Alexis
Climbing oup the short flight of steps that led into the private jet we would be taking to the set of my father's new film I hoisted Brayden higher onto my hip and let out a sigh of frustration. This morning had been tough for me, to say the least. Brayden's father and I, who will remain nameless, got into another argument and this time I ended things for good with him. For the past four years he and I had been on and off, which was fine when it was just me, but I was not going to let him come and go with Brayden. Brayden was now old enough to realize who his father was and ask for him, and I wasn't about to let me almost three year old son be hurt. Right before my father, Brayden, and I left for the airport I had messaged Brayden's father one last time and told him I was done and he wouldn't be hearing from me again. I was through begging him to come see his and son, and in all honesty I thought that was fair. It shouldn't be my job to tell him to come see his son; he should want to.
"Lex, everything will be fine. We'll be in New York for a couple of months, far away from California. You won't have to worry about or deal with him," my father said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. I smiled, even though my dad was behind me and continued the last few steps into the plane. This was the first trip that Brayden would be taking that would require us to be away for longer than a week or a two. We were headed to New York for two, maybe three months.
The only information that I got about the movie was that my father would be playing the role of a father who really didn't seem to care too much about his kids. He blew them off pretty much the whole entire movie, which was the complete opposite of how my father actually was. I found it amazing that his career allowed him to be so many different people. I was actually kind of jealous. I, just once, would love to play someone else. I would love to be a part of a different life. Not saying that I didn't love my life, I just think it would be amazing to be an actress, but I see how my family already struggles with paparazzi and my father's crazy fans, I would never add on to that stress.
I walked into the plane and placed Brayden onto the ground allowing him to walk to whichever seat he wanted. Of course once he picked out his seat his car seat would be put there and he would be stuck there for the entire flight. I know they say it's safe to walk around while the plane is the air, but I didn't believe that it was safe for a 3-year-old to roam around a plane, even if it was just my family on it.
"Come here Brayden," I called as I turned away from where I was buckling his car seat in and found him half-way across the plane gazing out the window. "Now, buddy, we gotta get a move on. PopPop is on a mission," I giggled watching as my son's eyes widened.
"A mission?" he questioned as he bounced over to where I stood. "PopPop mission?" he asked looking over my shoulder at my dad.
"Yes Brayden, a mission," my dad smiled. "PopPop is going to make another movie."
I smiled as Brayden reached out for my dad who happily accepted the happy 2-year-old and buckled him into his seat. I never imagined that I'd be a mother at 21, let alone being pregnant and a mother at eighteen. I also never imagined that my father would handle it so well. I guess one thing we both learned throughout the years is that life is too short to look at the negativity of each situation, and that's what we both did.
As the planes engines roared to life I watched as Brayden snuggle himself into his seat with his favorite teddy bear and rested his head onto his pillow. This was now his normal routine. He knew that plane rides were long and exhausting, and being the smart little boy that he was he would always take a nap. I don't know how he got so used to these plane rides in only two and half short years; I know I'm still not used to them and I've been doing them for twenty one years. I guess that's just the difference between boys and girls.
I sighed as I leaned back into my seat and buckled my seatbelt. "Dad, do you think I'll ever find someone who will love both me and Brayden?" I asked, closing my eyes. I never would have believed it if while I was pregnant someone would of told me that Brayden's father wouldn't stay in the picture. I had believed that he had loved me more than life itself, and I never believed he would do something like this to me. I had loved him with everything in me, and it truly was taking a lot for me not to go back to him, but I knew I couldn't. I knew I had to move on. I knew I had to find someone else who would treat Brayden and I the way we should be treated. I just didn't believe that there was someone out there my age that would want to deal with a girl and her son.
"Yes, baby. I do believe that there is someone out there for everyone, and there is definitely someone out there who is going to take care of my baby girl and favorite grandson just as well as I take care and love the two of you," my father replied and a smile spread across my face.
"I love you daddy," I smiled. I felt him grab onto my hand and squeeze it. I stare out the window as the ground slowly became further and further away; my problems also were becoming further and further away.
Flashing lights. It was always the same when we got to our destination city. I pushed my sunglasses down onto my face and buried Brayden's head into my chest. I never felt very safe with my son's pictures going out and about to God only knows who. Hence the reason why he always wore a sweatshirt with a hood, to cover his face, and why he was never allowed to get down and walk. I felt my dad put his hand on my back and push me through the crowd of people that was now forming around my small family.
"Pierce, what are you in New York for?"
"Alexis, how are things with Brayden's father? Where is he?"
"Brayden, smile for the cameras."
"Dad, do you go to the set tomorrow?" I questioned walking out of my bedroom in the penthouse we'd be renting while in New York. I located my father in the kitchen cooking for Brayden, who was coloring at the table.
"Yeah, you two are more than welcome to come with," my dad replied. I bit on my bottom lip and rocked back and forth on my heels. "Alexis, you know the sets are safe, and some of the people in the movie are your age. Maybe you'll be able to make friends while you're here."
"You know how I feel about keeping friends that are famous," I sighed.
It was true, I wasn't all that easy with letting famous people into my life. I didn't believe that they were the type of friends that would be around forever. I mean, yeah I saw the way my dad had some of the best friends in the business, but I was scared to leave everyone behind. I guess that's also why it had been so hard for me to trust anyone around Brayden when we went on to my dad's sets.
"Sweetie, you have to let someone else into your life besides myself and Brayden. You'll never find someone if you're so close-minded about everything," my dad sighed placing two grilled cheese sandwiches onto the table. "Here, I made you and Bray dinner. I'm going out with the cast for dinner. I have a feeling that this movie is going to be fun, and I'd really enjoy it if my daughter and grandson would be there to be a part in it." I looked up to see a smirk on my dad's face.
"Fine Dad," I sighed, holding back a giggle. My dad kissed the top of my head and then Brayden's before turning and heading out of the room. Withtin a couple minutes I heard the door open and close and I knew we were home alone. "So Brayden, what should we do while PopPop is out tonight?"
"Ice cream!" my son squealed jumping out of his seat. "Ice cream now Mommy, please."
"Sit down please," I said standing up and walking over to my son sitting him back down on his seat. "If you finish your sandwich we'll go get ice cream then."
"Ok."
I watched as my son sat and quietly finished his sandwich. I didn't know what was going to happen while we were in New York, but I hoped everything was going to be okay and fun.