Page 69 of Loving Wild

“Kid without a Mum here, I’ll take any attention she wants to throw my way.”

“Given your track record with older women, I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“Babe, if you seriously think I’m with you because I have Mummy issues, you’re very much mistaken, and the other older women in my life, that’s all on them, it’s not something I went looking for.”

“I know that, and that’s not what I meant.”

We’re both quiet for a few seconds.

“Did we just end our day arguing?” she asks quietly.

“Nope, we’re gonna end our day with me thanking you for looking after my little girl today, then I’m gonna kiss you, then we’re gonna sleep.”

“You don’t have to thank me for looking after Ava, it was nothing. She just panicked when she first realised what was happening.” She pauses before adding, “I was a little bit surprised that her mum hasn’t already had a talk with her though. I thought that she would’ve at least had her set up with pads and a basic knowledge of what to expect, but she said her mum has told her nothing.”

I hold my breath as Lauren talks, and it takes a nudge from her to remind me to let it go.

“Lena’s never spoken to her about getting her period?” I question.

“Not according to Ava, and you heard what she said about shopping for pads tomorrow because her mum won’t have time.”

“Fucks’ sake. This shit really pisses me off with Lena.”

“Did you talk to her about what Ava told us last week, about feeling invisible?” she asks.

“Not yet. Her baby’s due any day, and I didn’t want to be a dick and get into it with her. She’s always been a good mum. I think she’s just feeling the pressure of having two babies in just over a year.”

Lauren remains silent, giving me time to consider what I’ve just said.

“Doyouthink I should say something?” I ask her.

She lets out a long sigh before adding, “I think if you say it the right way, something like, ‘look, I know you’ve got a lot on, but I think Ava’s feeling a little left out, maybe you could find some time to spend with her before the new baby gets here?’ Or something like that. Ava doesn’t come across as a needy kid, she seems pretty independent, so I don’t think it’d take much to make her feel included.”

I let out my own sigh, as pissed off as I am with Lena, Lauren’s response, the way she cares about my kid, and the fact I feel like I finally have someone to share this parenting gig with, has me feeling a level of contentment I don’t think I’ve ever felt before.

Unsure of what to do with this emotion, I slide my hand up her arm, shoulder and neck, take her jaw between my thumb and forefinger, and tilt her mouth up and towards me, lean forward, and kiss her.

It’s not a gentle kiss. It’s hard and it’s deep, and I hope it lets her know just a little of what I’m feeling.

When she groans into my mouth, I break the kiss. I have a lot planned for tomorrow, and we need to get some sleep.

“I’ll talk to Lena when we drop Ava off. Now go to sleep, it’s late.”

She doesn’t respond with words, instead, she lets out a sigh and relaxes into me.

“Love you, Little Bird,” I kiss the top of her head and tell her.

“Love you too,” she whispers.

Chapter 17

Lauren.

Stomach cramps wakeme Sunday morning. That heavy, achy feeling I’ve had on and off these past weeks has gotten worse, reminding me that my period is imminent. I don’t get them often since having an IUD fitted, and usually they’re light and painless, and I wonder if it’s all the stress I’ve been under, and maybe all the sex I’ve had these past few months that are making this one different.

Realising that I can’t feel his presence, I know before sliding my leg over to his side that Gabe’s not in bed. Turning onto my back, I stare up at the ceiling and recall yesterday’s events. I had a great time for the most part. I’ve loved getting to know Gabe’s family better and being made to feel part of it by most of them. My run-ins with Jackie weren’t so great, but I’m not even going to waste my time thinking about her right now.

I’ve experienced more drama over these past few months than I have my entire life. I just want normal again. I want me and Gabe to be able to simply get on with being a couple; no psycho exes, no evil stepparents, just nice, normal, boring everyday living. I want to go to work and come home to Gabe and discuss my day with him. I want us to do the grocery shop together on a Saturday morning, I want to meet up with friends and family for dinner on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.I just want normal.