Page 71 of The Accidental Nanny

“Is it?” I mumble. My throat hurts from crying all night. My head is pounding from the lack of sleep.

“Let’s get you something to eat,” he says. "Can't be upset on an empty stomach. How about we have ice cream for breakfast?"

“I can’t. It hurts too much.” I cuddle up in my bed, holding onto the pillow.

“Gemma,” Mum’s voice calls. She walks into the bedroom and takes one look at me. “Oh, darling. Brody told me. It will be okay, I promise.”

"Will it ever stop hurting so bad?" I ask.

“It will. Time is a healer,” Mum says. "Come, Brody. Let's leave Gemma for a moment while we have breakfast. You can come check on her in a little bit."

Squeezing tighter, I keep hugging my pillow as I cry. I can still smell his aftershave on me, and it unleashes a fresh wave of sobs.

Alex

“Where’s Gemma?” Eden asks as soon as she gets into bed with me.

“Hey, pumpkin. I need to talk to you and your brother about something.” I stroke her hair. "Why don't you call him for me?"

“Ace,” Eden shouts at the top of her voice.

I chuckle. "I could have done that."

"But you didn't," she states.

“Yes,” Ace says as he walks into the room.

“Come and sit. I’ve got something I have to tell you.” I wait for Ace to climb onto the bed before I look at them both with a heavy heart. “Gemma is no longer working here.”

“Why? What did I do wrong?” Eden cries, her eyes welling up. "I didn't mean to sneak that last cookie after she said no more. I'll help Grandma make more."

“No, sweetheart. You didn't do anything. Neither of you did anything. But starting today, I’ll be taking you to school each day and collecting you afterwards. Gemma said to make sure you knew it wasn’t your fault, and she loves you very much. She still wants to see you both. But we..." I pause because I know I shouldn't lie. "I decided it’s for the best.”

“Why?” Ace asks, grinding his teeth as he speaks.

It’s the same reaction he had the day we found out Julia left. “I want to give her the world, guys, but I can't,” I say, reaching out to stroke Ace's head, but he jerks away from me.

“So, you sent her away?” he shouts at me. His face is red.

“Yes. She deserves everything she wants,” I say with a frown. "You're too young to understand."

“What does she want that you can’t give her?” Eden asks, tears streaming down her face.

“A family, a baby.” My voice is full of regret. “I'm sorry," I speak louder this time.

“She has us,” Eden sobs.

“That's right, and she loves you very much. The thing is, Gemma would also like her own child. It's not fair to take that away from her. She's young and deserves that chance. You'll understand when you're older and you want a baby," I explain.

“Did you ask her?” Ace is so angry with me.

I shake my head. “No, because she would choose us, and I don’t want her to. I want her to have everything she wants.”

“Ask her,” they chorus.

“No, and don’t tell her, either,” I order, sitting up in bed.

“Why can’t you have a baby?” Eden asks.