Created দ্বারা ifiwasaguyx
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(this story was not written দ্বারা me-I don't own)
Tagged: degrassi, babydaddy
Declan.
Before আপনি Read: This is important!
If আপনি see:
“...” between paragraphs, it means that the scene above is over, but the scene below is in the same day.
“- - - -” between paragraphs, it means that the scene above is over, but the scene below is from a different day.
আপনি and Declan sat in his very large, very fancy bedroom. It was wide, and spacey, and decorated with both a manly and sophisticated eye. The room held a king sized bed, a bureau, a walk in closet—which had it's own sofa—a desk, a প্রণয় seat, an arm chair, a আগুন place, and a flat screen television. The প্রণয় আসন and arm chair were positioned around the আগুন place, and the টেলিভিশন hung on the দেওয়াল to the right of the fireplace. He sat on the প্রণয় seat, leaning slightly into the right arm. আপনি sat পরবর্তি to him, leaning your back against the back of the sofa, with your feet stretched to the left. His left arm rested comfortable around your shoulders, half on the শীর্ষ of the sofa. Your head rested against the left half of his chest.
The টেলিভিশন played some trashy horror flick that you'd been dying to see. While আপনি watched the movie, আপনি kept your arms around your neck, so that it didn't take too much effort to cover your eyes when someone was brutally murdered. Whenever আপনি flinched to cover your eyes, Declan looked down at you, laughed, and rubbed your left arm.
The screen went blank and a loud rock and roll গিটার solo blasted from the surround sound. As the end credits rolled up the screen আপনি leaned back, resting your head on his lap and looked up at him.
“It's over!” আপনি cheered.
He laughed and bent to press his lips against yours.
আপনি sat up and turned so that আপনি were sitting normally on the sofa. আপনি stretched your arms behind your head and sighed. “Now what?”
He walked to the টেলিভিশন and turned it off. He turned to face you, with his hands on his hips and a smirk on his lips. “Well, it's getting kind of late.”
“Is it?” আপনি looked at the clock hanging above the আগুন place. “Holy shit, it's midnight. I should probably get going.”
“But it's midnight.”
“Yeah?”
“And আপনি live all the way across town.”
“I প্রণয় ten মিনিট away.” আপনি laughed.
He walked and stood in front of you. “You could just stay here.”
“What about your parents?” আপনি looked up at him, your brow bent in interest.
“Mr. and Mrs. Coyne are away for the weekend.” He took your hand and pulled আপনি to your feet.
“What about Fiona?”
He pulled আপনি into him. “What about her?” He wrapped his arms around your waist.
আপনি stood on your toes and wrapped your arms around his neck. “Well then,” আপনি sighed. “what did আপনি have in mind?”
He smiled down at you, and pressed his lips hungrily against yours.
আপনি smiled into the kiss, as he slid his hands up your back. আপনি could feel the heat from his skin through your cotton shirt. আপনি wrapped your arms tightly around his neck, bounced lightly, and wrapped your legs around his waist.
He moved his hands to your lower back, and held আপনি firmly against him. With his lips still connected to yours, he slowly began walking toward the bed.
- - - -
আপনি sat in a sturdy plastic chair across from the school counselor. On your lap আপনি held a binder, on শীর্ষ of which sat a packet of papers and a couple of pamphlets on teen pregnancy. আপনি nervously tapped your nails against the side of the binder.
“Whatever আপনি decide, আপনি can come and talk whenever আপনি need. I can help আপনি with anything আপনি need.” The counselor smiled at আপনি from across her cluttered desk.
“Thank you.” আপনি stood, shifting the binder to your left arm, and grabbed your bag from the floor beside the chair. আপনি slipped it onto your shoulder and exited the office.
As আপনি rounded the hall on your way to your locket, আপনি stared down at the শীর্ষ pamphlet. It was about adoption. আপনি were at the corner when আপনি collided with another body. The binder and everything on শীর্ষ of it fell to the floor.
“Oh!” আপনি bent to pick up your stuff. “I'm sorry.” আপনি looked up as আপনি pulled your binder up, and found Fiona standing in front of you. “Sorry Fi.” আপনি smiled at her.
“What's that?” She looked down at the pamphlets.
“Oh, it's nothing.”
“Does Declan know?” She crossed her arms at her chest.
আপনি pushed a strand of hair behind your ear. “No, he doesn't know yet.”
“You shouldn't tell him.”
“What?”
“Think about what'll happen when when the press finds out. They'll have a field day, it'll be in every paper আপনি can name. My parents will go completely nuts, I'll be a huge mess.”
The ঘণ্টা rang, signalling the changing of classes.
“I have to get to class.” আপনি looked down the hall as everyone rushed down the hall.
Fiona smiled at আপনি and started down the hall.
আপনি sighed and hurried to your locker. আপনি didn't want anyone to see the papers আপনি held. আপনি got your locker open and shoved the papers in.
Two arms twisted around your waist.
আপনি jumped and turned.
Declan pressed his lips against yours. “Hello.”
আপনি turned, slammed your locker shut, then turned back to him. “Hey.” আপনি sighed.
“What was that?” He laughed.
“Nothing.” আপনি smiled nervously up at him.
He stared into your ____ colored eyes. “Are আপনি okay?”
আপনি looked up into his crystal blue eyes. “Yeah.”
“All right.” He stepped back. “Well, we both have a free period, I thought we'd go and find আপনি something special to wear to the ডিনার party tonight.”
“Dinner party?”
“My parent's annual spring party.”
“Oh, right. Sounds good.” আপনি smiled up at him. “Let's go.”
He grabbed your hand and led আপনি down the hall. “So I was thinking আপনি could get something red.”
“Red?” আপনি laughed. “Why red?”
“Because no one else will be in red.” He held the passenger side door of his car open for you, then rounded to the driver's side.
“But it's spring, no one wears red in the spring.”
“Lots of people wear red in the spring.”
“Why don't we see what we can find.”
He sighed. “Fine.” He turned the car on and pulled out of the parking spot.
- - - -
আপনি and Declan went out and found a beautiful, slimming, strapless red dress. It fit আপনি perfectly and accentuated every curve of your body. But unfortunately, আপনি never made it to the party.
The time আপনি spent with Declan kept your mind off of your situation, and the conversation that আপনি and Fiona had shared earlier in the day. But as soon as আপনি and Declan parted ways, your focus shifted. আপনি thought out every possible scenario. আপনি imagined what your life would be like for the পরবর্তি ten years if আপনি had an abortion, if আপনি gave the baby up for adoption, if আপনি kept the baby, if আপনি kept the baby and told Declan, if আপনি kept the baby and didn't tell Declan, everything. In the end, আপনি decided that আপনি were against having an abortion, but আপনি didn't know whether অথবা not আপনি wanted to keep the baby, অথবা give it up. But আপনি knew that no matter what আপনি decided, আপনি weren't going to tell Declan.
Telling Declan would cause so much trouble for him and his family. আপনি didn't want to be the most সাম্প্রতিক reason that the Coynes were in the tabloids. And আপনি didn't want to cause any problems between him and his parents. And আপনি certainly did not want to ruin Declan's future.
After returning to school, আপনি left early. আপনি didn't tell Declan, but আপনি called your mom to come pick আপনি up. আপনি told her that আপনি had something urgent to discuss with her, and she agreed to pick আপনি up.
In the end, your mom promised to help আপনি with whatever আপনি decided. দ্বারা the end of your conversation, she was actually a little excited. Through brainstorming, আপনি both came up with an easy way for আপনি to keep the baby from Declan. আপনি were going to সরানো in with your grandmother in California. She agreed to help আপনি with the baby. So আপনি went home, packed up your most important possessions—your mom would be sending আপনি everything else later—and made one stop before hopping on a plane. আপনি wrote Declan a letter, explaining why আপনি couldn't attend the party—of course it was some creative lie—it also explained that আপনি were leaving for reasons আপনি couldn't explain, to a place আপনি couldn't name. আপনি stopped at his parent's mansion, and gave the letter to the door man.
...
Declan stood in the center of the mansion's dining room. Every room was filled with fancily dressed socialites and their parents, all of which he had no interest in. He had scanned every room, and had yet to find you. The party had started hours ago. He was beginning to become worried. He scanned the dining room, and coming up empty, decided to check with the door man. He pushed through the three rooms between the dining room and the front entrance. He shared a friendly smile with those who recognized him, but ran from conversation.
“William,” he tapped the tall, thickly built man on the shoulder. “have আপনি seen _____? She's about five five, ____ colored hair. She should be in a tight red dress.”
“I haven't seen anyone fitting that description, but a lady stopped দ্বারা and asked me to give আপনি this.” William held out the sealed red envelope.
“Thank you.” Declan took the envelope and turned back into the house. He pushed his way through the living room, into the hall, and up to his bedroom. He kicked the door shut and locked it. He crossed to the sofa, plopped down, and opened the envelope.
He recognized your handwriting immediately. His হৃদয় raced as he read your curvy cursive words. Your note read:
“Declan,
I'm sorry to do this to you, but I'm not going to make the party. Something has come up, I can't really explain it, but I'm leaving. I'm moving to live with some family members. My parents think it's what's best, and have happily informed me that I have no say in the matter. It kills me to leave on such a big night, after we went out and picked up the dress. It also kills me to leave আপনি at such an amazing part of our relationship. I'm going to miss আপনি greatly, but I'm sorry to tell আপনি that I will not be able to contact you. It's a long, complicated story that I will spare you. Enjoy the party. Knock 'em dead in red.
I প্রণয় You,
_____”
Declan folded the letter natly, and replaced it in the red envelope. He rested his arms on his legs, and held his head in his hands.
There was a knocking on his door.
“Declan? Open up, it's me.” Fiona's muffled voice interrupted him.
He stood and walked to the door. He opened it and let Fiona in.
She took one look at him, and knew something was wrong. “What's up? The party's not that boring.” She plopped down on the sofa. She noticed the red envelope sitting on the cushion পরবর্তি to her. “What's this?” She held up the envelope.
“It's from _____.” He sat beside her.
“Where is she? I was dying to see the 'amazing' dress আপনি picked out.”
“She's gone.”
“She was here? How long did she stay?”
“No, she's gone, left the city. Left the country.”
Fiona placed the letter on the পালঙ্ক and looked at her brother. “Oh.”
- - - -
Declan sat in the spacious living room of his Connecticut apartment. He sat on a large black leather couch. He wore sweat pants and a tee. His laptop sat open on his lap, while the fifty inch flat screen across the room was turned on with the volume on low. He was scrolling through a news story, when a request for a video message from Fiona popped up. He accepted.
“Hey.” He smiled into the camera.
“Hello, what are আপনি up to?” Fiona asked.
“Just reading, what about you?”
“The same actually. I called to share something with you.”
“You didn't call, we're video chatting.”
“You know what I mean. Check your email. I sent আপনি the link to a story I'm sure you'll want to read.”
“All right.” He opened a new internet tab, and signed into his email. He opened Fiona's যন্ত্রপত্র and clicked the link. He was redirected to a news story. The story was titled: Newest Member of the Coyne Family.
“What is this?” He clicked back to the video chat.
“Keep reading.” She answered cheerily.
He skimmed the প্রবন্ধ in confusion. “This can't be true.” He went back to Fiona. “Where did they get this information?”
“Scroll down to the pictures.”
“Is that _____?”
“It is.”
“That can't be her.”
“I don't know if it is অথবা not, but I think it's very likely that it is. Listen, Declan, I've got to run, I'll call আপনি in an ঘন্টা অথবা so.”
“Okay, দ্বারা Fi.”
The video chat ended.
He read the প্রবন্ধ again, making sure he hadn't misread it. “I have to see her.” He grabbed his cell phone from the black coffee টেবিল in front of him. He dialed a number and held the phone to his ear. “Hello, I'd like to purchase a plane ticket.”
- - - -
আপনি stood in the fenced in front yard of your tiny, cozy, brick, three বিছানা roomed house. Your hair was long, it hung past the middle of your back. আপনি wore a pair of blue, straight legged jeans with a white tank-top, and a blue plaid button down shirt. আপনি held your hands in your back pockets as আপনি watched your four বছর old daughter play in a tiny square sandbox.
Aurora Coyne _______, sat in a pile of sand. She wore a pair of stained blue jeans with a stained white Dora the Explorer shirt. Her straight, dirty blonde hair hung down her back, stopping an inch past her shoulders.
“Ror, be careful okay? Mommy's gonna go check on dinner.” আপনি called.
“Otay.” Aurora answered, as she picked up a shovel full of sand.
আপনি smiled and walked into the house. আপনি passed through the neatly set up, red living room, stepping over a few Barbies on the way, and walked into the kitchen. Grabbing an oven-mitt, আপনি pulled the চুলা open and checked on the chicken pieces that were baking in barbque sauce. Next, আপনি checked on the pot of water on the stove, it was boiling. আপনি pulled a box of Parmesan পাস্তা mix from the cabinet above the oven, and poured it into the boiling water. After stirring the noodles in, আপনি walked to the sink and looked out the tiny window above it.
Your হৃদয় jumped at the sight of a man dressed in dark washed jeans, a white long sleeved button down, and a black dressy vest. He had shaggy red-ish brown hair, and slightly tanned skin. He was standing at the door of the fence, watching Aurora.
আপনি dashed through the living room and out the front door. আপনি took a few deep breaths before walking further into the yard. “Can I help you?”
He looked up and fixed his gaze on you. He seemed to be studying you.
আপনি noticed his crystal blue eyes, and your হৃদয় froze as আপনি recognized him. “Declan?” আপনি whispered.
“_____, hi.” He placed his hands in his pockets.
আপনি walked to the fence, taking a long look at your daughter. “Hi, what are আপনি doing here?”
“I, uh, guess আপনি haven't been online in a few days.”
“No,” আপনি crossed your arms at your chest. “I've been...busy. Why?”
“The word on the রাস্তা is that the Coyne family has a new, well kind of new, member.” He looked at Aurora.
আপনি pushed a strand of hair behind your ear and avoided his beautiful eyes.
“So is it true?”
“Yes.” আপনি looked up at him. “Yes, she's your daughter.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why did আপনি leave?”
From where আপনি stood, আপনি could hear the faint buzzing of the timer in the kitchen.
“I'm in the middle of cooking, would আপনি mind if we continued this inside?”
“Not at all.” He smiled faintly at you, and unlocked the gate.
আপনি began walking into the house. “Come on Ror, it's almost time for dinner.”
Aurora dropped the পরাকাষ্ঠা bucket she held on a pile of sand. She stood, dusted off her butt, and skipped into the house.
আপনি and Declan followed her.
“Go wash off in the bathroom.”
She ran down the hall and into the bathroom.
আপনি could hear the scraping of her stood against the tiled floor. আপনি smiled and walked to the oven. আপনি turned the চুলা off and pulled the baking sheet of chicken onto the stove. আপনি then turned the পাস্তা off, and dumped the excess water into the sink. Before আপনি mixed in the seasoning, আপনি pulled a bag of ব্রোকলি from the freezer, poured it in a bowl of water, and shoved it in the microwave.
Declan stood in the doorway of the living room and kitchen. He held his hands in his pockets and studied both rooms. “Cute place.”
আপনি looked back at him. “Thanks.” আপনি stirred the পাস্তা and poured it in a bowl. Then আপনি took the chicken off of the cookie sheet, and placed it on a plate. আপনি sat both on the four seater রান্নাঘর table, which was already set with two plates. “Would আপনি like something to eat? There's plenty.”
“Sure.”
আপনি walked to the sink, and pulled a plate from the drain board. আপনি set a place for Declan, across from আপনি and Aurora. “Ror, did আপনি wash up?” আপনি called into the living room.
“Yes.”
“Did আপনি wash your hands?”
“Yes.”
“And your face?”
“Yes.”
“What do আপনি want to drink with dinner?”
Aurora ran into the kitchen. Pushing past Declan, she ran to the fridge and pulled it open. Using both hands, she pulled a two liter container of আপেল রস from the lowest shelf. “Apple jewce.”
“Okay,” আপনি grabbed the bottle from her, and shut the fridge. “Go sit down, dinner's ready.”
Aurora pulled her আসন out, and climbed into it.
Declan took the আসন across from your empty place.
আপনি pulled the ব্রোকলি from the microwave and fixed it up, then আপনি poured Aurora a glass of আপেল juice. “ Declan, can I get আপনি something to drink?” আপনি replaced the রস in the fridge, and pulled out a pitcher of water.
“Water is fine, thanks.”
Aurora stared at Declan. “Mommy,”
“Yes?”
“Who is he?”
“Why don't আপনি ask him yourself.” আপনি placed her রস in front of her.
“What's your name?” Aurora folded her hands on the টেবিল in front of her.
“My name is Declan, what's yours?” He smiled down at her. He noticed her clear blue eyes and smiled.
“My name is Aurora Coyne ________.”
Declan looked up at আপনি with a smile as আপনি approached the টেবিল with two glasses of water and a bowl of broccoli.
“All right, ডিনার is served.” আপনি took your আসন and unfolded your napkin on your lap. আপনি took Aurora's plate and cut up half a chicken breast. Then, আপনি scooped ব্রোকলি and noodles onto the plate. আপনি placed it in front of her, then began filling your own plate.
Aurora picked up a square of chicken with her fingers and stuffed it in her mouth.
“Aurora, use your fork.” আপনি took your napkin from your lap and wiped her sauce covered fingers.
She picked up her fork, which was a little too big for her hand, and stabbed at another square of chicken.
Declan watched her intently, smiling.
আপনি kept your eyes locked on Declan. He didn't seem nearly as upset as আপনি thought he would be.
...
Aurora sat on the cream colored sofa in the living room, her eyes fixed intently on the newest episode of iCarly. আপনি stood in the kitchen, gathering the silverware and plates from dinner. Declan helped দ্বারা carrying bowls and plates to the sink.
“You don't have to do that.” আপনি stood at the sink, preparing to scrub each utensil.
“I'd like to help.” He handed আপনি the last two plates. “Can I dry?”
আপনি smiled at him. “Sure.” আপনি pulled a disk towel from the handle of the চুলা and tossed I at him. আপনি turned back to the sink and started wetting a sponge. আপনি worked quietly for a few minutes.
“Why did আপনি leave?” He finally broke the silence.
“I, uh, didn't really know what else to do.”
“You could have told me.” His voice was soft and sincere.
আপনি handed him and dish and took the opportunity to look into his eyes. “I did what was best for you.”
“How do আপনি know what's best for me?” His tone was still sweet.
“I didn't want to ruin your future.” আপনি spoke into the sink.
“I can't hear you.”
আপনি continued to scrub a plate, not quite sure what to say.
Declan reached across the sink and pushed the handle, turning the water off.
আপনি stood with your hands in the sink, staring down at the escaping water.
“Why did আপনি leave without telling me anything?”
আপনি looked down at your soapy hands. “I thought it was for the best.”
“Why?”
আপনি could feel his eyes on you. আপনি turned, grabbed the towel from him, and dried your hands. “Fiona pointed out that if I told you, the tabloids would make something out of nothing.”
“Fiona? She knows.”
“I ran into her as I was leaving the counselor's office. I had a bunch of pamphlets and papers on adoption and everything, and she saw them. She asked me not to tell you,” আপনি took a deep breath. “and, I thought it over and found that it was the best option for you.”
“Why would আপনি possibly think that the best thing for me was to keep my daughter from me?”
“If I would have told you, আপনি would have insisted that we keep the baby, and আপনি would have প্রদত্ত everything up to take care of us.”
“That's what I should have done.”
“I didn't want আপনি to sacrifice your future for me অথবা my child.”
“She's my child too.”
“I know,” আপনি sighed. “but I didn't even know what I wanted to do at the time.” আপনি walked around him and took a আসন at the রান্নাঘর table. From where আপনি sat, আপনি could see Aurora sitting in the living room. “Declan,” আপনি looked up at him. “I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. There are days when I look at her, and I see so much of you, and I wish that I could go back and change the way I dealt with things.” আপনি looked back at Aurora. “I know this doesn't help, but it hasn't been easy.” আপনি turned to look at him. “Since she could talk, it's like she knew আপনি were missing. One day, after she first learned to talk, she walked over to me, looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, and ব্যক্ত 'da?'” আপনি looked down. “I didn't know what to say, she was so young, barely able to understand words. I ignored her question. Then, she learned how to form sentences. And one day, after I had picked her up from preschool, she ব্যক্ত 'Mommy? Where's my daddy?' What do আপনি tell a three বছর old when they ask where their father is? I couldn't tell her that her father didn't know that she existed.”
“What did আপনি tell her?”
“I told her that her daddy couldn't be with us right now.”
Declan took the আসন across from you. “I'd like to get to know her.”
আপনি leaned your elbows on the table. “I think that's a great idea, but আপনি can't tell her who আপনি are, at least not right away.”
“Who I am?”
“That you're her father. She's too young, and she won't understand it. And if আপনি decide that it's not what আপনি want,”
“I'm not going to change my mind.”
“Okay, but if আপনি do, অথবা something happens that pulls আপনি away, it'll hurt her a lot আরো if she knows that you're her father.”
আপনি both stared into each other's eyes.
“All right.” He sighed.
“Thank you.” আপনি stood. “There's another ঘন্টা until her বিছানা time, so আপনি can start bonding now.”
“Will do.” He stood and walked into the living room. He sat down beside her. “What're আপনি watching?”
“ICarly.”
“Oh yeah, what's it about?”
“Carly and her friend Sam and Freddy have a web show.”
“What's happening now?”
“Carly and Sam are fwilling a watermewwon with air.”
আপনি stood at the sink, listening to Aurora and Declan, and smiled.
...
“She is asleep.” আপনি plopped down on the sofa beside Declan.
“She's adorable.” He smiled at you.
“Thank you, but I'm not the only one who had a part in making her.” আপনি laughed. “I really am sorry about everything.” আপনি nervously pushed a strand of hair behind your ear.
“It's all right,” he placed his hand on your leg. “everything is working itself out.”
“You're serious about this right? About being a part of her life. I don't want your money, I just want আপনি to be a father. That includes প্রদর্শিত হচ্ছে up at dance recitals and ফুটবল games, and being there on holidays, and taking her out every once in a while. And so much more. আপনি need to be fully committed, she doesn't need a part time father.”
“I don't plan on disappointing you.”
আপনি smiled at him. “Oh! I have some stuff to প্রদর্শনী you.” আপনি stood and walked down the hall and into your bedroom. আপনি returned a মিনিট later with a big box. আপনি sat it down on the flood in front of Declan, and sat behind it. আপনি pulled out a giant পরাকাষ্ঠা scrapbook, and various প্রবন্ধ of clothing.
“What's all this?” He scooted down to the floor across from you.
“This is a bunch of things I saved from when Aurora was little.” আপনি showed him a tiny পরাকাষ্ঠা dress with ruffles. “This is what she wore when she came home.” আপনি laughed.
“It's adorable.”
“My mom picked it out.” আপনি rolled your eyes and folded it on the floor beside you. আপনি pulled out a couple আরো outfits, explaining their significance, before putting all of them back in the box, and picking up the ছবি album. “Okay, here's the good stuff.” আপনি scooted over so that আপনি were sitting পরবর্তি to him, and positioned the book so that it was sitting half on your lap, and half on his.
He turned to the first page.
“This was taken after she was born.” আপনি looked down at the pictures. “She weighed six pounds even, and was thirteen inches long.”
“Is that small?”
“Yeah, it's on the smaller side. She's always been small for her age.”
He turned the page.
আপনি both sat there for two hours flipping through the scrapbook. আপনি explained every picture to him, often stopping to tell a funny story that goes along with one, অথবা a few, pictures.
“I've missed a lot.” Declan closed the book and placed it in the box.
“Nah, the really important stuff hasn't happened yet. Luckily she won't remember much from before she was three.” আপনি could feel Declan's eyes on you. আপনি turned to look at him, and locked eyes with him.
There was silence for a few moments as আপনি both just stared at each other.
Finally, আপনি tore your eyes away from his and stood to put the box away.
“_____,” Declan watched আপনি move.
আপনি squatted behind the box and looked at him.
“I've missed you.” He blushed.
“I've missed আপনি too.”
“I haven't হারিয়ে গেছে my feelings for you.”
আপনি looked down at the box. “Declan, don't say that.”
“It's true. Every relationship I've had since আপনি ended soon after it began.”
আপনি looked up at him, your eyes flooded. “It's too soon to say that.”
He read your eyes and nodded. “I do প্রণয় you.”
আপনি nodded. “And I'll always প্রণয় you, আপনি gave me Aurora.”
“Maybe one দিন we can প্রণয় each other for আরো than our daughter.”
“Maybe.” আপনি smiled at him before standing and taking the box back into your bedroom. The tears that were threatening to spill from your eyes quickly dried up, and were replaced দ্বারা a smile.
Declan watched আপনি walk, and smiled. He was happy to have আপনি back in his life.
link
(this story was not written দ্বারা me-I don't own)
Tagged: degrassi, babydaddy
Declan.
Before আপনি Read: This is important!
If আপনি see:
“...” between paragraphs, it means that the scene above is over, but the scene below is in the same day.
“- - - -” between paragraphs, it means that the scene above is over, but the scene below is from a different day.
আপনি and Declan sat in his very large, very fancy bedroom. It was wide, and spacey, and decorated with both a manly and sophisticated eye. The room held a king sized bed, a bureau, a walk in closet—which had it's own sofa—a desk, a প্রণয় seat, an arm chair, a আগুন place, and a flat screen television. The প্রণয় আসন and arm chair were positioned around the আগুন place, and the টেলিভিশন hung on the দেওয়াল to the right of the fireplace. He sat on the প্রণয় seat, leaning slightly into the right arm. আপনি sat পরবর্তি to him, leaning your back against the back of the sofa, with your feet stretched to the left. His left arm rested comfortable around your shoulders, half on the শীর্ষ of the sofa. Your head rested against the left half of his chest.
The টেলিভিশন played some trashy horror flick that you'd been dying to see. While আপনি watched the movie, আপনি kept your arms around your neck, so that it didn't take too much effort to cover your eyes when someone was brutally murdered. Whenever আপনি flinched to cover your eyes, Declan looked down at you, laughed, and rubbed your left arm.
The screen went blank and a loud rock and roll গিটার solo blasted from the surround sound. As the end credits rolled up the screen আপনি leaned back, resting your head on his lap and looked up at him.
“It's over!” আপনি cheered.
He laughed and bent to press his lips against yours.
আপনি sat up and turned so that আপনি were sitting normally on the sofa. আপনি stretched your arms behind your head and sighed. “Now what?”
He walked to the টেলিভিশন and turned it off. He turned to face you, with his hands on his hips and a smirk on his lips. “Well, it's getting kind of late.”
“Is it?” আপনি looked at the clock hanging above the আগুন place. “Holy shit, it's midnight. I should probably get going.”
“But it's midnight.”
“Yeah?”
“And আপনি live all the way across town.”
“I প্রণয় ten মিনিট away.” আপনি laughed.
He walked and stood in front of you. “You could just stay here.”
“What about your parents?” আপনি looked up at him, your brow bent in interest.
“Mr. and Mrs. Coyne are away for the weekend.” He took your hand and pulled আপনি to your feet.
“What about Fiona?”
He pulled আপনি into him. “What about her?” He wrapped his arms around your waist.
আপনি stood on your toes and wrapped your arms around his neck. “Well then,” আপনি sighed. “what did আপনি have in mind?”
He smiled down at you, and pressed his lips hungrily against yours.
আপনি smiled into the kiss, as he slid his hands up your back. আপনি could feel the heat from his skin through your cotton shirt. আপনি wrapped your arms tightly around his neck, bounced lightly, and wrapped your legs around his waist.
He moved his hands to your lower back, and held আপনি firmly against him. With his lips still connected to yours, he slowly began walking toward the bed.
- - - -
আপনি sat in a sturdy plastic chair across from the school counselor. On your lap আপনি held a binder, on শীর্ষ of which sat a packet of papers and a couple of pamphlets on teen pregnancy. আপনি nervously tapped your nails against the side of the binder.
“Whatever আপনি decide, আপনি can come and talk whenever আপনি need. I can help আপনি with anything আপনি need.” The counselor smiled at আপনি from across her cluttered desk.
“Thank you.” আপনি stood, shifting the binder to your left arm, and grabbed your bag from the floor beside the chair. আপনি slipped it onto your shoulder and exited the office.
As আপনি rounded the hall on your way to your locket, আপনি stared down at the শীর্ষ pamphlet. It was about adoption. আপনি were at the corner when আপনি collided with another body. The binder and everything on শীর্ষ of it fell to the floor.
“Oh!” আপনি bent to pick up your stuff. “I'm sorry.” আপনি looked up as আপনি pulled your binder up, and found Fiona standing in front of you. “Sorry Fi.” আপনি smiled at her.
“What's that?” She looked down at the pamphlets.
“Oh, it's nothing.”
“Does Declan know?” She crossed her arms at her chest.
আপনি pushed a strand of hair behind your ear. “No, he doesn't know yet.”
“You shouldn't tell him.”
“What?”
“Think about what'll happen when when the press finds out. They'll have a field day, it'll be in every paper আপনি can name. My parents will go completely nuts, I'll be a huge mess.”
The ঘণ্টা rang, signalling the changing of classes.
“I have to get to class.” আপনি looked down the hall as everyone rushed down the hall.
Fiona smiled at আপনি and started down the hall.
আপনি sighed and hurried to your locker. আপনি didn't want anyone to see the papers আপনি held. আপনি got your locker open and shoved the papers in.
Two arms twisted around your waist.
আপনি jumped and turned.
Declan pressed his lips against yours. “Hello.”
আপনি turned, slammed your locker shut, then turned back to him. “Hey.” আপনি sighed.
“What was that?” He laughed.
“Nothing.” আপনি smiled nervously up at him.
He stared into your ____ colored eyes. “Are আপনি okay?”
আপনি looked up into his crystal blue eyes. “Yeah.”
“All right.” He stepped back. “Well, we both have a free period, I thought we'd go and find আপনি something special to wear to the ডিনার party tonight.”
“Dinner party?”
“My parent's annual spring party.”
“Oh, right. Sounds good.” আপনি smiled up at him. “Let's go.”
He grabbed your hand and led আপনি down the hall. “So I was thinking আপনি could get something red.”
“Red?” আপনি laughed. “Why red?”
“Because no one else will be in red.” He held the passenger side door of his car open for you, then rounded to the driver's side.
“But it's spring, no one wears red in the spring.”
“Lots of people wear red in the spring.”
“Why don't we see what we can find.”
He sighed. “Fine.” He turned the car on and pulled out of the parking spot.
- - - -
আপনি and Declan went out and found a beautiful, slimming, strapless red dress. It fit আপনি perfectly and accentuated every curve of your body. But unfortunately, আপনি never made it to the party.
The time আপনি spent with Declan kept your mind off of your situation, and the conversation that আপনি and Fiona had shared earlier in the day. But as soon as আপনি and Declan parted ways, your focus shifted. আপনি thought out every possible scenario. আপনি imagined what your life would be like for the পরবর্তি ten years if আপনি had an abortion, if আপনি gave the baby up for adoption, if আপনি kept the baby, if আপনি kept the baby and told Declan, if আপনি kept the baby and didn't tell Declan, everything. In the end, আপনি decided that আপনি were against having an abortion, but আপনি didn't know whether অথবা not আপনি wanted to keep the baby, অথবা give it up. But আপনি knew that no matter what আপনি decided, আপনি weren't going to tell Declan.
Telling Declan would cause so much trouble for him and his family. আপনি didn't want to be the most সাম্প্রতিক reason that the Coynes were in the tabloids. And আপনি didn't want to cause any problems between him and his parents. And আপনি certainly did not want to ruin Declan's future.
After returning to school, আপনি left early. আপনি didn't tell Declan, but আপনি called your mom to come pick আপনি up. আপনি told her that আপনি had something urgent to discuss with her, and she agreed to pick আপনি up.
In the end, your mom promised to help আপনি with whatever আপনি decided. দ্বারা the end of your conversation, she was actually a little excited. Through brainstorming, আপনি both came up with an easy way for আপনি to keep the baby from Declan. আপনি were going to সরানো in with your grandmother in California. She agreed to help আপনি with the baby. So আপনি went home, packed up your most important possessions—your mom would be sending আপনি everything else later—and made one stop before hopping on a plane. আপনি wrote Declan a letter, explaining why আপনি couldn't attend the party—of course it was some creative lie—it also explained that আপনি were leaving for reasons আপনি couldn't explain, to a place আপনি couldn't name. আপনি stopped at his parent's mansion, and gave the letter to the door man.
...
Declan stood in the center of the mansion's dining room. Every room was filled with fancily dressed socialites and their parents, all of which he had no interest in. He had scanned every room, and had yet to find you. The party had started hours ago. He was beginning to become worried. He scanned the dining room, and coming up empty, decided to check with the door man. He pushed through the three rooms between the dining room and the front entrance. He shared a friendly smile with those who recognized him, but ran from conversation.
“William,” he tapped the tall, thickly built man on the shoulder. “have আপনি seen _____? She's about five five, ____ colored hair. She should be in a tight red dress.”
“I haven't seen anyone fitting that description, but a lady stopped দ্বারা and asked me to give আপনি this.” William held out the sealed red envelope.
“Thank you.” Declan took the envelope and turned back into the house. He pushed his way through the living room, into the hall, and up to his bedroom. He kicked the door shut and locked it. He crossed to the sofa, plopped down, and opened the envelope.
He recognized your handwriting immediately. His হৃদয় raced as he read your curvy cursive words. Your note read:
“Declan,
I'm sorry to do this to you, but I'm not going to make the party. Something has come up, I can't really explain it, but I'm leaving. I'm moving to live with some family members. My parents think it's what's best, and have happily informed me that I have no say in the matter. It kills me to leave on such a big night, after we went out and picked up the dress. It also kills me to leave আপনি at such an amazing part of our relationship. I'm going to miss আপনি greatly, but I'm sorry to tell আপনি that I will not be able to contact you. It's a long, complicated story that I will spare you. Enjoy the party. Knock 'em dead in red.
I প্রণয় You,
_____”
Declan folded the letter natly, and replaced it in the red envelope. He rested his arms on his legs, and held his head in his hands.
There was a knocking on his door.
“Declan? Open up, it's me.” Fiona's muffled voice interrupted him.
He stood and walked to the door. He opened it and let Fiona in.
She took one look at him, and knew something was wrong. “What's up? The party's not that boring.” She plopped down on the sofa. She noticed the red envelope sitting on the cushion পরবর্তি to her. “What's this?” She held up the envelope.
“It's from _____.” He sat beside her.
“Where is she? I was dying to see the 'amazing' dress আপনি picked out.”
“She's gone.”
“She was here? How long did she stay?”
“No, she's gone, left the city. Left the country.”
Fiona placed the letter on the পালঙ্ক and looked at her brother. “Oh.”
- - - -
Declan sat in the spacious living room of his Connecticut apartment. He sat on a large black leather couch. He wore sweat pants and a tee. His laptop sat open on his lap, while the fifty inch flat screen across the room was turned on with the volume on low. He was scrolling through a news story, when a request for a video message from Fiona popped up. He accepted.
“Hey.” He smiled into the camera.
“Hello, what are আপনি up to?” Fiona asked.
“Just reading, what about you?”
“The same actually. I called to share something with you.”
“You didn't call, we're video chatting.”
“You know what I mean. Check your email. I sent আপনি the link to a story I'm sure you'll want to read.”
“All right.” He opened a new internet tab, and signed into his email. He opened Fiona's যন্ত্রপত্র and clicked the link. He was redirected to a news story. The story was titled: Newest Member of the Coyne Family.
“What is this?” He clicked back to the video chat.
“Keep reading.” She answered cheerily.
He skimmed the প্রবন্ধ in confusion. “This can't be true.” He went back to Fiona. “Where did they get this information?”
“Scroll down to the pictures.”
“Is that _____?”
“It is.”
“That can't be her.”
“I don't know if it is অথবা not, but I think it's very likely that it is. Listen, Declan, I've got to run, I'll call আপনি in an ঘন্টা অথবা so.”
“Okay, দ্বারা Fi.”
The video chat ended.
He read the প্রবন্ধ again, making sure he hadn't misread it. “I have to see her.” He grabbed his cell phone from the black coffee টেবিল in front of him. He dialed a number and held the phone to his ear. “Hello, I'd like to purchase a plane ticket.”
- - - -
আপনি stood in the fenced in front yard of your tiny, cozy, brick, three বিছানা roomed house. Your hair was long, it hung past the middle of your back. আপনি wore a pair of blue, straight legged jeans with a white tank-top, and a blue plaid button down shirt. আপনি held your hands in your back pockets as আপনি watched your four বছর old daughter play in a tiny square sandbox.
Aurora Coyne _______, sat in a pile of sand. She wore a pair of stained blue jeans with a stained white Dora the Explorer shirt. Her straight, dirty blonde hair hung down her back, stopping an inch past her shoulders.
“Ror, be careful okay? Mommy's gonna go check on dinner.” আপনি called.
“Otay.” Aurora answered, as she picked up a shovel full of sand.
আপনি smiled and walked into the house. আপনি passed through the neatly set up, red living room, stepping over a few Barbies on the way, and walked into the kitchen. Grabbing an oven-mitt, আপনি pulled the চুলা open and checked on the chicken pieces that were baking in barbque sauce. Next, আপনি checked on the pot of water on the stove, it was boiling. আপনি pulled a box of Parmesan পাস্তা mix from the cabinet above the oven, and poured it into the boiling water. After stirring the noodles in, আপনি walked to the sink and looked out the tiny window above it.
Your হৃদয় jumped at the sight of a man dressed in dark washed jeans, a white long sleeved button down, and a black dressy vest. He had shaggy red-ish brown hair, and slightly tanned skin. He was standing at the door of the fence, watching Aurora.
আপনি dashed through the living room and out the front door. আপনি took a few deep breaths before walking further into the yard. “Can I help you?”
He looked up and fixed his gaze on you. He seemed to be studying you.
আপনি noticed his crystal blue eyes, and your হৃদয় froze as আপনি recognized him. “Declan?” আপনি whispered.
“_____, hi.” He placed his hands in his pockets.
আপনি walked to the fence, taking a long look at your daughter. “Hi, what are আপনি doing here?”
“I, uh, guess আপনি haven't been online in a few days.”
“No,” আপনি crossed your arms at your chest. “I've been...busy. Why?”
“The word on the রাস্তা is that the Coyne family has a new, well kind of new, member.” He looked at Aurora.
আপনি pushed a strand of hair behind your ear and avoided his beautiful eyes.
“So is it true?”
“Yes.” আপনি looked up at him. “Yes, she's your daughter.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why did আপনি leave?”
From where আপনি stood, আপনি could hear the faint buzzing of the timer in the kitchen.
“I'm in the middle of cooking, would আপনি mind if we continued this inside?”
“Not at all.” He smiled faintly at you, and unlocked the gate.
আপনি began walking into the house. “Come on Ror, it's almost time for dinner.”
Aurora dropped the পরাকাষ্ঠা bucket she held on a pile of sand. She stood, dusted off her butt, and skipped into the house.
আপনি and Declan followed her.
“Go wash off in the bathroom.”
She ran down the hall and into the bathroom.
আপনি could hear the scraping of her stood against the tiled floor. আপনি smiled and walked to the oven. আপনি turned the চুলা off and pulled the baking sheet of chicken onto the stove. আপনি then turned the পাস্তা off, and dumped the excess water into the sink. Before আপনি mixed in the seasoning, আপনি pulled a bag of ব্রোকলি from the freezer, poured it in a bowl of water, and shoved it in the microwave.
Declan stood in the doorway of the living room and kitchen. He held his hands in his pockets and studied both rooms. “Cute place.”
আপনি looked back at him. “Thanks.” আপনি stirred the পাস্তা and poured it in a bowl. Then আপনি took the chicken off of the cookie sheet, and placed it on a plate. আপনি sat both on the four seater রান্নাঘর table, which was already set with two plates. “Would আপনি like something to eat? There's plenty.”
“Sure.”
আপনি walked to the sink, and pulled a plate from the drain board. আপনি set a place for Declan, across from আপনি and Aurora. “Ror, did আপনি wash up?” আপনি called into the living room.
“Yes.”
“Did আপনি wash your hands?”
“Yes.”
“And your face?”
“Yes.”
“What do আপনি want to drink with dinner?”
Aurora ran into the kitchen. Pushing past Declan, she ran to the fridge and pulled it open. Using both hands, she pulled a two liter container of আপেল রস from the lowest shelf. “Apple jewce.”
“Okay,” আপনি grabbed the bottle from her, and shut the fridge. “Go sit down, dinner's ready.”
Aurora pulled her আসন out, and climbed into it.
Declan took the আসন across from your empty place.
আপনি pulled the ব্রোকলি from the microwave and fixed it up, then আপনি poured Aurora a glass of আপেল juice. “ Declan, can I get আপনি something to drink?” আপনি replaced the রস in the fridge, and pulled out a pitcher of water.
“Water is fine, thanks.”
Aurora stared at Declan. “Mommy,”
“Yes?”
“Who is he?”
“Why don't আপনি ask him yourself.” আপনি placed her রস in front of her.
“What's your name?” Aurora folded her hands on the টেবিল in front of her.
“My name is Declan, what's yours?” He smiled down at her. He noticed her clear blue eyes and smiled.
“My name is Aurora Coyne ________.”
Declan looked up at আপনি with a smile as আপনি approached the টেবিল with two glasses of water and a bowl of broccoli.
“All right, ডিনার is served.” আপনি took your আসন and unfolded your napkin on your lap. আপনি took Aurora's plate and cut up half a chicken breast. Then, আপনি scooped ব্রোকলি and noodles onto the plate. আপনি placed it in front of her, then began filling your own plate.
Aurora picked up a square of chicken with her fingers and stuffed it in her mouth.
“Aurora, use your fork.” আপনি took your napkin from your lap and wiped her sauce covered fingers.
She picked up her fork, which was a little too big for her hand, and stabbed at another square of chicken.
Declan watched her intently, smiling.
আপনি kept your eyes locked on Declan. He didn't seem nearly as upset as আপনি thought he would be.
...
Aurora sat on the cream colored sofa in the living room, her eyes fixed intently on the newest episode of iCarly. আপনি stood in the kitchen, gathering the silverware and plates from dinner. Declan helped দ্বারা carrying bowls and plates to the sink.
“You don't have to do that.” আপনি stood at the sink, preparing to scrub each utensil.
“I'd like to help.” He handed আপনি the last two plates. “Can I dry?”
আপনি smiled at him. “Sure.” আপনি pulled a disk towel from the handle of the চুলা and tossed I at him. আপনি turned back to the sink and started wetting a sponge. আপনি worked quietly for a few minutes.
“Why did আপনি leave?” He finally broke the silence.
“I, uh, didn't really know what else to do.”
“You could have told me.” His voice was soft and sincere.
আপনি handed him and dish and took the opportunity to look into his eyes. “I did what was best for you.”
“How do আপনি know what's best for me?” His tone was still sweet.
“I didn't want to ruin your future.” আপনি spoke into the sink.
“I can't hear you.”
আপনি continued to scrub a plate, not quite sure what to say.
Declan reached across the sink and pushed the handle, turning the water off.
আপনি stood with your hands in the sink, staring down at the escaping water.
“Why did আপনি leave without telling me anything?”
আপনি looked down at your soapy hands. “I thought it was for the best.”
“Why?”
আপনি could feel his eyes on you. আপনি turned, grabbed the towel from him, and dried your hands. “Fiona pointed out that if I told you, the tabloids would make something out of nothing.”
“Fiona? She knows.”
“I ran into her as I was leaving the counselor's office. I had a bunch of pamphlets and papers on adoption and everything, and she saw them. She asked me not to tell you,” আপনি took a deep breath. “and, I thought it over and found that it was the best option for you.”
“Why would আপনি possibly think that the best thing for me was to keep my daughter from me?”
“If I would have told you, আপনি would have insisted that we keep the baby, and আপনি would have প্রদত্ত everything up to take care of us.”
“That's what I should have done.”
“I didn't want আপনি to sacrifice your future for me অথবা my child.”
“She's my child too.”
“I know,” আপনি sighed. “but I didn't even know what I wanted to do at the time.” আপনি walked around him and took a আসন at the রান্নাঘর table. From where আপনি sat, আপনি could see Aurora sitting in the living room. “Declan,” আপনি looked up at him. “I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. There are days when I look at her, and I see so much of you, and I wish that I could go back and change the way I dealt with things.” আপনি looked back at Aurora. “I know this doesn't help, but it hasn't been easy.” আপনি turned to look at him. “Since she could talk, it's like she knew আপনি were missing. One day, after she first learned to talk, she walked over to me, looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, and ব্যক্ত 'da?'” আপনি looked down. “I didn't know what to say, she was so young, barely able to understand words. I ignored her question. Then, she learned how to form sentences. And one day, after I had picked her up from preschool, she ব্যক্ত 'Mommy? Where's my daddy?' What do আপনি tell a three বছর old when they ask where their father is? I couldn't tell her that her father didn't know that she existed.”
“What did আপনি tell her?”
“I told her that her daddy couldn't be with us right now.”
Declan took the আসন across from you. “I'd like to get to know her.”
আপনি leaned your elbows on the table. “I think that's a great idea, but আপনি can't tell her who আপনি are, at least not right away.”
“Who I am?”
“That you're her father. She's too young, and she won't understand it. And if আপনি decide that it's not what আপনি want,”
“I'm not going to change my mind.”
“Okay, but if আপনি do, অথবা something happens that pulls আপনি away, it'll hurt her a lot আরো if she knows that you're her father.”
আপনি both stared into each other's eyes.
“All right.” He sighed.
“Thank you.” আপনি stood. “There's another ঘন্টা until her বিছানা time, so আপনি can start bonding now.”
“Will do.” He stood and walked into the living room. He sat down beside her. “What're আপনি watching?”
“ICarly.”
“Oh yeah, what's it about?”
“Carly and her friend Sam and Freddy have a web show.”
“What's happening now?”
“Carly and Sam are fwilling a watermewwon with air.”
আপনি stood at the sink, listening to Aurora and Declan, and smiled.
...
“She is asleep.” আপনি plopped down on the sofa beside Declan.
“She's adorable.” He smiled at you.
“Thank you, but I'm not the only one who had a part in making her.” আপনি laughed. “I really am sorry about everything.” আপনি nervously pushed a strand of hair behind your ear.
“It's all right,” he placed his hand on your leg. “everything is working itself out.”
“You're serious about this right? About being a part of her life. I don't want your money, I just want আপনি to be a father. That includes প্রদর্শিত হচ্ছে up at dance recitals and ফুটবল games, and being there on holidays, and taking her out every once in a while. And so much more. আপনি need to be fully committed, she doesn't need a part time father.”
“I don't plan on disappointing you.”
আপনি smiled at him. “Oh! I have some stuff to প্রদর্শনী you.” আপনি stood and walked down the hall and into your bedroom. আপনি returned a মিনিট later with a big box. আপনি sat it down on the flood in front of Declan, and sat behind it. আপনি pulled out a giant পরাকাষ্ঠা scrapbook, and various প্রবন্ধ of clothing.
“What's all this?” He scooted down to the floor across from you.
“This is a bunch of things I saved from when Aurora was little.” আপনি showed him a tiny পরাকাষ্ঠা dress with ruffles. “This is what she wore when she came home.” আপনি laughed.
“It's adorable.”
“My mom picked it out.” আপনি rolled your eyes and folded it on the floor beside you. আপনি pulled out a couple আরো outfits, explaining their significance, before putting all of them back in the box, and picking up the ছবি album. “Okay, here's the good stuff.” আপনি scooted over so that আপনি were sitting পরবর্তি to him, and positioned the book so that it was sitting half on your lap, and half on his.
He turned to the first page.
“This was taken after she was born.” আপনি looked down at the pictures. “She weighed six pounds even, and was thirteen inches long.”
“Is that small?”
“Yeah, it's on the smaller side. She's always been small for her age.”
He turned the page.
আপনি both sat there for two hours flipping through the scrapbook. আপনি explained every picture to him, often stopping to tell a funny story that goes along with one, অথবা a few, pictures.
“I've missed a lot.” Declan closed the book and placed it in the box.
“Nah, the really important stuff hasn't happened yet. Luckily she won't remember much from before she was three.” আপনি could feel Declan's eyes on you. আপনি turned to look at him, and locked eyes with him.
There was silence for a few moments as আপনি both just stared at each other.
Finally, আপনি tore your eyes away from his and stood to put the box away.
“_____,” Declan watched আপনি move.
আপনি squatted behind the box and looked at him.
“I've missed you.” He blushed.
“I've missed আপনি too.”
“I haven't হারিয়ে গেছে my feelings for you.”
আপনি looked down at the box. “Declan, don't say that.”
“It's true. Every relationship I've had since আপনি ended soon after it began.”
আপনি looked up at him, your eyes flooded. “It's too soon to say that.”
He read your eyes and nodded. “I do প্রণয় you.”
আপনি nodded. “And I'll always প্রণয় you, আপনি gave me Aurora.”
“Maybe one দিন we can প্রণয় each other for আরো than our daughter.”
“Maybe.” আপনি smiled at him before standing and taking the box back into your bedroom. The tears that were threatening to spill from your eyes quickly dried up, and were replaced দ্বারা a smile.
Declan watched আপনি walk, and smiled. He was happy to have আপনি back in his life.
