5. Chapter Four
Mac shut the door to his house and took several deep breaths in. It wasnt his plan to invite her over for dinner, but he was glad he did it. He honestly didnt expect to see them out in the yard when he got home.
He was expecting her to still be inside or be out in town. But no, she was sitting in her yard while her daughter, sweet princess Ellie, was running around. Mac could watch both of them for hours. He wanted them to always be around. The only way he could make that happen was if they got together.
And that was what he wanted. He wanted both of them living in his house, Janie his baby girl but also his wife. He wanted Eleanor to be his daughter.
Mac wanted to have other kids with Janie. If she wanted them. If not, then Eleanor was enough. He just wanted both of them. He wanted them to be a family. Mac just needed to prove to Janie that he was going to be the best Daddy for her and her daughter. That he loved her and wanted nothing but the best.
This was a step in the right direction. He needed to show her that he wanted her. That she meant the world to him, both of them did. Mac made his way towards his kitchen. He knew how to cook. His mom made him learn so he could impress but also help his future wife.
He had briefly heard something from the Littles at the club that Janie couldnt cook. And that worried him. What were they eating? Lots of chicken nuggets and premade foods? That wasnt going to do. They both needed a balanced diet to keep them functioning. Everyone in the world needs a balanced diet. With snacks and other unhealthy things, but it was important to hit protein goals to sustain the body the person had.
Mac started preheating the oven and got everything out he needed to to make mac and cheese. He didnt know what possessed him to get the chicken nuggets Janie liked the other day, but he had. And he was thankful he got them now. He had no clue when he was going to have her over before this, but he wanted to be prepared.
It paid off to be prepared for the unexpected. Mac laid out the chicken nuggets on the cookie sheet and got working on the mac and cheese. He hadnt realized how much time had already passed since he told her to be there in forty minutes. Where had the time gone?
Thinking about Janie and her daughter. That was where it went. It was easy for Mac to get lost in thoughts about them.
He pulled the mac and cheese off of the heat and the chicken nuggets out of the oven. They should be coming any minute now. Was he going to have to bring everything over to her house?
The look in her eyes showed that she didnt want him to come over to her house. That was one of the reasons he told her to come over to him. He didnt want to invade her space.
The doorbell went off right as he was about to pack some of it away to take over. A smile spread across his face as he walked towards the front door and opened it. Janie and Eleanor were standing there. Well, Eleanor was in Janies arms.
Hello! Welcome to my house, Mac said as he stood to the side. Please, come in.
Janie walked into his house and looked around. There wasnt much in his house besides some decorations and furniture. He hadnt had the time or drive to fill the house yet. He wanted his wife to do that. He wanted to do it together.
My sister helped with the furniture and all, Mac said. Didnt want to fill the space yet and she didnt like it being bare. Janie looked at him with a confused face.
Are both of you hungry? he asked. Mac didnt want to scare her off by explaining he was waiting until he found the right girl. She was the right girl and no doubt it would scare her away.
Nuggies! Eleanor yelled as she wiggled in her mothers arms.
Alright, Mac said. How about both of you sit down at the table and Ill bring in the food. He quickly dished up some food on three plates before walking into the dining room area.
I hope you dont mind. I saw the high chair and thought it would be wise for Eleanor to sit in it, Janie said. I dont think shell be able to reach or see the table where her food is if she sits on one of the chairs.
No worries. My sisters kids come over a lot and I have that for them, Mac said.
He had also bought one that a full grown adult could sit in. He didnt know how young his Little would be when he bought it but he wanted to be prepared. Now he wanted to know if Janie would use it or not. He needed to hold his horses. Janie hadnt even agreed to anything yet and he was already thinking about the future.
Mac placed the plates down and sat down across from Janie. He wanted to be close to Eleanor in case something happened.
Does she eat with her hands? Mac asked.
Yes, she does. It can get quite messy, Janie replied.
If you want, she can eat the nuggets with her hands and I can feed her the mac and cheese. He had fed his sisters kids so many times. It was like second nature. He also had fed many Littles while they were at the club.
It was one of his favorite times.
You dont have to do that. I can feed her when she gets to the mac and cheese, Janie said.
Could I? he asked. Sometimes I miss feeding someone. It was the truth. He loved taking care of people and his sister didnt come around a lot any more. He also didnt want to do this with any other Little, only Janie.
If y-youre sure, she whispered. I can just do it.
Im sure. I really would like to do it, but if you dont want me to then I wont, he said. She looked down at her table and he wanted to know what she was thinking. Was he pushing her too far?
Okay, she replied.
Thank you. If at any point you want me to stop, just let me know, he said.
All three of them started to eat their food. Eleanor seemed to be enjoying the chicken nuggets. Mac had made sure that they were cut up into smaller pieces so they cooled off but also so she wouldnt choke on them. He had also cut Janies in half. It was instinct and he was worried she didnt like it. But she seemed to be enjoying them.
Mac stared at Janie and Eleanor as they munched on their nuggets. He wanted this every day. Janie looked up and made eye contact with him. Her cheeks went red. He needed to not just stare at her but also talk. He didnt want to make things awkward while they ate.
Hows work going for you? Mac asked. You edit books, right?
Yeah, I do, she replied as she sat her fork down. Its going well. Keeping me busy but it also allows me to have time with my daughter.
Thats good. I bet its nice to have her close. Janie nodded her head and it fell silent between them. How many authors do you edit for? he asked.
Three consistently. But I have some authors ask me to just do one manuscript and I never hear from them again, Janie replied. But those three told me they wouldnt go to anyone else so its nice knowing I have some loyal customers.
Eleanor slapped the little table in front of her. Mac looked over at her and gave her a smile.
Do you want Mac and Cheese? he asked.
She squealed in delight and he started to slowly feed her some. Everytime he would check to see if the temperature was okay, even though he knew it was. Before coming into the dining room, he had made sure that nothing was too hot for either one of them. Mac didnt want them burning their lips or tongues on anything. Eleanor happily ate every bite he gave her.
You dont have to do that, Janie said. I can do it.
I would like to, if its still okay, Mac replied. I miss feeding someone. A blush went across her face and Mac wanted to know what she was thinking. Could she be thinking about him feeding her? He would love to do that.
Im happy that work is amazing for you. If you need anything, let me know. You have my phone number, Mac said as he looked at her.
She nodded her head and went back to eating.
Right now it didnt feel like the right time to tell her that he wanted to pursue something with her. How he was going to tell her, he didnt know. He had been dropping hints for the past couple of months, but she hadnt done anything.
Which made him think that he needed to spell it out for her. See if she was just oblivious to the hints he was dropping or if she didnt reciprocate his feelings. But Mac didnt think it was the second thing. Finn and several of the other owners had said she was interested in him. He just needed to show her that he was serious and wouldnt walk away, that her daughter was precious to him, as well.
Would any of you guys like Oreos and ice cream? Mac asked. He also made sure to be stocked in those so if they ever came over, he had some unhealthy snacks for them to eat.
No, thank you, Janie said. Ive got to get Little Bit in bed. She had spelled out the word ‘bed’ which made him think that Ellie didnt like to go to bed.
Well, let me walk you to your door, Mac said. She went to protest but he stopped her.
I know its just across the lawn, but I want to make sure that you get home safely. While this is a good neighborhood, something could still happen, Mac said. I would never forgive myself if something happened when it could have been prevented.
Okay, thank you, Janie replied. He watched as she picked up Eleanor and held her close to her body.
Do you want to take any of the leftovers? he asked.
No, thank you.
Next time Ill have to cook for you, not just heat up some food. A blush crept up on her cheeks but she didnt say anything. They walked across his lawn and to her front door. She unlocked the door and looked back at him. Mac leaned forward, kissing her forehead. Goodnight, Pinky. If you need anything, call me.
She looked at him funny. Goodnight, Mac.
Night, Princess.
Macie! Ellie tiredly said and waved back at him.
Precious, he whispered as Janie closed the door.
He stood there for a couple of seconds, taking everything in. She hadnt said no to him cooking for her again, but she hadnt said yes. Mac would just have to work on that.