From Rags to Riches

Take it or leave it

Jordan:

I'm sitting at the island in the kitchen holding a mug of coffee between my hands as my housekeeper Cara prepares breakfast. I know Rebecca and Sienna haven't eaten properly in months and I'm going to make sure they get a decent meal. I'm hoping she doesn't follow through on her words, because that means she will be leaving me soon and, even though we only met a couple of days ago, I suddenly feel protective of her.

Five minutes later Rebecca walks out holding Sienna's hand. I had sent Mason out this morning to grab some clothes so that they didn't change back into dirty ones. I stand up and smile, and I swear she blushes and bites that gorgeous lip of hers. The clothes fit her perfectly and show off her amazing, although a bit too skinny, figure. Mason bought her a pair of dark denim jeans with a simple peach sleeveless blouse; revealing a tattoo just below her left bicep. Just from a simple nights sleep, a slower and a change of clothes, Rebecca looks radiant, and if it's possible even more beautiful.
"Erm, thankyou for the clothes, they're lovely" she says and kneels down to Sienna to whisper something in her ear. Sienna looks up at me and tentatively walks towards me.
"Thankyou for the clothes, sir" she barely whispers. I kneel down in front of her and offer her a small smile that immediately grows when she returns it with a cheeky little grin.
"You're very welcome Sienna, and it's Jordan ok?" I say and she nods. I hold my arms out and she walks into them, wrapping her little arms around my neck as I pick her up. She weighs next to nothing and that frightens me. I should call for a nurse to come and check her and Rebecca over, it would certainly put my mind at rest.

"How about some breakfast?" I ask and Rebecca looks over in shock at the buffet Cara has prepared.
"Are you expecting company?" She asks and I can't help but chuckle at her question.
"No, it's just us" I say and sit down with Sienna in my lap.
"Come sit Rebecca. This is my housekeeper Cara Bently, Cara this is Rebecca and her daughter Sienna" I introduce them and Rebecca gives her a warm smile as she sits down on the stool next to me.
"Help yourself" I tell her and proceed to put two plates in from of me, and she quickly follows.
"I don't know where to start" she admits and I smile at her as her eyes scan across the array of food.
"Have whatever you want, it needs to be eaten" I reply with a smirk before turning my attention to the little girl in my arms.
"What would you like Sienna?" I ask and she looks up at me with her big blue eyes before looking over at her mother.
"It's ok baby, Jordan is helping us, have whatever you want" Rebecca encourages her as I stroke her soft hair. Sienna looks back at the food and I can see the cogs in her little brain turning. She finally looks up at me and in that instant I know I will do anything for this little girl.
"Can I have some bacon and that please?" She asks me shyly as she points to the pancakes.
"A pancake?" I ask and she nods her little head. I nod before leaning down and planting a soft kiss on the top of her head. As I pull away I see a grin grow on Rebecca's face and my breath catches in my throat. If she were mine, I would make sure that smile stayed on her face everyday. I put a pancake onto a plate followed by some bacon and cut the pancake into smaller pieces for Sienna. I then help myself to a pancake and bacon before putting some fruit into a bowl.

I watch as Rebecca puts the last piece of mango into her mouth and she lets out a big breath.
"Wow, I don't think I've eaten that much in years" she says and Sienna giggles.
"Yummy" she announces and pats her little tummy.
"Thankyou so much Jordan, for everything. We really appreciate it" Rebecca tells me and reaches over to run her fingers through Sienna's hair.
"Like I've said before, there's no need to thank me, it's been my pleasure" I reply and before I even think about it I take her small hand in mine and caress it with my thumb. She looks up at me with beetroot red cheeks, but she doesn't pull away.
"Stay with me" I let the words fall out of my mouth and I feel her freeze.
"Oh Jordan I can't. That's very nice of you to offer, but we must be getting off now" she explains and pulls her hand away before standing up.
"Come on baby we have to go now" she holds her hands out to Sienna but Sienna has other plans.
"No" she says with a pout and wraps her arms around my neck.
"Stay with Jordy" she declares and I stand up with her in my arms. Once again I decide to use Sienna as my weapon to get what I want.
"Mummy wants to leave now" I whisper in her ear and she tightens her grip.
"No! I like Jordy, I like pan'akes" Rebecca sighs in frustration at her daughter's stubbornness and pinches the bridge of her nose.
"See? Sienna wants to stay. What is she going to do without her pancakes?" I joke, but by the look on Rebecca's face; she doesn't find it funny.
"She's gone three years without one, I'm sure it won't ruin her"
"Rebecca I-"
"Please give me my daughter" she demands and I comply.
"Come on honey, go to your mumma" I pry Sienna's arms from around my neck and pass her over to Rebecca.
"NO Jordy!" Sienna leans away from her mother and reaches her arms out towards me. I can see the tears trickling down her rosy cheeks and it pulls at my heartstrings.
"Thankyou again Jordan, you have no idea how grateful I am" she says and walks past me.
"Let me offer you a deal" I propose just as she starts to walk to the elevator. She stops in her tracks but doesn't turn to face me.
"You stay here and let me look after you. You will get your own room, get fed properly and own your own clothes. In the meantime, you search for a job. Once you find a job and earn enough money to rent to buy a place of your own, you can leave as you wish" I explain my offer and she finally turns to face me, but the silence is killing me. I walk slowly towards her and I stare into her eyes. Grey into blue.
"Take it or leave it" I can see her running every possible situation in her mind, so I reach my hand out and gently cup her cheek. I can feel the hotness radiate from her skin as she bites her lip. Those lips will be the death of me. She takes a shaky breath before standing up straight and looking into my eyes.
"I'll take it"