"What?" I asked, unsure if there was something on my face that she found funny.
Jade laughed and looked at me, her green eyes soft. "Robin just called you daddy."
I froze as her words sunk in, my chest suddenly feeling too small for my heart, which had grown in size. Who knew being called 'daddy' would make me so happy?
"He did, didn't he?"
Jade nodded, still smiling, and I laughed with joy. I couldn't wipe my smile off my face and the excitement of the moment made me start thinking about all the little moments I never wanted to miss again.
"Move in with me," I blurted out.
Jade looked at me in surprise. 'Move in with you? As in-"
"Staying with me, so I never have to spend a day from Robin again, yes. And before you argue, take some time to think about it, okay? For the sake of our son."
'What happened to 'taking everything slowly?'" She asked, putting air quotes around the words.
I couldn't answer that as honestly as I would have liked since I couldn't tell her I had started feeling things I had never felt before.
"We've lost so much time already, don't you think?"
She didn't reply, and I decided it was smart not to push the issue.
"Think about it," I said while I tried to think of all the ways I could get her to see things my way.
It was such a shame I couldn't show her some of those ways on the picnic blanket right now, but I didn't doubt for a second that I would have Jade all to myself by the end of the month. She looked at me with those piercing green eyes, and I went from the end of the month to the end of the week.
I couldn't wait that long.
23
Jade
"Thank you for the lovely weekend," I said as Michael prepared to leave.
He had dropped us at home and stayed long enough to tuck Robin in. I could see the look on his face as he said goodnight that he wished he didn't have to leave. Something had shifted over the weekend, and it would be harder to separate father and son. I also enjoyed seeing a new side to Michael and having him defend me in front of his grandfather.
I loved seeing Michael's new side, although that side makes him even sexier. I want him more now than I did when the attraction was physical.
"My mother will probably want to have Robin over every school holiday now," he replied with a smile.
"And he would love that too. You saw how much he enjoyed having a grandmother dote on him."
"One weekend every holiday then, or we'll end up with a spoiled brat."
I wasn't sure exactly how to say what was on my mind, so I just blurted it out.
"I know what your father was insinuating about Robin. He is unhappy because you have a bastard son. I also understand that family and family lines are extremely important to your grandfather. However, I think it would be a huge mistake for us to get married to make your grandfather happy," I said.
Michael sighed heavily. "I'm sorry for what he said. He is a bit ancient in his ideals. I can't apologize enough for his words."
"And I don't want you to. Trust me. I won't let him get to me again," I replied fiercely.
Being with Michael's family had been great, and it had given me a chance to get to know him better. Even his grandfather's sour mood hadn't managed to ruin my tiny vacation. I finally understood why Michael could be so cold sometimes; he had inherited it from the old man who believed he could control everything. Maybe he was trying to protect Michael in his own twisted way, but I was confident in who I was and wouldn't let him bully me.
Michael and I had our differences in the beginning, too, but we'd managed to work through it, and maybe Thomas and I would one day do the same. My one fear was the influence that Thomas Fletcher would have on my son; I didn't want the wealth to get to Robin's head. It would be my mission to ensure that he remained humble and kind and would never become like the Fletcher Patriarch.
"Good," Michael said before leaning in and kissing me on the cheek.