CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The material tightly wraps around my body as I yank on the zipper. It stops moving and my arm aches from yanking. I let go, and it slides down and I glare at the mirror. I tug on the material around my belly, willing for it to move a little more, but it doesn't.

"Please Blake, I need your help in here."

"Just a second."

I brace against the counter and take a deep breath.

"What's wrong?" He skids into the room and smiles.

"Can you help me with the stupid zip?"

"Let me work my magic." He chuckles.

I suck everything in which doesn't help. The zipper jams and my heart sinks. Blake tugs on the dress and the zipper slides up and I smile.

"When are you going to buy more clothes? You can't spend the whole time wearing my clothes, even if you look really sexy. It also pains me that I'm telling you to buy clothes." He sighs.

I turn around and wrap my arms around his neck. Blake pecks my forehead and I grin.

"It's on my list of things to do, but I just." I shrug.

"You're being lazy?" Blake chuckles.

"Yeah, and tired." I nod.

"I'd shop for you, but I don't think you'd be impressed with my outfit choices." He laughs.

"I should take Kyle, it's been forever since we've gone shopping. Do you want anything while I'm there? Lo needs some more clothes too, so at least that'll brighten my day."

"Leave some baby shopping for us. I want to see you get excited over cute outfits."

"Okay, sure."

"We're finishing early tomorrow, so I'll grab Lo and take her to the park so you can shop in peace."

"Thank you so much!"

His arm slides around my waist and his nose trails across my jawline.

"I love you." He kisses my chin and smiles.

I cup his cheek and kiss his lips.

"We should leave."

His hand grips on my waist and he groans.

I wander into the bedroom and slide into a pair of flats. Blake wanders out of the bedroom while I slip on my rings and grab my handbag.

Blake walks down the hallway with London dangling over his shoulder.

"We're ready to go." He smiles.

"Thank goodness."

I yank the door open and jump back. Tori presses her and on her chest and shakes her head. Blake stands beside me while London beams with happiness.

"Are you coming to dinner too?"

"No baby." She sighs. "I'm sorry to interrupt, I just, I um, I wanted to give you this."

Tori holds a box with a golden ribbon, but Blake shakes his head.

"Thank you for the present." I take the box and smile.

"I'll see you on the weekend, baby." Tori smiles.

"Goodbye." She giggles.

"And uh, happy birthday Blake."

Blake's body is tense and awkward. Tori nods and wanders down the pathway to her car. I toss the present onto the bed and we exit the house.

The box is light enough to be the adoption papers, or at least I hope it is. Perhaps it'll salvage the situation. Tori's made so many mistakes, but I still want to help her, even though it's because Logan loved her.

* * * * *

We gather around the table as Angela brings the birthday cake out. London's blue eyes widen and she bounces on Blake's lap.

"Happy Birthday," Angela shouts.

Blake squirms as we sing at the top of our lungs. London wiggles closer to the cake and the pair blow the candles out. He passes London to me and slices the cake. Her smile widens as she consumes the delicious chocolate.

We hand out the cake and it's enjoyed in silence.

"Thank you for cake and dinner, today has been amazing." Blake grins.

"You're welcome." Angela smiles.

Once we've finished eating, Angela and I take the plates to the kitchen. We rinse and stack them in the dishwasher with the help of London.

The doorbell rings and we frown at each other.

"Thomas, can you get that?"

There's grumbling, a door opens and "happy birthday" is shouted. Angela frowns and shakes her head.

"Weirdly, that sounds like Jude."

"Yeah, it does." I nod.

Angela races out and I follow.

She leaps into Jude's arm and squeals with happiness.

"Why didn't you tell me you were back?"

"Only for a couple of days." He chuckles. "I met this beautiful woman and we're going to Europe for a couple of weeks."

"Do I get to meet this mysterious woman?" Angela grins.

"Yes, she forgot her bag in the car."

Jude steps outside and lights up as a tall woman stands beside him. She tucks a strand of sandy blonde hair behind her ear and smiles.

"Hi." I wave.

"Angela, Blake and Ava, this is Freya."

"It's wonderful to meet you," I say.

"Come and give us a hug!" Angela wrestles her into a hug which makes us laugh.

"Thank you for the warm welcome, and happy birthday. Jude has told me so much about you."

"I hope it's all been good." Angela laughs. "Do you want chocolate cake?"

Freya looks at Jude and he grins.

"Yes, thank you." Jude nods.

We wander into the dining room and gather around the table. London hides behind Thomas's arm as Freya takes a seat beside her. She peers over his arm and raises an eyebrow.

"Hi, I'm Freya."

Thomas pokes her side and whispers into her ear. She glances at Thomas and he nods.

"I'm London," she whispers.

"It's nice to meet you, London."

She dips under Thomas's arm and we chuckle.

"I don't know what's wrong, but she's never this shy." Blake laughs.

"Nobody told me what gender the baby is," Jude grumbles.

"What do you think we're having?" I grin.

"I hope a boy."

Blake sighs. "It's a girl, but hey, I'll be happy for a healthy baby."

"Congratulations! Maybe you will with the next baby."

"We'll have to keep going until we have a boy." Blake smirks.

"Racing around three children is enough for me, thank you very much!"

"Speaking of racing around, we should get London home."

"It was nice meeting you, Freya." I smile.

Thomas whisks London into the air and passes her to Blake. She wraps her arms around his neck and snuggles into his chest.

"Thank you again for dinner," Blake comments.

"No worries."

* * * * *

Blake staggers into the room and pushes his fingers through his hair. He yawns and wanders into the bathroom to brush his teeth.

"How many stories did you read?"

"Six." He rubs his face.

"I cap it at three." I laugh.

"When she pouts and I can't say no."

"She's too cute, and she knows it!"

"Dangerous but adorable."

He brushes his teeth while I snuggle under the warm covers. Blake strides out of the bathroom and discards his shirt in the washing basket.

As he wanders around, he glares at the box. He scoops it off the bed and charges out of the room. I leap up and race down the hallway.

"Aren't you going to look before you throw it in the bin?"

"No."

"What if it's important?"

"I doubt it."

"Open it."

Blake swirls around and holds the box to me.

"You can open it then."

I take the box and rip the wrapping paper. Blake crosses his arms while I open the lid. I peer over the lid and Blake steps closer, curiosity kicking in.

"What is it?"

"I thought you didn't want it." I raise an eyebrow.

"The look on your face has changed my mind."

I take the papers out and hand them over.

"It's a good thing you didn't throw these in the bin."

Blake flips through the pages and frowns.

"Is this real?"

"Yes, baby. She signed the adoption papers."

Tears trickle down his cheek as he stares at the page.

"Congratulations."

I brush his tears away and kiss his lips. Blake wraps his arms around my waist and nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck.

Sometimes things work out, you just need time.

Thank you for waiting!