New families

That was then

Over the next few weeks the household fell into a routine where everyone seemed happy.
It was coming up to Mother's Day and the whole family were having lunch one Saturday
"Daddy are we taking flowers to mummy next week?" Asked Ella
"Of course sweetie . Just like we do every year"
Jac's heart still ached for these children who had lost their mother. She remembered what it was like during the years when her mother was absent. Mother's Day seemed to be everywhere. Adverts, shops, school friends with perfect families..
Jac had said at the beginning that she couldn't be a mother to his children but she had come to love them all and she still found that scary, still couldn't, even after everything, quite believe she was part of this incredible family and that it wasn't all going to go pear shaped
"I'm just going to change the human poop machine" Jac said taking Luc upstairs with her thoughts
"We were making cards at school and I made one for Mummy and one for Jac" said Ella
"You made one for Jac?" Fletch asked
Seemingly Fletch was the only one who was surprised
"She's basically like a mum" Evie reasoned
"I know but when we got together she made it clear she couldn't be a mother to my children"
"That was then" came a voice from behind him
"Sorry?" He turned to see Jac
"I said that was then" Jac repeated entering the room
"That was before I knew you all. I was scared that I would start to care, that you would start to care and then I would mess things up with your dad and end up leaving"
Fletch went over to her and placed his arm around her
"But we're not buying that Naylor. We are not letting you go anywhere. You're stuck with us"
"Yeah Jacula, you're going no where"said Mikey making everyone laugh
That evening when everyone was in bed and even Luc was asleep Jac and Fletch sat alone in the living room. Jac had her feet tucked under her and she was snuggled into Fletch's chest
"How you doing?" He asked
"You mean about the mum thing?"
"Well yeah. I mean you did say.."
"Oh I say a lot of things Fletcher"
"Stop avoiding the issue. I never expected or asked you to be their mother but do you feel like you are"
"I do" Jac said quietly "it's your fault" she punched him lightly "you've made me fall in love with you and the rest of your family"
He laughed softly "I think they love you as much as I do"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.
"What's this?"
"Well I thought it was about time you had an engagement ring. I haven't forgotten that you said yes all those months ago. You still want to marry me?"
He opened the box
Jac was briefly lost for words
"Of course I still want to you idiot" she sniffed "I love it, it's exactly what I would have chosen"
"Well" he confessed "if I'm honest Evie helped. Well Evie spotted it and declared it was you"
"She's a very astute girl. Are you just going to hold the box all night or are you going to put the ring on my finger"
He chuckled "Sorry" he placed the ring on her finger "I love you" he said punctuating each word was with a kiss to her knuckles