That is a major headfuck, but in a good way.
“Has she changed her mind yet?” JJ asks as he turns down Maya’s street.
I shake my head. “Na, it’s all good.”
“Told you.” He smiles at the road. “I won’t be there for long. Pop in, pop out.”
“Yeah,” I say as I lock my phone and slide it back into my pocket.
When JJ parks up outside the house, I take a moment to compose myself. I do it every time, and I’m not entirely sure why. It makes my palms sweat knowing I’m about to see my daughter and the woman I can’t stop thinking about.
We exit JJ’s car and walk down the path to the front door before knocking. It takes a few seconds for it to open, and there stands Maya with a very awake Skye in her arms. My eyes expand at the sight of them, and I melt knowing this is my family.Mine.
“Hey, guys,” Maya says with soft features but tired eyes. “Look who’s awake.”
I lean down to kiss Skye’s forehead as she stares up at me. “Hi, sweetheart,” I say softly. “I missed you so much.”
Skye wriggles a little in Maya’s arms but continues to watch me. My gaze flicks to Maya, and I resist the urge to rest my hand over her cheek and offer her a kiss, too, but that’s not appropriate because we’re ‘co-parenting’ after all.
That word never gets easier.
“How are you?” I ask Maya.
She purses her lips. “Yeah, I’m doing okay. Come in.”
I hold the door open for JJ as we step inside.
“Hey, Maya,” JJ says politely. “It’s been a while.”
Maya laughs softly and presses a hand to her hair. “Yeah, it has.”
JJ’s eyes flick to Skye in her arms, and he steps forward.
“And this is Skye,” I say as he stares at her in awe. “Isn’t she perfect?”
“Oh my god,” he exhales in disbelief. “I can’t believe this.”
“Do you want to hold her?” Maya asks, and we both look at her.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I’d love to.”
Maya places Skye in his arms, and at first, she’s unsure and keeps her eyes on him for a long moment. “Hello, Skye,” JJ says as he clutches her tight. “You are so tiny.” Skye releases a cry and kicks in his hold. “Oh god, what did I do?”
“Nothing,” I reassure him. “Want me to take her?”
JJ nods, panic creeping up over his face.
I step forward and take her from his arms before cradling her. “Shh,” I whisper and kiss her temple. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay.”
It takes a few moments for her to settle as I brush my fingers over her head delicately, and she calms down, resting her face against my chest.
JJ blinks at me. “Okay, maybe this daddy thing suits you because what the hell?”
I chuckle, and Maya smiles. “It really does suit him, doesn’t it?”
