Everything & More (Book 1 in the E.C.N Series)

Chapter 44-Martha

Finally making it home, Paige ran upstairs to get an outfit together because and I quote 'Looking good makes you feel good'. I don't know what Lori's been teaching her.

The ingredients were scattered across the counter as I looked at the time seeing it's exactly 6 o'clock.

Stupid traffic...God why did I have to get side tracked

"Alright that's it", I said taking in a breath, "I'm making the executive decision to get ready first".

I continued this internal debate as I made my way up the stairs and into my bedroom. My wardrobe was half empty and it was still depressing to look at. Lately, I started spreading my stuff out and since I was going shopping with Lori more, my clothing options were expanding. Though not enough to cover up what was supposed to be Jonathan's side.

"How about I just take a shower, do some light make-up and then pick out an outfit?" I suggested to myself as I continued to hopelessly look through the clothes.

After my shower, I felt a lot better. My head felt clear and I could think properly. I'm pretty sure I took longer than I was supposed to. In my wardrobe, I settled for high waisted skinny jeans that made my ass look great and a spaghetti strapped red ruffle cami top. I put a light amount of makeup on just to accentuate my features and added some leave-in conditioner to my hair and let it air dry. It was just going to turn into some natural curls and I liked it like that.

Spotting the time on the clock in the bedroom it read: 7:15.

Was the long shower worth it.....yes because I wasn't nervous anymore

Walking to Paige's room, I heard her playing with her dolls. Cracking the door open a little more I saw she was in one of her summer dresses. Even though it was closing in on the winter months I knew it meant a lot to her. It was one of the only dresses that Jonathan bought her. He never bought her clothes because he had terrible taste when it came to fashion for little girls. Paige never let him forget it too. That summer dress was one of the rare occasions that he surprised us with a good option. She looked beautiful.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I did a quick once over of the house.

Clean and presentable

God, I'm acting like my mother is coming to visit.

I was mentally slapping myself as I turned on the oven to preheat and set up the pot of water on the stove to boil. My apron was on as I started getting a chopping board and some ingredients from the refrigerator. The flow of cooking was interrupted by the sound of a knock on the back door.

It was almost 8 o'clock at night who the hell could be at my back door.

My footsteps were slow as I approached. I moved the curtain cautiously to only see him, standing there with a large bouquet of flowers. Opening the door, Jonathan had a sheepish smile on his face.

"Why are you coming through the back door?"

"Sorry did I scare you?"

"Kind of." I stated in a duh tone as I widened the door allowing him to step inside.

"Sorry, I just didn't want you to have to walk all the way to the front door knowing that you were cooking." He was being considerate but I was still confused.

I furrowed my brows and pouted my lips as I looked at him, "Why didn't you just use your key?"

Surprise flickered through his eyes for a moment before he composed himself.

"I didn't know I could...I wanted to respect your space and not come barging in here as if I still lived here." Nervousness and sadness was all I heard throughout his tone.

Nodding slowly in understanding I realized that the conversation was leading into awkward silence so I needed to change the subject fast. I know why it's awkward but I know it hurts more because we used to be able to talk and not talk. Just being in each other's presence was enough.

"So what's with...um...those." I said pointing at the flowers in his hand.

"Oh uh, I wanted to get my little girl some flowers." He explained as he gestured to them. We heard footsteps rushing down the steps.

"Mama? Is Daddy here ye-" she stopped mid-way because she saw him. The large smile that appeared on her face was worth all the hassle today. She ran into his arms immediately, "Daddy!"

"There's my little girl." He held her up on his hip, giving her a bunch of little kisses on her face as she giggled.

"I brought you something." He lifted the bouquet and to say she was stunned was an understatement.

I thought she stopped breathing because of how speechless she was. Soon enough she broke out of silence, "Daisies!! I LOVE Daisies!!'

Jonathan and I couldn't help but laugh....God we made a cute kid.

He set her down on the floor as he passed me the flowers. I went to put them into two separate vases. After hearing Paige thanking her father over and over again, she asked him if he could put the flowers in her room. My back was to them as I arranged the flowers but I felt Jonathan come stand right behind me, his chest on my back.

"Is it okay if she has these in her room?" He asked softly.

I realized he still had an effect on me as my breathing labored. Of course he would; the one man I had ever been intimate with.

Not that you could say the same for him

Shutting out my thoughts, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before answering him.

"Yea, of course just put them on her night stands next to the bed. There's nothing on them right now." He stepped back as I turned to give him the vases.

Before he left, Jonathan looked around the kitchen. "Do you need help in here?"

"N-no," stupid voice betrayed me...again "I just got a late start. I'll be fine."

"No, it's honestly the least I could do. Let me put these in her room and I'll come back down and we can all cook together." He exited the kitchen before I could protest.

Cooking together...