Promise

chapter 73

Avery

It's been a few days since Elijah met Xander and even though their meeting was only 5 minutes if that I could tell both disliked each other.

Jess was suppose to come round tonight which meant it would be better to talk to him about Xander tonight because I feel like Jess would be on my side however I couldn't do that. I was wrong for me to even think about talking to him when I knew he would do pretty much anything Jess asked.

It's not like I knew how I felt about Xander, he was just a friend. Right?

Elijah
When Avery was born I fell in love. We had wrapped her up in a fluffy pink blanket and I had sat for hours holding her. Back then I vowed to protect my little girl from everything. I failed big time but I now had a second chance and I wasn't going to screw up.  I was overprotective and I knew I had to tone it down a bit, I didn't want to come off as controlling because  that wasn't my intention. I just wanted her safe. Every time I look at her, I see how she was too good for this world, her concern for everyone's welfare but her own was adorable yet it enfurated me, I wanted her to prioritize herself but she didn't. Of course that made me more concerned for her. I had never raised a child, not properly so this was all new to me and after everything she's been through I was always looking for signs that something was wrong. I usually don't have time to read but yesterday I picked up a book about raising a teenager as a single dad. Even though I'm with Jess I can't expect her to take care of Avery like a parent would.
So after a quick read and 10 chapters later I was more aware of things.

1. Communication

I think we both have good communication, Id like to think she could come to me if she had a problem.

2. Aware of devolpments
Sadly this included her social circle, meaning Xander...no Alexander. I refuse to call him Xander. But I guess I should tell her that she could hang out with him....if he hurts her I will kill him and that's a promise

3. Don't be overprotective
I skipped straight past that page . Not a chance would that happen but I did glance at a sub section.
Don't threaten boyfriends.
Ha. As if I'd even consider not threatening them.
Sorry Nathan
Sorry Xander

4. Rules and consequences
Apparently I should be setting the same rules I would if she was a boy.  Of course if she had lived with me the entire 15 years I'd be stricter but she already has the rules that I'd give regardless of gender. Of course there is a few rules I'd add if she was a boy, the main being to respect women.

The rest was basically me giving her space, time and comfort. I eventually stopped reading when I saw I was going to be late to pick her up.

Now as I think back to what I read yesterday, I realize that I should tell her I was ok with her hanging out with Alexander ...yes I still refuse to call him Xander.

We had gotten home not long ago and Jess would be hear any minute so I was making sure no unwanted work was left out. I couldn't let her know about my other work. Not yet.

"Avery I thought I said to do your homework" I say noticing her maths homework laid on the coffee table. "I was doing it but it was really boring" I smirk at her response. "Tough, get working on it" I reply which led to us having a staring contest. I obviously won. "Can you help me" she asks giving up. "yes but I want you to try it all yourself first. Anything you don't know, we will go through tonight when Jess leaves" I compremise not wanting her to rely on me whenever she can't be bothered.

Jess came soon after and I smiled as I saw her talk with Avery. I was cooking our dinner but I kept going and standing by the door way to check on Avery.
This was the family life I wanted.

Avery
Elijah left for the final time and Jess smirked "how about we make a deal" she started and I looked at her sceptical so she continued. "You back of from your dad and I won't send you to boarding school....wait I will because you don't belong here. Can't you see Elijah wants a family, how can he have a family with just you." She spoke. God I was wrong. She was the devil in disguise. "You have no say in my education and Elijah already has a family" I counter and she answers, not missing a thing "seriously can't you see how unhappy Elijah is with you" I till my eyes but her glare gets bigger. She grabs my wrist and pulls me closer.
"better watch that mouth of yours bitch"

Well shit.  I have no clue what to do. It was obvious Elijah had a thing for her and I didn't want to ruin his happiness. I guess for now I could play nice.