Chapter Text
The day was like any other in Los Angeles, to Annabel at least. It was Sunday meaning she didn’t have any classes or work, so she was at the park with Oliver. It was the beginning of April, so it wasn’t too hot out – sixty degrees at the beginning of April is hot but compared to the heat that will come with the Los Angeles summer. Annabel was wearing a pair of high wasted light blue skinny jeans, with some distress on the knees and a simple, fitting red crop top. Oliver was wearing red pants and a short sleeve navy blue button up. They had just come from lunch with Annabel’s parent’s, so he was a bit more dressed up than usual.
“Do you want to go down the slide? “Annabel asked, smiling as she sat Oliver down on the steps that lead to the slides. There was only one other family at the park, and they were having a picnic under a tree near the swings. In about an hour the park would get crowded, everyone coming from their lunches and getting off work for those who had to work. She liked taking advantage of the quietness when she brought Oliver. Big crowds seemed to overwhelm him, which makes sense because he’s so small and the world is so big.
“Yes mommy!” Oliver said happily as he climbed up the steps that lead to the first slide, but he seemed to change his mind when he continued on for the biggest slide. Annabel followed him around the playground, seeing which one he would go for. The big slide was a bit nerve wracking for her but he seemed excited, so she didn’t argue. Plus, Oliver was stubborn, like her. She positioned herself at the bottom, watching as his little body disappeared as he sat down, the walls to the slide were quite high up so she didn’t have to worry too much.
“Come on down,” Annabel said, smiling once she heard his happy squeals as he slid down. She reached her arms out and caught him right before he could hit the ground, laughing along with him as she held him to her side.
“Again, again!” Oliver said, grinning to his mother who was grinning back.
When she had found out she was pregnant she was scared, especially when she decided not to tell Harry. It was going to be hard being a parent at her age, especially when she wouldn’t have the support of the father. But it was what was best for Oliver, so she pushed on. The support from her parents was amazing, and still is to this day. Oliver was due September 10th, and even though babies are rarely born on their exact due date they are usually born within the same month, or even close. Oliver was born eight weeks early, which caused him to have immature lungs. Annabel had to wait a whole month before she could finally bring her baby home. To this day Oliver is smaller than he should be, but his doctor said other than that he is in great health.
The young mother is pulled out her thoughts by her squirming son, who wants to go down the slide again. Who is she to decline him of that enjoyment? She sets him down on the steps again and follows him to the same slide, calling him to come down as she did before and catching him. They repeat this a few more times before he gets bored with the slides and wants to go on the swings.
Annabel lets Oliver lead her to the swings, his little hand gripping on to two of her fingers. She can’t help the flips he heart does in small moments like these. This is not at all the life she had planned for herself, or the path she would have chosen if she was given the chance, but now that she has this life she can’t think of anything else.
Oliver makes grabby hands at Annabel and she grins, picking him up under the arm pits and putting him into the child swing.
“Push me mommy!” Oliver says excitedly, kicking his legs.
“Hold on,” Annabel said as she grabbed the sides of the seat and lightly pushes him. He exclaims that he was to go higher, and she obliges to a point. He’s only three and small, she isn’t going to push him as hard as she can.
Oliver swings for about ten more minutes before Annabel checks the time on her watch, realizing they had been there for close to forty minutes. Soon the park would get really busy, so she decided they should leave. She picks her son up, out of the swing and carries him to the car.
If she had really been looking she might have noticed the man sitting across the street in his car, taking pictures of them. But it’s been almost four years since she had Oliver, she thinks that no one will ever find out who Oliver’s father is. Her parents know, she had told them once Oliver was one but convinced them not to say anything, even though her dad wanted to make Harry pay child support. They don’t really know why Annabel isn’t telling him, and they tried to encourage her to, but supported her either way.
About two weeks ago she also told Oliver who his dad was. She showed him some pictures and told him his name, he had been really bad that day asking who his dad was. She knew one day it would come bite her in the ass, but when he’s a teenager or even an adult. He’s three, even if he told someone who is dad was they would never believe him. It’s heartbreaking to say, but it’s the truth.
Annabel buckles him into his car seat and gets into the car, it’s a white 2016 Jeep Liberty. She starts the car and pulls out of her parking spot and heads home, ready to spend the rest of the day at home with her son. She doesn’t know tomorrow will change everything. She doesn’t know what’s about to come.
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