Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
FRANCIS
A few months later
St Thomas’ Hospital
I’m about to finish my night shift and finally head home. Despite the sleep deprivation, and even though my body carries the full weight of a night in A it’s plain as day how much she adores being around children.
Jack and I haven’t talked about marriage yet, but in my eyes, he’s already Adele’s father, every bit as much as I am. And he knows that.
Even the weekly routine we’ve set up with Michelle, the new babysitter, is working beautifully.
The delicate juggling act between my shifts at St Thomas’, Jack’s classes at the LCDA, his teaching hours at the dance school, and Adele’s nursery is nothing short of miraculous, but somehow, we’re making it work.
These days, Jack, under the perfectly reasonable excuse of staying over when I’m on night shifts, practically lives here more than he does at Broadwick Street. And honestly, I couldn’t be happier about it.
We both know Michelle would gladly cover the night hours if needed, but the truth is, we’d much rather one of us be home with Adele at night. At least for now. When Jack eventually has to go on tour, we’ll figure out a new plan that works for everyone.
If he decided to move into Kennington Park Road for good, I’d probably be the happiest man alive. But, as with everything that concerns my little fox, I prefer to let him set the pace.
Sooner or later, I know he’ll get there on his own.
I’m very aware of how incredibly lucky I am. Right now, I couldn’t ask for more from life.
The only thing I still truly wish for is a bit more certainty about Adele’s future, not just for me, but above all for her.
Her mum, despite the hope we held onto at the beginning, for Adele’s sake, hasn’t come back. And now I’m waiting for the family court to take the next step that would allow adoption to go ahead, so I can make permanent and official what has felt real to me from the very start: Adele is my daughter.
She’s been mine in my heart since day one, and I want her to have not only my surname, but also every protection and legal safeguard that comes with being recognised as my child.
I know Jack wants this too, and I can’t wait for our little family, because that’s what we are, to have the stability and recognition it deserves.
I’ve already decided I want to ask Jack to marry me. I’m simply waiting to understand what the court will decide first. When I propose, I don’t want anything hanging over us. It has to be a perfect moment, because my boy deserves nothing less.
Sarah Simmons, the social worker who’s been involved from the start and has stayed in regular contact to monitor the situation, is feeling cautiously optimistic.
The assessments carried out by social services have shown that Adele is healthy, happy, and thriving in a household, and within a social and educational environment, that is not only stable but loving and deeply supportive.
On the other hand, none of Adele’s relatives who can currently be reached have come forward to care for her.
And while there isn’t a single, fixed timetable for how quickly these things move, Sarah believes that, given Adele’s age and her need for emotional security, the process shouldn’t drag on too long.
Even so, nothing is ever automatic. But if the court confirms that adoption is the right plan for her, I’ll formally apply to adopt her myself. I’ve made it clear that I’m ready to give Adele a permanent home, and Sarah doesn’t expect me to face any real obstacles.
As I turn into Kennington Park Road, dimly lit by the first light of dawn, I catch the unmistakable signs that spring is finally on its way.
Despite the morning chill, there’s a softness to the air, and when I close the garden gate behind me, I spot pale yellow primroses peeking through the grass, right next to Adele’s brightly coloured ball and her little tricycle.
It’s proof that the harshest part of winter is behind us.
The past few months have been unpredictable, challenging, at times chaotic… but also kind of wonderful.
And when I think about how much my life has changed for the better in such a short time, I get this dizzy feeling of pure happiness.
I can’t help but wonder what else the future has in store, but there’s no time for existential questions now, because the moment I open the front door, I’m practically tackled by both Adele and Jack, who throw their arms around me in a flurry of hugs and kisses.
Adele is the first to get bored of cuddling. After smearing a sticky trail of marmalade across my cheek, she trots happily back to the table, where the babysitter is waiting to help her finish breakfast before taking her to nursery.
With Jack, though, it’s a whole different story.
I barely have time to say goodbye to Michelle before the little fox has already dragged me into the bedroom. He closes the door behind us and grabs the collar of my shirt with both hands, kissing me, or rather devouring me, with such eagerness it knocks the air from my lungs.
As usual, he’s already dressed for the academy in leggings and a hoodie, and it only takes a few seconds of feeling that perfect body pressed against mine for my own to react with an utterly unmissable erection.
“Slow down, sweetheart…” I murmur, breathless with desire, pulling back just enough to catch my breath.
“What? Why?” he replies, lips curling into that little pout that’s my personal undoing.
I’m tempted, so bloody tempted, to give in and suggest we hop in the shower together, but he’d definitely end up late, and that’s something he really can’t afford right now, not with the end-of-year show coming up.
“You really are a cunning little fox, you know that?” I murmur, leaning in slightly as I slowly tug off his bandana to press a kiss to his neck.
I trail kisses and playful bites along his throat and jawline, feeling him shiver in my arms. But when I reach those full, velvet-soft lips that drive me absolutely insane, I hold back and settle for a tender kiss.
Then I pull away, giving his perfectly shaped arse, so well hugged by those damn leggings, a playful smack. “Right, you’d better head off now, McAvoy... I appreciate the welcome, but if we keep going, in about thirty seconds I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Before he can start sulking again, I add, “However, if you’re good now, there’s a chance I might be available to indulge you later tonight…”
Jack narrows his eyes at me, clearly suspicious, not entirely convinced I’m not trying to trick him. “Aren’t you on early shift tomorrow?”
“As it happens, Caroline owed me a favour. And since it’s been a rather intense few days for both of us, I switched shifts with her. I’m back on duty tomorrow afternoon.” I explain, flashing him a smug little smile, already picturing his reaction.
And Jack doesn’t disappoint. He immediately starts bouncing on the balls of his feet, then opens his mouth wide and widens his eyes, whispering, “Does this mean…”
“It means exactly what you think, little fox,” I go on.
“After a nice hot shower and a few hours of sleep, I’m planning to pick up Adele from nursery myself, so Michelle can go home.
Then, after a walk with my princess, I fully intend to come back here and cook a lovely dinner for my adorable boyfriend. What do you say?”
“Deal, Starkey!” he replies at once, rising onto his toes again to give me one last kiss. As he skips towards the door with that familiar, infectious spark, he turns to flash me a cheeky smile and adds, “Can’t wait!”
“Have a good day!” I call after him, but he’s already halfway into the living room, where I hear him greeting Adele and Michelle, and just like that, he’s gone.
Jack’s presence, despite his apparent shyness, takes up a lot of space. He’s never truly still, always humming with energy, so full of life that when he’s not here, it feels like something’s missing.
And yet, he never truly leaves me alone. Even when he’s far away, I know he’s still with me, lodged right there, in my heart. And by now, I’m certain he’s never going anywhere. One way or another, I’ll carry him with me, always.