When Neil woke up, he found himself in the same position however JJ was not beneath him. He opened his eyes with a groan and jumped up when he saw the time was already seven. Before he could rush out, JJ walked into the room, a mug in her hands. He dropped his head back onto the pillow with a groan.

"I swear my eyes are burning even when they're shut." His voice was rough. JJ smiled softly as she walked towards him. "Please tell me Lara is awake."

"She came and woke me up so yes. She's actually already eaten breakfast and is reading a book." Carefully, she set the coffee on the nightstand before lying down beside him. "You okay?" she whispered. With his eyes still closed, he felt around the bed before laying his head down on her chest.

"Just give me five minutes to cuddle with you and I'll be okay. And you know what, in this moment of time I don't give a flying fuck if you call it adorable." JJ smiled as she kissed the top of his head. "Hey cara?"

"Yeah?"

"Do I smell pancakes?"

She let out a small laugh. "Yeah. I thought since you have a big meeting today, I'd start your day off nice, a hot cup of coffee, and some pancakes."

"Well next time you want me to start my day off nice all you gotta do is stay in bed long enough so I wake up with you still in my arms."

"I mean if you don't want the pancakes then-"

"Shut up," he said with a laugh. He opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Jay, can I also get a few kisses before I leave for work?"

"Is it your mission to be hella adorable today?"

Neil smiled before pecking her lips. "Gonna go and have a shower and I'll be right out to kiss you." He rolled over her and looked down at the mug. JJ nodded her head so he knew it was for him. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head before leaving the room. "Tesero?"

"In the living room, daddy." When he walked in, he found Lara lying down on the sofa, a book in front of her face. "Good morning."

"Good morning sweetheart." He leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "Have you eaten properly? And drank some water?"

"Yes and yes." Lara grinned. "JJ let me put chocolate and syrup on my pancakes."

"Of course she did. The both of you have no limits." JJ walked into the room. She wrapped her arms around Neil's back and looked at Lara. "I hear someone put chocolate and syrup on pancakes."

"Don't know what you're talking about." Neil rested his free hand on JJ's whilst taking a sip of coffee.

"Sure you don't. But I'll deal with you later. The both of you."

* * *

Once Neil was dressed, he walked into the kitchen to find them both eating another pancake. "Before you freak out, it's plain and we halved it. You're just really slow in getting ready." He looked down and noticed the outfit change so he realised she must have gone home whilst he was in the shower. He shook his head as he took a seat.

"Do you need me to drop you off to work?"

"No, don't be silly. I've got a late finish today so I'll take my own car." JJ stood up and filled a mug with coffee before placing it near him. Before she could leave, he held onto her wrist. "What's wrong?"

"Everything is perfect right now. I just want a kiss." She laughed softly before leaning down for a kiss. "Thank you so much," he whispered. "Not for the kiss, but for being here."

"Are you talking about me?" Lara called as she looked at the both of them. JJ straightened up with a smile. "If you are, it better be about raising my pocket money."

"Watch it young lady. You only get pocket money when you do your chores. Which you have barely done this week because whenever Jay comes over you spend all your time playing and doing hair."

"You're just jealous," Lara said. Neil furrowed his eyebrows as he turned to her. "Don't act confused. It's not my fault she likes me more than you."

"She was lying when she told you that." Neil stuffed the last part of the pancake in his mouth.

"Oh trust me, daddy. She was lying when she told you she was lying. Because we all know she actually loves me but only likes you a little bit."

"Okay as much as I would love to hear the rest of this, I do have to get into work. I don't think I'll be able to come by today or tomorrow but I'll facetime and see the both of you before I fall asleep." JJ kissed her cheek. "Have fun at school today monkey." She then turned to Neil. "And you...be nice. Best of luck at your meeting today." She leaned in for a kiss but he pulled back.

"Will you be able to meet up for lunch? No pressure."

"Tell about an hour before you want to meet and I can be free. Now I thought you wanted kisses this morning?" Neil pulled her in for a short kiss. "I'm sorry I kept you up at night. The work should have been done during the day and-"

"I don't regret a thing." She smiled.

"Alright, see you guys soon." Before she could go, Neil pulled her in for another kiss. "Neil I really gotta go. I'm so sorry."

"And that is why I am meeting up with you at lunch."

"I'll be all yours then."

Neil sighed when he heard the door shut. He heard Lara scoff and raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. "She still likes me more."

"She still does not. She liked me first."

"Actually no, she was my friend first and then she was your girlfriend. So I win."

Neil was silent for a few seconds. "You're really lucky you're my daughter."

"Because you would have thrown me down the sink?"

"Of course."

"Well you're really lucky your my father."

"And why is that?"

"My dad said not to say anything mean to people."

"So now you're going to refer to me as though I'm not here? You know what girl, I'm gonna let your grandma deal with you."

"Oh you think I'm scared of nona? I'm not five anymore, father." She drank the rest of her water before leaving the kitchen. Neil followed shortly after. "Can you promise not to tell nona I said that?" she asked when he met her at the door.

Neil chuckled as he picked up his bag. Lara handed him his keys. "Zip up your jacket and I won't tell."

* * *

JJ smiled to herself when she saw Neil pull up in front of her bakery. She saw him open the door for Lara and pull her hood up. Cheryl knocked on the open door, two mugs in her hand.

"A tea for you. You look really tired honey."

"Yeah I was up with Neil yesterday." She saw the look on her face and laughed. "Not like that. Well I mean there was some action last night if I say so myself but you know how Monday he works from home? He has a big meeting coming up today and he was meant to use Monday to prepare for it but he insisted, and this is before I knew how much work he had, that we spend the day together. And my boyfriend is fucking amazing so who the hell would I be to refuse. He then spent all night working through it and I felt really bad if I slept so I just read a book but have no recollection of it and will have to start again"

"So how was it?" Cheryl asked as she leaned against the desk with a smile. She had known JJ since she was younger and had never seen her so invested in a relationship. 

"Absolutely amazing."

"Seems to be your go to term with him. And you do realise that it took your dad a year of asking to park in front and you gave it to Neil without him even asking?"

"Yeah but my dad doesn't fuck me into next week and cook for me."

"If I ask you how the sex is you're gonna say it's absolutely amazing aren't you? "

"He is a fucking sex whisperer for my body. He does this really sexy thing no matter what style we're in, hard, fast slow, passionate, doesn't matter but he will be kneeling on the bed and he pull me against him, practically holding me up by my tits and he will groan in my ear. He'll be like 'you like that cara?' and I'm not talking about the timid I don't know what I'm doing groan. I mean this guy knows exactly what he is doing. And I'm just like fuck yeah!"

JJ picked up her mug and they walked out to the front. Just as she went behind the counter, she saw Neil walk through the door. She smiled and extended her arms. With a chuckle he pushed the swinging door for the counter and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Hey Cheryl," he greeted as he looked over at her. "How are you and the kids?"

"You know, my husband only kisses me like that in public if he knows he's getting sex at home. But hi Neil. Also I've been hearing stories, thanks for keeping my friend satisfied." Neil awkwardly chuckled as he looked down at JJ. His thumb ran in circles over her hip as they watch Cheryl walk away with a smirk.

"Should I be worried?"

"If anyone should be, it should be me. I mean as far as sex goes there is absolutely nothing bad to say about you. I told her that thing you do when you say 'do you like that cara' and its so fucking sexy." He chuckled before leaning down to peck her lips. Neil looked around the bakery and saw almost all the tables empty. "Rush hour has just ended. Already ran the dishwasher once." He pulled her in for another kiss, sighing softly in comfort.

"I've got half an hour to spare before I start making my way. Can I hang out with you or just here for a while?"

"I'm not giving you a cup of coffee."

"Well why the fuck not?" he asked with a frown.

"Because you already had two this morning. I already know when you go into work you will have another one so I'm not giving you any more from me." She put her hands on his collar and sighed. "Hey baby?" He hummed. She leaned in closer so she was right near his ear. "I let Lara have four pancakes this morning."

"Yeah? She usually has four. Now the question is how many did you let her put both chocolate and syrup?"

"I feel like you want me to say one." Neil chuckled as he pulled back to look at her.

"From now on it better be one. I don't want my daughters teeth to rot and my wonderful girlfriend to be the reason."

* * *

"Wow third time today." Cheryl said as she took off her apron, watching as Neil and Lara walked into the bakery. "And hello there princess."

"Afternoon Cheryl. How are you?" Lara asked with a smile.

"I'm very well thank you for asking. Mariam will take your order, I've got to pick up my little boy. I'll see you guys later."

"Daddy, I gotta go to the toilet." 

"Alright sweetheart. Go and come straight back to the counter okay?  And make sure you wash your hands properly." Neil watched her go and then looked around the bakery. 

JJ walked out her office, making her way towards them. When Neil saw her, he smiled and opened up his arms. After a kiss, she lay her head down on his shoulder, closing her eyes. "Long day?"

"You could say that. We already had a large order for a wedding and now this guy comes in, wants basically a million cupcakes. I mean they're not too hard to do but it's just a lot of tedious stuff."

"I hope you said no. You're already working your ass off." He kissed the top of her head.

"He offered three times the price so I said yes." Neil chuckled. Still holding onto him, she leaned back so she should see his face. "Where's Lara? And did you gets news back from the meeting?"

"Toilet. And I did." She straightened up.

"And?"

"I got the approval. I'm basically his private accountant now so that rolls in some extra cash and-"

"I'm so happy for you!" She cupped his cheeks before leaning up to kiss him. "What did your mum say?"

"I haven't had the chance to tell her yet. I literally found out just as I picked up Lara. He noticed the noise and was a little freaked out as to why there were screaming children but eventually just summed it up and then told me he would forward the legal documents with his lawyer tomorrow."

"Really, Neil I am so happy for you. This is what you wanted so you head into making your own firm."

"I know," he said with a smile. He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Can I get a cupcake to celebrate?"

"Real or fake favourite colour?"

Neil shook his head as he bit his lip. He heard JJ laugh as she slowly stepped out his arms. "Actually can I have the coffee cake?"

"Is this because I'm not giving you coffee so you gotta get it from a cake?" He slid his hands into his pocket as he walked over to the stools in front of her. When he was close enough, she leaned over the counter. "Have I told you how sexy you look when you walk like that?"

"Is it the suit?"

"No it's you." Neil took a seat and leaned over to kiss her.

"I appreciate that. By the way, little missy may be a little mad still." JJ laughed as she straightened up. Neil looked over at the till and tilt his head. "I'll see you in a bit."

Lara skipped out through the swinging door before looking around. She saw JJ handing a box of cupcakes to a customer before looking down at her. "Hey monkey. I'll be with you soon okay? Let me just finish serving this nice man."

"Aww she's cute. Your daughter?"

"My boyfriend's daughter. Here's your change Mr V. I hope your grandkids like the cupcakes."

"JJ, can I help you with the next customer?" JJ held up the counter so Lara could get in. She then pulled out the stool and sat her down. "Hi and good afternoon Miss Whetson. Welcome to Maggies. How can I help you today?"

"Well good afternoon Lara. You never told me you had a job."

"I have to do my part to take care of father." JJ laughed loudly when she saw Neil roll his eyes before making his way towards them.

"Please do ignore her, Miss Whetson. And Lara what on earth are you doing? Let Jay work."

"You're just jealous father." Neil bit his lip as he looked back at Lara's teacher. "Now excuse me father, I have a customer. I do apologise for his behaviour, what can I get you?"

"Two slices of banana bread please."

"Any shakes to go with that? I hear from me that the banana milkshake is pretty good."

"That's alright. Just the two slices."

"You sure? You're missing out."

"How about the next time you're here, I'll get one then."

"Tomorrow it is."

"Yeah I'm not bringing you back here tomorrow," Neil mumbled. JJ handed the box to Lara who then gave it to her teacher.

"Keep the change dear. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

JJ took the right money away before handing the tip to Lara. "I hope this contributes towards your father."

"Cara, don't entertain her. Now get down before I come over and-"

"Father please, I'm working." Neil saw Mariam serving a customer who then took the last vacant table. "If you would like to be a customer then stand in line."

"Do I want to know why she's calling you father now?" Neil shook his head as he sat down on the stool. "Lara, my wonderful hard worker, would you like a lemonade on the house?"

"I am rather tired, yes." JJ walked over to Mariam and whispered something in her ear. "Father it's going to be okay."

"Lara for God's sake stop calling me father."

"But father." Neil groaned, watching the smile on her face grow. JJ returned with 3 glasses of lemonade setting each one down in front of Neil. Lara pulled one towards her.

"Coffee cake, yeah?"

"Yes please."

JJ came out under the counter and sat beside Neil. He rest a hand on her knee and smiled. "You know I'm still paying for this right?"

"I don't think you know what on the house means."

"I do know what I want my girlfriend to be successful so I will refuse every time she offers me free food means." He pecked her lips and smiled again. "I don't know what to do about my daughter. I think she's broken."

JJ giggled before leaning in to kiss him. "She's doing her best to help you out here. I mean working after school, come on."

"Oh you're having so much fun with this."

"Yes of course. I mean I always wanted two people to fight over me just never knew it was going to be my boyfriend and his daughter."

"I had you first," he whispered before kissing her again.