Forever Mine

CAL

I hear the door.Cassie and Cairen run into the house, followed by Justin, carrying Caleb. I turn off the hoover. “Be careful in here. There’s broken glass.”

“What happened?” Justin focuses on the broken mirror, with half of the glass missing. The remaining glass could fall out at any moment. “Did you do this?”

“No.” Who does this prick think he is?

He puffs his chest out and tenses his jaw. “You need to make sure there’s no glass about before Caleb plays on the floor.”

“Yeah, what’s it look like I’m doing?” If he wasn’t holding my son, I’d lamp the smug bastard.

“Where’s Steph?”

“Bedroom.”

The kids run upstairs, and I walk towards him to take Caleb. He reluctantly lets him go at the waist.

“Ay-up mate. Remember me?” I hold him in my arms, and his little hand touches my face, making everything seem right in the world.

The red-head appears at the side of Justin, stroking over the vein on his tensed forearm with a pained look on her face. “Let’s go, Justin.”

Justin glares at me and cracks his neck. I don't know what he's more upset about; sleeping with his wife or showing up at his house last night. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. I can’t blame him.

“Maxine.” Steph’s voice is quiet as she steps into the room. “Justin.”

Her eyes weep again, glistening as the afternoon sun shines through the window.

“Are you okay, Steph?” Maxine asks.

Justin tenses looking between Steph and I.

“I’m fine,” Steph whispers, looking down at her legs covered in pink jogging bottoms. Her shoulders curl inwards, and she fiddles with the sleeve of a clean jumper she’s now wearing.

“You know where we are if you need us.” Maxine walks past Steph, followed by Justin.

The door slams behind them, sending a rattle through the house.

Steph walks back into the room, shuffling on her feet. I’ve never seen her look so deflated. Even her tits have shrunk in size. Another tear rolls down her cheek, and even though I’m still furious with her, I can’t bear to see her like this.

I step forward with Caleb in my arms, and lift her chin to look me in the eye. “I was gonna take Caleb to see my mum.”

“I’m not really comfortable with you taking him. He doesn’t really know you.”

I grind my teeth and count to ten in my head. “How will he get to know me and my family if he doesn't spend time with us?”

The little lad pats my face, and I kiss his tiny hand, blowing raspberries on his fingers.

“I didn’t mean to go behind your back with the paternity test.” I sigh, not wanting to argue with her anymore. “An hour here and there isn’t enough for me. I want to tuck him in at night, feed him, play with him, be there for him. Let me be his dad, Steph. I’m begging you. I’m not my father.”

“Fine. There’s frozen milk in the freezer. And some baby food in the cupboard.”

“I don’t have to go today. I can go tomorrow. You come with me if you like while your kids are at school.”

“I’m starting back at work tomorrow. It’s my first day back after being off for six months.”

“I thought you got like a year for maternity these days?”

“That’s nice for some, but I can’t afford to take a year off.”

“Who’s looking after Caleb while you’re at work?”

“Mum was going to have him. I’m only going back three days a week.”

“I’ll have him. I’ll take him to see Mum and the girls tomorrow. Have an hour if you like. I’ll watch the kids.”

“Thank you.”

She disappears back upstairs, and I strap Caleb in his highchair while I remove the mirror and hoover the rest of the living room, making sure there’s no glass left.