Merrick

The sun above shines brightly as I drive to the hospital to pick Archer up. It's Sunday morning, and as I had promised Catherine, I am taking him out on a picnic. Usually, this would feel normal, just like any other day, but today is different. It's different because Zelina is going to accompany us, and I am already dreading it. I breathe out a tired sigh and try not to think too much about her.

I stop at a signal, and from the rear mirror, I catch a sight of the basket that Claire packed for us. She was very excited when I told her about the little picnic that we were going on. I casually brought to her about Zelina being there, though Claire just knows she is working with our company and nothing more about the torture that I've been enduring since she stepped foot in my life.

Initially, I wanted Anna to come with us. You know, just to have more people around, but then I was disappointed when I found out that she had other plans. I even suggested Claire to join us, but she refused, giving an excuse that she wouldn't fit with a bunch of kids. And again, like that, I am left alone to go with Zelina. I just hope Archer can do a good job of keeping her engaged, so she doesn't bother me.

Archer jumps excitedly when he sees my car. He is standing with Catherine outside the building. I smile and then my eyes move to Zelina, who is standing next to them. She is wearing a yellow summer dress, and her blonde hair is pulled up into a high pony with a few bangs hanging on her face. It's a rare sight to watch her dress up casually and it actually makes her less intimidating. Her skin glows under the sun, and I can't help but admire how gorgeous she looks at the moment. She catches me staring at her, and I quickly look away.

"Yeah...Merry is here!!" Archer screams when I stop in front of them. He is wearing a spiderman shirt with cargo shorts. With a safari hat on his head, he looks absolutely cute.

I get out of the car and open the back door for Archer. He hops in without wasting any time, and then I turn to open the door for Zelina. She smiles at me before getting in, and I breathe, trying to control my heart from racing too fast. Damn! I didn't know a smile can do so much damage.

"Archer's medicines and some cookies I've made are in this." Catherine kisses Archer's forehead as she places a bag next to him.

Zelina nods, and she pulls back to look at us with a smile. "I hope you guys have a blast and Archer, remember..." She narrows her eyes at him but before she can finish Archer speaks.

"Archer, remember to behave." He says, imitating his mother's voice and we laugh. "Yes, mommy. I won't trouble Merry. I promise." He says innocently, looking at her and we smile. After we say goodbye to Catherine, I drive off to the lakeside park she gave me the address of. Catherine did her prior research and told me that it's a beautiful park to hang around and also kids friendly.

The drive to the park isn't too long. Zelina doesn't say anything in between as she keeps looking out of the window. When we reach the gates, I quickly get out and open the doors for Archer and Zelina. As I park, I notice the crowd around and I suddenly wish we could have gone to a place with less hustle-bustle. Anyway, it's Sunday, so I doubt we will even get a place like that. Zelina and Archer walk towards the entrance as I get my laptop and other stuff from the car. I knew I could use this time to get some work done, so I got my laptop with me. I catch up with them soon and Zelina turns to look at me. She frowns when she sees what I am carrying.

"You are not going to work, right?" She asks.

"Sorry to say, but yes, I am." I shrug. "If you haven't forgotten, I've got the product launch this Thursday." She looks at me and I wait for her to say something, but she just nods and walks away. I stare at her back, thinking that it's so unlikely of her.

We walk in and see long trees around with paths for people to walk. It's a huge park overseeing the lake, and it actually looks beautiful. To the right, there is a flower garden and opposite to it, I see a colorful playground for children. There are people around and children playing and laughing with their parents.

I spend most of the time inside the four walls of my office, so it seems a nice change being here. The weather is pleasant, and it feels good to be out in the open air for once. I take a seat on the bench on another side to keep an eye on Archer in case he decides to go to the play area.

"Do you wanna get on those swings?" Zelina asks pointing at the playground and Archer nods. A smile appears on my face, knowing that how strangely comfortable they are with each other. Looking at Zelina holding his hand could easily confuse anyone to think of her being Archer's mother.

I always wonder what is it with her when she is around him. She seems completely different.

Archer begins to walk with her, but he stops suddenly and looks at me. "Is Merry not going to come?"

Zelina glances at me and I feel guilty. "Merry has some important work to do. I am sure he will join us after that." She smiles at me and I nod.

"Okay. Merry, come soon," Archer says before they turn away to go to the playground.

I don't think much time would have passed when I look up from my laptop and see Archer giggling. Zelina is behind him and every time she pushes his swing, he screams excitedly with his swing going high in the air. I watch them as they go around trying every slide and see-saw. It's hard not to feel happy looking at the wide grin on their faces and it actually makes me realize that I did a good thing by agreeing to go with Zelina. And suddenly I find myself comparing her with Monica for how she had never been enthusiastic about being by my side. She was so busy that she never once spared time to come to visit Archer at the hospital, who is probably the most special person for me to spend time with.

I suddenly get out of my thoughts and frown when I see a man approach Zelina. I look down at the kids that are lined up behind him and I immediately assume that he is probably their teacher or something like that. Zelina smiles when he says something to her and I clench my jaw, regretting not going with them when I had a chance.

Zelina introduces Archer to other kids who seem almost around his age. They all huddle together and soon start playing. I feel a wave of unwelcomed jealousy, seeing Zelina and that other guy work together as they get the kids blindfolded, turn by turn. It takes me a moment to realize that I had been griping my laptop too tightly for no reason. Maybe watching the guy get closer to Zelina has really triggered something in me. Wait, what am I saying? Archer looks at me and, as if taking in my desperate face, he comes running to me.

"Come on, Merry. Let's play." He says, tugging at my arm.

"Archer." I shake my head in denial. What a hypocrite I am. Just seconds ago I was whining about not being there with them and now when I am getting a chance, I am being a fucking pussy.

"Please... It will be fun." He says, and I look up at Zelina. She isn't paying attention to me because she is talking to that stupid teacher. What's wrong with him? Can't he maintain a little distance from her? I get a little angry watching them stand so close.

I place the laptop on the bench next to the basket, wondering if it's safe to leave it here. However, I can't carry it everywhere so I make a mental note to keep an eye on the things. "Fine," I say to Archer and then walk with him to the garden where everyone is playing.

I see all the kids running around as a blindfolded girl chases them. Zelina looks up when she notices me and I see a beautiful smile gracing her lips. I take a step towards her but stop when that guy comes over to her again. I frown when he blindfolds her and I realize that it's her turn. I look away when he takes too much time covering her eyes. Putting my hands into my pockets, I stand in the corner as I watch Zelina now trying to chase the kids.

"Zee, I am here," Archer says as he giggles behind her and runs away. She immediately turns around and waves her hands in the air to catch him. I shake my head, grinning like an idiot. I am not basically doing anything, but I am actually enjoying their play. I would be lying if I would say my eyes weren't on Zelina all the time. She looks so happy and I realize suddenly that I am beginning to like her presence way more than I should. She is walking around, laughing, and that's when my eyes fall on a rock in her way. I frown and at the same time, she gasps as she trips on it. Not even wasting a second, I run to catch her. I tighten my arms around her waist as she falls right into them. I can feel her heart beating fast as she holds onto my arms. She then slowly takes off her blindfold and I look into her eyes.

Zelina

As I look into Merrick's eyes, I can't help but think how good it feels to be in his arms. The moment I tripped, I was waiting for my face to hit the ground, but before that could happen, a pair of strong arms caught me. To be honest, it was scary as hell to fall with nothing but darkness in front of your eyes and I was already getting ready to face the embarrassment that I was going to face later.

I was a little disappointed earlier when Merrick refused to come with us. I knew then and there that he wasn't pleased with having me as a company and it was the last thing on my mind to expect him to come to my rescue. My gaze drops down to his lips and I lean forward without thinking about anything. He doesn't move until our faces are inches apart and I admire how beautiful his blue eyes are. I slowly close my eyes, wishing silently that I could have the luck to taste his lips, but I am startled by a voice.

I quickly open my eyes. "Are you okay, Zee?" Archer asks, and I pull away from Merrick, feeling a little embarrassed. He steps back hesitantly, too.

I glance around and see all the kids and their teacher, Hudson, watching me intently with a look of concern on their faces. Archer was excited to talk to one of the little boys in that group while he was on the see-saw and that's when Hudson came to me saying that if Archer wants, he can join them too. He said he is an elementary school teacher and his kids were asking him to take them on a trip for a long time, so he brought them to this park, which isn't too far from their school. Since then, we were having a good time playing together until I slipped stupidly over a stone.

"You didn't hurt yourself, right?" Hudson asks, stepping forward.

"No. I am fine." I shake my head.

We get back to the game, and as I look at Merrick, I can't help but think about what happened yesterday. Ashton threatened me with my paralyzed dad in the room and then left. That's the fucking thing about him. You can never be sure if he is really going to do anything, but still, the anticipation of his threats is what fucking enough to kill you. He keeps lingering like a dark cloud over my head, and I have no idea what to do about him.

After leaving the Rehab I received a call from Catherine in the evening. She asked me if I could manage to go out with Archer and I straight away said yes. It felt like a miracle because, despite all the chaos in my life, God still gave me a reason to smile. It doesn't matter if it was just for a few hours. I wasn't going to deny any chance of spending time with Merrick and Archer. It's the only time when I feel happy and I am not going to let that go. I don't know if I am being too foolish or just selfish.

Archer is completely exhausted by the time we finish playing and we say goodbye to the kids and Hudson as it's time for them to leave. It actually surprises me when I find Merrick standing next to me as we wave at them.

I feel very hungry when we finally choose a place to sit after that. It's under a huge tree near the lake and a little away from the crowd, which is nice. Merrick spreads the blanket on the grass and we sit down together. Merrick hasn't said a word to me since that tripping incident, and it suddenly feels awkward. Trying to diffuse the tension in the air, I reach for the basket. I get a sweet aroma of freshly baked muffins as I pull open the basket. I serve us the cookies and the muffins that Merrick brought, and we all begin to eat.

My eyes move to the other side and I notice that there are ducks at the end of the lake. Archer looks at them and his face brightens and then I see him running towards them.

"Archer..." Merrick screams as he begins to stand. "Be careful."

I reach for his hand and assure him. "Don't worry. He is a sensible boy." He looks a little tensed as he gazes at me, but he sits down anyway.

There is a moment of silence as we both watch Archer trying to make a conversation with the ducks. We smile together and when I look back at him; I clear my throat and speak. "I couldn't get a chance to thank you for what you did that night. You know, for bringing me home and sending those advils." I say, looking at him nervously. "I mean, you didn't have to do it."

He looks at me and shrugs. "I just did what I felt right. I wasn't going to leave a drunk woman alone with a creep." He says and I smile. I may not recall everything, but I clearly remember the part where he angrily shooed that guy away, and it makes me feel flutters inside my stomach.

Merrick sighs, and I look at him. "Listen, I know you are well capable of taking care of yourself, and I don't doubt it. But getting drunk like that at an unknown place... it can be risky, you know what I am trying to say."

I bite my lip, knowing what he exactly means. "I know. I'll be careful next time." I can see the concern in his eyes as he nods at me. It isn't hidden from me that Merrick truly cares for me and it makes my heart fill with warmth. Why am I feeling so?

Before the moment can get any awkward, I grab a cookie and a cupcake. I sigh in satisfaction, taking a bite of each of them. "Catherine is really good at baking, and so is your mother," I say, as I smile at Merrick.

He doesn't say anything and for a second, I doubt if I've said something wrong. He looks away for a minute and when he turns back to face me; I see a hint of pain in his eyes. "Not my mother. Claire made it, but she is just like a family." He smiles sadly, looking down at the cupcakes.

I stare at him, having so many questions in my mind. I want to ask him what does it mean? I want to ask him who is Claire? I want to ask him where is his mother or what happened to her. By looking at his face, I can guess that it's a sensitive topic for him to talk about, and nor do we share the kind of bonding where we could be sharing our personal things.

I don't remember the last time when I enjoyed being around people this much. It's been really long since I went out to spend a normal weekend with someone. This day has been perfect for me so far, and I don't want to ruin it by upsetting Merrick over something.

I look at the chocolate cupcake in my hand and say. "At least you have someone you love to cook for you. It's better to be alone than have a mother like mine." I sigh as I look up at him. "Sometimes I wonder if she even realizes that I am her daughter."

Merrick stares at me, and I realize he is hesitant to speak up, just like I was struggling a few seconds ago. I look away, feeling sad that I was the one to make things awkward between us.

"You should make them," Merrick says suddenly, and I look at him.

"What?" I ask in confusion.

"The cupcakes." He says as he looks straight ahead of him where Archer is running now. "I believe when you have no one to take care of you, then you should do it yourself."

"Start by baking something for yourself. No matter how small it is, you'll love it because it would be an outcome of your love and dedication. Trust me, cooking is therapeutic." He looks at me and then says with a smile. "Never rely on someone else for your own happiness."

I smile at him, and before I can respond, Archer comes storming towards us. He sits in between us and tells us about how hard he tried to convince ducks not to jump into the water because it would wet their feathers. He looks really disappointed as he continues his story and I and Merrick exchange an amused look over his innocence.

"I've been wanting to tell you this since morning. I love you shirt, Archer." I say to Archer after he finishes talking.

"Thank you. I love it too." He grins as he looks at me. "I want to be like him."

"Like who? The Spiderman." Merrick asks.

"Yeah...he is so awesome. He can jump wherever and whenever he wants with his web." He says as he extends his palms to imitate Spiderman's action and I smile. "I want to have those powers. So when the doctors come into my room, I can stick to the ceiling." He then frowns and says. "I hate them. It really hurts when they stick those needles into my skin."

He keeps speaking normally after that, but his words bring tears to my eyes. I gulp slowly and look away, not wanting to ruin his moment. I want to ask God why he has been so cruel to such a little kid, but I know Archer is a brave boy and nothing could stop him from coming out victorious from this deadly disease. I bite my lip, trying to control my emotions when something unexpected happens. I feel something over my hand, and I look up in disbelief to see Merrick right next to me. He has his hand over mine, and I gulp when he squeezes it gently. I look into his comforting eyes and we stare at each other for a long time.