Ghosts are Dangerous

Fahmeen's POV:

I made little Archie a sandwich, he helped. Well, by helped I mean commanding I filled it to the brim with peanut butter and Nutella. I was half expecting a sugar rush soon, judging by the way he was tapping his feet and humming whilst chewing - I'm thinking it's very soon.
"Slow down, Archie you'll choke on your food." I chuckle, passing him a cup of juice.
"Thank... you." He mumbles, I can see smudged Nutella on the sides of his mouth and is that... peanut butter in his hair? Well, at least he was polite. It must be the dad, he has a good dad.

"So, Archie. Have you known Rolf for a long time?" I lean on the kitchen counter, studying him. He's finished his juice now and thinks it's a good idea to spin on the bar stool. I rush over to hold it still, stopping him from doing so. Archie looks back at me sheepishly.
"No. I mean, yes. Looooong time." He grins, there's chocolate all over his little teeth.

"If by a few weeks you mean long little man, then yes. A looooong time." Rolf strolls in, with Jessie behind him. He ruffles Archie's hair which he loves and attempts to kiss my cheek. I maintain our eye contact whilst he does this, letting him know we still need to talk and this isn't an apology. Rolf has that part guilt part cheeky look on his face and I think being around Archie, it's softening me towards him.

Suddenly she speaks.
"What is that?" Jessie asks in an animated voice, inspecting the nearly empty plate. She's speaking to Archie so I wait for his answer. I feel Rolf's hand snake around my waist. The sneaky devil. I look up to him and he just smirks.
"A sammich." Archie attempts say. He was so cute and just then I feel Willow kick. Really hard. Rolf notices and he looks at me worried and questioning. I hold his hand, reassuring him.
"Just a kick."
His face relaxes and I look to find Jessie staring at us. I can't make out her expression, it's somewhere between curiosity and spite. I'll be able to tell which one when I get to know her a little better.

"So Jessie, do you want something to eat? Drink?" Breaking the ice seemed like a good idea.
She stands, taking Archie to clean up. He hums whilst she holds his hand.
"Sure."
"Great." Rolf perks up besides me, he rubs his hands together.
"How about takeout?"
"Mmm, I am famished." She stares at him adoringly and it's so blatant I want to puke.

An awkward silent moment passes us.
"How about I go clean him up?" I can't help but suggest, as Archie wandered off because his mother was too busy fawning over somebody from the past. As I brush past her, she momentarily breaks out of her trance and our eyes meet. It's quick, it's cold and it's unforgettable.

...

Me, Jessie and Archie are in the living room whilst Rolf orders dinner. We couldn't decide, it was between a Chinese (Rolf), Chinese (Jessie) and pizza (stubborn old me). Guess who won?
"Yeah, two large pizzas, please. One cheese and one vegetarian." We hear his voice leak from the kitchen.

"So, I hear you're his student?" Jessie sits opposite me, we're on the floor as I decided to. Rolf thought it a good idea and so guess who else did too?

Little Archie passed out after screaming the house down a little while after I cleaned him up. There was the sugar rush. So now he lay snoring on his mother's lap. They looked adorable, I couldn't deny.
"I am. You were best friends, right? Back in America." I wanted to hear it from her perspective. Just how deep are those feelings she has for Rolf because I know for sure he still has feelings for her.
"Still am." She smiles, it's wide and exaggerated. I see the way her hands stroke Archie's hair. No matter how she acts towards me I couldn't help but admire the love of a mother. They're irreplaceable. I can't help but think of my own.

"Cool. Where would you be without good friends?"
"Right? You experience everything together."

Yeah, I know all about your experiences with Rolf, honey.

She dreamily sighs and I watch the fire instead. It was a cool evening and so I figured it's an excuse to light it as I absolutely loved the cackle of a home fireplace.
"We're pregnant." Once I said it she didn't reply at first. That's fine, I was just searching for her reaction. As I look at her, she doesn't hide her shock.
"Wow, b-but you're in school. How does that work?"
I shrug my shoulders.
"Only a few months left. I'm going to follow a simple yet effective plan orchestrated by my genius best friend." I'm smiling now, and I hug my legs to my chest a little closer, I can feel Jessie waiting for more.

"He didn't say anything." Her voice goes quiet.
"I didn't say what." Rolf comes in, and he sits down next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder and I feel his rest on top of mine. He sighs and links our fingers, he always wears this silver thumb ring and I watch it gleam from the fire.

"I told Jessie of Willow."
"Willow? You've named her?" Jessie asks and Rolf stops playing with my hand. I can feel his heart rate accelerate. What's with him when he's around her. Why does he have to have feelings for her still?
"Yeah. We figure she's a girl, s-so we named her." He speaks to her like a parent would after telling their child off. And I find it uncomfortable the way she's looking at him. Why does he sound guilty? When he does shit like this how am I supposed to feel?

*Willow, hit me, for I am in desperate need of not feeling like a third wheel tonight.*

...

Fahmeen's POV:

I couldn't help but observe the two of them throughout dinner.
Jessie, would you like this?
Jessie, would you like that?
Hey Rolf, can I try that?
I almost had to draw the line when she nearly took something off of his plate. I find that intimate, so why the hell is she doing it?

"They're so good." She moans, letting the mozzarella stick ooze out its cheese from her lips. I didn't miss the quick look Rolf gave her. She knew he was watching her so she exaggerates the pull.
The pizza tastes crap now, so I drop it back into the box.
"You not hungry?" He asks, and I'm surprised he noticed to be honest.
I just shake my head no and settle for watching TV. I'm alone on the floor. Well, not really as I have Archie and Willow with me. Jessie grew tired of reaching for the pizza so she migrated to the sofa, she patted the seat next to her and Rolf being Rolf couldn't refuse. I had to stop my eyes from rolling up to the ceiling.

"How's the husband?" I couldn't help but ask. It stops their loud conversation and laughter. Good.
She stutters, I presume she remembered she had one.
"Jasper's good. Great, even. He loves his job."
I look at Jessie in shock. Rolf watches me.
"You're married to Jasper?"
"Yeah, he's your principal, right?"
"Yeah." I turn my head back around, and look at Archie. Now that I think about it, he has Jasper's sharp nose and straight hair. I smile, thinking about him. I can't believe they're together.
Wait, so Archie?
"Is Archie yours, Rolf?"

It was probably a stupid move on my part but the words spilled out from my mouth before I could stop them.
"No." He tells me. Jessie's eyes are cold towards me, I get it I did just ruin the light atmosphere.

"Maybe we should go." She stands up and Rolf fumbles around till he joins her on her feet.
"Time to go Arch." I make sure to be gentle as I stroke his face. He really was the cutest little boy I've ever seen. His eyes slowly open, and he blinks several times before they adjust on me.
"Home time." He mumbles.
"Home time."

I pick him up and his mother awkwardly slips on his jacket whilst I keep hold of him. He's really warm. As we walk to the door, I hear them speak behind me.
"This was really nice, Rolf. I know Archie's really enjoyed himself."
"Yeah, we loved having you. Archie's great. I think he's taken to Fahmeen, don't you think?" I can feel their stare, it's slightly uncomfortable. Archie's gone back to sleep on my shoulder, he's mumbling in his sleep. Something about three legged dinosaurs.

...

I'm showering alone. I couldn't help but lock the door before I got in as I was desperate to be alone for a minute. I loved Archie's company, but being around Rolf with Jessie was a revelation. I have to be careful. Ghosts are dangerous.

I hear him trying the door, my eyes stay on the moving handle. The memories of the afternoon burn into my mind and I allow the sudden tears wash away with the falling water. I'm hurting.

I can't help but think that maybe I let him in sooner than I should've.