Page 70 of Loved By You

“Jack is really fun, Grandpa. He plays Barbies with me, and does ballet and makes pancakes, and he sleepover on our couch,” Lexi rambles.

Oh, dear God.

An awkward silence falls over us and I have never been more grateful for Jack when he says, “Can I get anyone a drink?”

“That would be lovely, dear. Thank you. I’ll take an iced tea, please. Steve will take one too.”

Jack nods, giving my shoulder a squeeze before heading to the house.

“Well, Jack sounds like a good man,” Steve says. I give him a small smile and a nod, and he does the same. And that right there means everything to me. To have the approval, I didn’t realize I so desperately needed.

Chapter Thirty

Ria

The rest of the guests arrive, and the party is a success. The kids blew bubbles, bounced till they were soaked in sweat, and ate cake till they were ready to puke. Elle was blessed with too many gifts to count. Watching Jack avoid Margot all afternoon was my favorite part of the day. He physically recoiled when she brushed past him and asked him if he would be joining next week’s class.

“I’ve got back-to-back meetings I’m afraid, maybe another time,” I hear him say before he mouths “help me,” and I have to stifle a laugh.

We sang happy birthday with everyone around Elle as she sat in her highchair, decked out with a pink“I am one”banner and wearing a party crown. She clapped along as we sang. As Lexi and I helped her blow out her candle, I couldn't help but make a wish of my very own.

Happiness with Jack.

The party guests started to leave one by one, all thanking me for a great party, and I can't help but feel proud of what I have achieved despite my own mom not turning up. I shove those feelings to the back of my head. It was stupid of me to hope she would come. She hasn’t seen us since I left Alex, she's likely too busy with her latest lover boy and admitting she needed to go to her granddaughter's birthday party would have revealed the lie she had likely told him: that she was young and carefree with no family. That's what she always told them. Once I had to tell a guy she was dating that I was her niece.

“Oh, my girl, you did a fantastic job,” Anne says, pulling me in for one of her hugs. “Now tell me if I am overstepping here, but I like Jack and I know he likes you too. I don't want to make this weird for either of us, but I just want you to know that I think he’s good for you and the girls. I saw how he was with you all today, and it warms my heart. I’m just sorry that…” Her voice breaks and tears form in her eyes.

“I am just sorry my son couldn't be the man you and the girls deserved and the man I hoped he would be. Steve and I tried, oh we tried, but he has always been a stubborn one and I’m sorry that we failed him… failed you all.” She sniffs.

“Anne, you didn’t fail him. You and Steve are the best people I know. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, people will choose their own path in life, no matter how hard we try to steer them on the right one.”

Nodding, she reaches for my face and strokes my cheek. “I know, my girl, and I don't like to be harsh about your mom, but you too are proof that you can grow up on a bad track but steer yourself on to a good one. I’m sorry your mom didn't show up today, but I’m proud of you,” She smiles tenderly, her voice gentle and comforting.

“You are the daughter I never had, the daughter I hoped and prayed for but never blessed with. But now I see it’s because God had other plans for me. You were meant for me, and I want you to know you will always be my daughter no matter who you are with, you will always have a place in our family and there will always be a seat at our table for you and whoever you choose to share your life with.”

“I love you,” I whisper, scared how much my voice will break if I say it any louder.

“I love you too, my girl.”

Two hours, five trash bags and three bottles of wine later, the party is almost cleared up. Anne and Steve took the girls back to theirs, so Alex could spend some of Elle’s birthday with her. That’s the part that sucks when you divorce. Shared holidays, shared weeks. I don’t get to tuck my baby in on her birthday; I have to share her. I don’t want to. He doesn't deserve that privilege, but I have to be the bigger person, put my feelings aside and do what is best for the girls, and as long as he's responsible and doesn't cause them harm, I have to give him space in their life.

“I think that’s the last of it.” Jack says, turning into the kitchen, carrying a tray of glasses.

“Thanks, I’m nearly done here,” I reply, placing the plates I’ve been washing on the drainer.

“Harry looks like is enjoying himself” I nod my head, gesturing to my backyard where I can see him jumping in the bouncyhouse whilst Brad, Ali, and Gabby sit around my fire pit, drinking wine.

“I know. I’m going to need the number of the company you hired for his birthday.”

He comes up behind me. Pressing his front to my back and reaching his arms around me, boxing me in. My hips press into the kitchen counter at the feel of his growing erection pressing against my ass. My head instinctively falls back on to his chest, tilting to the right and his warm mouth presses a kiss to my neck. My body tingles at his touch. This is what I’ve craved all day.

I moan in appreciation, and it only spurs him on. He begins to lick and suck on my neck, and my hips move on their own accord.

“Jack,” I moan.

“Do you know how badly I’ve wanted to do this all day” he says in between kissing and licks.

My breathing quickens, my chest heaving as his hand disappears under my pink skater dress and grips my ass cheek. My legs part without hesitation. His strong fingers stroke my now wet pussy and my knees start to buckle as he inserts a finger inside me. I grip the edge of the sink to steady myself.

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