Julia It's almost fifteen minutes later when we pull into Mandy's driveway and my curiosity is piqued even more when I see Riley's mom, Grandad, Josh and none other than little Miss Nina standing on the front steps. "What's going on?" I'm less worried now and more excited as I see the people that I love on the steps as Jenny steps out from behind them with the twins in her arms right before Josh leans down and takes Jacob from her. I would question the fact that Nina is here even though I know that she left the house for the school bus this morning but it just so happens that Josh was the one to take her for the bus today and then he drove separately from us... It doesn't take a genius to work out what happened there. "Let's go and find out shall we?" He gets out of the car and quickly makes his way around to my side and opens my door before holding out his hand for me to take and we head towards the others as they all continue to look at us with cheesy smiles on their faces. As so
Julia 5 years later I slowly open my eyes feeling groggy and insanely tired, inwardly groaning when I check the alarm clock beside me and realize that it's going to start blaring in exactly four minutes. Fuck my life! I shouldn't complain about getting up, not after I've had a solid 9 hours of sleep but still, between a bed that feels like I'm sleeping on fluffy clouds and an incredibly handsome husband wrapped around me how can I not? But with kids to get ready for the day and a job to get to I dont have much choice! Of course, Riley has always made it clear that I dont have to work and I did try it for a while but the truth is, the moment that I first walked into my office, I knew that it was the right thing for me. Of course, I love my children more than anything in this world but I can't be a stay-at-home mom. I need to be out working, helping to earn money and know that I'm contributing to their financial support. And honestly, being stuck inside the house for too long drives
Julia"When will Daddy be home from work?" I can't help but smile as my little girl asks me that one simple question. It's only been a day since she 'asked' Riley to be her Dad and yet, I swear that she has said the word 'Dad' a thousand times and I'm not even sure who loves it more... her or Riley.When Riley had the conversation with her I didn't fully understand what he was doing, can't say I fully agreed with him, that was until he told me his reasons and I got it, I did, and I still do, and I think he did the right thing. Of course, being honest is the right thing to do but in this case, a little white lie seems the best way to go. She's never going to remember the conversation but she'll always remember Riley as being her Dad. besides, when we had a chat we agreed that when she is old enough we will tell her the story so it won't always be a secret."He won't be long, baby. How about you make him a picture while you wait with your new colors and coloring book?" She nods excitedl
Riley "Why don't I haves a Daddy?" I'm sitting at the breakfast bar doing some work on my laptop while Julia takes a bath when Nina walks over to me and asks me that. She's been in the lounge playing with Josh so I don't know where that's come from. I look down at her and see sadness all over her cute little face and it breaks my heart. It's been almost two weeks since we found out that I am her Dad, but we decided to wait until after Christmas and New Year to tell her in case she got upset by the news. Of course, I'm praying that she doesn't but it is a possibility and none of us want to ruin her first Christmas and birthday with a roof over her head. I get off the stool and duck down so that I'm face-to-face with her. "What did you say, sweetheart?" I'm pretty sure that I know what I heard but I want to double-check just in case I'm somehow wrong. "Why don't I haves a Daddy?" Fuck, I was hoping that I was wrong. A million thoughts swarm my head while the words I want to say lay o
Riley Julia hands both Josh and me some beers before saying goodnight to us and heading for the bedroom but there are two problems with that one, I didn't get a kiss goodnight and that's not how our relationship is going to go. There will be a kiss shared last thing at night and first thing in the morning at the very least. The second problem is that she's heading towards Nina's room. She had better just be checking on her before she goes to our room, even though I only left Nina's room around 30 minutes ago so I can't imagine she checking on her already but she's used to being with her all the time so I could be wrong so decide to check. I creep up behind her and whisper in her ear "And where do you think you're going?" It's really hard not to laugh when she jumps but it's the cutest sight, and then she laughs her beautiful laugh as she turns around to face me. "I'm going to bed. I just said goodnight."She has such an innocent confused look on her face that it's hard not to just sc
Riley Nina's yawning brings my mind back to the room. "Are you tired, sweet girl?" My mom asks her. Her little head bops up and down as she goes to speak, but she just ends up yawning again. It's only 6.30, but it's been a long day for her and after an early start, I imagine she's more than ready for bed. After a few minutes of chatting, I start to gather our stuff while Julia gets Nina all wrapped up warm before we head out into the cold. "I'd best make a move too," Josh says as he removes the tiara from his head. His words give me a strange feeling, and I'm not sure what to do with it. We've spent every Christmas day together since we left school and his parents left to go travelling. Him saying he's heading off seems wrong even if I do appreciate him thinking about my family... my family. "Where are you going?" Julia asks him. He looks at me and then her before smiling, but I know full well that he's forcing that smile. "I'm going to head to the club." She tilts her head a littl