▬▬▬▬▬ Joel's POV ▬▬▬▬▬
"I don't really feel like eating this morning."
"Please, Joel. At least try to eat a little, for her," Marley requested, nodding her head in the direction of the little girl sitting across the dining table from me.
Evvie's cheek rested on her arm, splayed out on the table with her head turned to the side, staring at the plate of food Marley brought from the diner. In her other hand was a useless fork, not doing the one thing it was designed to do--bring food to her mouth. She picked at the plate mindlessly, and it wasn't until I saw her glance my way that I realized she may be mimicking me. Understanding Marley's point, I jabbed at my eggs, eating a forkful, and smiled when my daughter did the same.
Looking up at Marley, who still stood by my side, I mouthed the words "thank you" to her, so glad she was here. Her eyes glowed with warmth at the gesture, and I saw the slightest glimmer of hope I'd make it through the day.
Ding dong!
"I'll get it," she offered.
"No," I stopped her, motioning for her to sit down for what would've been the first time since she got here. "Eat. I'll get it."
Listening, she made herself a plate while I went to the front door, already having a pretty good idea who was behind it. It was too early to be CPS, having already been given a time to expect them. No, this one thousand percent couldn't be anyone else but Dana Kramer, herself.
"Mom," I exhaled, feeling a wave of relief wash over me when she hugged me the second I opened the door. "Come in, it's cold outside."
"I will, just...let me hug my son a little longer first."
Not able to argue with her, I hugged her back, surprised by how much I really needed it. Marley was the woman I loved, but Dana Kramer would always be the first woman to love me. She brought a different kind of comfort, one that no one else could fill. She was the only parent I had left, and I wasn't too fucking proud to admit I still needed her.
"Dom and Rick should be here soon as well," she said, releasing our embrace.
"Oh no," Marley spoke up, a slight frown on her face as she looked at what was left of the food, then back at us. "I knew I should've ordered more. I wasn't thinking."
"Don't worry about it, dear. I sent them to pick up some before they get here. We'll be fine, and we'll make the most of our morning. Alright?" Marley nodded while my mother looked up at me, her hand squeezing my forearm as she repeated, "Alright?"
"Alright, Mom."
"Good. Now I need to see my grand-baby," she smiled, letting me go.
Wasting no time, she took a seat next to Everly, and my heart squeezed watching my little girl reach out to her, moving to sit on her lap. My mother had a way of loving that I realized early in life, not everyone was privileged to experience. We may not have had everything other kids did growing up, but the core of our family was our heart, and she had the brightest one. My sights drifted over to Marley, and I was beginning to realize she had that very same quality.
No wonder.
Not to sound like a sappy fuck, but my heart didn't stand a chance the second she gave me the time of day. Taking note of that, I sat back down, forcing another forkful of food down.
***
A little after we finished eating, the doorbell rang and my heart rate spiked, eyes darting to the clock on the wall.
YOU ARE READING
Shape of You (+18)
ChickLit"Marley," he groaned against my neck when I detached our lips, needing to breathe. "Let's take this to my room," I said, cupping him through his jeans. "I have a nosey neighbor and I don't want her to see what I'm about to do to you." ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬...
