A Bad Boy's Gift

Chapter 48

The text comes through from Adam early the next morning as my alarm goes off to get the kids up for school, this morning at 10 am. 

I give Archer a shake, who is lying next to me facing away from me. He groans at the movement.

"Archer, it's 07:00, we've got an appointment with Beth at 10:00, and we need to get the kids up and out to school. Do you want me to take them both?" I ask.

He rolls to me, and nods, "I've got a PT session at half 8, so that would mean I don't have to drop Molly off too early. Thank you." 

I send a text back to Adam quickly and get out of bed for a shower. When I'm out I brush my teeth and follow my skincare routine, quickly applying a bit of moisturiser to my skin before putting some underwear on and going to sit at my dressing table to dry my hair. I get the roots done so they don't get greasy and leave the rest to give my natural curls a chance to spring out. 

I get to the kitchen at half 7 with both children sitting in their pyjamas, eating their cereal and drinking orange juice. 

"Don't forget, Hudson you have football tonight and Molly, you've got swimming, I can keep your swim kit in my car if you want sweetie?" I offer, she looks at me and agrees. "Hudson, your football kit is packed and by the front door, don't forget to take your homework off the table and put it in your bag ready for school." 

He mutters something with his mouth full.

"Hudson, baby, I know you're not in a good mood, but please don't talk with your mouth full," I scold him. 

"I'm not in a bad mood, I'm okay," he says matter of fact. "Today, I'm going to prove that I'm what she wants." He gets up, picks his bowl and glass up and makes his way to the dishwasher. He deposits his bowl and glass and walks out of the room, a spring in his step.

Archer walks past him on his way into the kitchen and frowns, looking between me and Hudson like he's watching tennis. 

I just shrug, raise my eyebrow and shake my head, before turning back to the coffee I was making for us. 

"Do you want it now or in a travel mug?" I ask, making my own mug first.

"I'll take it with me please, I'm going to get there early so I can pick you up for our appointment early," he says, grabbing a piece of bread and popping it in the toaster. 

I wipe the surface when Molly goes up to get into her uniform, Archer gives me a soft kiss before rushing out the door as though he is going to be late, but still going to be early. He makes me smile. 

Hudson comes back down and fills his water bottle, putting it into his backpack and taking it to the front door before going to sit on the front steps outside in the morning sun on his phone. 

At 08:30 I gather all the bags and step outside looking towards my car. I notice, sitting beside my car, is my Mum's car. Her Range Rover, a big black 4x4 with all the additional mods that my Dad organised for her when they bought the car. 

I suppose I could see if the battery is flat and if not I could start using it for the kids, it would mean we don't have to get a bigger car when we have a baby. 

I go back inside to change my keys over to my Mum's and lock the front door behind me as I leave. 

Surprisingly, the battery isn't flat, and we get down the driveway without the car failing on me. 

I drop Molly off first as she is further away. 

When I pull up outside Hudson's school, I see the familiar Range Rover that belongs to the Joneses in front of me. Mellor is opening the door for Lucy when I see her Grandmother, Mary I believe, climb out first.