Page 7 of Jaxon

“Thank you, Jaxon,” she said, her voice soft.“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

He gave her a look that made her pulse quicken.“You don’t have to do everything alone, Harper.”

The weight of his words hung between them, and for a moment they just stood there, the world around them fading away.Harper felt a surge of emotion, a mixture of relief and something deeper, something she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a long time.

Jaxon hooked up the jumper cables, the hum of the engine coming to life once more.As the car idled, he turned to her, his gaze intense but gentle.

“Let me follow you home,” he said.“Just to make sure you get there safe.”

Harper nodded, her throat tight with gratitude.“I’d like that.”

They both got into their vehicles.

****

The drive home feltlonger than usual, though Harper knew it was just her nerves making time stretch.Jaxon followed closely behind her.She glanced at Mia through the rearview mirror, her daughter humming softly, blissfully unaware of her turmoil of emotions.

Harper’s heart raced as they pulled into the driveway.She parked and stepped out, waiting for Jaxon to dismount his bike.He did so with his usual grace, his eyes scanning their modest home before settling on her.His gaze was warm, yet curious, as if he sensed there was more to this visit than just a dead car battery.

Mia clambered out of the car, clutching her drawing tightly.She glanced up at Jaxon with wide eyes, a mix of curiosity and excitement.Harper’s stomach twisted as she watched the silent exchange between them.Mia had always been a perceptive child, and it was only a matter of time before she started asking questions.

“Thank you for following us,” Harper said, her voice softer than she intended.

Jaxon nodded, his hands resting casually on his hips.“It’s no trouble.”

There was an awkward pause, the air between them thick with unspoken words.Harper opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Mia piped up, her voice clear and innocent.

“Are you coming inside, Jaxon?”she asked, tilting her head with a curious smile.

Harper’s breath caught in her throat.She hadn’t planned for this, hadn’t expected Mia to invite him in.But before she could say anything, Jaxon smiled at Mia, his expression softening.

“Sure, if it’s okay with your mom,” he said, glancing at Harper for confirmation.

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.“Of course.Come in.”

They walked up the path together, and Harper unlocked the door with shaky hands.As they stepped inside, she felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her.

This was it.She couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer.The guilt had gnawed at her for too long, and now, with Jaxon standing in their home, she knew she had to tell him.

Mia skipped off to her room, her drawing in hand, leaving Harper and Jaxon alone in the living room.The silence was deafening as Harper wrung her hands, gathering the courage to speak.

Jaxon glanced around, taking in the cozy space, his gaze lingering on the little details that spoke of a life he hadn’t been part of—Mia’s toys neatly arranged, photos on the mantle, and the warmth of a home built with love and care.

He turned to Harper, his brow furrowed in curiosity and concern.

“There’s something you need to know, Jaxon,” Harper began, her voice trembling.She clasped her hands together, willing herself to stay calm.“Mia ...she’s yours.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and charged with emotion.Jaxon’s eyes widened, the shock clear on his face.He took a step back as if the revelation had physically struck him.For a moment, he said nothing, his mind racing to process what he had just heard.

“She’s mine?I mean, I suspected, but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure,” he murmured.

Harper nodded, her heart pounding in her chest.“Yes.I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.I didn’t know how.”

Jaxon ran a hand through his hair, his breathing uneven.“How ...how old is she?”

“Five,” Harper said softly.“She’s five.”

Jaxon sank onto the nearest chair, his head in his hands.Five years.He had missed five years of his daughter’s life.That must be what he was thinking.

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