Bittersweet

~ ~ Inner Bitch ~ ~

~ ~ Jenna ~ ~

I unstrapped Ava from her car seat. She had been home two days and fingers crossed everything was going smoothly. 

"Who lives here?" she asked.

"Remember, I told you about a lady that's having a baby and I thought it would be nice to give her some of your old things that you don't need anymore."

Gabe had mentioned his ex—Alison had nothing for the baby, and I'd kept Ava cribs, toys and strollers in storage just in case baby number two came along.  It was a shame to leave it all there and not go to good use.

"Okay, Mommy." She reached for my hand as we walked towards the front door. Ringing the doorbell, we waited.

We rang the doorbell another two times and were just about to give up when the woman I'd been dreading but wanting to meet to satisfy my weird curiosity finally answered. She didn't look so happy about being disturbed.

Her eyebrows pinched together. "Who are you?"

My breath caught in my throat.  Her blond hair was mussed in a way that looked like we'd just dragged her from bed and she barely had any clothes covering her. Does Gabe see her like this?

Her snappy tone caught me off guard as I pulled Ava closer, opening and then closing my mouth.   Speak Jenna.  I cleared my throat.   "Hi, it's Alison, yes?"   Gabe called her Al. But I felt awkward shortening her name... and it wasn't as if we were ever going to be friends. "Did Gabe say I'd swing by today?"

Her eyes travelled the length of me. "Yeah, he mentioned something."

"Me and Ava." I looked down, smiling at my daughter.  "Have some things for the baby." I pointed to my car.  "There in the boot of my car."  Her face was a mask of indifference.

"Is the baby in your tummy?" asked Ava, as Alison tore her eyes from me and looked down on my daughter.

She patted her tummy.  "Yes, he is." She looked up, tilting her head, raising a brow.  "Sorry, I forgot, I remember now—Jenny isn't it?"

I smiled.  "Jenna... and this is my daughter Ava."

"Ah, yeah, Tony's kid?"

"How does the baby come out of your tummy?" Ava stared at her bump, fascinated.

I chuckled, squeezing her hand.  "I will explain later, Angel."

"Suppose you can come in." She stood to one side. 

Following her in, she led us into Gabe's sitting room.  I'd only been here twice, so it still all looked new to me.  "Have you settled in, okay?"

"Yeah, I used to live here with Gabe, so I know my way around.  Weird sleeping in our bed though. I don't enjoy sleeping alone." A smug smile crossed her face.