A fractured fairytale

66

༻ Rose's POV ༺

Waking up to Matt in my bed was certainly something I could get used to. He was like a hot water bottle, an enormous, cuddly hot water bottle. His arms stayed around me all night and tightened whenever I moved. It was absolute bliss.

It only got better when we dragged ourselves out of bed and he made us both breakfast. I sat, wrapped in a thick blanket, watching as he whisked the pancake batter. His hair was a mess, flopping down into his eyes and every time he stretched, I drooled over his muscles. It was hard to believe this man was my boyfriend. He seemed so perfect, so unbelievably, unrealistically perfect.

I didn't think he could get any hotter, but then Sierra came by and asked us to watch Kelsey for an hour while she ran an errand. A hot sleepy guy cooking is one thing but a hot sleepy guy with a baby is mouth-watering.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked him when we'd finished eating. I had washed the dishes while he fed Kelsey and then Sierra returned for her. My stomach clenched with jealously when the two of them dropped their voices and shared a few words that I missed because of the water running.

Sierra was everything I wanted to be. She had been through a lot but it had only made her stronger, more resilient. She had a spine of steel and didn't put up with any crap from anyone. She relied on nobody. I, on the other hand, had been ruined by my own experiences. They'd only made me weak and vulnerable.

A small part of me considered the fact she was perfect for Matt, but I did my best to push those thoughts away and force a smile until she left and he turned back to me with a bright smile that made me melt.

"Actually, he said, grabbing a cloth to dry the dishes. "My mom and sisters are going shopping today, Mom wanted me to invite you, she'd love for you to join them."

Nerves fluttered in my stomach. "Would you come with us?"

The butterflies only intensified when he shook his head. "Girls only, I was told. Em had a pretty rough day at school yesterday and the girls from her class are all having a slumber party this weekend and she wasn't invited so it's to cheer her up."

"Is she okay?"

He pecked my cheek. "She will be after some retail therapy. You wanna join them?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I've never been alone with your family before."

"You'll be fine. They love you, especially my mom."

I couldn't help but smile. I wasn't sure if she did love me but I certainly loved her. She was by far one of the warmest, kindest people I had ever met and it was clear she'd raised her sons to treat women properly. I wanted her to like me, more than anything I wanted Matt's family to approve of me, but she was so lovely to everyone, I was certain it had nothing to do with me.

His hands grazed my jaw and he kissed me. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. "You've got nothing to worry about," he assured me. "Come on, go and get dressed and we'll head over there. I'll let her know you're coming."

I hesitated but I knew that I could never form a good relationship with Matt's family if I didn't step outside of my comfort zone and spend time with them. It was just shopping, just the girls and just for a few hours. I could do this.

I scurried off to get dressed, deciding to risk the ice-cold shower so I didn't smell around Matt's family. It was completely worth it when Matt curled his arms around me while I was dressed only in a towel to warm me up. It absolutely did with my cheeks burning immediately. He leant me a sweatshirt of his to wear, with the agreement that I give it back at the end of the day to save me any trouble with my dad again.