Chapter 13: Like Family

Kelly's POV

I pushed Jacob out and closed the door, taking a deep breath and grabbing clean clothes to change into.

Jacob was still in the living room, I pushed the door open and went out to see him sitting on the couch in an elegant pose, holding his cell phone and making a call, when he saw me come out he gestured for me to wait a moment.

Dinner hadn't been delivered yet, and after the awkward scene earlier, I was a little embarrassed to face Jacob.

I sat down at the other end of the couch, the room was quiet, only the sound of animation coming from the TV screen, which Lily liked to watch.

Five minutes later, Jacob hung up the phone, he was full of apologies to me, "Just now, I'm sorry, I ...... didn't mean to see that. I ......"

I thought he would ignore this topic, I didn't expect him to take the initiative to mention it, I waved my hand and said, "It's me who didn't pay attention to the wet clothes ...... The doorbell rang, I'm going to open the door."

Just how I answered, the doorbell rang.

I took my dinner from the delivery man, the lunch box was a little heavy and I set it on the floor ready to close the door.

Jacob came behind me on his long legs to take the lunch box, "You've got all your favorites today."

Even though it was a delivery dinner, the presentation was still exquisite.

To celebrate the smooth move, Jacob picked out a bottle of red wine, "And to celebrate the fact that I finally don't have to be a trapeze artist."

"Jacob ...... I told you you don't have to commute between New York and San Francisco every week, you're so busy with work."

I politely reminded him again, but Jacob didn't seem to listen, picking up his glass and taking a sip, "I'm doing it for Lily."

This topic had been discussed countless times between us, and each time it had ended in nothing.

For Jacob to appear in my life, it was the sixth month after Lily was born.

I had left New York and cut off all contact.

I took Lily to the mall to buy clothes that day and met Jacob during a break.

Pushing a baby stroller, I couldn't walk fast enough and was stopped by Jacob.

I clearly remember Jacob's expression when he saw Lily in the stroller waving her arms and drooling, from shock, skepticism to heartache, I saw it clearly.

His voice was hoarse and his hand holding the coffee cup kept shaking, "Is that why you left without a word?"

"I ...... did." I couldn't explain what had happened to me, it was a private matter that I didn't want too many people to know about.

"What asshole got you pregnant. You tell me and I'll go teach him a lesson for you." Jacob had anger in his tone.

I didn't mention who the father of the baby was, I just said in a firm tone, "Whoever it was, she is my daughter now, I don't regret having her, she brought light and warmth to my dark life, I love her."

After that first meeting, Jacob came to visit us in San Francisco from time to time in the days that followed, bringing Lily many gifts, and also staying by Lily's side when she was sick and taking care of her.

From once a month to once a week, I didn't want to delay Jacob's work, and advised him not to come so often, but he didn't listen to me, and continued to do what he wanted to do.

When I danced at the theater, I heard from my colleagues that Jacob's family was very prestigious in New York, and as the only son, he took over the family business early, so I didn't think Jacob was so idle that he flew to San Francisco every week for the weekend.

After my observation, he had been hanging around with Lily during the weekends and hadn't taken care of any official business at all.

You can imagine how busy he must be back in New York ......

As I looked at the gentle Jacob in front of me, I couldn't help but marvel at his persistence.

In a flash Lily is already five years old, Kate often said to me, from a young age without a father by the side of the child's heart will be very sensitive, but Lily did not, because of Jacob's companionship.

"Jacob, thank you." I picked up my glass and took a drink.

I guess part of the reason I was willing to come back to New York was because of Jacob.

"You should drink less, you should get another headache later." Jacob got up next to me and took my glass away, "It's just to set the mood, you can have a sip, you don't need to drink so much."

"It's okay, I'm happy." The red wine I drank had a quick reaction inside me, I could feel my blood churning, my chi and blood kept rushing upwards, I patted my cheeks, "Getting a little dizzy."

Dizzy, I leaned back in my chair, my vision a little blurry. I shook my head, trying to clear it.

"Let me help you sit on the couch,"

"It's okay, go ahead and eat, I feel better."

Jacob cleared the table after the meal and I sat on the couch watching his busy back thinking what the hell is he doing this for?

Is it just because he likes me?

I've been avoiding Jacob's displays of affection for so long now that we're more like family.

He took care of me like an older brother and had grown to depend on his care.

Kate was always teasing me, calling me the national leprechaun for seducing Jacob without giving him a name.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking about why you're so obsessed with Kate saying that I hooked you in and didn't give you a name."

My brain hadn't responded yet and blurted out what was on my mind.

We were both stunned, Jacob hadn't expected me to say that.

I watched his expression with careful tentativeness, "Are you starting to think about giving me a name?"

"Jacob, it was just a joke, not really ...... It's late, go home."

I didn't know how to explain, I felt like the more I explained the messier it got, "Don't come tomorrow, I have to organize the house."

Jacob heard my words, the look is unchanged, with a smile and said, "I can take Lily to the children's park, you can feel at ease at home to organize the housework."

I couldn't argue with Jacob, thinking that Lily is now at the age where dogs shake their heads at the sight of her, and I can't do my chores while she's at home.

"You don't bring her to buy toys, I want to cultivate Lily's thrifty character, I didn't expect to fall into your hands."

"Isn't it normal for little girls to like toys?" Jacob said he could totally afford the expenses.

I didn't want to get into an argument with him about educating my daughter and walked Jacob out the door, "Take care on the road."

"Kelly, you know who I just met ......"

I got a call from Kate, she lowered her voice to speak to me.

"Who?" I asked absently as I stood on my balcony looking out over the city at night.

"An old flame of yours."