Perfect

Chapter Fourty Five: Even if it doesn't always feel complete

"Be happy. Be bright. Be you."

Chapter Fourty Five: Even if it doesn't always feel complete

The first event we went to after the concert was an event at an orphange a few miles out of L.A. I was more nervous now then I ever had been before. I kept finding something to fiddle with. First time was my hair, then it was with the strap of my shoulder bag and when Jayden grabbed hold of both of my hands, I started playing with his fingers, lacing and unlacing them with my own. He didn't say anything, he kept one hand on my leg and one hand intwined with mine. I think he knew how nervous I was, even without me having to say anything. For as long as I'd known him, he'd been goinf to these events. He even took Keegan with him once or twice. Tkdau was one of those days.

When we picked him up, Jaydens mother came out of the hosue after her son, her brow creased with deep lines. Keegan bounced a long in front of her and three himself at me, wrappong himself around my legs, completely oblivious to the fact that his mother seemed frustrated. Jayden let out a deep breath and placed his hand on the small of my back. Bending down to my level, he whispered into my ear, his breath moving the hair around my face.

"Take Keegs to the car for me." He said, his voice quiet. "I need to deal with Mum." I glanced in the direction of Mrs Grace who was tapping her foot like she had an appointment she had to run to. Come to think about it, she probably did. Jayden saw me glance at her and tapped my chin with his forefinger, bringing my attention back to him.

"It's fine." He said softly. "She does this every time. She thinks Keegan doesn't need to go. She thinks he's above them and he doesn't need to see that." Anger bubbled up inside of me so suddenly I had to bite down on my tongue. Jayden ran his hand down my back before turning and striding in the direction of his mother. I took a deep breath and turned towards the boy who was rifling through his school bag.

"Come on Keegan." I said, holding out my hand. "Let's go and wait in the car." Keegan didn't need to be told twice. He dropped his bag on the ground and set off at a pace towards the car. Danny heard him coming and folded up his newspaper, swinging Keegan up in his arms, way above his head. I picked up Keegans shoes and his bag and headed for the car, trying to ignore the raised voices that were coming from behind me.

* * *

When Jayden got back into the car, he sat opposite Keegan and I, smiling at his brother and playing ISpy with him. When he gave Keegan his phone to play on, he let himself go a little, now that his brother no longer had his attention on him. He was breathing heavily, trying to suppress his anger. He kept tugging at his shirt coller and running a hand through his hair. I glanced at Keegan, who was completely emerged in a game he was playing on Jaydens phone before I reached out and ran a hand over the back of Jaydena neck. He didn't say anything, just bent forward until his head was pressed against my stomach. I ran my hands through his hair, smoothing it gently until his breathing evened out and his muscles relaxed. Then he pulled away, leaning forwards slightly to press his lips to my forehead. And then he went right back to playing with his brother, as if nothing at all had happened.

* * *

When we got to the orphanage, my heart was thumping so fast I was worried it would come out of my mouth and drop onto the floor, gasping like a fish out of water. As soon as Keegan saw the front gates, he started cheering about getting to see his friend Ella.

"Can we see Ella Jay-Jay?" He asked, his legs jigging up with excitment as he waited for Danny to open the door. "Can we see Ella?"