Page 121 of Pelvic Flaws

I’d thought a lot while he’d been away, about what it would mean if he did come home and brought Savannah with him. My kids were almost grown and ready to leave home, apart from Charlie and I’d made no secret of the fact that I was relishing the idea of having some time for me again, but if Dex came home with his daughter, and if I wanted us to continue our relationship, I’d be pushing that ‘me time’ back by another six or seven years. I hadn’t been sure I was happy or ready to do that, but when sleep evades you, it gives you time to think and I’d realized I’d be happy with that, if it meant Dex and I were together. That was how much I liked him, so that had to be love, right?

I just packed away the final few things into the fridge, when my mobile rang. Distracted by a bottle of juice I’d left out by mistake, I picked up my mobile and answered while I opened the fridge again, not looking at the screen to see who was calling.

“Hello.”

“Katie Cat?”

Just those two words sent my heart pounding and the adrenalin speeding around my body. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed his voice, until I’d heard him say my name.

“Dex, oh my God, I’ve been so worried about you. How are things?” I slammed the fridge door closed and leaned against it, relishing the sound of his voice.

“I’m fine darlin’, shit I’ve missed you too, so fucking much.”

As he breathed out, I breathed in, swallowing up his words before he could take them away.

“I’ve just been so busy Katie, sorting things out. Getting ready to come home.”

“You’re coming home?” I gasped.

“Yeah, of course I am.” He laughed softly. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“I had my doubts,” I replied, a little shakily.

“I’d have told you if I wasn’t, but I’m sorry you were worried. Got to admit though, I was worried it might have to be an option.”

“Really?”

I hoped against hope, it was no longer an option. Hearing him now made it quite clear to me, I most definitely wouldn’t get over him easily.

“Yeah. Savannah hasn’t been doing too good the last couple of days. It’s hit her about Lucy, her grandma, so when I told her what was happening, she kind of threw a huge temper tantrum.”

“Oh no, the poor little thing. How is she now?” I asked, moving to sit down on a kitchen chair.

“A little better, still grumpy about what’s happening and the fact that I’m her dad.”

“What, she didn’t take it well?”

My heart broke for Dex, it must have been awful if Savannah rejected him.

“Initially she took it great, but when I told her she was coming to live in England with me, she decided she hated me and wished I was dead, not her grandma.”

Dex’s words thudded into my ears and put themselves on loop – repeating over and over, ‘she was coming to live in England with me’.

“You’re bringing her home with you?” I asked, my voice breaking with the emotion of everything – Dex coming home, Dex becoming a father. It was all too much, wonderful, but too much.

“Yeah darlin’, I’m bringing my little girl home.”

“Oh Dex, that’s amazing.”

“It’s gonna be tough at times, but it’s the right thing. I love her already Katie, she can be a crabby little thing, but she’s amazing. I hope you love her too.”

I knew instantly what he was asking – are you in this with me?

“I’m sure I will, and I’ll be there every step of the way to help you.”

Dex blew out a breath on the other end of the line, and I knew it was of relief. He’d been just as worried as I’d been.

“Thank you darlin’, can’t tell you how happy I am to hear that.” He then cleared his throat and gave a little chuckle. “So can I ask a favor already?”

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