Page 65 of Back to Willow

He bends down, and I begrudgingly let go of him, letting him greet Nana. He kisses her cheek and gives her a light side hug. When she turns around to go store the gun, he lip-syncs the words “crazy old woman”, making me chuckle.

As always, Jake is unpredictable. Even though we are opposites, we always got along perfectly. He was never too protective until that night, especially because I spent ninety-five percent of my time with Liam, and he knew I was safe. But after everything went down, a lot changed, and his protectiveness only grew.

Even with the distance still existing between us, he comes around so often to spend time with Dylan and me. Always has, since I left to live with Nana. Besides the quality time, he also took it upon himself to do all the things that normally the father of the child would. The appointments, the ultrasounds, the shopping sprees…

I know he always felt responsible and obliged to help me every time he could. The distance didn’t allow him to be present on a daily basis, so he compensated however he could. And even though I told him—and still do—time and time again that he doesn’t have to do all of this, there is no deterring him.

It’s hard and tiring sometimes, not only physically but emotionally. I noticed the ever-present sadness swirling around his eyes whenever my bump got bigger, the unusually long periods of time he’d just hold Dylan against his chest or the way he’d watch him so closely or trace his tiny nose, chin, and hands. It was hard on him, too, even if I don’t understand the real reason.

I never dared ask, but he knew he could tell me if he wanted or needed to. Still, he never said no to us. He still doesn’t say no and there’s no way I can stop him. There’s no going against Jacob Hanlon.

“Can I go wake up our little champ?” he asks, breaking my little reverie.

“Go ahead,” I tell him. “It’s almost time for him to wake up anyway. I’ll set up breakfast for us.” I smile as he excitedly kisses my forehead. Then he disappears into the hallway towards the stairs.

For whatever reason, he—or the gods—have decided, he’s still single. Ever since that nasty break-up he had a few weeks before I left, he has never settled down again. His only focus was his goal after college—becoming an architect.

And he did. Now, he comfortably lives in his penthouse in the capital, making good money. Thankfully, he can’t be around every day now, otherwise, he’d be spoiling all three of us instead.

Not even five minutes after I start preparing the food for breakfast, I hear loud laughter from upstairs followed by Jake’s signature chuckle. Just hearing them makes me smile.

After that slump at the zoo, this is a good surprise for Dylan. The best distraction to give me some time. Hopefully, enough so I can figure out how to solve this.

Just as I am about to finish everything, Jake shows up carrying my kid by the legs, upside down.

“Jay, what the hell are you doing to my child?” I exclaim, horrified.

“This monkey asked for it. He just mocked his uncle.” Jake scoffs while manhandling him from one hand to the other, and Dylan all but giggles at the action.

Eventually, everyone settles to eat breakfast. Dylan is hyper about having Jake with us for the entire week until his birthday—instead of just the predicted weekend. He’s telling Jake everything from when we got here to meeting Abby and his new friends at school. And even though, by the end of his speech, everyone surely feels tired of listening to him, no one shows it—especially not my brother.

We spend the morning in the park. Jake keeps busy with us the whole time, not even checking his phone which keeps ringing.

When we are getting ready to leave, I can’t help but blurt, curious, “How come you are this good with kids and don’t have your own yet? You’re older than me for god’s sake. You’re almost twenty-seven!”

For a split second, his expression falls. Anyone else wouldn’t notice, but I do.

Pain. It has been silently present ever since he and Daniela broke up, more so at first. And even though I tried to coax it out of him, he always refused, probably not wanting me to worry about him while my life was a hurricane in itself.

The period following their split was the wildest—one-night stands and casual encounters. There hasn’t been a stable girlfriend ever since. While I used to think it must have been a phase, I am starting to realise now…

My brother’s heart has been bruised far deeper than I ever thought, and it pains me that I haven’t been there for him as he has been for me. This is the look of a man who has been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.For years.

Surprisingly, he recovers, smiling widely and answering me, “Well, sis, I have too much love to share for now. And kids are for when you settle down. I’m still too young for that.” He laughs but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

If it were any other person saying those words, I would have been offended, but I get what he means. The commitment phobia is palpable in his voice, the desperate need to be as free as a bird and taste as many fish as the ocean has to offer so he doesn’t get burned again.

There’s no need for more words, knowing he will only open up when he’s ready. That’s why I squeeze his hand in silent comfort and understanding. In return, he raises our hands, kissing my knuckles.

“I’m hungry,” he mutters, breaking the moment.

Dylan overhears, turning his attention to us and nodding eagerly in agreement. So, we walk to Shilah’s dinner, just short of ten minutes away from the park. The moment we enter and Shilah’s eyes lands on us, my son rushes to the counter in excitement, telling her all about Jake.

“He’s staying until my birthday!” he exclaims, making her chuckle.

“When is that buddy?”

“Next weekend,” he answers her. “At least, that’s what Mummy says.”

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