Page 93 of The Edge Of Us

And maybe, just maybe, I could build something better from here.

Chapter 51

Corine

The afternoon sunlight streamed into the hotel suite in soft, golden rays as I fastened the buttons on Kyle's shirt. His tiny hands were already reaching for the toy car he wanted to bring along, his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Are you sure I look cool enough for Uncle Jasper?" he asked, puffing out his chest.

I smiled, smoothing his collar. "You look more than cool, baby. You look like a little gentleman."

He beamed and darted off to show Brittany, who was fixing Astrid's curls into little pigtails with colorful hair ties. Astrid, on the other hand, was in a world of her own, humming some tune she'd made up and twirling like the little star she believed she was.

Brittany looked up and met my gaze in the mirror. There was a hint of nervous energy in her smile, but a spark too-one I hadn't seen in a long time. Today was her first date since she left the institution months ago. I was proud of her. Terrified, but proud.

"You sure you're good with the kids today?" she asked, adjusting her earrings.

"We're going with Jasper, remember? He's picking us up in ten. You just worry about having fun, okay? And send me his plate number."

She rolled her eyes, laughing. "Yes, Mom."

The knock at the door made Astrid squeal. She scrambled down from the stool, abandoning the comb in Brittany's hand and ran for the door. "Unca Jaspah!"

I opened the door and there he was. Tall. Smiling. Radiating that energy I was slowly growing addicted to.

"Beauty Princess!" Jasper scooped Astrid into his arms effortlessly. She giggled as he kissed her chubby cheek.

"You came!" she squealed.

"Of course I did. I wouldn't miss a date with my favorite princess."

Kyle rushed out, slapping Jasper's palm in an excited high five.

I stepped into the hallway, tugging the kids' jackets over my arm. Jasper looked at me, eyes softening. His free hand reached for mine, lacing our fingers together.

But Astrid frowned.

And then, just like that, she pried his fingers off mine and replaced my hand with hers.

"Mine," she muttered.

"Astrid," I whispered, amused and slightly embarrassed.

Jasper grinned, bouncing her lightly in his arms. "Jealous much?"

"She's possessive," I murmured. "It's a whole thing."

We laughed as we headed toward the elevator. Jasper placed Astrid in the stroller and took Kyle's hand.

The outing was magical.

We took the kids to the park, then to a children's indoor play museum with glow rooms and bouncing pads and tunnels that twisted around like a jungle. Jasper climbed through half of them just to chase Astrid, who insisted he follow her like a puppy. Kyle, on the other hand, kept pulling Jasper toward anything with flashing lights or toy cars.

It was... surreal.

Watching him be so present, so involved, so patient with my kids. It cracked something in me. Something I had bricked up for a long time. I felt my heart melt as Jasper picked up Astrid to reach the bubble machine.

"Again! Again!" she clapped.

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