Hayden and Kristen had a good time the next couple of days visiting various places in Boston. It reminded them of the various times they had visited the city as a couple but it was a fact that neither wanted to mention at the time.
Time passed quickly and before they knew it, they were saying their good-byes to Louise and heading home on Saturday so Hayden could prepare for his inevitable trip back to Los Angeles.
~~~
Kristen drove him to the airport to meet his flight on Sunday.
"It really meant a lot to me that you came to Boston with me to tell my mother," Kristen smiled.
Hayden grinned, "I had a nice time seeing your mom and I figured you could use the moral support."
Kristen smiled, "Well, have a nice trip."
The two sat there in the car for a moment in silence. There were things Hayden wanted to say to her but he knew it wasn't the right time.
Instead, he grabbed his carry-on from the floor of the car. "Take care, alright? I'll call you to check on you when I get there."
"Have a safe flight," Kristen smiled.
Hayden jumped out of the car and began the grueling task of airport security checks.
Tove was actually waiting for him at the airport when he arrived.
"Oh my God, call Ripley's," Hayden said. "Tove's actually here early..."
Tove rolled his eyes and smiled, "nice to see you too."
Hayden grinned. "Thanks for picking me up, man."
"Are you ready to get back to work after your nice vacation?" Tove semi-joked.
"I guess...I really don't like the idea of leaving Kristen and the baby but I suppose duty calls," Hayden replied.
Tove's face got serious. "Listen...I've been wanting to talk with you."
Hayden looked at him, "...look, I know you're less than thrilled about this whole thing, ok? It's not something you have to repeatedly point out to me."
"I just think you should approach this from a more sensible manner, that's all," Tove said.
Hayden looked at him, pursing his lips in frustration. "Why can't you just let me handle this my own way?"
"...because I don't think you're thinking very clearly...you're too emotionally involved," Tove replied. "You want so badly to assume this kid is your's....but don't you see how complicated things could get if this baby actually is not your's."
Hayden sighed, "...Tove...what am I supposed to do? Ask for a paternity test?"
"For starters," Tove replied.
Hayden shut his eyes. "Do you know what that will cause between us? Do you know how that will make her feel?"
"It shouldn't really matter to her if she's telling the truth...its not unreasonable to ask for proof," Tove said.
Hayden sighed. He didn't know what to do. Deep down, he didn't doubt that Kristen was telling the truth. He did know that this would always be a question in the minds of his family and that was something he couldn't stand.
"Listen, I know you want to believe she's telling the truth and she may be...I just think this should be to protect yourself...before you get even more involved....I can't think of what a letdown this could be if you wait and someday find out this baby isn't yours...that would kill you," Tove said.
Hayden couldn't say another word. The truth was, it would kill him if somehow even Kristen was mistaken and the baby was not his.
He knew that he needed to be sure, not just for his welfare but for the welfare of his child. It was just a matter of how to approach the subject with Kristen.