Page 15 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

GEMMA

I n the morning, I sneak into the children’s bedrooms. Eden wakes up without any problems, but Ace is more difficult.

Both of their rooms look like a tornado hit them, and I make a mental note to get them to tidy them up later with me.

It’s something else we can do for Alex. Ace is groggy, but we go downstairs.

The cake we baked is in the fridge; it didn't come out too shabby, if I do say so myself.

Eden pours the orange juice, and while doing so, she overfills the glass, spilling it all over the counter.

“Oops.” She giggles.

“We’ll sort it later,” I say as I help Ace put the bread in the toaster. I fry the eggs and bacon, then place the beans in the microwave for five minutes.

Soon, we have burnt toast, half a cup of orange juice, a cold coffee, sticky beans, and crispy bacon covered in brown sauce. I don't even want to think about the eggs in the burnt pan in the sink. There is a painting of the four of us on our picnic that Ace made and a handprint from Eden.

The kids lead the way upstairs, and Ace opens his father’s bedroom door with a loud bang against his dresser. Eden follows with the paintings, and I bring up the rear with the tray of food and drink.

“Happy Father’s Day,” we all shout.

Alex sits up, looking around in a sleepy confusion. “What?” he asks, rubbing his eyes.

“Happy Father’s Day,” we shout again.

“Thank you.” He sits up straighter and gets settled before he takes the tray from me, looking at the delights we made for him.

“Great,” he says with a hint of sarcasm. I feel a bit annoyed by his tone of voice; we spent a lot of time coming up with this idea.

“Eat, Daddy,” Eden orders him.

Taking his first mouth full, I quickly put my hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh as he chews through the food.

“We made you this.” Eden gets into bed next to him, showing him the paintings.

"It's beautiful, thank you," Alex’s tone has changed. "Best Father’s Day gift yet."

“I forgot the cake,” I remember, running back downstairs to retrieve it. When I come back, I overhear them talking amongst themselves.

“Why don’t you marry Gemma? She makes you smile,” Ace asks with so much innocence.

“Because I don’t love her and we aren’t dating,” Alex says with a lower tone.

Eden quickly quips, “She loves you. Her face turns pink.”

Does it? God, if the kids notice that, then Alex notices.

He chuckles.

“And you both always look at each other when the other one isn’t looking. I think she wants to kiss you,” Ace teased.

How have the children picked up on that? They’re still so young.

“That’s enough,” Alex tells Ace.

“Daddy, can I be your flower girl?” Eden’s voice floats through the door.

My heart beats faster. I better stop this before Alex gets upset with them.

“I’ve got the cake,” I call while still in the passage. I walk into the bedroom, stopping the conversation and saving Alex from further inquests. “It’s a Victoria sponge.”

The cake has sunk overnight, somehow. I should have checked it this morning.

“It’s dropped in the middle. You two are the worst cooks ever!” Ace exclaims, flying himself backwards on the bed.

Alex smiles. "I'm sure it tastes fine."

"I need to go and wish my own dad a Happy Father’s Day. I'll be back later," I say.

"I'll go with you to meet Grandpa," Eden says, climbing off the bed and running to change.

I look at Alex, and I know my face is pink now.

I drive to my parents’ house in my Lamborghini. I can't sell her like Alex suggested. Instead, we swap cars when he is working, and apparently, he has been teased a lot about it.

I haven't been home for weeks. I don't mind that Eden wants to come with me, although I had stern words with her about addressing my father correctly and not as 'Grandpa.

' She plays her music in the car, singing at the top of her voice to a Disney track from a movie I haven't seen, but I've heard her play it in the background while I work.

She isn't a shy girl. She looks at my home when we pull up to the gates.

“It looks like my doll house," she exclaims with a gasp.

“It does a bit,” I say as we look at the large Georgian building. I can see everyone is home; their cars are parked outside.

“Why don’t you live here anymore?” Eden asks, she’s so curious.

“Because I decided it would be easier to live with you guys and help your daddy out,” I say, getting out of the car .

“Do you love him? He loves you.” She looks up at me with shining eyes.

“Come on, let’s meet my parents.” I Ignore her comment, I take her hand, walking with her into the house.

“Dad?” I call out.

“In here,” I hear my mother’s voice.

“This way, then,” I say as I lead Eden into the front room.

“Gemma, it’s nice of you to grace us with your presence. And who is this?” my mother asks.

I smile like a proud parent. I don’t need to say anything, Eden has it covered.

“I’m Eden, I’m five, and I’m nearly six. Gemma is marrying my daddy,” she says, clapping her hands and jumping up and down.

“What?” everyone asks in unison, turning to look at me.

“Eden!” I look at her with my eyes wide. “Why did you say that? I’m not. Getting married, that is.” The words tumble out in a jumble.

“They love each other,” she tells them.

I throw my hands into the air.“Be quiet. Please. Stop talking,” I beg her.

“She’s just like you,” Dad says with a small smile.It seems he’s as taken with her as I am.

“Pretty,” Eden replies to him, making everyone chuckle.

I lead Eden to sit down near my mother.

“She sounds like you, too,” my brother adds. “Dad, here you go.” He gets up, giving our father a small box.

Inside is a Breitling watch. I know how much those cost, and they aren’t cheap.

“Thank you, son, but it’s too much," Dad says, although he takes it out to admire it.

“Nonsense, Dad. I can afford it. I wanted to.” He has a smug look on his face as he looks at me.

“Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I forgot your present,” I lie.

“No, you didn’t. It’s in your bag.” Eden yanks my bag off my shoulder and rummages through it. She runs to my father with the paper in her hands.

“Eden!”

“Here, look.” She takes the folded piece of paper and puts it in his hands. "She made it herself."

“Gemma, you did this?” He looks at the sketch of himself which had taken several attempts to get right.

“It’s not that good. Sorry I didn’t get you anything proper,” I say, feeling ashamed.

“Gemma, it’s perfect. I love it. This is the best present ever.” He stands up, hugging me.

Mum takes it from him, looking at the drawing. “Gemma, this is brilliant.”

My brother’s face turns sour; it’s so worth it. I smile sweetly at him.

“I didn’t know you could draw like this,” Mum says.

“I’m not the best,” I admit.

Dad pulls away as Mum places it on the side next to Brody’s card.

“What about that watch? That was thousands,” Brody says, pissed that his present has been forgotten about.

“I know, and I do love it, but anyone can just buy a present. The real thought is when you make something. You don’t have to spend money,” Dad says.

I look down at Eden to find she's poking her tongue out at Brody before she hides behind me. I swallow the smirk I want to throw his way.

“It’s not about money,” Eden tells him. “We made Daddy a cake. He loved it.” That is a bit far-fetched, but we had all tried it.

“Gemma, I have something for you.” My father pulls out a shiny new credit card from his leather wallet. “I think you’ve proven yourself. You can have it. Are you moving back home?”

I look down at Eden, who looks like she is going to burst into tears.

“Thank you, Dad, but I don’t need it. I’m staying with Alex and the children,” I say with all the confidence I can muster.

“Are you sure?” Mum asks. "You have proven your point. We didn't think you would, but you did."

“Yes. I did prove a point, but I like my job.” Looking down at Eden, she melts my heart.

“It's because I’m the best,” Eden adds.

“You are,” I tell her, picking her up in my arms. I sit her on my hips and kiss her little head.

“She is just like what I imagined your children to look like.” Dad ruffles her hair.

I blush crimson and cradle Eden.

"You must want something to eat or drink, sweetheart," Mum says to Eden.

"We made a disaster breakfast for today," she says.

"Disaster breakfast?" Brody asks. "You let Gemma cook something, and your father ate it? I'm sorry to tell you, but your dad's a dead man."

Eden frowns and shouts at him. "No, he's not. You're just mean and have no friends."

My parents burst out laughing, and it's nice that, for once, it isn't at my expense. Brody falls silent, his arms crossed. Does my brother have beef with a five-year-old?

Eden starts kicking her legs and playing with my hair. "Gemma is the best," she announces. "She lets me have chocolate for breakfast sometimes, and she lets me paint in my school clothes."

"Gemma," my father warns.

"Eden, Brody is going to take you for a cookie. Aren't you, Brody?"my mother tells him.

Brody sighs. He offers Eden his hand, but she looks at it like it's the most disgusting thing ever.

They walk out, and I turn to my parents. "They've just lost their mum. She left them without even a word. I feel like they need a little fun, a little freedom, to deal with everything."

"That's very thoughtful of you, Gemma," Mum says. "But don't give in too much or you'll end up with..."

"With someone like me." I finish the sentence for her.

"You're not a bad girl, Gemma, just a little misguided," my father says, kissing my head. "And look how you've turned yourself around. You've proved all of us wrong."

I blush from the compliment and want to say more about Alex. I want to ask their advice, but I don't want to ruin the moment. Brody comes back with Eden, who has a packet of chocolate chip biscuits.

"She insisted," he says. "And she's very convincing."

"Come on, Eden, let's get back home so you can spend time with Daddy," I say, putting my hand on her shoulder.

Mum stops me as we are leaving. “We’re going out for dinner tonight. It would be nice for you to join us,” she offers.

“That would be lovely, just message me.”

"Bye," Eden says to my parents, waving goodbye.

Once we're in the car on the road, I decide to speak to her. "You need to stop telling people that Daddy and I are getting married, Eden."

"Why?" she asks. "Do you not want to marry Daddy?"

"We're not dating. I work for him, Eden. My job is to take care of you and Ace, not make Daddy happy," I try to explain without telling an outright lie.

The thought of marrying Alex has crossed my mind, and I’ve dreamt about it. What a perfect little family we would make, constantly squabbling and having passionate make-up sex.

"Just stop, okay?" I ask her.

Eden looks sad but nods. I reach out and stroke her hair. "Hey, just because I'm not marrying Daddy doesn't mean I don't love you guys. I do. You're my best friend, Eden. How could I love anyone more? "

"Are we best friends?" she asks.

"The best of besties," I say with a nod. I pull into the driveway of the house and park next to Alex's car. Alex is out in the garden measuring something, and we walk over. "What are you measuring for?"

"Something for Ace," Alex says, scribbling down his findings. "I went ahead and ordered pizza as a treat. I wasn't sure which one you'd like, so I got three different ones to pick from."

"Thanks," I say with a big smile.

He hasn't got a shirt on, and I can't help but stare at his chest. He has a garden path of hair down his belly leading lower. I have to avert my eyes when I realise Alex is watching me.

“Come on Eden, it’s Gemma’s day off.” She runs to her father, hugging him. “I’ll shout you when it’s ready.”