The Nanny Affair

Chapter 28- Jasper

As the sun shines bright in the morning. I feel the pain of reality set in as I look over to Rosie's pillow and she is gone. I look up at the ceiling and my heart races knowing what we had is over. But it was amazing while it lasted. I get out of bed and put on my clothes from last night. I walk out and head to the kitchen to see Rosie, David and Natty all sitting at the kitchen table. Rosie gets up and walks to the counter, grabbing a mug and pouring some coffee in it.

"Morning," She says as she hands me the cup.

"Morning," I reply, stopping myself from kissing her cheek.

Silence fills the air as we all look at each other. Not a word is uttered. I look at David who looks like he is disappointed in me. I don't blame any of them for hating me. The doorbell ringing breaks the silence.

"I'll get it," I say as I walk away and head to the door. I open it to see Gisselle standing there.

She pushes past me and heads inside, walking past all three of them in the kitchen. She gives Rosie a look of champions as she seemingly rubs in her face that she gets me. Rosie looks away and continues talking to Natty and David.

I follow Gisselle into the office and she takes a seat. She crosses her legs and smiles as I sit down at my desk.

"So. Obviously you've had your fun. Now can we get back on track with this merger?" She states.

I rub my face and look at her, "Yeah," Is all I can manage to say. As much as I hate this, I have to move on with my life.

"Great!" She says as she gets up, "The engagement party is next Saturday night held at the office, since it has the most beautiful view of the city." She smiles and walks out, walking toward Natty, David and Rosie.

"Before I leave," She turns to them, "I'd like to extend an invitation to you all. Next Saturday at Wentworth Corp. an engagement party will be held for Jasper and I." She smirks. "I hope to see you all there."

I see Rosie bite the inside of her cheek as she looks at me. I know that she's trying her best to keep her emotions in check, but it's clear to me that she has something on her mind. I can feel the tension in the air as she hesitates, her gaze never leaving mine. She stands up and says, "Sorry, my ass."

She walks away, and I feel like I just took a blow to the gut.

As the week goes by, I'm excited to see the boys. They finally arrive home and jump into my arms as they walk in the door. Since their arrival they have been busy with summer hockey. I've missed all last week of work and decide to head back to catch up on some reports and finish all the paperwork for this merger.

This week has been hell, coming home every night and seeing her. I stopped every urge to just grab her and kiss her lips and take her back to bed with me. But this is what she wants and I won't fight her on it. The media has been having a fun filled time with the engagement news and Gisselle has taken every opportunity to speak about our future. It makes me sick to think of what my life has become. I cannot help but to feel like a pawn in her game, although it was me who asked for the engagement.

As I enter the house on Friday night, I find Rosie dragging the hockey bags that belong to the boys to the garage. When I undo my tie and meet her gaze, I can see the sparkle in her eyes. She averts her gaze and keeps going in the opposite direction. I eventually make it to the kitchen, where I find the boys in the midst of their meal.

"Want some food dad?" Nate asks.

"Rosie made shepherds pie, it's so good." Alex adds as he puts the fork in his mouth.

I nod and grab myself a plate and dish myself some. I lean against the counter as I take a bite and smile; it is delicious. Rosie walks in and smiles. I take a look at her and I undress her with my eyes. I finally put my head down and continue eating. Embarrassed by my thoughts, I quickly avert my gaze and take another bite of the meal. I'm aware that I shouldn't think of Rosie this way, but it's difficult to contain my thoughts.

"Just kiss her dad." Nate states as he looks at me. My heart skips a beat as I hear the words and I am suddenly overwhelmed with anxiety. I'm so taken aback by his suggestion that I don't know what to say. I spit out my food and look at him.

"You like her, everyone knows you do. So just kiss her." He takes a drink of his grape juice.

The things that he just said have left me completely bewildered. Alex just chuckles to himself as he sits there. Even though Nate has always been the more forthright of the two, I had no idea he would say something like this. I'm in a state of shock and I don't know what to think.

"It would be wrong for your dad to do that." Rosie chimes in, "He's getting married to Gisselle. Remember we have their engagement party tomorrow night."

"Who cares about the wicked witch!" Nate shouts.

"Hey! watch your tone!" I tell him.

"We don't want Gisselle, we hate her," He throws his plate. "I want Rosie to be our mom." He storms off and I take a deep breath.

I put my plate down and go to follow him but Rosie puts her hand on my chest to stop me.

"I'll talk to him, you've done enough." She turns on her heel and walks away following Nate up to his room.

I look over at Alex and ask,

"Do you feel the same way?"

He nods his head as he continues eating. He then looks at me, "Rosie is the only person who actually loves us,"

"Excuse me?"

"Besides you dad. Rosie does everything a mom should do, we are the only kids at school who don't have a mom and Rosie is that to us. We love her. If it was up to us, you would marry her and not the wicked witch." He says. Innocence fills his eyes. "Plus you smile a lot when she's around." He gets down and puts his plate in the sink.

He looks up at me so I crouch to get to his level. I look into his green eyes that resemble mine and move the dark blonde strand of hair that flows in front of his face. He jumps into my arms and I'm consumed in my emotions. I kiss his head and he pulls away.

"Whatever you choose dad, we still love you." He walks away and heads up stairs.

I sit on the floor and lean against the island. Placing my hands on my head and look up. I hear footsteps enter the kitchen and turn to see Rosie. She takes a seat next to me and we just sit in silence for what seems like eternity.

"I'm sorry they feel this way. I'm sure once Gisselle is around more, they will warm up to her." She tells me.

"Yeah, I doubt that." I put my head down.

"Well, no matter what, I'm not going anywhere. You can't handle those two on your own," She starts to laugh.

I smile and agree, "You've been a god sent." I look into her eyes but before she can answer my lips press against hers.

She doesn't fight it and kisses me harder. I move her to my lap as my hands hold her ass. I pull her closer and take this moment between us. Time freezes and it's just her and me, and I feel myself making the biggest mistake letting her go.

"Rosie! We're ready for bed." Alex shouts from the top of the stairs.

She pulls away. "This is wrong," She states. She gets up and heads up the stairs. I sit there for a few more minutes. Eventually getting up and cleaning up the mess Nate made and heading to my room. I lay in bed and think of the kiss we just shared, but we already said our goodbyes. I look up at the ceiling and try to find the positives of all this. She will still be around for the boys, and maybe, just maybe I'll find a way to love Gisselle. I close my eyes and picture Rosie next to me like I have since the moment she said it was over, and drift off into a deep sleep.