Chapter Sixty
Emily
Four Days Later
As I pull up to my mother’s house, she’s standing at the door before I can get the baby out of her car seat.
“It’s about time you stopped by here. I expected to be watching this little angel, and then, nothing.
” She waves her hand in the air. “All I get is a phone call that you’ve got everything handled. ”
“I’m sorry,” I sigh as I unfasten Grace from the straps.
When I push the button and pull the strap, nothing happens.
God, I hate these things. I press and tug again as Grace wiggles in the seat.
“Nothing from you, little lady,” I whisper to her.
“She doesn’t need to know that I don’t know what I’m doing. ”
Grace’s hand waves in response. Okay, it’s not really a wave, but I go with it. “Thank you. I’ll take that as your agreement.” I smile and wink at her. Her only response is her tongue peeking out of her mouth. She’s the most adorable thing in the world.
I cradle her to my chest. When she instantly relaxes against me, I sigh, then inhale the mixture of baby powder and formula.
“Are you going to stand there all day?” My mom’s voice is crisp with irritation.
“No, Mom.” I snatch the diaper bag with my free hand and sling it over my shoulder. Not that I intend to stay long. The second I leave here; I’m headed to Jake’s house for the evening.
We’ve both had the day off, and he went to his place this morning to do some renovation work. It’s ridiculous that I missed him the second the door shut, but there’s no avoiding the truth. I’m hooked on Jake Thompson.
“Let me see her.” My mom’s eyes are bright as she rushes down the steps and speedwalks to us like she’s been practicing for a 10k. “She’s beautiful. How could anyone abandon this gorgeous baby? It just breaks my heart.”
“I know, Mom, but whoever the mother is, she has her reasons, and I have to assume they’re good ones.”
“I suppose. Is it okay if I hold her?” She searches my eyes before reaching out.
“Yes, of course.” I lift Grace toward my mom who immediately cradles the infant to her chest. “She just woke from a nap so she should be awake for an hour.”
“Good.” She whispers something to the baby who kicks her legs in response. “You’re already such a smart girl. Look how good you are.”
I follow my mother inside, shutting the door behind us. Only to pull up short the second the latch snaps. Jake’s mother is here. Like she used to be. Before…. Well, before everything went to shit.
Even though Jake and I have worked through everything, and it was purely a misunderstanding, his mother has hated me ever since I chose Spencer. Since she thought I chose Spencer.
As far as she’s concerned, I broke Jake’s heart on purpose with cold calculation. And her opinion of me wasn’t improved when I acted like a complete bitch when Jake first moved back to town.
“Hello, Simone.” I shift awkwardly from foot to foot. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
Her gaze travels up and down me and then on my mother and Grace. “Aurora said you were stopping by with the baby. I didn’t feel it was appropriate to go to your apartment to see her when we haven’t been on speaking terms for the last few years.”
“You were welcome to stop by.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry that things have been awkward between us. I had no idea that Jake had feelings for me back then. Actually, he went out of his way to ensure that I thought differently.”
Jake strides through the kitchen door. “There’s all my favorite girls.”
“What’re you doing here? I was on my way over when I left here.”
“Mom said she was coming over to Aurora’s, and I could only assume that meant it would be hours until you could get away.” He stalks toward me, causing my heart to pang in my chest. Low slung jeans. Tight T-shirt. Damp hair. Slight 5 o’clock shadow. Be still my ovaries. This man is fine.
“I missed you.” He cups the back of my neck, tilts my head up, and places a chaste kiss on my lips.
When my knees threaten to buckle, he pulls back and winks. “That’s another apology for being a dick back then.”
“I’ve already forgiven you.”
“Not enough. You still remember it.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulls me to his chest, and kisses the top of my head. “I’ll spend the rest of my life wiping the memories of my asshole behavior from your memory.”
“Well, this is awkward.” My mom turns to Simone. “Do you want to see her?”
“Absolutely.” She snatches Grace from my mom’s arms. “I’ve always wanted grandchildren.”
I stiffen as Jake squeezes my shoulders. “Grace is just with me for another twenty-six days.” I’m going to be sick. The thought of handing her over to Iris or anyone else kills me.
But I haven’t even brought up the possibility to Jake of talking to Iris about being her permanent placement. He bought on to the idea of thirty days. But six months? Twelve months? A lifetime?
Simone kisses Grace’s forehead. “You’re such a beautiful little girl.
You’re so lucky to have great people in your life.
” She traces her index finger along the baby’s cheek.
“Em is a wonderful mother, and my son….” She smiles and shakes her head.
“He’s the best man I’ve ever met outside of his father. ”
“Mom….” Jake shakes his head and stiffens against me, putting my nerves on edge. “Let’s not get carried away. Emily is only watching the baby for thirty days.”
Yeah, and Jake didn’t sign on to be a father for a ready-made child.
This was a mistake. I slip from his grasp.
I should have never agreed to date him until this situation was resolved.
We’re about to have our first fight as a couple, and there’s no basis for the fight.
I might not be able to keep Grace. Her mother might show up tomorrow.
Children’s Services might decide I’m unworthy of a permanent placement. Hell, a million things might go wrong.
But the only thing I know is that I can’t walk away from Grace. She’s already wormed her way into my heart, and her happiness is more important than mine. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her and give her a good life.
I glance at Jake whose face has gone dark as he slips his hands into his pockets. He didn’t sign up to be a foster parent. To have his life upended at a moment’s notice. To fall in love with a child that’s not his. That was my decision. Not his.
He needs to know where I stand. I can’t let Grace become a product of the ever-revolving door of Children’s Services. The best thing for a child is love, stability, and consistency.
And in Grace’s case, that’s staying with me. I walk over to Simone. “I’ll take her.”
“Here you go, love.” She shifts the baby to me.
“So, tell us everything. How’s her sleep schedule? Eating? Napping? Are you two able to handle it? Are you getting any time to work on your relationships?” My mom prattles on. Each question causing my stomach to cramp harder.
“Hey, I need to go.” Jake nods to his mom. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He marches over to me, kisses Grace on the forehead, and squeezes my shoulder. “We need to talk. As soon as you can get away, stop by the house.”
With that, he disappears out the door. I thought it hurt when he didn’t return my feelings. That was nothing compared to knowing I had him, and now, I’m going to lose him.