You're a Masterpiece

[Faya sat at the bar, checking her lipstick in the mirror as she waited for her boyfriend to return from the car where he’d forgotten something. This club was one of the nicer ones she had been to in a while and she was looking forward to really getting to enjoy it. That was of course if Dillon would hurry the hell up. After a couple minutes of waiting she decided to go ahead and order herself a drink, taking a sip of the jack and coke once it was in her hand. Faya glanced towards the door, hoping to see her date walking in what she certainly hadn’t been expecting though was to see instead Eric walking in. Oh, great. This was just what she needed. She saw enough of him at school lately she did not need to see him when she was out trying to relax and have some fun. Really this was just her luck and maybe God was trying to punish her for something she had done, whatever that may be. Hoping he hadn’t noticed her she turned her back to him and looked towards the bartender, watching him mix drinks as she quietly drank her own.]

[It was time to start his work night. He had kissed his daughter good night, made sure that the kitchen was fully stocked for his best friend/babysitter’s snack addiction, and was ready to go check on his club. For the first time in a long time, he felt good. The schedule had been rough to get used to, but now he thought he had a good handle on it. He would wake up around six each morning, go make breakfast and get his daughter up and dressed for school. She was always dropped off by exactly 7:30. Usually around once a week, he would either stay a little longer in the mornings, eat lunch with her, or pick come see her at the end of the school day a little early to see what she was working on. On the days he wasn’t there though, he was sleeping up until pick up time, and was always there to get her at 3:00. Then, if she had any homework, he would help out with that until five when it was time for him to get ready for work. Spence would arrive around six from his job, and watch her while Eric went to his club for the night. It closed at two, he cleaned up and checked everything until about four, then he would go home and sleep a couple hours until it was time to get up. It was a little hectic, but it worked, and everything seemed to be going fine, putting him in a good mood as he walked into his club that night. Eric checked with the bouncer to see if there were any problems, finding none, he made his way to the bar.] Hey, how’s it going? Everything good? [He patted the guy on the shoulder, grinning at him as he said everything was great and asked if he wanted a drink.] Yes, but I’ll do it myself, you keep up the good work. [It wasn’t until after the bartender moved, and he had started the process of making his Gin and Tonic that he noticed Faya.] Faya? What are you doing here? 

Right now Faya was having a hard time keeping the thoughts of Eric breaking up with her from infiltrating her mind. It definitely wasn’t something she wanted to think about right now, or ever really. The memory was one of her worst and it still hurt every time she thought about it, and seeing him standing there just made it even worse. At the same time though there were all the feelings of how happy he used to make her. No guy since had ever made her feel as happy as he did, and she had found that every time she dated anymore she would compare them to him a little. She knew that it wasn’t fair but she couldn’t help it and she very much wished that she could. She didn’t want to think about Eric anymore. They hadn’t seen each other in years and she shouldn’t still feel this strongly about him, but she did. Her feelings were just as strong as they were when they were kids. She had to stop thinking about him though, this wasn’t the time or place to be having these feelings and she told herself that she needed to keep it all at bay at least until he was gone. Then she could go home and think about him nonstop because she knew that was exactly what was going to happen. Faya smiled softly again as he kissed Savannah’s cheek. God, why did he have to be so cute as a dad? “Well I promise she’ll be safe with me. I’ve got a pretty small class so she’ll be well looked after.” She assured him. “Because she needs to learn how to function without you, and if you come in everyday it will be hard for her to do that. Still though like I said you can come as often as you want, and you’re more than welcome to help with classroom things. All the parents are given that option.” She told him, not too sure how she felt about him coming in to help out with things in the class. She didn’t want to encourage him not to but she knew it would be rough seeing him a lot during the day. At the same time though she kind of hoped he would take up some classroom duties so she could see him more often. She could tell already that these mixed emotions about him were going to drive her crazy.

Eric was trying to keep his mind focused on the task at hand, looking around the room and making sure that Savannah was comfortable, but it was harder than he thought it would be to keep his mind focused. Of course when he had walked into the school that night he hadn’t suspected that his ex-girlfriend would be her teacher. The thing was, Eric knew if it had been any of his other exes, Eric wouldn’t have cared. He had his fair share, several actually, but Faya was different. She was the one he regretted getting away the most. She was the one that was always in the back of his mind, and she was the one he was usually comparing any of his dates too. They always fell so miserably short and to this day, breaking up with Faya was one of the biggest regrets in his life, but at the same time, he knew that it was a complicated situation because if he had never broken up with Faya, he never would have had Savannah, and he couldn’t ever regret his little girl. She was everything great and amazing in his life, and he wouldn’t trade her for anything. At his thoughts, Eric glanced at Savannah who was looking around the room curiously, and Eric could tell she was itching to explore. Eric gently set her down on the ground and spoke to her. “Why don’t you go explore a bit? I’m sure Miss. Song won’t mind.” Eric said, ruffling her hair affectionately, grinning when she pouted and swatted at his hand, looking up at Faya to make sure it was okay. “I know, I trust you.” Eric said, and he did. He definitely trusted Faya to take care of her, even though the thought of leaving her still made him sick. “I know it’s just . . . it doesn’t make it easier. I’m kind of really worried how she’s going to adjust to this honestly.” He said, running a hand through his hair as he watched her. “I’d definitely like to. During the day is usually the only time I could really see her before because of my job, so it’s going to be a little strange. I’ll always be here to drop her off and pick her up though, you don’t have to worry about that.” Eric told her, and without Savannah to truly distract him, even though he still kept a watchful eye over his girl, he glanced up and down at Faya, briefly, smiling softly at her. “Is this your first class?” He asked curiously.

Whenever she had found herself thinking about him she had always just really let herself think about how things were with them in high school. She had sometimes wondered what he was doing now but she tried not to focus on that too much because she didn’t want to imagine him with someone else and she always figured he was with someone else. She suddenly wondered if maybe he was married, but she didn’t notice a ring on his finger and she certainly wasn’t going to ask him about it. It wasn’t a thought that sat very well with her and she tried not to let herself focus on it. Still though she wondered why his little girls mother wasn’t here, but let it go telling herself that she might find out eventually. Why did she even care though? She shouldn’t be concerned at all about his life and what was going on in it. All she would focus on was making his Savannah was taken care of while she was here at school and wouldn’t let herself worry about her fathers personal life. She couldn’t help the small smile that graced her lips as he spoke to the little girl in his arms, noticing just how much she looked at him now that she could get a good look at her face. “Your daddy is right and I do promise to take very good care of you while you’re here with me.” She told her, her smile growing slightly. Faya shook her head slightly at his rambling. Okay, that was pretty adorable and she had to once again force herself to focus. “Eric relax. She’s going to be fine and you’ll know I’ll take care of her. Well technically you could come see her everyday at lunch if you wanted to, though I wouldn’t suggest that. And I’ll also have days throughout the year where parents can come in.” She said, smiling slightly at him. Seeing this side of him, this side that was so incredibly worried about his little girl, was definitely a little bit of a shock for her but she had to admit that fatherhood looked good on him. She had always known that he would make a good dad someday. 

Eric couldn’t deny that he had definitely thought about Faya. Pretty much since he could notice girls Faya had always had his attention. She was just so beautiful and smart and sassy, and for as long as he could remember he had feelings for it. Most of his friends had thought it was because she had always said no to him, and he was just obsessed with the chase, but it had never been about that. It was always just her. She had always captured his attention when she walked into a room, and Eric didn’t ever think that would change. It certainly hadn’t once she had finally agreed to a date with him, in fact his constant thoughts about her had just gotten worse, and even when they had broken up, he was almost always trying to forget her, but she’d always be in his mind. When Savannah came along, he had been able to push her back a little, but she was always there. Eric had the distinct impression that it was about to just come back to haunt him again now that he would be seeing much more of her, because Eric was determined to be as big of a part of Savannah’s schooling as she would let him. Eric smiled as Savannah visibly relaxed at Faya’s words, and he rubbed her back, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He took a calming breath as she told him to relax. “I know, you’ll take care of her. You have no idea how much relief I feel right now knowing you’ll be her teacher honestly. I just . . . haven’t been away from her for longer than a few hours well . . . ever.” He told her, biting his lip. He smiled at her words, but it quickly turned to a bit of a pout. “Why not?” Eric asked, “but yes, I’ll definitely be there for the parent days, and anything you need help with parent wise, go ahead and sign me up, and I’ll be here no matter what. Whether it’s with reading or career day, or just well . . . lifting heavy stuff I guess -” he laughed a little awkwardly. “-Whatever it is, I’ll help.” Eric assured her.

Eric Wilder Family Tree

Martin Wilder - (Father)

Carole Wayne Wilder - (Step-Mother)

Barbra Wilder Allen - (Biological Mother)

Savannah Wilder - (Daughter)

Eric Wilder

Cassandra Grayson - (Savannah’s Biological Mother)

Damian Wilder - (Cousin)

Spencer West - (Savannah’s Godfather)

Of course this had to be happening right now. Every possible thing that had run through her mind that could have possibly happened today, this was certainly not one of them. The only guy to have ever majorly broken her heart had to be a parent in her classroom. God, why was this happening right now? Thoughts of him leaving her, something she hadn’t let herself think about in forever, started assaulting her mind and she had to work hard to push them out. It wasn’t easy though and she couldn’t quite get them to go away. Faya also couldn’t help but think about his daughter. He sure didn’t waste any time moving on from her after they had broken up. She felt another wave of hurt wash through her and to her embarrassment a little bit of jealously too. She had always stupidly thought that she would someday be the mother of his children. Of course she had been young and idiot then. When she thought about it now she knew that there was no way she would have been able to get him to settle down with her. Well she wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it anyways, obviously someone had made a father out of him and she found herself wondering where the girls mother was. That was something she definitely didn’t want to think about and she forced herself to focus back on Eric and his daughter. She suddenly felt stupid for acting like she didn’t know who he was, there was no way he thought that she didn’t remember him and she knew he remembered her too. “It’s very nice to meet you, Savannah.” She said, smiling softly as she watched how she buried her face into her dad. Faya tried not to focus her attention on Eric but when he spoke to her she knew she couldn’t avoid looking at him, and damn she wished she could because he looked even better than she remembered him. And that was saying something because she had always thought he was the most attractive guy she had ever seen. “Thank you…“ She said simply, running a hand through her hair.

She seriously did look absolutely amazing. It had been a long time since Eric had seen her, and she just looked absolutely breath taking. He still couldn’t believe that this situation was actually happening. That she was Savannah’s teacher, and to some extent, he was kind of glad. He already knew that he was going to have a horrible time letting her go to school on her own, and it was nice to know that the person that she was going to have looking after her, was someone he knew and trusted. Even if Faya hated him, which she might, and would be totally justified in doing, he knew that she wouldn’t ever take it out on Savannah. Not to mention thinking about her as a teacher definitely wasn’t something that surprised him. She was definitely caring and patient enough to be good at it, and it definitely eased his nerves a bit. Not completely, but a bit. “You know, Savannah, Miss. Song is a very nice lady, I actually know her.” He stage whispered to his daughter, and she pulled back from his neck, surprised. “You do?” She asked, sounding shocked. “Yep, and she’s going to take great care of you when you start school, so don’t you want to greet her a little better?” He suggested, rubbing her back comfortably as she finally turned and looked at Faya for real. “Hi, Miss. Song, it’s nice to meet you too,” She said, waving briefly and smiling, but still keeping an arm around her father. “You’re welcome,” Eric replied, tightening his grip slightly on Savannah in his nerves having no idea what to say. “I um . . . I have a list of her allergies and emergency contacts. My cell, we don’t have a house number, and well Spencer’s. You remember Spencer, right?” He asked, referring to his high school best friend who was still his best friend today. “He’s her Godfather, and I put the number for her pediatrician too. Do you have any visiting days? I mean . . . I’d like to come see her sometimes.” Eric rambled, which was oh so unlike him, but he felt like a bit of a mess after seeing her, and then once again being confronted by the fact that he wouldn’t be getting to spend all of his days with Savannah anymore. 

Faya felt herself calming the longer she sat at her desk. She really was being ridiculous. She had done this before, sure it hadn’t been her own class but she at least knew what to expect and would be able to handle this just fine. When she heard a knock at her door she stood up, straightening the papers on her desk before she looked up at her knew arrivals. For a second she felt herself freeze. No, no, there was no way that he was standing in her doorway right now. And with a kid on his hip? Nope, no way. This was not happening and even if it was she was going to pretending like it wasn’t. So she stood of straighter, acting like she had no idea who this man was that had just walked into her classroom. Faya walked over to him, extending her hand to him and putting a smile onto her face. “Hi, I’m Miss Song. And you are?” She asked directing her question to the little girl in his arms.

Eric’s eyes widened as he finally came face to face with his daughter’s new teacher, and he almost wanted to laugh at the irony. Of course, his amazing, beautiful, one that got away, ex-girlfriend who he had broken up with because he couldn’t commit to her was his Savannah’s pre-school teacher. That was usually the way life managed to fuck you up right? The girl he couldn’t commit to having to spend every day with the biggest commitment in his life. Some part of his brain realized that it wouldn’t take her long to figure up the dates and realize he had to have had sex with someone not too long after they broke up, and then the other part of his brain was telling him she was probably thinking that he was such an asshole right now. The biggest part of his brain though was telling him he must look like a complete idiot staring at her, and he quickly shook himself of his thoughts. He had to fight back a laugh as she walked towards him. Was she seriously pretending she didn’t know him? Eric had seen the recognition in her eyes when she looked at him. His attention was distracted though by Savannah who at Faya’s question buried her face in her dad’s shoulder shyly. “This is Savannah. She’s a little shy,” he said, reaching for her hand to shake. “Until you get to know her, and then she won’t stop talking.” Eric teased her, grinning as his daughter pulled back slightly to pout at him before hiding her face again. “Savannah, say hi to Miss. Song.” Eric told her, and eventually Savannah murmured a soft hi, clinging to Eric’s neck tightly. He took the momentary distraction of his daughter speaking to look over at Faya. Her hair was shorter, her body a little more fit, but she looked pretty much the same. “You look good, Faya,” He told her, smiling softly at her.

Faya walked around her classroom, tiding things up nervously as she waited for her first parent to arrive. She had never expected meet the teacher night to be this nerve racking, but here she was ridiculously nervous and hoping that no one would be able to tell once they got there. This was her first time teaching her own class and though she was extremely excited she couldn’t help but be nervous as well. Now that she really thought of it though she wasn’t sure why she had thought this wouldn’t be as stressful as it was. These parents were coming to check her out, make sure she wasn’t some crazy that was going to be taking care of their children for the school year. She of course new she wasn’t crazy but she had this small irrational fear that one of these parents would think she was. Faya quickly pushed those thoughts from her head though, reminding herself that she was great with children and adults and that she had nothing to worry about. The reminder made her relax a little and she sat down her desk to read through the names of her students again as she waited for the night to start.

“Are you sure about this whole preschool thing? You don’t want to stay home with daddy all day?” Eric asked his little four year old daughter who was walking beside him on the sidewalk, jumping over all of the cracks. “Daddy! Uncle Spencer says I’ve gotta go to school!” She chastised him. “But we don’t listen to Uncle Spencer, remember?” He reminded her, but she just crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t look at me like that, young lady, you know what happens when you do.” She stuck her tongue out at him. Eric pointed his finger at her in a fake threatening tone. “Oh, you’ve done it now missy. The tickle monster’s coming to get you.” He said, holding his hands out threateningly. She let out a squeal and started running up the steps inside the school, but before she could make it all the way inside, he caught her around the stomach, hoisting her in the air upside down, causing her to let out another squeal as he tickled her stomach and carried her inside, ignoring any strange looks in favor of smiling at his little girl. He followed the signs to Savannah’s classroom, putting her down once they reached the door. “You going to be good when we meet your teacher, right?” He asked, bending down to her level and kissing the top of her head when she nodded. “Daddy?” She said when he started to walk inside. “Yeah, baby?” She held her arms up, and never one to deny her anything, even though he knew he shouldn’t, he picked her up into his arms, smiling when she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close. “Okay, let’s go meet your new teacher.” He said, and brought his hand up, knocking on the door as he peeked inside. “Um, hi, I think this is my daughter’s room?” Eric asked, looking at the woman who was currently reading some paper on her desk.