Page 26 of Daddies' Little Cubs

Jackson watched Destiny take a moment to process what he said. He hoped that she would take him up on his invitation to walk around in the mini gardens. She had mentioned that she loved to walk through them when the days were pretty because they reminded her of home.

“So, what do you say? Shall we take a walk outside and get some fresh air?”

“Yes sir, I would like that a lot.”

Biting back a groan, he gathered their trash and helped her stand. Leading her towards the exit, he stopped and let the student aide, Samantha, know he would be stepping out for a moment and to ask one of the other librarians if she had any questions or concerns.

Taking a deep breath as they walked outside, he immediately felt calmer. This was exactly the kind of break he needed.Looking down at Destiny, Jackson noticed that she also had less tension.

Turning towards where the gardens are, they walked at a slow pace just enjoying the comfort of each other's company. Jackson cleared his throat before asking, “My sweet girl, may I hold your hand while we walk through the gardens? If you don’t feel comfortable enough for that, I will understand, but it would thrill me to have you close in that way.”

What felt like an eternity later, but was actually only a few short moments Jackson felt a small movement at his side as Desi slid her hand inside of his, interlocking their fingers together.

“I know that we are still getting to know each other, but the connection I feel for you is surreal. I want you Destiny, if you will have me, that is.”

She didn’t say anything back, but that was fine with him. He understood that she would need time to process what he said.

Before he could stop the words from tumbling out his mouth, Jackson tacked onto his declaration, “And Jessa, too. I want you both. In the short time we have known each other, I feel a connection with each of you that is like none other.”

Destiny stumbled over her feet as he finished his statement. Catching her with an arm round her waist, he pulled her in close. With a finger under her chin, he tilted her head up and pressed another kiss on her forehead.

“Are you ready to go back inside now? It shouldn’t be much longer before your class this afternoon.”

“Yes sir, I’m ready.”

Hand in hand they walked back towards the library, only letting go right before they walked inside. While he was ready to proclaim it to the world that Destiny was his, Jackson knew that right now wasn’t the time, but it would be soon.

CHAPTER TEN

JESSA

Finals week was here and Jessa was stressed out. She had always been a bad test-taker and her anxiety was always through the roof during this time. Add on that she was trying to make sure that Destiny was doing well this week and Jessa felt like she was drowning.

It was Friday, which meant that this was the last final of her semester. Dr. West, who has insisted that she call him Eli, said that their final for his class would be the presentation they had been working on all semester.

Jessa felt confident in her completed project. She had worked closely with Miles to gather all the data and information she needed for the project. It was interesting to see the ins and outs of the company her brother-in-law owns.

Taking one last deep breath, Jessa opened the door to Eli’s class and walked inside. A big grin stretched across her face when she saw sitting on the table in front of her seat was a to-go cup that, if she had to guess, had hot chocolate in it.

Ever since that day that Eli had purchased her drink, she came in every Friday to one sitting at her chair. At first, she insisted that he didn’t need to do that. She shouldn’t be gettingspecial treatment, but he just continued to tell her that he wanted to spoil her and to be a good Little girl and let him do it.

After that, Jess stopped arguing with him and just let it happen. She always saw a smile cross his face when she picked up the cup and took a big swallow. There might be a happy dance every morning as she drank the hot chocolate and she knew that it made Eli happy to watch her do it.

Taking advantage of being the first one to the classroom, Jessa walked up to where Eli sat at his desk and leaned against it. “Good morning, Sir! It’s the final day of the semester!”

“Good morning, Little one. It is, are you ready for today's presentation?”

Jessa nodded her head. Eli had offered during one of their morning walks to look over her project before she presented it in front of the class. She told him no and didn’t want special treatment no matter how much she liked him.

“I’m proud of you, sweetheart. You have done well this semester.”

“Thank you, Sir. I’ve really enjoyed the semester learning from you, but I’m excited for Christmas break.”

“Me too, Jessa. The end of the semester means a lot of things for me, but there’s one that is above all the others.”

“What’s that, Sir?”

“It means that I’m no longer your Professor and there is nothing standing in the way of me pursuing you and your sister. I want you both and I am ready to let the world know that you’re mine.”

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