Chapter 12 Jodie
JODIE
It’s lucky that Layla is an early riser because someone’s banging on my door at seven in the morning.
I carry her, bouncing on my hip, to the front door, wondering who the hell thinks it’s okay to knock on a door so early.
Kieren. That’s who.
He’s unshaven and his hair is a mess, but there’s a new spark in his eyes when he sees me. Then his eyes travel to Layla, and he looks at her long and hard, delight and curiosity dancing across his face.
“She’s mine, isn’t she?”
My stomach lurches. He knows. Somehow, he knows.
There’s excitement in his voice, and the way he’s looking at her makes it impossible to deny his rights as a father.
I bite my lower lip and suck in my breath as I prepare to tell him the truth.
“Yes.”
It feels good to say it. My chest feels lighter. “Yes, Kieren. Layla is your daughter.”
The grin that spreads across his face is a wonderful sight to see. I suddenly realize how stupid it was not to tell him, to deny him the opportunity to know his daughter.
“Layla,” he says slowly. “It’s a nice name.”
His gaze goes back to mine, and there’s such wonder in his look that I feel my heart softening.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you, Jodie. No wonder you hate me.”
Something inside me melts at the words. Maybe that’s all I needed to hear, an apology for something that I know couldn’t be helped.
“I don’t hate you, Kieren.” Because the opposite is true. I love him. I’ve loved him since that amazing weekend we spent together.
“Can I come in?”
I hesitate. Telling him the truth about Layla is one thing. Inviting him into my life is quite another.
“I know there’s no boyfriend.” My cheeks turn crimson at the reminder of the lie I told him last night.
“But I know why you said it. I just want to meet my daughter.”
He looks so sincere that I feel my defenses crumbling. What can it hurt for him to come in for coffee and spend some time with Layla? Whatever happens between us, he has rights as her father.
I open the door, and he follows me into the living room. Baby toys are scattered everywhere, and the smell of her nighttime diaper hangs in the air.
Kieren’s nose wrinkles up at the smell, making me chuckle. “Welcome to parenthood.”
I put Layla down on one of her play rugs, and she rolls onto her tummy, trying to pull herself up. She’s so close to crawling. I know it’ll happen any day soon.
“You want some coffee?”
The kitchen’s connected to the living room, and I leave the two of them to get acquainted while I make the coffee.
My emotions are churning inside me as I watch him wiggle toys in front of her. Just watching him with Layla, his wonderous look, shows me what a good dad he could be.
I bring the hot drinks through and set them on the coffee table. Kieren sits next to me on the couch, leaving Layla wriggling on her playmat. She’s shaking a rattle and laughing at the way the colored baubles inside move about.
“Jodie…” Kieren turns to face me and takes my hands in his. The warmth feels so good, so comforting. This time, I don’t pull away.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you, that you had to do this alone.”
His voice is heavy with regret and pain, and the words wear away at the hard layer around my heart.
“But you’re not alone anymore. I’ll be here in whatever way you need me to be. As a father, as your man. Hopefully both. Whatever you need from me.”
The words are nice to hear, but does he really know what he’s getting into?
“You’re not freaked out by being an instant dad?
He looks at Layla, and she gurgles a smile at him.
“No way. It’s the best news I’ve had. I want to take care of you both, look after you.”
I love what he’s saying, but I have to be sure.
“Are you sure, Kieren? Because I can’t have you in and out of my life. I need to put Layla first, and I need to know that if you’re gonna be my man, you’re not going to come and go.”
His expression never leaves mine as he slides off the couch and onto one knee.
“If this is what it takes to show you how serious I am, then I’ll do it.”
My heart leaps to my throat. He can’t possibly be doing what I think he’s doing.
“You can’t be serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.
You’re all I’ve thought about since the moment I met you.
You kept me sane in the dark times. You’re the light that guided me out of the darkness.
I love you, Jodie, and I’ll love you and look after you and our children for the rest of my days. Will you marry me, Jodie?”
His hands are warm in mine, and as I look into his eyes, I feel the truth of his words.
I was so scared he wouldn’t want us, but the opposite is true. He wants me and Layla. He wants the whole package.
My heart melts, the final barrier sliding away. My chest opens, and I feel lighter than I have in months, lighter than I have since that perfect weekend together.
“Yes.” I don’t even have to think about it. The words slip out. “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll marry you.”
Kieren grabs me around the waist, and I pull him onto me and then we’re rolling on the couch as he plants kisses all over me.
“I love you, Jodie.”
My body heats and there’s a surge of dampness at the weight of him on top of me.
Layla giggles, thinking it’s a game, and I’m brought back to reality.
Pushing Kieren off me, I scoop up my baby girl.
“We can’t do that in front of the baby.”
Kieren stands up, and his erection sticks out from his pants. “Do what?”
I giggle at the boner sticking out in his pants, and he gives me a mischievous grin.
“When does daycare open?”
I give him a playful punch on the arm.
“I can’t just drop her in daycare because you want to…”
He cuts my words off with a slap to my butt that makes me jump and sends shocks of electric pleasure down my body.
“Maybe this once…”
Kieren plants a kiss on the nape of my neck.
“Good. Get her ready. I’ll meet you at my place.”
He heads for the door, and I call after him.
“Hey, where you going?”
He gives me a secretive look. “I have to pick something up.”
I don’t know what he’s up to, but I don’t care. I twirl Layla around in my arms, and she giggles, wondering what’s got her mommy so excited.
“We’re going to be a family, sweetie. A real family.”