The Own Goal ✔️

Part 57

Wednesday.

Mia's been discharged.
She was taken off the oxygen Monday evening and by tuesday teatime was sitting up in bed eating toast as if she had never been ill!

All day today everyone was happy with her, and finally she was discharged late afternoon.

We arrive back to Jack's at 6pm and as soon as she's inside she's digging through the toybox in the corner of Jack's family room "can't believe it's the same child we saw Saturday night!" Jack observes watching her.

"I know! Mental"

Jack starts looking through his freezer. "Shall we just order a pizza in or summat?"

"Yeah" I agree, we're both exhausted after 4 nights sharing or taking turns in a recliner and single camp bed that they also gave us, we both need a decent sleep.

I've agreed to stay until Friday, Jack feels like he wants to make sure Mia is totally fine for himself before he takes us home.

While we wait for our food I message Craig.

'Mia's been discharged, just got back to Jack's Chelsea x'

He replies immediately
'brilliant news! Do you want me to pick you up? Craig X'

'no, Jack is going to bring us back Friday Chelsea x'

'friday? Where are you staying until then? Craig X'

'at Jack's, we just think it's best to stay close to the hospital for a couple of days Chelsea x'

'chelsea is there anything going on with you and Jack? Craig X'

'dont be daft! Chelsea x'

I sigh and turn my phone totally off.

"Everythin' ok?" Jack asks.

"Yeah"

"The boiler man not botherin' ya is he?"

"Don't" I say firmly.

"He was bein' a bit keen Saturday night Chels y'know givin' it all the 'I care about Mia' shit, I don' need anyone stepping into my shoes with her Chels ya get me?"

"He didn't mean anything by it, he was just trying to be there for me"

"Do ya love him Chels?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"A very straightforward one" he's sat himself on the sofa watching Mia. 

"No Jack, but I do like him"

"Nah ya don't, ya've just settled for him"

"Oh fuck off Jack, you don't know what you're talking about, you turned up at the party with two dates for fuck sake!"

He sniggers "yeah that were class, shame I didn't get neither of them, although" he spins around to look at me "I got me wish, I sez I'd bin them both off for you! Jus' coulda done without the other stuff"

I take a deep breath and tell myself not to rise to it, he's probably just trying to wind me up.

Our food arrives and we are luckily saved by the bell.
Dinnertime is enjoyable, Mia loves the food and is loving having her mummy and daddy together.

After we clear up the empty boxes and glasses, Jack runs Mia a bath and I almost actually wet myself laughing over how many rubber ducks and bath toys he has for her.
"I think daddy enjoys bath time more than you do Mia-moo"

"Yeah too right I do! Best time of the day!"

I stand back and watch him wash her, wash her hair and brush her teeth all while singing silly songs and making her laugh.
I feel like I'm getting a glimpse of their life together when I'm not here, their secret little Mia and daddy world, and it's lovely.
My heart explodes with emotion as Jack lifts her out of the bath and wraps her up like a burrito in a big fluffy towel, she giggles so much she gives herself hiccups.