“What for?” she asks. Her confusion would be cute if I didn’t feel the reason should be obvious.
“For our date.”
Her eyes widen briefly in surprise. “Um.” Raelynn stands and I follow her as she heads upstairs to apparently lay Bree down in her crib. “I don’t know, Elias.”
“Why?” Is she changing her mind already?
She doesn’t answer me. Not right away at least. She lays a sleepin
g Bree down, watches her for a moment, and then takes my hand to lead me out of the room. “I already left Jackson once this week. I don’t know what’s going to happen today either. I just worry it might be too much happening all at once for him.”
I relax a little, knowing she’s only worried about Jackson.
“And if Henry finds out about this—”
“What does Henry have to do with it?” I interrupt.
She sighs and leans forward, resting her forehead on my chest. “When we ran into him? Collin and me, I mean. He kept asking where Jackson was. I told him, but was stupid enough to ask why it mattered. His answer was because he should be with me.” She looks up at me. “I threw my tea on him.”
“Raelynn,” I start to say something, but she cuts me off.
“I don’t know what came over me except anger. It was the first time I’ve been out without Jackson and he says that to me? Him of all people?” She shakes her head. “I can’t have Henry thinking I’m a bad mom,” she finishes in a whisper. “Or making me feel like one.”
Have I mentioned I don’t like Henry? Because I don’t. While I don’t think he’ll cause major problems, he’s obviously making waves with Raelynn. I pull her against me in a hug. “You just need to show Henry who’s boss until he figures out how to co-parent with you. Until he figures out how to be a parent, period. Don’t let him make you feel like shit, Raelynn. Do you know the best way to do that?” She looks up at me with questioning eyes. “You go out with me this week.”
She smiles. “You’re relentless.”
I take a step forward, which causes her to take one back. I keep doing this until we’re in my room. “That sounds like a yes.”
“It’s a maybe,” she counters. “What are we doing in here?”
“Bree’s napping. Jackson doesn’t have to be picked up for an hour.” I grin. “Whatever shall we do with that time?”
“Talk. Get to know each other.” Her smile matches mine and she lifts my shirt for me to take it off.
“We can do that when the kids are awake and present.” I dip my head to kiss her. We only have an hour and I plan to make good use of every second. I want to hear her moans, her sighs, and feel her body tense and relax beneath me. I want to get to know her this way, connect with her on this level, and get her even more comfortable being here.
Because here is right where I want her to be.
At exactly five thirty, the doorbell chimes throughout the house. Raelynn and I both stand. She might want to answer the door herself, but this is my house and I don’t like Henry, so I want to make sure he feels my presence. Raelynn stands slightly behind me as I open the door.
“Hey, Henry. Come on in.”
He steps inside and closes the door behind him. Raelynn grabs my shirt at my back, but quickly releases it. That’s the only sign she shows of her nerves.
“He’s in the living room,” she says, turning on her heel.
We follow after her. Jackson eyes Henry as Raelynn sits next to him. I sit next to her, picking up Bree, and Henry sits in the chair.
“Who are you?” Jackson asks.
Raelynn opens her mouth, but Henry replies first with, “I’m your dad.”
“Henry!” Raelynn shouts at him. Jackson frowns with confusion and crawls into Raelynn’s lap, hiding his face in her neck. “My way, Henry,” Raelynn reminds him. “My way or you can leave right now.” I want to kiss her for the steel resolve in her voice.
Henry nods and I’m glad he looks uncomfortable with Jackson’s reaction.
Raelynn takes a deep breath as she looks down at Jackson. “Baby, look at me for a second. We have to talk about something.” Jackson does as she requested. “That is your dad; his name is Henry. It takes a mom and a dad to have a baby, but sometimes, the baby only grows up with a dad, like Bree.” At this, Jackson glances over at me. “Sometimes, the baby grows up with only a mom, like how you’ve done so far. Sometimes, the baby always has his mom and dad. Sometimes, the baby grows up some and meets his mom or dad later, like you are right now. So, now, you have me and your dad, okay?” Jackson just stares at her.