CHAPTER THIRTEEN

London races down the hallway and tosses her pink bag onto the ground. She skids around the counter and almost smacks into the back door. I stand beside her bag and fold my arms over my chest.

She peeks over her shoulder and grins with happiness.

"Can we please play outside?"

"What about your bag? It can't stay here."

"Oh, sorry." She cheekily grins.

"You know the drill, little one."

London drags her feet across the ground as she wanders back to the bag. She takes the strap and drags the bag into the kitchen. She removes the matching purple drink bottle and lunch box and places them beside the sink.

She opens the cupboard and slides her bag onto the bottom shelf, then swings the door shut. Lo runs to the back door and peers outside.

"What about dinner? I thought you wanted to help me." I frown.

"But." She points outside. "I want to play outside before bath time."

"How about we play outside once the food is in the oven? If you help me, it'll be finished quicker and Daddy will be able to play outside with us. Does that sounds okay?"

"Yes." Lo eagerly nods. "What is for dinner?"

"Roast beef, vegetables and Yorkshire puddings, delicious right? Daddy is going to be so excited for dinner when he comes home."

"Mm, delicious!"

London takes the stool out of the cupboard and sets it in front of the kitchen sink. She climbs up and washes her hand while I take the tray from the fridge and put it in the oven.

While the beef is cooking, I take the vegetables and herbs out of the fridge. London moves her stool further down the bench and waits with anticipation.

I grab the chopping boards, knives, bowls and anything else we need. London is in charge or removing the leaves from the rosemary stem and chopping it up.

"Should we listen to some music?"

"Yeah, I like the radio."

I turn the speakers on and connect my phone. Pop music pumps out of the speakers while we work on preparing dinner. I chop the vegetables into cubes and toss them into the tray for Lo to cover in oil and herbs.

As she's coating the vegetables, the front door opens and her blue eyes go wide with excitement. She abandons the oil brush in the tray and races out of the kitchen.

"Daddy!" she screams.

"Ah, I've missed you so much and it's only been a few hours."

"I always miss you." She giggles.

Blake's heavy boots clonk against the tiles as he emerges from the hallway with London hanging over his shoulder. Her feet flair through the air as he walks through the kitchen.

"Hey, baby." Blake grins.

"Hi." I smile. "I hope you're here to return my helper!"

"Yes, of course!"

He places Lo on the stool and she returns to oiling the vegetables. Blake leans on the counter and watches with a smile.

"This looks amazing! Thank you both for making dinner."

"You're welcome, Daddy." Lo grins.

Blake kisses London's cheek as he takes the tray and places it in the oven. He wraps an arm around my waist and snuggles me to his chest.

"I also missed you." His breath tickles my ear.

"We always miss you." I chuckle.

Blake inhales a deep breath as he stands taller.

"Are we going to play outside before dinner?"

"Yes, please!" She jumps off the stool and races to the door.

He squeezes my waist before striding towards the back door. Lo jumps at the handle but she can't reach it just yet. He unlocks the door and steps outside. Blake takes a plastic princess ball from the tub of toys and tosses it onto the grass.

London wails with excitement as she races across the deck and onto the grass.

"Did you just throw a ball for her?" I gasp.

"What? She loves playing catch."

"Hm, I'm sure she does," I mutter.

"Come here so I can greet my wife properly." He beams with happiness.

Blake takes a couple of steps and scoops me off the ground. I wind my fingers through his hair and tugs his lips to mine. Sparks bounce in my stomach as the passion flows between us. He places me on my feet and kisses my neck.

He drops to his knees and slides my t-shirt up. I squirm under his cold touch but he still manages to planta couple of kisses across my belly.

I run my fingers through his hair and smile.

"It would be rude not to kiss everyone hello."

"Yes, that's right." I nod.

Blake squeezes my waist as he tugs himself up.

"How was your day?" I smile.

"It's getting a lot better now that I'm home with you two."

"You're too cute for your own good." I giggle.

"Daddy, come play!" Lo stands on the grass with the ball in her hands.

"Come on, let's go."

Blake laces his fingers through mine as we walk outside.

She throws the ball to Blake, but it shoots to the side. He leaves the ball to bounce into the garden as he chases after her. Lo squeals with delight as she runs circles around the yard. Blake pretends she's too fast which is another tactic to wear her out.

I sprawl across the grass and look at the darkening sky. Blake eventually scoops Lo up and takes her to the veggie garden growing near the fence.

"Should we water these?"

London inspects the dirt before nodding her head.

The two take the hose and drag it over to the veggie patch. Blake adjusts the nozzle on the hose, then passes it to her. She waters the garden then springs it on Blake. He leaps back but his pants are already soaked.

He snatches the hose and sprays her with water. She screams but running away from Blake doesn't save her.

London dashes behind me and gasp when her cold fingers touch my arms.

"Don't you dare spray me with that hose!" I shout.

Blake glares at London as he walks to turn it off.

"You can't hide behind your mother forever!"

Once the water is turned off, Lo slides into my lap and looks up with her curious blue eyes.

"How come I have two mummies?"

I peek up, only to find Blake fiddling around with the hose. It's supposed to roll up, but it's never done that in the time we've owned it.

"Well, that's because you have so many people who love you."

"Do I have two daddies?" She frowns.

"Yes!" I nod. "Your biological father is Logan, who's my older brother."

"Where is he? Have I met him?"

"No, he passed away before you were born. Since he couldn't be here, he wanted Blake to be your father so that you have someone to grow up with."

"Oh." She leans back and ponders.

I wrap my arms around her and smile.

"Family is about blood relations, it's who cares about you, and that's why you have an Uncle Kyle and an Aunty Charlotte."

"Where do you go when you passed away? Like a holiday mummy is on?"

"Where's your mummy gone?" I frown.

"She said she was going away for a while, like a holiday, but she said she would see me soon."

"Well, it's a different kind of holiday."

"What kind of holiday?"

"One where you go to the stars, but you can always look down and see the people you love."

"Can you come back?"

"No, you can't." I shake my head.

"Then why do people leave?"

"Sometimes you don't get a choice."

"Will I go to the stars?"

"Yes, but not for a very long time."

"Is Ivan in the stars?"

"Yes, and they're both looking out for you. Lo, you're so lucky to have heaps of family."

"Yeah, I am." London smiles.

Blake yanks London into the air and spins her around.

"You're lucky I can't throw you into the pool."

"Can we have a bath?"

"Sure! Does Princess Meredith need saving from the horrible Mr. Ducky?"

"Princess Meredith told me that Mr. Ducky is planning on invading her castle with the odd bits and bobs in the basket under the cabinet."

"We can't allow that, can we!" Blake gasps.

Blake places Lo on his hip, then offers me his hand. I jump to my feet and we wander inside. I hang by the doorway and watch as London jumps into the bathtub. She grabs the mermaid dolls and puts them under the water.

He removes his wet pants and sits beside the tub on the mat. Blake grabs Mr. Ducky and some random things from the cupboard to form an army on the side of the bath.

"Are you going to play too?" Lo holds up a mermaid.

"I can do." I smile.

I sit beside Blake and take the mermaid. She splashes as bubbles form. Blake puts Mr. Ducky in the water which makes her gasp.

"Oh no! I use the power of bubbles to shield the castle from Mr. Ducky."

Blake covers the duck in bubbles which makes London smile.

These two make my heart want to explode. 

On Saturday, I'll try to upload earlier! Mon-Thurs is just a pain in the behind for writing because I have long days! However, it's here, it's done, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! 💕