Chapter Forty-One

Arms circle around my waist and pull me back down. My back crashes against his warm chest and I let out a big giggle, which wakes up London. Someone knocks on the door which tears our little scene apart. I push myself away from Blake and stand up. "I'll get the baby, you answer the door." Blake nods his head and gets up. As he moves out of the room, I dash towards the cot and rescue London. I start rocking her back and forth while whispering sweet things to her. When London's cries subside, I walk towards the stairs but stop when I hear the voices from down below. I hear Jude's voice and it sets off a round of panic and relief. If Jude and Blake manage to sort things out before Tori's fake lunch date goes through, it'll be a blessing in disguise. I don't want to explain why she's not turning up for it. Instead of going downstairs, I retreat to the bedroom and sit down by the door so I can eavesdrop. Bad, I know, but what if I need to break up a fight? Not sure how I'm going to do that with a baby in my arms. I also really want to know if they work things out. So yes, curiosity did kill the cat in my case. "We need to talk and I don't want to leave without getting the chance," I hear Jude say. "So please just hear me out." There's a long pause of silence until I hear Blake respond with, "Let's talk." "On the night of the party, I saw Tori throwing up in the bushes. I didn't want to leave her, so I went to help. I took her to the kitchen and got her some water, fixed her hair and clothing." He pauses. "Then she started flirting. I didn't want to go there..." "Did she throw herself on you or did you take advantage of her?" The anger in Blake's voice begins to stir, which makes me feel queasy at the same time. I don't think my odds of holding Blake back will be good. "She said you two were no longer together. One thing led to another and we ended up, you know." He trails off awkwardly. "We slept together." He shrugs his shoulders. I look down at London and see her eyes fluttering. I walk back to the crot and place her inside so that she can sleep comfortably. Instead of returning to bed, I sit near the stairs and peek down at the two. Blake stands up and walks back and forth, his hands clench and I see he's trying to build up the courage to say something. He just can't seem to get the words out. "I didn't fill the form out properly," he admits, "the part about us being related, I didn't tick the option. There's a good chance it's either one of us." Blake stalks back to his chair and takes a seat, his gaze never meeting Jude's stunned look. "Why not?" asks Jude calmly. "Because I can't look at London the same way, knowing she's your child. I wouldn't know what to do." Blake runs his hands through his brown hair. "It doesn't matter, but..." Before Blake can finish explaining, Jude cuts in, "I don't want you to get another test, I accept you as London's father. I know I'm not cut out as a father, and I know this looks like me passing off on my responsibilities. But I see the way you look at her and the bond you've formed, and I wouldn't want to take that away." Jude half smiles, "I know I'll always be in her life and have an input, but perhaps that's just the role I'm supposed to play." "Thank you." Is the only thing Blake says. It didn't feel like enough after everything Jude had said, but at the same time it felt like that's all he needed to say. They sit in silence until Jude bites his lip and begins talking. He fidgets on the seat and plays with his fingers. "You don't owe me a thing, so don't just say yes, okay?" he asks. "What is it?" replies Blake. "Can I have your blessing? I'd want to ask Tori on a date, but I won't if you don't want me to." "Sure." Quickly slips from his lips, "If Tori makes you happy, I want you to be happy. She's someone in my past. I think you should have the chance to experience the bond I have with Ava and I don't want to be the person that holds you back." A big smile forms on Jude's face, which makes me smile myself. "So you're serious with her?" Jude asks. "I think so." He nods his head. "When I'm with her, I feel all these different emotions. She makes me happy to the point that my heart might jump out of my chest while feeling completely comfortable in my own skin. She's remarkable. I think I'm falling in love with her." "I'm glad you're happy, man." The two get up and bro hug it out, which makes my body tingle. "You should spend more time with Lo. Maybe take her out with Tori?" suggests Blake. "I think I will." Nods Jude. The two say their goodbyes and walk to the front door. I get up from my position on the floor and run towards the bed. I hear the sound of Blake's footsteps walking up the stairs which sends my heart buzzing frantically. "You heard," is the first thing he says. "Everything." I smile guiltily. "And I think I'm falling for you too." A wide grin spreads across his face. Blake rips the blanket off and throws them on the floor, then tackles me onto the bed. My back presses against the soft surface as his lips collide with mine. I run my hands down his chest while his hand squeezes my thigh. We might be crazy, a little out of our depth. But when I hold your hand and you squeeze it tightly, I know I can face the world one baby step at a time.