What do you think?
I'm about to let a curse word slip when I glance over at Lexi, my baby girl, and catch myself. "Shoot!" I exclaim instead, covering up the earlier word.Kelly and Sarah look at me curiously, their eyebrows raised in sync. "What's up?" they ask in unison.I hesitate, remembering my agreement to lunch with Ethan. "I just agreed to lunch with someone and I forgot I have Lexi to take care of now," I admit, feeling a bit frazzled. I've grown used to solo life here while Lexi was in California, so this is a big adjustment.Sarah notices my concern and reassures me with a warm smile. "Don't worry, we've got you covered!" she says.I look at them both skeptically, wondering if they're just teasing me. Are they up for helping me wrangle Lexi, or are they just pulling my leg?But Kelly and Sarah nod in perfect sync, their faces mirroring each other. "Seriously, Jas, we've got you covered!" they say. I breathe a sigh of relief, grateful for their support.I smile, feeling a weight lift off my sh
Jasmine's POV As I watch Gabriel and Lexi grow closer, I feel a mix of emotions. I love seeing their bond strengthen, but I'm also cautious. I need to protect my girl from getting hurt. Despite my efforts to keep them apart, they seem really into each other. My mum is making things harder, too. I roll my eyes thinking about her - she thinks Gabriel is perfect for me, but who is she to decide that?Right now, I feel relieved as the car stops at my apartment. I just want to get out of the car and escape the awkward silence between us. Looking at my apartment, I remember that I don't have a job to go back to. But I'm thankful that I've finished paying for my place - it's all mine now. That's a small comfort, but it's something to hold onto during this uncertain time.I'm grateful for my attractive pay from the bank, which allows me to save for the future. But right now, I'm worried about Lexi's upcoming birthday and finding the perfect school for her. She's turning four in just a coup
Gabriel’s POVShe lets out a cold, mirthless laugh. "Sorry? You're sorry? But the deal has already been done." I sense a request coming. "But I'll ask for one thing," she adds.I look at her sharply, wondering what she wants. Is it related to keeping me away from Lexi? I'm not going to agree with that. My gut feeling is screaming that something is off about Lexi's paternity. "What is it?" I ask gruffly, my mind racing with possibilities. I'm ready to refuse her request if it means keeping me from Lexi. But I need to know what she wants first."Stay away from me and my daughter," she says, "I don't want anything to do with you. I'm trying to piece my life back together, and I don't want it revolving around you."Her words snap me out of my thoughts, and I realize there's no point arguing. If she wants me to stay away, fine. But I'm determined to uncover the truth behind Lexi's paternity."Is that what you want?" I ask, breaking the silence.She nods, her eyes still closed. "Yes, that'
I shake my head in denial. "No, Gabriel is not Lexi's father," I say, gathering the last of her bags as I prepare to move them out.She shrugs, stepping out of the way. "Okay, if you say so.""Can I call the helper in the house to assist with loading the bags into the rental car?" I ask.Meanwhile, Lexi is over the moon about being with me, and her excitement grows knowing that Gabriel will be there too. However, deep down, I'm unsure if I want to rekindle my relationship with Gabriel.As we finalize everything, she calls out, "I'm going to miss my babies!" and envelops us both in a warm hug."Grandma, I'll make sure to call every day. Thank you, ma'am, for taking good care of me," my heart swells hearing my baby girl say this."You are a princess, darling, and it's a pleasure to take care of you," my mom says, ruffling her hair.The drive to the airport is long. Lexi is busy watching fun things on her tablet while I am consumed with thoughts about Lexi and Gabriel. I can't deny the c
Lexi’s eyes are locked on Gabriel. I look at Gabriel and see the most beautiful smile on his face as he smiles back at Lexi. My mom walks in at that moment and is clearly in awe of the radiant smile in Gabriel’s eyes.“You’re awake, princess,” Gabriel says, his voice choking with emotion. The sight tugs at my heart, and the corners of my eyes well up with tears, which I manage to hold back.Lexi smiles back, and it seems like she wants to say something, but she can’t speak as she hasn’t talked in hours. I think she needs water, so I stand up, which seems to bring her attention back to me.“Mum,” she calls out, her voice hoarse.“Hold on just a second while I get you some water to drink,” I say.She nods in response and turns to my mom, pointing to Gabriel and trying to indicate something to her.I bring the water to Lexi’s mouth, and she slowly gulps it down. Once she seems okay and refrains from taking more, I understand that she has had enough.Her eyes return to Gabriel. “Oh, the pr
A doctor and a couple of nurses rush past me into Lexi's room. I follow them, my heart in my throat, but as I step inside, they stop me."Ma'am, you have to step aside so we can do our work.""No, that's my daughter in there," I protest, trying to push my way inside. But I see my mom coming out of the room, probably told the same thing."Jasmine, let the doctors do their job," she says, pulling me into a hug. Tears stream down my face as I sob, "I can't lose my girl.""You won't, Jas," she reassures me, her voice steady. "She means the world to you as much as she means to me. We won't lose her."The tears continue to flow as I think about the years I struggled to have a child to save my marriage with Maxwell, and now, when I finally have Lexi, she's at the mercy of the doctors.I pull away from my mom's embrace and start pacing back and forth in the hallway. It feels like an eternity waiting for the doctor to come out and give me the results about my daughter.Every second drags on as