Not Good For You

Rachel

"I think it's time I introduce you to my daughter." I say to Jack, a few weeks after we had started dating exclusively.

"I would love to meet her. It would mean getting to see you more." Jack replies.

"Ok. Why don't we take her to the park today after school?"

"Sounds great. I will meet you at the park around 4 if that's ok? I can't get away any earlier than that."

"That's fine." I smile at him.

"Brill. I better get back to work but I will drop you back off at the shop." Jack offers.

"Thanks for lunch."

"You're welcome, baby."

I get back to the coffee shop and ask Kate and Jenny how everything has been.

"All great." Kate smiles warmly. Jenny nods. "How was your lunch?" Kate adds.

"Lovely. I'm introducing Jack and Isla to each other later. I'm a little nervous." I inform them.

"Wow big step! I'm sure it will all go great." Kate reassures me.
Jenny nods and smiles warmly.

"I'm sure it will." I agree.

By 3pm, I'm still nervous about the guy I really like meeting the most important person in my life; my daughter.
I walk leisurely to school and wait on the school playground patiently.

"Rach, hi." Lucy says next to me.

I shake my head, "Sorry, Luce, I'm in a world of my own." I laugh nervously.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah everything is fine. Jack is meeting Isla after school. We are taking her to the park." I inform Lucy.

"Wow, that's great!" Lucy smiles at me.

"Yeah..."

"Don't worry about it, Rach. You are happy. Jack seems like a great guy from what you have told me. I'm sure him and Isla will get on brilliantly. I'm going to have to meet him next!"

"I know. I'm just anxious, that's all. Yes, you will definitely have to meet him." I tell her.

We stop talking as the girls walk out of school. I refrain from waving like an idiot and embarrassing Isla.
I let her walk over to me and I smile brightly, "Hey babe." I greet her.

"Hi Mum."

"How was school?"

"Great. We are going on a trip soon! I have a letter in my bag!" She informs me as we start to walk home with Lucy and Stacey.

"Great." I smile. "Do you fancy going to the park in abit?" I ask her.

"Yeah ok."

We get to our street and Lucy mouths 'good luck' to me, before her and Stacey continue to walk up the path towards their house.

I open the front door and tell Isla to take her uniform off and get some clothes on suitable for the park. She listens to me and runs up the stairs to get changed.

"So..." I start when she comes downstairs ready to go, "I have something to tell you."

"Ok."

"Well... erm... mummy has been seeing a lovely man recently. His name is Jack -."

"Is he your boyfriend?" Isla interrupts.

"Yes he is." I tell her truthfully.

"Cool."

I smile at how cool she is with everything. I forget that kids are so resilient.

"Would you like to meet him today at the park?"

She shrugs and smiles, "Yeah, ok."

"Ok great. Let's go!"