One Day, Maybe. #NewAdult

Ch.24: If The End Is Now

*NOT EDITED AT ALL*

(This is how I imagine Sarah!)

James' POV

"Hellooooo, James to earth?" I heard from somewhere as my brain was finally registering Charlotte's voice. I shook my head, my brain refocusing as I realized that I was still standing in the kitchen with Charlotte's hands still around my neck and Sebastian somewhere in the living room, if the train noises coming from there were any indication.

"Babe, what's wrong? You were gone for a moment there." I turned my eyes towards her to find her frowning, a look of worry in her beautiful green eyes. I sighed heavily. "Has sonething happened? Are you okay? You seem lost." I frowned as everything was coming into focus.

So I hadn't actually said the words out loud? Figured as much. I shook my head, taking her hand in mine as I started walking towards the living room, no words said. I needed to do this the right way, but I needed to do this now or else I would lose my nerves. And as she followed me to the living room, I could feel the tension building in her but she said not a thing and for that I silently thanked her. This wasn't going to be easy, but then again, nothing really was.

I sat her down on the couch and took my jacket off. And as our eyes met and I could do nothing more than to kneel in front of her, I had the sinking feeling that this moment right there would change the trajectory of our life forever.

"James, you're scaring me." Her voice broke. I took her hands in mine and placed them on her lap. I stared at them and a sad smile escaped my lips as I watched the way our hands fit so well together. Finally, I looked up.

"I met someone today." I started and noticed how focus her eyes were on me. "She's two years old and she's so beautiful. Her eyes are big and blue and full of wonder. And when she smiled, I saw something so mesmerizing that it took my breath away." I stopped for a second as I watched her reaction. She seemed confused but smiling nonetheless.

"Okayyyyyy, I still don't understand what that has to do with anything. Unless you're trying to tell me you have a daughter out there that I knew nothing about because that would be hilarious." She laughed nervously, her eyes guarded. She watched me. I could do nothing but to stare right back until she understood what my words could not say.

"James? What are you saying?" I felt her hands slip from mine, the smile gone, her eyes wide, boring into mine. This is where it all happened. This is the beginning of something and it was all my fault.

"Her name is Ella Paisley Darcy." I started, the words coming out hot and heavy, loaded with the understanding of what it all meant. "She's my daughter, Charlotte. I have a daughter."

"That's not funny, James."

If only it were a joke. "She's as real as you and I. And Charlotte she's so beautiful." I replied again. Another moment of silence, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Whose is she?" She asked and I understood it for what she was actually asking. So I replied.

"Sarah's."

"As in your ex?"

"Yes." I replied so she nodded. Another moment of silence. I waited and waited. Then,

"Okay. Okay." She started then took a deep breath and then let it out as a smile appeared on her face. "So you have a daughter. And she's real. Okay, okay."

"I never cheated." I had to make sure she knew that.

"I know that. I know you would never...at least not anymore. " She said and this time around the smile that I was met with was softer and genuine. It was as though I could finally breathe. She held my head in her hands and laughed. "Holy shit, you have a daughter." Then she kissed me. "Well obviously we have to meet her, as in Bastian and I since you obviously met her already. I'm guessing that happened today. We set something up and invite Sarah and the kid over."