Happy Ending

Imaani

"So, what do you think about him?" I ask Mrs. Diana, referring to Jaxon.

She shrugs "He's okay." I tilt my head urging her to say everything she's got to say. She chuckles at my reaction "He seems like an amazing guy. The aura of danger is appealing, and he's hella sexy too" she adds with a wink.

I laugh at her remarks "What about Aaliyah? Jax is part of my life and so is she, I don't want to bring her into something that's gonna make her uncomfortable" I explain truthfully

"Trust me, If Aaliyah says she likes him then I'm she does." She looks towards the kitchen where Jaxon and Aaliyah are "She's a special kid, I've seen the way she naturally gravitates towards people, I guess that's part of being a kid. Always see the good in people, even if they're good or bad. Too bad this world is too much of a horrible place, but that's why she has you guys, to protect her from all that." She smiles and her eyes glisten with tears "I see the way he looks at you, you know. That man would do anything to protect you and I'm sure that extends to Aaliyah now" I turn to look at both of them and there's this sudden warm feeling that spreads through my chest

"He is truly amazing" I continue watching them, I laugh when I see Aaliyah giggling because Jaxon got flour on his nose

"She's extremely lucky to have you guys." Mrs. Diana says

"We're the lucky ones. And she has you too, none of this would have happened without you, it's all because of you, Mrs. Diana. And I'm grateful" I hug her tightly

She embraces me and the feel of her hand rubbing up and down my back is soothing "It's okay, child. I've got you."

The sound of feet running to us fills the room "Yay, Huggies!" Aaliyah exclaims and joins in on the hug

"I'm gonna get you!" Jaxon enters the room looking for Aaliyah with his face covered in flour.

"Mummy help!" Aaliyah giggles while running around Mrs. Diana and me.

"Come here you!" Jax runs after her slowly while also making sure she has enough space between both of them

"Aaliyah run he's going to get you" I cheer her on while shielding her from him

Mrs Diana laughs and lifts Aaliyah "Look at you, you're breathing so heavy" She tickles her a bit causing her to laugh uncontrollably

"I got you!" Jaxon appears over her shoulder and she screams from surprise before stretching her arm out so he can carry her.

"Okay, you won" Aaliyah exclaims trying to catch her breath.

"I did, but don't worry I'll still get you the doll house and car" Jax whispers lowly but I hear every word. Aaliyah's eyes widen with joy at the announcement of her price

"Thank you! Mommy, did you hear?" She exclaims

"Yes, baby. A doll house and a car huh?" I direct my playful glare to Jaxon who just shrugs

"Go tell Mrs. Diana about your gift, baby.

"Okay" she runs off happily

"You're spoiling her" I smile at Jaxon

"I have to, I've gotta impress her." He kisses my cheek before placing his arm around my waist

"Thank you so much for doing this," I tell him. This means a lot to me even though I don't say it.

Not a lot of men want to be with a woman that has kids, but he stayed.

"For what?" Jaxon asks

"For meeting her, everything. I can tell she likes you"

"She's an amazing kid, what's not to like? And you don't have to thank me, I love you," he pulls me away from their line of sight "You should know I'd do anything for you."

"I love you so much, Jaxon" I hold his face in my hands

"I just want you to know that you're it for me, always and forever" he grins

I giggle when I catch the subtle line he added. "Did you just quote The Originals?"

He nods "Well, it's your favorite show. And I was curious to know why it is, so I watched it." He states proudly

My heart

"You did?" My eyes tear up with joy

"Yeah. I wanted to know why you loved it so much, and I must admit it's a good movie."

"I knew you'd like it" I teased

"I never said I liked it. I admitted to it being good"

"Whatever" He grabs me by the waist and pulls me close to him.

"Jax -" He places his fingers on my lips

"Shh, I just wanna hold you, please."

I nod and wrap my arms around his neck "Mmm, you're so comfy" he hums into my neck

"I want you so bad," I say honestly.

As much as I've been trying to hide the fact that every time he moved his arm in that t-shirt, I was fighting the urge to jump his bones.

He's just too hot to ignore! And he's in love with me too.

He chuckles "Too bad, you should have taken my offer when it was still on the table" he teases

"What about now?" I tease him back, two could play that game.

"Right now?" He's surprised

"Yeah. We can sneak into the closet, I've always wanted to know what it feels like to be taken in a closet" I whisper in his ear seductively

"Imaani, baby, as much as I'd love to, we can't. But we can do whatever we want after we're alone"

"I know. See you back in the living room in a bit?" I pull away from his hold

"Why?"

"Well, I'm sure you'd want to take care of that first" My eyes go to his evident boner

He looks down and then back at me "You sly woman! You were teasing me intentionally!"

"Yes, but you started it" I confess

"I'll have a filled time punishing you for this later" He rasps

"Yeah, later," I tell him before walking off to join Aaliyah and Diana

"Look, Mommy, I drew a picture of us," Aaliyah tells me when I appear in front of her

"That's amazing! Let me see" She lifts the paper to reveal her painting. There are five stick-figure humans on the paper with a line pointing to each person

"Can you help me spell the names, please?" She asks sweetly

"Sure, baby. Point to each person for me will you" She nods

"This is Mommy, Jaxon, Grandad Paul, and Grandma Diana" She explains with pride. I applaud her and then spell each name out for her so she can write them.

The fact she added Dad to the picture makes my heart melt, even though she has only spoken to him on the phone a couple of times. Although they'll be meeting by Christmas, it's like they've known each other all their lives.

"I'll go put this up on the fridge"

"No. Wait, I want Jaxon to see it first." She stops me

"I'm right here, princess. What is it?" Jaxon appears and takes a seat beside Aaliyah

"She made a picture" Mrs. Diana fills him in

"Oh, wow! We've got an artist" They high five and Aaliyah has a proud smile on her face

"That's you!" She points to the picture representing him

"I look so handsome" Jaxon jokes and we all laugh "You gotta make me another one for my office, please." He pleads

"Okay! But you have to be patient okay, I have to get new drawing pencils" Jax nods while trying his best to hold back his laughter

"Oh? You have been painting a lot huh?" I ask her jokingly

She nods "Yeah. I have"

"Wow, you must be really rich!" I gasp, playing along

"Not really. I'm going to be very rich when I'm big, like you! And Jaxon"