large, proud smile spreads across her face, “He is a perfect combination of power and persuasion. Once he finally knows what he wants, neither Heaven nor Hell will be able to stop him from getting it.”
    A soft laugh exhales through my nose as I recall his forceful conversation with the paramedics. He was going to get in the ambulance with me and there was nothing they could do to stop it. There is a definite persuasive air to him.
    “So you are going to have to ask him the details about how he actually got in. But once he was in he noticed you had nothing prepared for when you brought your baby home.” Walking over to the top portion of the crib she gently traces the crest engraved into the ornate oak crib. “You know, your baby must have made quite an impression on him.”
    I watch as she strokes the crib. Her voice had lowered to a contemplative tone, one that I had not yet heard in her before.
    “What do you mean?” I ask, completely confused by her statement. The only impression I thought I left him with was one of shame and embarrassment.
    Turning towards me she states, “This isn’t just any crib set, this was Callum’s. It has been in our family for generations.”
    Disbelief and shock floods my body as I try to understand why he would let Noah use his crib set. “Why would he do this?” I utter softly under my breath. Everything about him confuses me on a profound level. I can’t figure him out. One minute he is arguing with me and then the next he kisses me, followed by ignoring me, then becoming my hero, kissing me again, running away, and now this. I was beginning to get comfortable with hating him, but now all the emotions I had for him in the hospital return. A warm sensation invades my entire body, causing a tingling feeling to rush through me.
    “He had it brought over to your flat. Then he asked me to help him pick out a baby set for the crib.” She turns towards me, revealing a softer side. Usually her breathtaking looks are encased within a shell of sarcasm and spitfire. But this time her true beauty shines forth, unprotected and vulnerable, “I hope you like it.”
    Uncontrolled tears stream down my face. “Like it. I absolutely love it.” My gruff voice muffles as a multitude of emotions flood my body.
    Olivia tenderly wraps her arm around me. Pulling me closer to her she utters softly, “Then why are you crying?”
    Using the back of my hand like a napkin I begin aggressively wiping the tears away. “There are so many reasons. Most of them you wouldn’t understand, but there is one I am completely confused about.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Trepidation rolls deep within my gut. I have no idea how to tell her and when I do, what is she going to think? If I don’t even comprehend what is going on, how can I expect her to know? My mind and heart seem to be battling over what they feel is right. My heart is telling me no, to hold onto what is true and right, but my mind is telling me that it is okay to feel again. But I am no longer a single person anymore who can make mistakes and have them only affect me. I now bring a child along on this rollercoaster of life. I have no idea if Callum is just looking for fun, but my only way of finding out is to tell Olivia. Turning towards Olivia I look into her eyes and just spit it out, “Callum and I kissed.”
    “I know, but when you slapped him I think he got the picture,” she states, with an air of confusion dancing on the tips of each word.
    “No, we kissed again in the hospital. But this time I kissed him back. I don’t know why. Maybe it was just the intense situation we both were in, but there was something to the kiss. But…” Hesitation swirls within my mouth as I notice Olivia’s shocked expression. Her eyes are about as wide as her