Bittersweet

~ ~ Don't get Attached ~ ~

"Not heard from her then?"

He was referring to Al. "Nope.  No one has."  I followed him through to the kitchen as he poured himself a coffee.  "Everything okay at the bar and bike shop?"  Guilt churned my gut, leaving him to handle the bar and the bike shop—again!

"Gabe, stop worrying.  That's why we hired managers.  Both the bar and bike shop are making decent money, better than your projected figures."  He stepped closer, looking at Elijah as baby Elijah's eyes fixed on him. "I think you have bigger problems."

He wasn't wrong.

He huffed. Taking his coffee, he pulled out a chair and sat. "You realise this could be her master plan."

My brows pinched.  He pointed at Elijah. "Get you to play daddy, hoping you won't want to let him go."

That thought had crossed my mind, and Jenna and I had talked about it.

"And she really put you down as the father?  Damn, man. That's so fuc—" he stopped.  I raised an eyebrow.  "—Messed up."

"I know." I still needed to talk to someone about the legalities of her lie.  

"So how are things with Jenna?" he chuckled to himself.  "I heard she gave you what for."

I grimaced. Of course Janelle would have shared details with Jake.  Jenna told Janelle everything.  "She did. I'd never seen her so angry."  A smile teased my lips.  "But since then.  She's been amazing, great.  I honestly couldn't have done it without her." 

I put the empty bottle down and raised Elijah to rub circles on his back as he burped right on cue.  "Atta' boy." I praised him.

"Look at you, you've got this parenting shit down man."

"Jake!" I gave him a sharp look.

He held up his hand.  "Okay, sorry, I'll watch my language. But you realise he won't know what I'm saying, yet?"

True. "So enough about me.  How are you and Janelle?" I was still getting my head around Jake, being in a relationship.

He smiled, taking a mouth full of coffee.  "Good."

"How many months has it been... five?  That's gotta be a record for you."

"I know and get this I sort of suggested she think about moving in together?"

Holy-Christ!  "What... you living with someone?"

"Not someone—Janelle and I know.  But she knocked me back anyway, and to be honest I'm not sure how I feel about it."

Damn, didn't see that coming. "I won't say you haven't shocked me. But this is a good thing.  She's good for you."

He nodded. "So, when are you planning on returning to work.  I would like to take Janelle away for a few days."

"Jenna and my Ma have said they will help, so I'll be back next week."

"How did your Ma take it?"

"You know my Ma, she loves babies. But she wants to strangle Al."

"Get in line." He put his cup down. "Aren't you worried everyone is getting too attached to the little guy?"

Yeah.  "Taking each day as it comes."

"My advice.  Don't get attached Gabe, I don't see this ending well."

~ ~

A month flew by, and I couldn't help but get a little more attached to Elijah.

But today I was heading home after just dropping off Elijah at my Ma's.  It was his first night away from home.  I was nervous but also looking forward to spending some time with Jenna... alone, as Ava was at Tony's.