Page 16 of Finding Us
She reaches out and places her hand on top of mine. “It’s going to be great having you around again … and I couldn’t be happier for your mum. Jim is such a nice guy.”
“He’s the best.”
“So, when are you going to start working for me?”
“You don’t need to give me a job.”
“I know, but I want you there. You’ll be an asset. Are you still doing those pole dance classes, because I’ve always wanted to give that a go?”
“Yes. I’ll need to find somewhere new here in Sydney.”
Her eyes widen. “We could install some poles at the studio.”
I’m in the kitchen helping Brooke put the finishing touches on dinner when I hear Angel squeal, “Daddy.”
Although we can’t see them from here, the kids are laughing and carrying on with their dad, and it makes my heart pang. They’re so lucky to have such a doting and caring father. I used to dread mine coming home from work. I know I have that kind of dad now, but still …
A few minutes later, the giggling moves down the hall, and when Logan enters the kitchen, Angel is on his back and CJ is hanging off the front of him. The three of them are smiling. It’s such a beautiful sight. Like so many other times, it makes me wish that Jim was my real father. I’d be a different person if I had been born into his family and spent my formative years living in a happy and loving environment.
“Hey, Jaz,” Logan says when I give him a quick wave. His eyes then gravitate to his wife. There is so much love reflecting in them, and again, it tugs at my heart. I’ll never get to experience a love like that either. “Hi, babe.”
Brooke immediately stops what she’s doing and walks towards them, wrapping her arms around CJ’s waist and placing him safely on the ground. “Okay you two monkeys, dinner is almost ready, go and wash your hands.”
Angel slides down the rear of her father’s body, and I feel my cheeks flush when Logan instantly reaches for his wife. He pulls her into his arms and meshes their lips together, like he’d die without her kiss. I feel like a voyeur standing here watching them, but these two have a kind of love that anyone would be envious of.
“Eww, you two are always kissing,” Angel complains, making a gagging sound, which CJ mimics.
Brooke and Logan are so engrossed in each other, neither of them notices the entire room is watching their public display of affection. Together, they are like the air each other needs for survival.
“I missed you today,” Logan murmurs, running his knuckles down the side of his wife’s face. The look he gives her has my heart racing in my chest.
“I missed you too, Hot Stuff.”
Gah.These two.This is relationship goals right here. Who wouldn’t want a man that adored his children as much as he adored his wife?
Chapter6
Mason
Blake and I end up at Bridge for dinner. It’s not what you’d call gourmet food by any means, but it’s a hearty meal—meat and three veg—and much better than feeding my son takeout every night. Unfortunately, I can’t cook to save my life. I’m trying though; I need to learn now for his sake.
I’ve managed to master scrambled eggs on toast, pretty sad I know, but it’s a start. I can also cook a mean two-minute noodles. Sure, it only involves adding the contents of the packet to a pot of boiling water, but Blake seems to love them. He also loves fruit so I fill him up on that between meals.
I appreciate my son isn’t fussy. He’ll eat anything you put in front of him. I guess growing up hungry will do that to you.
“Are you done, buddy?” I ask him, reaching across the table for his plate.
“Yeah, Dad.”
“Come,” I say, standing. “I’ve got some paperwork to do in the office. Do you think you’ll be able to manage the X-Box controller with one arm?”
“I think so,” he replies with a shrug. I ruffle his hair with my free hand as he follows me towards the kitchen. He loves playing video games. He’d never played before coming to live with me, but he picked it up quick … he even kicks my arse.
The day he arrived on my doorstep, he was carrying a plastic shopping bag containing only a few items of ill-fitting clothing, two pairs of underwear, and a ratty old teddy bear. Nothing else, no toys, shoes, or pyjamas.
I immediately threw out the clothes. They were old, tattered, and far too small for him anyway. He now has a wardrobe full of things that actually fit him, as well as toys. The bear stayed because he loved it; I couldn’t bring myself to throw it away. He doesn’t play with it anymore, but it’s there if he wants it.
The numerous cars, trucks, and Lego he now owns are more fun. He also has an artillery of Nerf guns and we have a blast building forts throughout the house and shooting each other with the foam bullets. He enjoys hiding behind furniture and ambushing me. I love seeing him carefree and happy. It’s a vast difference to the confused and scared little boy I first met. I’m hoping in time, his traumatic past will become a distant memory.
