Page 27 of The Accidental Nanny (All Of You #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Alex

I ’ve not heard back from Gemma, but I know she needs time.

The children haven’t been themselves, so I decide to take them out for dinner.

We sat in the local burger joint. They haven’t stopped asking questions since they saw Gemma in my room last week.

These are questions that I can’t answer.

This was all my fault. I did this to us.

Eden is kicking Ace and he keeps getting annoyed. I’m trying to read the menu, but I’m about to lose my temper.

“Eden, stop kicking your brother. Move over there.” I point to the other side of the booth, so she can’t reach him.

Eden moves slightly, but not far enough. She kicks Ace again.

“Eden!” I scold her.

I give up and sit between the two of them. The waiter comes over to take our order. As a special treat, Ace orders an orange fizzy drink and Eden picks a lemonade.

“You know fizzy drinks will make them hyper.” It takes me a while to understand what’s going on. “Room for one more?” Gemma is standing next to our table; she’s wearing her favourite jeans and white top.

“Gemma.” Eden screams, jumping out of her seat and her arms wrap around her.

Gemma bends down, picking Eden up and kissing her head. Ace looks like he wants a hug as well. She puts her hand out to him.

“Come here,” she tells him.

Ace goes over and hugs her. He’s shot up in height, but bends down a little as he cries on her shoulder.

“I’ve missed you both so much,” I just about hear her whisper.

She’s not letting go of them. I can’t take my eyes off her. I want to wrap her up and not let go.

“How did you know we were here?” Eden asks.

“I followed you. I came to talk and you were leaving.”

“I didn’t see your car,” I tell her.

“I sold her. It’s not much good if I have to drive two children around, and no offence, your choice in cars is pretty lame.”

She’s coming back. We have so much to talk about, but we can’t right now.

“Excuse me, can I have a menu,” she calls to a lady walking past.

“I don’t work here,” the woman replies, and Gemma laughs.

“Why is she laughing?” Eden asks.

I just shrug my shoulders. It’s a joke only she is in on.

Dinner is awkward, but Gemma keeps her focus on the children. Thank goodness they were there. Just because she’s coming back for the kids, though, doesn’t mean we are back together, I remind myself.

We have been home for a few hours. Gemma put both the children to bed. They wouldn’t leave her alone.

She comes downstairs in her fluffy pyjamas. “I kissed someone else last week,” she tells me straight away.

I nod. She’s trying to hurt me the way I hurt her. I hate the thought of another man touching what’s mine, but I have no right to be jealous. I ended it with her.

“I hate what you did to me. I love you, Alex. I love you and I love them.”

She still loves me. I don’t interrupt as she continues her speech.

“I would have always picked you and them.” Her face is blotchy.

“I did what I thought was best,” I tell her. “I know what an amazing mum you would be. How can I take that from you?”

“I might not be their birth mother, but I want to be their mother, one day.”

“I can’t have a baby. You know you’ll be giving that up.”

“Do you want any more children?” she asks me.

“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t, I’m getting old.”

“You’re not old.” She heads across to me, she touches my face. Her lips press against mine. Pulling away, she says, “Alex, last time I said if you walk away, I won’t let this happen again.”

“But it’s not happening again. I asked you to marry me.”

“I know, but I can’t marry you, we aren’t there yet, Alex.”

I know she's right, but one day I hope we will be there and she will make me the happiest man alive. Until that time, I will do everything in my power to make her see how much I love her.

“I love you.” My lips press against hers .

Alex

Two months later

I want everything to be perfect. Brody has offered to watch the children, which is ideal given he’s now Eden’s favourite person in the world.

The sun is setting. Garden lights lead down the path to a white tablecloth. It’s covered in rose petals with a candle placed in the middle. Set up behind the table is a teepee, covered in fairy lights and a bed. The open view means we can watch the stars all night.

Fern brings Gemma home blindfolded, just like I asked, after spending the day shopping and relaxing.

“What’s going on?” Gemma giggles.

I take over from Fern. Leading her down to the table, I sit her in a chair.

Her beauty stuns me. Her hair is curled down her back and she’s sporting a new blue dress.

I’m in the grey suit, the same one as the night we met.

I don’t tell her about the videographer I hired knowing she would kill me if we didn’t get this recorded.

Removing the blindfold, she looks around in a bit of a daze.

“Gemma.” I get down on one knee. She’s already crying. “When you walked up to me, I never expected to find someone that I would want to spend the rest of my life with. You have proven to be the most amazing person and I know you’ll make a wonderful mother.”

Just then, a smartly dressed Ace and Eden come down the path, while Brody hides out of view. Ace hands me a box. Gemma’s hand covers her face. I can see the smile.

“Mummy,” Eden calls, hugging her.

“Wait,” I tell her.

“Gemma, would you do the honour of not only being my wife, but…”

“Will you be our mother?” Ace asks her .

I take the round solitaire diamond ring out of the box.

“Of course,” she replies.

I stand up as I place the ring on her finger. The children can’t wait to hug her.

“Ace, Eden, come on, time to go,” Brody calls from the shadows. Gemma looks towards the house, spotting her brother.

“Now,” Brody calls again. The children run back, leaving the two of us alone. Now I have her all to myself, I’m never letting her go again.