Bittersweet

~ ~ Don't get Attached ~ ~

After making love... twice, we lay in bed curled up.  This night had gone in a much better direction.  "What are you thinking about?"  She'd been quiet for a few minutes.

"Mhhm, I've been thinking."

Interesting.  "And, want to share... caring is sharing you know that?"

"I sat down earlier today and talked to Ava about you living with us... as a family, to see how she would react.  Which I know may sound a little crazy, as she's so young.  But I wanted to see her reaction to the question, she's very perceptive."

"She is, just like her mom."  I kissed the back of her head, but my heart stopped, waiting for her to go on. But she kept me waiting.  "And."

"She said yes, jumping up and down... and Elijah too."

"She knows he might have to leave us?" 

"Yes, I've explained that when his own mommy comes back, she will want to take him home."

The idea of losing him crushed me. But I would have Jenna and Ava to help me move forward.  I propped myself up on my elbow and rolled Jenna so she lay flat, and I could see her face. "And this is honestly what you want too?  I don't want to rush you."  My fuck up a few months before still made me cursing at the lack of emotion attached to the suggestion of us living together... like it was a business arrangement.

I ran my thumb across her bottom lip as her mouth curved. "Yes, it's what I want Gabe.  I've watched you with Elijah and the way you love Ava and me... well, I don't want to wait. And whatever is thrown our way, we deal with it together."

I knew the last part referred to Al, but at this moment, the world could burn, and I would deal as long as I had Jenna.

"So... what do you think?"

Shit, I hadn't given her an answer.  "Jenna, I've loved you from the moment we met.  And I've pictured every single day that you would someday love me, and we would spend the rest of our lives together.  Us moving in together is the start, so of course I want us all to be together.  Hell, I would get up and pack up right this minute."

She laughed. "Well, not right this minute, I'm hoping since we have the night to ourselves that we can..." she bit her lip in that cute, sexy way that had the man downstairs paying attention.

But again, my mind drifted off for a second.

"Hey, you okay?" she shifted her head. 

"It was weird. Tonight when you first arrived, I thought you were gonna tell me something bad.  But this, I'm not sure if I'm dreaming now."

"Well, let me show you." She reached down, wrapping her fingers around my growing erection as her smile became cheeky.

"In my dream you do that too."  I smiled as she laughed.

"I try to make dreams come true." She let go of me and pushed up, forcing me flat on my back as she straddled me, taking me in hand and guiding me inside her wet heat.  "Still feel like a dream?"

"If it is, then I don't plan on waking soon." I raised my hips to push myself deeper, to hear her let out a contented moan.

Jesus, I was blessed.

~ ~

The week after, I was moving mine and Elijah's belongings into Jenna's home.  It made sense to move here. Her home was bigger, with a vast garden.

Janelle and Jake were also helping us move.  "After this you better feed us," yelled Jake.

My phone buzzed as I reached inside to answer.  My heart stuttered.  Shit!  It was Ms Critchet from Child Service.  "Hey Ms Critchet."

"Good morning Mr Valentino. I would like to organise a visit, today if possible."

That didn't sound good. "Sure, you have our new address."

"Yes, I'm looking at it now.  Would four be good?"

"Yes, looking forward to it."  I'd chickened out asking her why she needed to visit.  My head flicked up to see Jenna walking towards me with Elijah resting on her hip.

"Okay?"

"Not sure, but we're gonna find out at four today.  That was Child Services."

Her face dropped as she slipped one arm around my waist.  "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."  She didn't sound convinced.

"You're right, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." But my gut feeling said otherwise.

~ ~ ~

A/N - Update 16 June.  My apologies if you're reading this.  I wont be able to update today as I lost a close family member and my heads all over the place.  The only story I will update (because it was more or less completed is Perfectly Normal)  Look after yourselves.  Chrissy x