Page 29 of Life After

Jen puffed out her cheeks suddenly. “Wow. This is all really happening, isn’t it?”

“Only if you’re ready, Jen. I have no issue waiting until further down the line if that’s what you want?”

Jen held Suzanne’s chin in her fingers and smiled into a kiss. “I’m ready. I promise you.”

Chapter 12

Oh,this is quite the sight.

Suzanne rested against the doorframe that led to the dining area, smiling as she watched the interaction between Jen and Elsie. It was clear that Jen was fond of children, her smile wouldn’t be so wide as she explained Elsie’s homework to her otherwise, but Suzanne hadn’t imagined she would bethisat ease during their first meeting. Of course she still had a lot to learn when it came to Jen, and she also understood that Jen had a lot to learn about Suzanne, too, but this afternoon felt almost perfect.

“Okay, now spell it out loud exactly how you see it.” Jen pointed towards the workbook in front of Elsie, her voice gentle and patient. “The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel using these words in sentences.”

“You remind me of my teacher,” Elsie said. “But way cooler.”

Jen side-eyed Elsie and smiled. “Well, I’m sure we’re both cool in our own way. Kinda like you and your friends at school. I’ll bet you’re all brilliant and intelligent in your own way.”

Elsie lifted a shoulder. “Dunno. Sadie always tells me I’m stupid.”

Oh, Suzanne’s heart ached hearing that. While she wanted to interject, it seemed Jen had it covered all by herself.

“Nobodyis stupid. It’s just not possible. We’re all talented in some way, and I’m really impressed by your spellings. Did you know that you haven’t got a single one mixed up yet? And out of the twenty so far, that’s super clever.”

Elsie straightened her back where she rested up on her knees on a dining chair. “Really?”

“Really.” Jen nodded as she scooted closer to Elsie. “And don’t listen to those people who say things like that to you. It’s always better to be kind.”

“I always try to be kind. Auntie Suzanne is really kind, and I’d like to be like her when I’m older.”

Suzanne’s eyes filled with tears as she listened on, both of them oblivious to the fact she had been standing there for the last ten minutes. Elsie was her everything; she had been from the moment she was born. But to hear her niece say something so lovely, Suzanne was taken aback.

“She is. She’s really kind.” Jen nudged Elsie a little as she leaned in and lowered her voice. “I have an idea. In the morning, I’ll come over early, and we could surprise her by making breakfast. What do you think?”

Elsie nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! I think she would like that.”

“Great. But we have to keep it a secret. It’ll be a surprise for her, okay?”

“Okay. A secret.” Elsie held out a hand. “We have to shake hands for it to be a secret.”

Jen took Elsie’s hand and shook, offering her a single nod as she did so. “Now, are you okay filling out the rest of your spellings, and I’ll check them when you’re finished?”

“Yep.” Elsie focused on her workbook again, briefly glancing up at Jen as she left the table. “Jen?”

Jen spun around as she neared the kitchen. “Yeah?”

“I wish you were my teacher.”

Jen’s features changed suddenly. She didn’t appear so happy and carefree as Elsie’s words sunk in. But then she cleared her throat and smiled. “That would be nice.” And then Jen was gone, leaving a smiling Elsie sitting at the dining table with her homework.

Suzanne walked into the room and dipped her head, placing a kiss on Elsie’s hair. “Your homework looks great, sweetheart.”

“Auntie Suzanne?” Elsie looked up at her. “Is Jen your best friend?”

“She’s…a very special friend, yes.” One day, Suzanne would sit Elsie down and explain who Jen was and what she meant to her, but right now, it wasn’t something hugely important. Elsie had only ever known Suzanne to be with John. She needed to prepare herself for that sort of conversation.

“I like her. She’s fun. And she really helped me a lot with my homework.” Elsie sat back on her knees and sighed. “Wish she was my teacher.”

“Maybe you can have the best of both worlds. You have your teacher at school, but then you have Jen here to help when you need it.”

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