Missed This

POV: Leah

Jared is so predictable; he has always left a spare key behind his patio light. He tapes it to a little magnet to keep it secured out of sight. I guess some things are just a force of habit.

Over the last two years I never thought I would be back at his place. I despised him for a long time but walking in here now wasn’t as emotional as I thought it would be. I have started moving on and mending what’s been broken inside of me.

I wiggled the door open and let myself in.

The house was clean and organized, something I never thought possible. Mid-century modern is a style we both shared an interest in, but I think he just rubbed off on me.

It was simple in design with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It featured an open concept, which I envisioned him cooking while he watched Amelia play.

Thinking about him being a dad was a huge turn on for me.

He and Amelia lived a minimalist lifestyle, except for her room. He went above and beyond for her.

It was painted a beautiful pastel pink, with a feature wall of flowers that brought your attention to a carriage style canopy bed. She had a little girls dream room and it was filled with photos, toys, and books.

I walked over to her little white dresser and picked up a framed photo. It was of her mom sitting in a beach chair with a large, brimmed hat. Perfect smile and a glow that women dream of.

Hatred filled me because this woman tore apart my marriage, but the mature side of me brought me back to reality. Jared cheated because he wanted too, and I have moved past that. I don’t think I could ever have a relationship with him again, but the sex is good.

I roamed the rest of the house.

It was all designed in the same simplistic way, but I was started when a tea kettle on the stove started to whistle. Oh no, someone was here.

“Jared?”, I called out.

An even more startled woman came from the outside patio.

“Oh, hi. I was looking for Jared.”, I tried to act as if coming here were a normal occurrence.

“Hi, I am Lilly. He’s not here right now.”, she didn’t really explain who she was.

“Okay, do you happen to know when he’ll be back?”, I asked hoping to pull some information from her.

“I am not sure, but you’re welcome to join me for tea while we wait.”, she was kind and beautiful.

“I couldn’t possibly, I don’t want to impose.”, I tried to back myself out of it.

“Please, stay and join. It gets lonely here.”, now was my chance to pull some information from her.

“One cup.”, I smiled and helped her gather a tray to take outside.

It was a nice afternoon with Lilly. I found out that she is Jared’s housekeeper, and she comes by to watch Amelia when he takes work trips or needs a night off. She was never able to have children of her own, so watching children and building that bond fulfills her.

I wonder if Adrian would be as happy being a single dad as Jared is.

Adrian seemed pretty sure that the baby wasn’t his, but I can tell Monica is the type of woman to trap a man into a relationship by forcing herself to get pregnant.

I didn't tell Lilly why I was really here, but I could tell she knew who I was.

We had moved inside to continue our conversation. It was like talking to an old friend.

"You know, he still talks about you.", she smiled as if she were reading my mind.

"Oh.", was all I could think.

"You are exactly as he described, and I can tell you are pure at heart.", she must not know the real me.

"Thank you.", I blushed taking her compliments.

It wasn’t long before Jared and Amelia got home, he was surprised to see me. I hadn’t told him that I was coming over, but he knew that I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t need him.

**********

POV: Jared

I was caught off guard when I walked in my house to see Leah and Lilly sitting in the living room. After how things ended a couple years ago, I didn’t think she would want to come within 10 feet of me. She even avoided me at work, purposely taking jobs in other departments when I was hired.

She was just as beautiful tonight as she was the night my father brought her home. Man, I really fucked things up with her. The only good that came from my affair was Amelia.

I knew Lilly was coming by today to clean the house, but I guess she stayed to make sure Leah comfortable until I got here. There were a few things I needed to do, so I motioned for Lilly to help with the nighttime routine.

While Lilly took Amelia to bathe and get dressed for bed, Leah sat at the bar while I started to prep dinner.

“I was surprised to see you here.”, I stated as I washed my hands with my back to her.

“A lot happened this week and I didn’t know who else to talk to about it.”, she seemed flustered.

“Do you want to talk about it?”, being a good listener was something I was working on.

She told me about how her vacation turned into a nightmare and that infuriated me. How could she not call me, or at least let me know what was going on. A part of me will always care about her.

Adrian told me that Cameron was bad news, and this only proves his point.

“Do you think Cameron knew about the men coming for you?”, a leading question.

“No, he wouldn’t set me up like that.”, she seemed sure of herself.

“It all seems shady to me.”, she didn’t like my response.

The way she defended that kid pissed me off. She was fine here in the city before Jenny took her off to that stupid resort in Mexico.

Sure, I like the new *take what she wants* attitude, but she needs to pick her partners better.

“A friend of mine owes me a favor. I can ask him to run a background check if you want.”, I was planning to pull that favor even if she disagreed.

“Oh, no no! I swear Cameron is a good guy. He has always been open with me and he doesn’t hide anything from me.”, she is gullible to think he is a good guy.

But it’s not my lesson to learn.

“Are you staying for dinner?”, I decided to change the subject because that was easier then changing her mind.

“Is that okay?”, she smiled at me.

“Absolutely. Why don’t you set the table?”, I pointed to the cabinet of dishes.

“Four?”, she turned back to ask.

“Three. I am sure Lilly wants to get home to her wife.”, just as Lilly came back out with Amelia.

“I have had such a wonderful day with you Leah.”, Lilly spoke as she fastened Amelia into her highchair.

“It was so nice to meet you.”, Leah said as Lilly went in for a hug.

“See you next week?”, I asked Lilly as she headed for the door.

“Same time next week!”, she shouted as she opened the door.

She waved at us before closing the door.

I finished with the shrimp, so I added them to the lemon garlic sauce before pouring it over the pasta.

Leah had the table set as I walked our plates over to the table.

“Wow Jared, this looks amazing!”, her eyes shined with excitement.

“I have learned a lot over the last two years.”, becoming a single dad changed my perspective on life.

I sat and watched as they both devoured their food. This is what life would have been like had I not stepped out on my marriage. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was my second chance at the life I wanted.

“So, since you can’t go home right now… where are you staying?”, I heard her during our conversation earlier about Adrian telling her not to go home.

“I haven’t thought that far in advance. I could stay with Adrian.”, she shrugged as she continued eating.

“Nonsense. You can stay with us. Isn’t that right Amelia?”, I gave Amelia a little tickle and Leah smiled.

“I couldn’t do that”, she refused.

“Not another word. It’s settled and I think Amelia would agree.”, I hoped her cuteness would make Leah stay.

“Okay, but just until Adrian finds out who those guys are and what they want with me.”, she had to have the last word and come to the decision on her own.

Leah helped me clean up dinner and then watched at the door as I put Amelia to sleep. I couldn’t help but feel like this was right and Leah was supposed to be here with us. Amelia needed a mom, and I couldn’t rely on her biological one.

All it took was two books, four songs, and a long cuddle for Amelia to fall fast asleep. Leah continued to stay in the door watching intently.

We walked back to the living room as she grabbed her bag to settle in on the couch.

“You don’t have to sleep on the couch.”, I told her.

“What if Amelia wakes up?”, she looked toward her room.

“You don’t have to sleep in my bed, I do have a guest room.”, although I wouldn’t mind sharing a bed with her.

I took her down the hall and she placed her bag on the guest bed. She was next to Amelia’s room and my room was just down the hall before you get to the living room.

Just as I walked out the door, “Jared, will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”.

“Sure, let me lock up first.”, I wanted to secure the house and prepare myself just in case.

I locked the car, the front door, and the back door.

Went to my room to change into pajamas and brush my teeth before heading back to Leah’s room. She had already changed into a large t-shirt and snuggled herself under the cover.

I cut the lights off and went to the other side of the bed before climbing in.

She laid there facing me as we stared at each other.

“I have been having nightmares again.”, she used to have them so bad.

“I will be right here if you need me.”, I gently ran my hand across her cheek.

Reaching my hand out to grab hers, she inched closer to me before turning her back to me to spoon. That was all it took for me to get hard.

I didn’t realize how much I missed this. This is what life would be like had she mothered my child.

-To be continued-