The Best Mistake

Chapter Twenty

Ava's POV
 
The sun was setting by the time we all made it back to Vancouver. I knew I made the right choice by deciding not to stay. Caleb grabbed all of our bags out of the car with ease. I am so glad that we went with him, he has been truly nothing but helpful this entire trip. I have the best boss in the world and now my kids have the best uncle.
 
"Is that everything?" He asked.
 
"Yea yea, you can just leave it right to the door." I said.
 
I helped him the best way I could with one arm as he took the bags to the front door. I held Lily in my arms because she popped her slippers playing with Peppa. I watched as Caleb carried Cat's bags to her car which was still in front of my yard. I smiled as they talked quietly, I can see Cat's blush from here. Peppa was picking at some of the flowers in the yard.
 
"Come on Penelope." I called.
 
She dropped the plucked flowers quickly and ran over to my side, taking my free hand. I pulled her to the front door and opened it quickly, setting Lily on her feet. Caleb approached us with a small smile on his face.
 
"See you later girls." He said.
 
"Bye Cabub." Peppa said.
 
"See ya Cabub." Lily giggled.
 
I laughed shaking my head, "Thanks a lot Cabub." I said.
 
"Bite me." He laughed.
 
"Seriously though, you have made these few days so much easier. I couldn't have done it without you."
 
"Sure you could and it's no problem. I'll reach out to you when he reaches out to me." He said.
 
I nodded, "Thank you."
 
"Hey, what are uncles for?" He winked, pinching Peppa's nose. She giggled, swatting his hand away and my heart grew warm.
 
We all said our goodbyes and I closed the door gently. Deciding to unpack later, I left the bags to the door and headed for the kitchen.
 
"Peppa you have to wash your hands.... Oh!" I jumped shocked as I came face to face with Royce. He was leaning against the fridge silently with a sad smile on his face.
 
"Oh God, I had no idea you were here. Your truck isn't out front." I said.
 
"It's at the shop. Steven gave me a ride home." He shrugged.
 
"Royyy"
 
"Roy!"
 
The girls came running into the kitchen and hugged Royce's legs. He smiled picking them and hugged them close to him.
 
"Hi girls, I missed you guys so much. You were good for mommy?"
 
"Yep." They nodded.
 
He kissed them gently before setting them on their feet. Lily skipped to the living room but Peppa came to my side.
 
"Water momma." Peppa said.
 
"Please?"
 
"Pweasee." She said showing her little teeth.
 
Royce got her some water in her sippy cup and she joined Lily in the living room. The kitchen was silent as we stared at each other.
 
"I uh...I was making dinner." He said.
 
I looked towards the stove at the pots that sat on it.
"I see."
 
"Yea..."
 
"That was thoughtful." I said.
 
He shrugged in response and the room was silent again. I hated it when things get like this, like we were both afraid of breaking the ice. I don't want to say the wrong thing and risk an argument when the girls are so close.
 
"So....how did your trip go?" He asked.
 
I'm sure he meant to sound nonchalant but even I can hear the burning curiosity. I pulled my handbag from my shoulder and I pulled out the envelope before handing it to him. Royce took the envelope hesitantly and quickly opened it up, reading what was typed.
 
"Oh...." He said sullenly.
 
"Yep, Mason Reynolds is their father."  I said.
 
"You must be so proud." He said, handing me the envelope back.
 
"Don't." I warned.
 
He shook his head sadly, "so what did he say?"
 
"I don't know. I left before he could say anything. I think he needs some time to process what he found out today."
 
"So....you don't know if he wants to be in their lives?"
 
"Not yet."
 
"Will you let him?"
 
"If he wants to be and he's serious about it then yes."
 
"That simple huh." He said dryly.
 
"No, now that it's confirmed, he has every right to be in his daughter’s lives. I don't want a custody battle because you're acting childish Royce. If he wants to be there, I will let him."
 
"If I'm acting childish it's because you made me this way."
 
"That isn't fair."
 
"Isn't it? I mean we could've moved on with our lives not ever having to know. Now everything is going to be different."
 
"What if it's for the best Royce? You wouldn't have to feel pressured to accept them as your kids."
 
"I have." He said.
 
"Have you really?" I asked.
 
He stared at me silently because he knows that nothing he says will convince me differently. I know that he loves them and wants to be a part of their lives, but I also know that the mistakes of my past stops him from committing fully, and I understand.
 
"I don't want to fight." He whispered.
 
"Neither do I."
 
Royce moved closer to stand in front of me and grabbed my hands into his before kissing them softly.
 
"I missed you, it's just the idea of losing you..."
 
My heart warmed at his words.
"I missed you too and you won't." I said.