Chapter 51
Corine
The afternoon sunlight streamed into the hotel suite in soft, golden rays as I fastened the buttons on Kyle's shirt. His tiny hands were already reaching for the toy car he wanted to bring along, his eyes lit up with excitement.
"Are you sure I look cool enough for Uncle Jasper?" he asked, puffing out his chest.
I smiled, smoothing his collar. "You look more than cool, baby. You look like a little gentleman."
He beamed and darted off to show Brittany, who was fixing Astrid's curls into little pigtails with colorful hair ties. Astrid, on the other hand, was in a world of her own, humming some tune she'd made up and twirling like the little star she believed she was.
Brittany looked up and met my gaze in the mirror. There was a hint of nervous energy in her smile, but a spark too-one I hadn't seen in a long time. Today was her first date since she left the institution months ago. I was proud of her. Terrified, but proud.
"You sure you're good with the kids today?" she asked, adjusting her earrings.
"We're going with Jasper, remember? He's picking us up in ten. You just worry about having fun, okay? And send me his plate number."
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "Yes, Mom."
The knock at the door made Astrid squeal. She scrambled down from the stool, abandoning the comb in Brittany's hand and ran for the door. "Unca Jaspah!"
I opened the door and there he was. Tall. Smiling. Radiating that energy I was slowly growing addicted to.
"Beauty Princess!" Jasper scooped Astrid into his arms effortlessly. She giggled as he kissed her chubby cheek.
"You came!" she squealed.
"Of course I did. I wouldn't miss a date with my favorite princess."
Kyle rushed out, slapping Jasper's palm in an excited high five.
I stepped into the hallway, tugging the kids' jackets over my arm. Jasper looked at me, eyes softening. His free hand reached for mine, lacing our fingers together.
But Astrid frowned.
And then, just like that, she pried his fingers off mine and replaced my hand with hers.
"Mine," she muttered.
"Astrid," I whispered, amused and slightly embarrassed.
Jasper grinned, bouncing her lightly in his arms. "Jealous much?"
"She's possessive," I murmured. "It's a whole thing."
We laughed as we headed toward the elevator. Jasper placed Astrid in the stroller and took Kyle's hand.
The outing was magical.
We took the kids to the park, then to a children's indoor play museum with glow rooms and bouncing pads and tunnels that twisted around like a jungle. Jasper climbed through half of them just to chase Astrid, who insisted he follow her like a puppy. Kyle, on the other hand, kept pulling Jasper toward anything with flashing lights or toy cars.
It was... surreal.
Watching him be so present, so involved, so patient with my kids. It cracked something in me. Something I had bricked up for a long time. I felt my heart melt as Jasper picked up Astrid to reach the bubble machine.
"Again! Again!" she clapped.
We were in line for ice cream when Kyle turned to me, holding onto Jasper's leg.
"Mommy... are you and Uncle Jasper together now? Like... together-together?"
I blinked. Not out of surprise at the question, but at how casually he asked it. Like he'd been wondering all day.
I crouched to his level, brushing a lock of hair behind his ear. "Yes, sweetheart. We are. We care about each other a lot."
Kyle looked between us. "Does that mean Daddy's not my daddy anymore?"
Jasper knelt beside me, resting a hand on Kyle's shoulder.
"Hey, buddy. Your dad will always be your dad. That never changes. I'm just... someone who really loves spending time with you and Astrid. And your mom. And I hope that's okay."
Kyle nodded slowly, then smiled.
"Cool. Can I get two scoops now?"
We burst out laughing.
Later that evening, we stopped by the hotel to grab a few essentials. The kids were already yawning. Jasper offered to let us all crash in his suite, and I didn't hesitate.
It felt like a second home now.
By the time I tucked Astrid and Kyle into the plush bed in the second room of his suite, they were out cold. Kyle clutched his toy car. Astrid was hugging her stuffed bunny.
I stood there for a moment longer, brushing their hair back, heart full.
Then I turned.
And found Jasper leaning against the doorframe, eyes on me like I hung the stars.
"They love you," I whispered.
He crossed the room in three strides. "I love you, Corinne."
My breath caught.
He saw my wide eyes and corrected quickly, softly, brushing my hair behind my ear. "I mean... I care about you. A lot."
I exhaled, smiling faintly. "You're lucky you're hot, or I'd slap you for scaring me."
He grinned, lowering his lips to mine.
And the rest? The rest was fire. Need. Passion. Months of built-up want and days of quiet understanding.
Our hands explored like it was the first time. My mouth found his, soft and demanding. The taste of him clouded everything else. We stumbled toward his bedroom, laughter and desire colliding.
Clothes dropped in haste. Skin met skin. Moans and gasps replaced words. He touched me like he meant it, like I was the only thing that mattered.
And for a moment, I believed I was.
His fingers laced with mine as he whispered against my throat, "I'm not going anywhere."
Neither was I.
Not anymore.