"Did you lose your mind?"
I finally can get away from Jax, I slap his hand and lean against his table in front of him with my arms crossed around my chest.
"What?"
"I told you it was not a good idea, I can't believe he saw me... like that."
Jackson smiles widely laying down on his chair.
"Relax, We weren't doing anything wrong."
"I was on your lap!"
"As I told you, I'm the boss here."
"Yeh, you are! It's inappropriate."
He stands running both hands through his hair.
"Ok... I'm sorry"
Jackson put his arms around my waist.
"You know you look pretty when blushing?"
"Don't try to distract me, I'm still mad."
Jax pulls me closer, I'm stuck between him and the table.
"Are you?"
I can feel how hard he is, the heat of his body on mine makes it almost impossible to think.
"Why? Tell me, baby."
He leans closer placing kisses and small bites on my earlobe. He knows exactly what he's doing.
"What did you say? I can't hear you."
Jax keeps teasing me.
"You don't play fair."
He chuckles against my neck.
"No, I don't."
I put my hands on his hard rock chest, it takes all my strength to push him away.
"You don't want to have lunch with me, then I'm going home."
Jax groans but agrees.
"Ok... Then I see you at home."
"No, I'm going home, not yours."
"Oh! Why?"
"what do you mean? I have to go home at some point."
He stares at me like I'm speaking in a foreign language.
"Oh ok..."
"Want to come with me?"
"To your house?"
Now he looks at me with wide eyes.
"Yes..."
(Maybe it was too soon...)
"It's ok if you don't..."
"Ok."
"Really?"
"Yes, if you want me to come with you."
I hug him tight, it's so good to have his arms around me.
"Ok, we'll be ready when you get back home."
"Are you sure you don't want to stay a little more?"
"I can't, Jax is waiting for me at home."
"I know I have no chance against him."
I give him a peck on the lips before I leave.
I'm both nervous and happy to take Jackson to meet Papa Danny. Our situation's still weird, but I don't want more lies.
When Jackson gets in the home later I'm waiting for him to play with baby Jax everything seems so natural.
"Hey."
He leans down to kiss me, then hangs his arms open to the baby.
"Come here, big boy."
Jax's steps are more confident, he walks to his dad with a wide bright smile.
"Well done! You're growing up so fast."
"He'll be walking all by himself soon."
"I wish I could keep him this age forever, I feel like I don't have enough time with him."
"He knows you love him, just keep doing your best."
"It's easier with you here, I feel good knowing he's with someone who cares when I'm out."
He squeezes my hand, I feel the tears building behind my eyes.
"I do care about him."
"He likes you too."
"Oh, I feel a hint of jealousy there..."
Jackson pretends to be outraged trying to hide a smile.
"Of course not! Just because his first word was mom?"
"See? You still can't forget about it."
Jackson laughs, it's happening often lately. Used to be very hard to see him so happy.
He looks so young and relaxed, for a moment I can forget all the drama around us.
"They are waiting for us for dinner."
"Then we should get going."
We arrive at my grandfather's house a couple of hours later. I'm a bit anxious but I know Papa Danny would never treat Jackson badly.
"Ready?"
"Yes, but I think you're more worried than me."
"Yes, a little..."
"Don't worry."
"I should be the one telling you this."
"Jax squeeze my hand making me a bit calmer. We walk inside together."
"Is anyone at home?!"
Bonnie comes from the backyard to greet us.
I give Jax to his father to meet her.
"Danny, they're here!"
She comes to me and gives me a big hug.
"I'm so glad you came."
"Good to see you too Bonnie."
Bonnie leaves me and turns to Jackson, with baby Jax in his arms. She looks at them up and down.
"What do we have here?..."
"Bonnie this is Jackson, Jax's father..."
"Oh of course! Now I can see where the baby boy got his features."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am."
Bonnie hugs them both together, Jackson looks at me over her shoulder a bit embarrassed but with a beautiful smile on his face.
"And how about you, Baby boy? So grown up."
"Candie babie!"
Jackson glance at me with a mischievous look, I give him a menacing look when my grandfather greets me.
(Don't you dare to mention the nickname.)
Papa Danny hugs me tight making it almost hard to breathe.
"Papa..."
"I'm missed you so much, baby girl."
"Me too..."
"I see you're not alone."
He still has his arm around me but he's looking at Jackson.
"Oh no, call me Danny."
"Ok, nice to meet you, Danny."
I watch them greet each other, I'm nervous but everything is going well so far.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Jackson."
I told him Amanda and Jackson are divorcing after she left him for another man. But I didn't tell him about our actual relationship.
"I'm sorry for you and Amanda, I don't know what happens to that girl."
(Oh God... here we go.)
"It's ok, our marriage was never easy. I hope this doesn't affect our relationship, sir."
"Don't worry about that. Candie told me how you're taking care of my great grandson... and my other girl here."
Jackson looks amazingly calm while I'm freaking out inside.
"Actually, "Candie" has been taking care of both of us."
He gives me a warm smile, and with the side of my eyes, I can see Bonnie and Papa Danny inspecting us.
I give him a plastic smile, I know Jax will tease me about the nickname from now on. I need to stop this before it gets even more embarrassing.
"I bet, my girl always liked to take care of everyone around her. I remember when she was about eight or nine..."
"Oh no Papa, no childhood memories, please!"
"But I love this one!"
"I'm hungry, I bet Jax is hungry too. What did you cook today?"
Finally, I can make him drop the conversation.
"Ok ok... we'll have dinner in the backyard today."
Papa takes Jax from Jackson's arms and we all follow him to the backyard.
"Come here my boy, let your old man show you real food."
Jackson speaks to my ear only when the others can't listen.
"It was not that bad, Candie baby."
"Don't you dare..."
I try to look menacing but he's still smiling.
"Why not? It's perfect, sweet as you."
He runs his hand down to my back letting this rest very low.
"Behave!"
I slap his hand away from me but not before it makes all my body heat up.
"I don't promise anything..."
I make my best to look chill, but it is never easy to be around Jackson.
Outside Papa, Bonnie and baby Jax are already around the table.
"I think he likes pumpkin puree."
Papa looks very proud of himself for feeding the baby.
"Who doesn't?"
"Yummy... Are you enjoying it, baby boy?"
"You make this looks so easy, every time I try to feed him I end covered in baby food."
Jackson takes a sit on the table next to them.
"Because he always thinks you're playing with him. he doesn't take you seriously."
I reply while Papa and Bonnie share a look, I know what they're thinking. I try to change the subject.
"Oh, you made meatballs?"
I try to change the subject again.
"He's cooking meatballs every week for months."
Bonnie and my grandfather look even cozier.
"I was looking for the perfect recipe."
I can't hide anything from my grandfather for a long time, he probably feels something is going on between us.
The dinner with Papa Danny and Bonnie is easy, I feel so happy they liked Jackson. I'm helping Bonnie with the dishes in the kitchen while Papa and Jackson are taking care of baby Jax.
I'm still a bit nervous about leaving them alone but nothing very bad happened today, maybe I can relax a little.
"I knew he was handsome, but I was not expecting that."
Bonnie points with her thumb back to Jackson.
"What? I know I'm old but my eyes still work, Candice."
I glance back to where Jackson is, he smiles at me. I turn back to the dishes but it was not fast enough.
"Candice..."
"Huh?"
"I know this is complicated but is clear like crystal."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Baby girl... A man doesn't look at you that way if he doesn't mean anything."
I never really allowed myself to think about feelings with Jackson, maybe deep inside I always remember this is temporary, he's not mine.
We finish with the dishes and it's finally time to leave.
"I'm so glad you came tonight, don't make yourself a rare appearance. You too, Jackson."
"I'm glad to meet you too Danny."
"Bye Papa. See you soon."
We leave together, I notice Jackson doesn't even ask me if I'm going back to his place or my home. I don't say anything, it's a silly thought.
When we arrive at his place baby Jax is already asleep, I take him to his room. I find Jackson outside his room.
"I was about to go after you. Got lost?"
"No, I was just changing his clothes."
He wraps his arms around my waist, rubbing his nose on mine.
"It was hard to keep my hands away from you all day."
"We both have things to do."
"I know, but you're my favorite thing to do."
It's hard not to let myself dream about having him all for myself.
"Is everything ok?"
"Why are you asking?"
Sometimes I forget how he can see through me.
"You were distant on the way back, and now."
"I'm just tired."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
I give him my best smile trying to be convincing enough. I think it works because he doesn't ask anything else.
"I just need some rest."
However, Jax has a flirty look on his face.
"Yes... we do need to rest."
For the look on his face rest is the last thing he has in mind.
"You know what? I was thinking we could spend the weekend at the beach, just the three of us."
(This man knows how to make me weak.)
"I don't know... Has been a while since I went back to my place. I was thinking I could go this weekend."
"I think you dont understand what I really want."
"About what?"
"You are always here, sometimes I forget you still have your own home."
"I don't mind taking care of Jax. You know I love him."
"Yes, I know..."
"That's the only reason you spend so much time here?"
"Of course not, you know I like you too."
"Oh... I'm glad to hear that."
He smiles playfully.
"Candice... I want you to stay."
"Don't worry I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm not talking about today... I want you to stay forever."
"Jax..."
"I know is too soon, we have just known each other for a few months but you can't deny it, besides all the drama we don't have any other problems. Coming back to you every day has been the best part of my day."
My heart is pounding hard, I'm still scared but I know he means it.
"Ok..."
"What? Are you staying?"
"Yes."
"You mean staying for good?"
"Yes..."
"You're moving with me?"
"Jax..."
"Ok ok, I'm just making sure we're on the same page here."
It's funny how he sounds like a teenager right now.
(Yes, I'm staying... I don't want to leave him ever)
"Come to bed... our bed."
The next morning I'm curled into Jax's arms. We decided I'm moving with him and his divorce is almost done.
"Morning..."
"mmm..."
I just snuggle closer to him.
"Hey."
His beautiful face and the way he looks at me make my heart warm.
"Hey."
"Did you sleep well?"
I never slept so well like when I'm with Jackson.
"With you, always..."
"Trying to make me feel good?"
"It's working?"
He switches places getting on top of me, Jax grinds his crotch on me.
"You tell me..."
I feel his hardness against my skin.
"I can tell you're very good, sir."
He smiles against my lips, I can't believe he wants to wake up by my side every day.
"About the weekend, are you still going back to your place?"
"I have to get my stuff at some point, but I think I can do that some other day."
"It means you can spend the weekend with me?"
"If you still want me?"
"Of course I do."
"Then we're going to the beach."
Later in the week, I start to get ready for our weekend at the beach, last time we were there I was still Amanda, now I'll have the chance to enjoy the time with Jax.
Friday early in the morning I'm in the car with Jackson and baby Jax heading to his beach house. I get a phone call from my grandfather, he never calls me so early.
*Hey Papa, you got up early*
*Hey Candie baby. Sorry for calling so early.*
I glance at Jackson in the driver's seat. He's smiling, I roll my eyes but keep listening to Papa.
*No problem Papa, we're on the road. You can talk.*
*I have something to tell you, me and Bonnie actually*
*Oh... you and Bonnie?*
*Yes... were going to get married*
*Oh my God, Papa! This is amazing! I always knew this day would come.*
*Are you happy?*
*Of course I'm happy*
"Bonnie and Papa Danny are getting married!"
"What?!"
Jax looks surprised also a bit anxious, maybe he doesn't know how to react. Well, I don't know too. This is all so amazing.
"Tell him I'm happy for them."
*Jax said he's happy for you both.*
*Oh Thank you, Jackson.*
"He said thank you."
*You already have a date?*
*Yes... In two weeks.*
*What? Two weeks!? This is... fast. I mean not fast, I saw this coming a long ago but... Omg, I'm so excited!
Tell Bonnie I'll call her on Monday ok, I need to know everything.*
*Ok baby, Now enjoy your weekend.*
*Thank you, Papa, I love you both.*
"Can you believe that? They're getting married! In two weeks!"
"Yeh, it's very surprising."
Jackson is weirdly quiet, but I don't want to pry. Maybe he is really just surprised.
Later when we arrive at his house I'm watching the waves crashing.
"Look at this place! Did you ever seen something this beautiful?"
"No, I don't think so. Is the most beautiful thing I ever saw."
When I look at Jackson he's staring straight at me.
"I know we already had big news today but I've been thinking about this for a while..."
"Thinking about what?"