Forever Mine

He drops his head, letting out a long breath. “I should have got you ready for me. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

That’s all I needed to hear. Just knowing I’ll be able to get my fix of him again is enough to satisfy me for now. “Go and shower. I’ll take over here.”

He pecks my forehead before he leaves, and I can’t stop smiling. Even with the burn between my thighs, I smile with every biting sting as the ghost of him still lingers there.

The front door opens. I poke my head around the corner. “Did you enjoy the cinema?”

“Maxine bought us sweets and popcorn.” Cassie drops her bag and shoes in the hall and runs up the stairs.

Cairen walks into the kitchen. “Where’s my iPad?”

“Well, hello to you too.”

“Hi, Mum.” He huffs, then spots his tablet next to the fruit bowl where he left it a few days ago and walks towards the lounge.

Justin enters the kitchen and ruffles Caleb’s hair as he sucks on his rusk. “All right, kiddo.”

“Mammmam.”

“That’s all he says lately.” I shrug and smile at Justin.

“You look well.” He smiles back at me.

“Do I?” My cheeks ache from smiling so much, but I can’t stop.

“You’re glowing.”

My hands cover my cheeks. “Am I?”

“Yeah, something happened with…” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“It must be the divorce.” I grab the paperwork from behind the fruit bowl and hand it to him. “All signed.”

He chuckles. “Thanks, Steph. I guess this is a fresh start for both of us, ay?” He shuffles on his feet. “But I’ll always be here if you need anything.”

“Likewise.”

“Great, well, I’ll get these to the solicitors. What will you do, change your name back to Harrington?”

I slump against the worktop, thinking about all the paperwork. “If I’m honest, I don’t know if I can be bothered. I have to change Caleb’s name from Bailey to Richards, but I think I’ll keep Bailey. At least I’ll still have the same last name as Cassie and Cairen.”

Cal appears in the kitchen wearing jeans and t-shirt, towelling off his wet hair. “Hey, Justin.” He slips an arm around my waist as if claiming me in front of him and presses his lips to the side of my forehead, showing Justin I’m his and only his.

I didn’t think my smile could get any bigger, but my cheeks push up even more, making my eyes squint.

“Hey.” Justin rolls the paperwork up in his hands. “Right, I’d best be off.”

“I’ll see you out.” I follow Justin to the door.

Justin turns to me before walking outside and whispers, “Maybe you’ll be a Richards one day.”

The thought fills me with warmth. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, but I scared him off talking about marriage before in our teens. I’m not about to make the same mistake twice.

“Bye, Justin.” Before I close the door, Cal passes me in the hall.

“Justin, wait up,” Cal shouts, then closes the door behind him. Caleb cries because he can’t see us again. Ever since the accident, he’s developed some sort of separation anxiety.

“Shh, shh. Mummy’s here, sweetheart.” I wipe the biscuit crumbs away and stand in the window watching Cal talk to Justin, wondering what it’s about. It seems friendly enough. Cal pats Justin on his bicep, and Justin nods before getting in his work van.