Page 81 of The Accidental Nanny

“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 betheirmother, 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.