Forever Mine

STEPH

When I wake from my nap, I turn my phone on to check the time and have nine missed calls from my mother. Great. I’ve slept the day away, although it’s still light out.

With heavy limbs, I walk downstairs past a laundry basket full of folded clothes. The fresh linen scent fills the hallway, the tidy kitchen. Is this my house?

The lounge door is ajar. I peer through to see him and the kids watching a movie while Caleb sleeps next to him on the sofa.

He laughs at something on the TV along with the kids. I imagine this is our life and I could curl up next to him and watch Netflix and chill. All that’s missing from this picture are his girls. Guilt claws at my stomach when I think about how selfish I’ve been today. He could have been spending time with his mum and girls before he goes back to Australia, but he’s been babysitting my kids.

“Hey.” He notices me and leans forward. “How are you feeling?”

“Good.” I nod. “Well, better.”

“I made you some dinner. It’s in the microwave. Are you hungry?”

“Starving.” I hadn’t even realised I haven’t eaten since yesterday, but with the mention of food, my stomach has suddenly woken up.

“Cassie, will you watch Caleb for a minute?” He gets up from the sofa and follows me into the kitchen. I open the microwave expecting nuggets and chips or something. “You cooked a pasta bake?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t gonna let your kids starve. Sit down, I’ll warm it for you.”

“Thank you.” I sit at the kitchen table and he brings my warm plate over and sits next to me, watching me eat.

“Thank you for cleaning up my mess.”

“It’s fine. I feel I caused the mess, so the least I can do is clean your house.”

“This is good.” I scoop up a few more spirals in the tomato sauce.

He waves a hand towards the cupboards. “It was just a jar from your cupboard.”

“When do you have to go?”

“Are you desperate to get rid of me?” He smiles and winks. “I’ll stay longer if you want to take a bath.”

“I meant, when do you return to Australia?” Was that his polite way of saying I need a wash?

He runs a hand over his face like he doesn’t want to think about that. “I’m not sure. I should have gone back last week. The girls are missing school now. Priya wants them home. Obviously, she misses them, but she understands why I wanted to stay longer.”

I nod and continue shovelling the pasta into my mouth before Caleb wakes up. My breasts are rock hard again. Caleb will want a feed soon.

“You really look like shit, you know.”

“I feel it. I haven't cleaned my teeth in two days.”

“I’ll run you a bath.” He leaves the kitchen and heads upstairs to the bathroom while I finish the plate.

I check on Caleb and the kids in the living room, watching a movie. “Everything all right?” Caleb is still asleep on the sofa, and Cassie is sitting next to him now.

“Mum, why is your friend here? Are you poorly?” Cassie asks.

“I haven’t felt too good today. Has everything been all right with Callum?” They clearly don’t know the truth yet about him being Caleb’s dad.

“Yeah, he’s kinda fun,” Cairen says, making my shoulders relax.

“I’m just going in the bath. Will you be all right to watch Caleb until Cal comes down?”

Cassie nods.