“I’m so nervous,” I say.
“It’s just Chloe.”
“She knows how bad our breakup was, though.”
Caleb reaches for my hand. “And we’ve moved on from that. Trust me. She’ll be over the moon to see you, and she’s going to love meeting your kids. My parents can’t wait.”
I nod, and he guides me to his Ute. Noah follows in his car with the others, and I’m pleasantly surprised to find it’s not a long drive at all.
Chloe’s house is beautiful from the outside. A large two storey white wooden house, with a large verandah running around the outside.
Caleb pulls up the driveway and parks.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Behind us, my kids all get out of Noah’s car, and we gather around Caleb.
“Just follow me. I can hear noise coming from around the back, so I’m guessing Hunter’s fired up the barbecue. Have you all got your togs?”
A succession of nods makes me smile. Caleb was very clear that they could all go for a swim. The girls are strong swimmers thanks to their old school having a swimming pool. Jason’s had some lessons, but he has his water wings.
Caleb also assures me there are plenty of people to watch over him.
“Come on, then.”
He slides his hand into mine and gives me a reassuring smile.
We walk up the front path and veer off to the side of the house. Caleb opens the side gate, ushering us through, and I draw in a deep breath.
This is scary.
Chloe doesn’t frighten me, but Caleb’s parents do. They must hate me for not telling Caleb about Noah earlier.
But I have to face them sometime.
Chloe’s face lights up and she walks toward me with open arms. “Emma. I’m so glad you’re here.”
She gives me a quick hug before looking over my shoulder. “And these are all yours?”
I grin and turn to point at the kids. They’re all huddled together and looking around this gorgeous back yard. Jason’s eyes light up at the sight of the pool.
“Noah’s at the back, but I’m guessing you could pick him out. Next to him is Bailey, she’s the eldest girl, then Kiera next to her, and Jason in the front.”
She gives my forearm a squeeze and walks toward them. “Hi, guys. I’m Chloe—Caleb’s sister. I’m so glad you’re here. Over by the barbecue is my husband, Hunter, and my boys, Braden and Xander, are already in the pool.”
“Hi.” The two teens in the pool wave at us all.
“I’ll take you on a tour of the house so you know where the bathroom is, and where you can get changed if you need to, and then you can get in the pool for a bit before we have something to eat.”
Kiera claps her hands together. She’s always been the more aquatic one of the lot.
Chloe leads us into the house and gives us a quick run through of where everything is before leading us back outside.
“You okay?” Caleb meets us in the back yard and gives my hand a squeeze.
I nod. “She’s lovely.”
