He gives me a smile that could stop a thousand women at a female rights protest. My heart just stuttered. “I’ll miss you.”
“We’ll miss you more.” I step away and watch him walk through the hall. His eyes catch me over his shoulder as he grips the handle and pulls. “Drive safe.”
“Always do.” With one last look, he finally leaves.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding and re-join my mum in the living room. She gives me a knowing look. I roll my eyes and sit on the armchair by the fireplace.
“Well, I didn’t hear much but from the looks of things that boy is…”
“Don’t,” I beg with a shake of my head.
“He’s Caleb’s brother.” The way she says it tells me she’s disgusted. “Imagine if your roles were reversed and Caleb fell for your sister.”
“I don’t have a sister.”
She rolls her eyes. “Hypothetically.”
“I’m not falling for Nathan either.”
“If you say so.” She purses her lips. “It’s your life. But be warned. I don’t agree with this at all. There’s something not right with him.”
It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Don’t insult him, mum, I’ll never forgive you.”
Her mouth drops open.
“I care about him. He’s done a lot for me.”
“I’m just saying I think maybe you should be careful. He’s not normal. He has issues.”
She can say that again. “He’s working on them.”
“I’ll stay out of it, I swear. Just… be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” She rolls her shoulders. Clearly her arms are aching from holding the baby for so long.
“Do you want me to take him?”
“No.” She moves away a fraction. “I’ll hold him until my arms drop off. Who knows when I’ll get to see you next?”
“You can visit as often as you like.” She’s my mum. Even if she is a bit of a bitch at times, that doesn’t mean I want to exclude her. “I want you in his life.”
“Not as much as I want to be in it.” She gives me a teary eyed smile. “I won’t let you down again.”
I give her an amused smile. “And I won’t get pregnant again.”
A pillow hits me in the face. I snort and place it behind my head. “Hungry?”
“Starving.”
“I’ll put dinner on. Tell me what’s going on with you. How are things back home?” I stand and walk into the kitchen. Pulling things from the fridge, I smile when she puts Dillan in his swinging chair by the door. It’s away from everything but I put him in there when I’m doing the cooking and what not.
Conversation flows easily over dinner. I find myself laughing more in one evening with my mum than I ever did in my entire life of living with her.
When the time comes for her to leave, I find myself feeling rather sad. Dillan, who is sweetly oblivious to everything but his feeding, pooping and sleeping times, even seems to cry when she leaves.
She hugs me and it’s stiff but she’s trying.
For the first time since Dillan was born I’m in the house alone. I miss Nathan.
I miss him a lot.
Sasha and Tommy came to visit a week before my mum and they both want to come again soon. I’m looking forward to it but for now I just want some quiet with my son and my… I mean Nathan.
Dillan is almost one month old already. He’s lifting his head and his feeding has settled. I can’t wait to see his first smile. So much so, that I’m constantly playing with him, trying to get more than gas from him and baby vomit.
Placing Dillan in his cot, I switch on the baby monitor and head downstairs, flicking on lights as I go. I wonder when Nathan will be back. It’s getting late and I know he dislikes driving in the dark.
Hmm, I fancy a Horlicks.
As I’m boiling the milk in a saucepan, the front door opens and closes. I hear the tell-tale signs of Nathan taking his jacket off and hanging it up.
My face immediately lights up with a smile and my legs carry me into the hall at a record speed.
“Oomph,” Nathan steps back as I collide with him, arms around his neck. “Miss me?”
“How did it go?” I tilt my head back and look at him. “I want to know everything!”
Uh-oh, his face drops and my heart drops with it. He was relying on this person. I’m not sure exactly how it works but I know Nathan won’t be able to go