Not Us 3: Odette & Ford

Chapter 9

Ford's POV

I didn't get much sleep. I grabbed an Uber back to the hotel where I made a video diary for my therapist and sent it off right away. I wanted to get thoughts on this as it was...fucking huge. If I wasn't for sure staying in North Carolina, I was now. No way was I letting my girls leave or having Sutton grow up without knowing me. I have a daughter.

Holy fucking shit.

I closed out of email after sending off the video file and started looking on Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, and all the other places people post jobs for those of us fresh out of the service. Then I started pricing out family cars. I had a shit load in hazard pay and all that, that I never touched. I was going to get a car and a house.

I looked up financial advisors and made an appointment to sit with one Monday morning about making what I did have work for me. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just my kids and their mother who were financially set. I was so proud of hitting the ground running, that by the time I looked up at the clock, it was already almost four in the morning. I'd put in so many applications I was hoping to find a job soon. I also wanted to show Odette that I could be responsible with my money and when I was unexpectedly dropped the 'You are the father' card. I ordered a pick-up order from Target and got three car seats for the kids. I know I'd have to wait on getting stuff for rooms for them and all that, but wherever I rented, I wanted to make sure they'd have their own space.

The fact that I would have to worry about some other guy trying to move in on my girls, made me feel so much fucking better. Man. It was like I could take a breath. I had so much energy, that I went down to the gym at the hotel and started working on a routine. I hadn't done this for fun and to burn energy in ages. It had been to kill the rage in me for the last few months. This was going to be a positive thing.

I hurried up to my room when I noticed it was close to six, got cleaned up, and called Odette.

"Good morning," she sounded so sleepy. I laid back on my bed and smiled. I closed my eyes because I could picture exactly what she looked like. Hair a mess, one eye opened to peek at me, and a smile on her face as she said 'Good morning' to me.

"Hey. What are you guys in the mood for? We go out to eat? Or I can bring stuff and cook there?"

A 'hmmm' came over the line and I knew she was doing her stretching. "We could go out to eat if you're okay with a crowd. These kids love the dinner."

"Would they be disappointed if I wanted to cook? Briggs said that place is packed on weekends." I hated to admit that I couldn't do it yet. I wanted to take them all out if that's what they want. I took a deep breath..."If they really want to go out...I, uh," I rubbed the back of my neck, "I can try—"

"No. We'll help you cook. No need to stress yourself out and you can't enjoy getting to know them." She said it so firmly, I knew there was no arguing.

"We like a simple breakfast. Either biscuits and gravy or eggs and bacon. Maybe pancakes. We aren't picky in this house." I smiled. Thank goodness. I was a professional breakfast chef. It was the only thing I could make halfway decently.

Odette's POV

The kids came barreling into my room about seven thirty, as they all climbed up onto my bed, demanding all of the snacks and diaper changes. With all the dramatics of a school theatre troupe. Screaming, crying, and laughing. These three were a handful, but I was so thankful for them. Once we'd gotten at least fresh diapers on Asher and Sutton and Archie had on his big boy undies, we made our way downstairs to inspect the blanket situation and get something to drink. Usually, OJ and milk.

This morning, we were interrupted by a knock on the door. I opened it to find Ford standing there, arms full of groceries as he walked into our home. The kids all stopped and stared at him as he awkwardly smiled and made his way into the kitchen. I followed behind him, closing the door, and heading into the kitchen.

I could feel the kids right behind me, hot on my heels, but watching the new person in our space. Ford set the bags on the counter and Archie climbed up on the stool at the bar on the counter. I helped Asher and Sutton up, standing between them on their stools. Ford looked at the four of us and rubbed his hands together.

"Who him Mommy?"

"This is Ford. He's Sutton's Daddy. He wants to make breakfast for us. What are you guys hungry for?"

"Pantakes, bagon, and eegs." Archie said, then hopped off his stool and took his blanket to the couch. Asher and Sutton made moves to get down. I helped Asher and before I could help Sutton, she looked at Ford and waved saying, 'ba' then held her arms out for me to let her down.

I made sure they were all cuddled on the couch, watching Steve and Maggie, and came back to help fill the tall order.

"Wow. So...that's them?" He asked, still standing in the same spot. I nodded.

"What do you want to cook?" I asked as I pulled pans and cooking spray out of the cupboards. He was watching the kids on the couch, all of them in their own little space, each with their own-colored cup, and matching blanket.

"Is there a reason the cups and blankets match?"

"Easier to know whose is who's when a fight breaks out. Also, it helps them be able to tell whose is whose if I keep it consistent. Like, Asher loves red, so his room has more red in it. And it's also why his cup and blanket are those colors. Archie loves blue and green, so that's why his are those two colors. Sutton loves pink, purple, and yellow. She has blankets and cups in those colors."

He seemed to think about it, then nodded. "What about when they start liking colors the other one likes?"

I paused for a second, not sure I'd thought of a way out of that one yet. "Maybe I'll get a label maker. Label everything."

"You've thought of everything," he comments as he sprayed the pans with cooking spray and turned on the burners. I sat on one of the stools after starting the coffee maker and set two cups next to it. Was it weird that I could already feel him fitting into our usual morning routine? Was that weird? It should be, right? Because he's an ex. And we're only getting to know each other again for the kids. Because we need to show them how to co-parent together.

That's what I'm telling myself.

Because if I let my mind wander, it will only lead me to heartbreak again. I can't do that again.

Briggs' POV

I had gotten a text around six to meet at Odette's for breakfast and to bring the whole family. So, Jac and I were making our way across the backyard with a fruit salad, and two dozen eggs to make for breakfast. I opened the door and there, standing in the kitchen was Ford cooking, talking with Odette as she peeked at the kids every now and then.

Noa and Koa went down from our arms, as soon as they saw their best friends. They went running for the couch and snuggled between the three kids. Jac hugged Odette, set the eggs on the counter for Ford, and set the fruit salad on the table. We offered help, and he took my help but insisted the women sit. That they do enough for us every day.

Who the fuck was this guy?

I looked at him, and I don't think I'd seen him this happy since before he left for his mission. The last time I'd seen a smile that big, he was with Odette. He'd kissed her goodbye in the airport and we'd watched the girls come back here while we stayed in Cali.

"Did you ask her Sutton's full name?" I whispered to him. That made him stop, pancake on the spatula, mid-flip.

"What's Sutton's full name, Odette?" She stopped her conversation with Jac and looked at us both.

"Sutton Cali Harris." He looked at her, flipped the pancake, and kept his back turned as he asked, "Why Cali?"

"That's where we met and fell in love." His eyes were glassy as he stirred his scrambled eggs in the pan. He was trying to blink them away while I flipped the bacon on the griddle next to the stove. I nudged him and he looked at me, happily crying.

"She's fucking awesome," he whispered back. I nodded.

These two would be okay. It's just going to be a lot of talking. Lots and lots of talking.