Everlasting Love

Chapter Five

A month had passed and we'd spent every Sunday together as a three. As I had collected Izzy from school we made our way home chatting about her day. I was so proud of how well Izzy ha settled into school, she's made a few friends and is really enjoying it. Their was no issue of her going in to school on her first day once Bone's had given her at least five long hugs. I'm glad he had made it to see her, his first major life event with her. She had taken it all in her stride. We raced up the stairs and into the flat. She darted straight to the kitchen dumping her bag down. "Izzy go get changed first before you have a snack" She frowned folding her arms as she walked from the kitchen to her room. I picked her bag up taking it through to the kitchen and emptied it grabbing her lunch box out. "Changed" she called appearing at my side. "What's this?" I asked holding up a book with "Learning about my family" titled on the front. I placed the book down and prepped some fruit and a jelly into a bowl for her, sliding it down to the table with a spoon. "We've to make a book on Mummy or Daddy's life" she said in between mouthfuls of fruit. "No talking with your mouthful remember". I said, it was one of the things I hated. She swallowed quickly. "Will Daddy do it with me?" "We can phone him and ask if you want?" She nodded as she took another mouthful. I grabbed my phone and dialed his number. "Hello?" "Hey, it's me, you got a sec?" "Yeah course. You both okay?" "Yeah, all fine. Izzy has a question for you" "Okay, stick her on". I passed her the phone. "Daddy"........... "School was good today, but I've got homework"............."We've to make a book on Mummy or Daddy's work and I want you to help me"........ "Can I? That'd be so cooooool"........... "Okay Daddy, bye". She held the phone back out looking pleased as punch with herself continuing to finish her snack. "Hey" "Hey, I said that you could bring her here tomorrow and we could put some stuff together?" "Erm yeah, okay". "What? You don't sound convinved?" He replied coldly. "Nothing, I er. Just weird seeing you so keen to do homework". He chuckled, I did too. "If worse comes to worse you could do it like you used to do mine". I smiled remembering many a nights we would *study*.... make out in my room more like. "Hayley...." I snapped out of my dream hearing him call my name. "Sorry I er-". "It's okay, tomorrow at 11ish?" "See you then".

The next day...

"Daddy!" Izzy let go of my hand running down the pavement towards him. He lifted her up and gave her a big cuddle. "Hi" I smiled. "Shall we?" He looked from me to Izzy. He walked in front with her. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander with him in his combats. We toured some of the base stopping at a few parts taking a few photos and writing some bits and pieces in her book. "Bone's?" He stood up turning away from Izzy as he was telling her about the different pieces of equipment in the cabinet that we had stopped at. I looked round recognizing the brunette. "Georgie hey" I watched from the side as Izzy went over and wrapped her arms round his legs. "Oh my, this must be Izzy" she bent down to her height smiling. "Izzy this if Daddy's friend Georgie". "Is she your girlfriend?" she asked confidently as Bone's hand rested on the side of her face. Georgie and Bone's both laughed. It had only dawned on me, was Bone's dating anyone. I couldn't figure out what would bother me more. Him dating someone not me, or the potential of Izzy having a Step Mum figure as well as me. Oh God. And their it was. After this short space of time. I wasn't over him. "No Izzy, we're just friends" I noticed he glanced to me as he said so. "Jesus, Hayley. I didn't even see you their. I am so sorry". Georgie came over to me and we hugged brielfy as Bone's and Izzy went back to the cabinet. "Did he tell you about the enegagement party?" "Shit. Yes. Congratulations by the way". "We're having it a week tonight if you can make it? It would be great to catch up properly too as well". "Er, I'll need to double check my diary but yeah. We should grab a coffee sometime". "Mummy!". "I'll go and let you guys get on, but it was great seeing you. And she looks adorable" Georgie said looking down at Izzy one last time as she had appeared at my side. I recognized that look in Gerogie's eye. Broody. "Mummy" She tugged my arm. I bent down as she whispered in my ear. I nodded standing back up and walking over to Bone's. "She needs the bathroom". He nodded and we followed him. As he opened the door I realized we were in his digs. He pointed to the door to the en-suite for Izzy as she ran in closing the door behind her. "This is more fancy that I remember". I said looking round. Still basic, clean, functional. Lack of sentimental items. Decent size though, double bed, wardrobe, chest with the ensuite. "Long service and rank comes with perks". "Are you dating anyone?" I blurted out staring at him, the words were out before I realized it. He looked at me smirking with one of his cheeky grins making me go red. Shit. "Not for me, I mean for Izzy. I-". "The only girl in my life is Izzy" "Right. Good I mean-" "You sure that's the only reason your asking? For Izzy? Because your going red". He stepped closer to me licking his bottom lip. I couldn't help but stare. Had it just gotten very warm in here. Thankfully Izzy appeared demanding help as she couldn't reach the sink before I had to answer. I leapt across the room raising her up to wash her hands.

A while later I'd realized how much Bone's was enjoying this, working with Izzy teaching her about his career. Seeing them bond gave me an amazing feeling, and as long as she was round their wouldn't be anymore awkard moments between us. "Have you got any pictures I could stick in?" Izzy asked him looking back through her notes sitting on his bed. "Not here, but my Mum will at her place". "Can we go and get them?" My eyes widened hearing them. My heart started pounding. "Not today Izzy, it's getting on". I said immidiately. "It's only 2pm. Mum doesn't live that far from here remember. Take your car and we'll be back here in a couple of hours. Let's finish her project". Izzy started begging.

Shit. I hadn't thought about crossing this bridge until now. And I didn't think it was going to be an easy crossing.