The minute Brayden saw his father and Jordyn, he bounded in from the back door and immediately attached himself to Nick's legs, wrapping his arms and tiny legs around him tightly. Then, he went on to tell Nick all about what he'd done.
Then, Brayden spotted Jordyn and ran over to her to tell her what he'd done with his grandma, even though she had heard him tell Nick. But, she was patient and got down on her knees to his level while he chattered on and on.
Jane watched as the little boy interacted with this new woman in his and his father's life. She actually paid attention to the little boy as he rambled on and on about a rabbit he had seen in the backyard earlier that morning. She actually got down on the floor with him to look into his eyes and didn't say anything as the little boy played with the bracelet on one of her wrists absently.
After she watched Jordyn with her grandson for a little bit longer, she then turned her attention to her oldest son. He had been forced to grow up much quicker than other 'boys' his age. For one thing, for much of his younger teen years he had been around adults more than around people his own age. And then with the birth of Brayden, he had to take on so much more responsibility. For awhile, her and Bob didn't know if he would be able to do it. But, even since this new woman had come into his life it's like a light was back in his eyes. He had a light in his eyes only for Brayden, but now it was like he had a permanent grin on his face. He looked genuinely happy.
Nick caught her eye and smiled before mouthing, "What?"
She motioned for him to follow her towards the kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink Jordyn?"
Jordyn looked up at Jane with a smile on her face, "Um, no thank you, I'm fine."
"You sure?," Nick asked, ruffling Brayden's hair as he walked by.
"Yea, I'm good."
"Alright, Brayden, you want anything?"
Brayden shook his head, "No daddy...I'm good."
Nick chuckled and walked into the kitchen behind his mom. She had her back to him and he frowned slightly, what if she didn't like Jordyn? "Mom? Is something wrong?"
Jane turned around, "No, why?"
"I just....well.....what do you think of her?"
Jane smiled, "Actually, I really like her."
Nick grinned, "You do?"
"Yes. She seems very sweet...she adores Brayden and he adores her, that's all I hear about any more. And I can tell that you adore her and that the feeling is reciprocated."
"She's the first one in a long time you've liked."
"I know. You're still my baby...and anyone coming into yours and Brayden's lives have to pass the test....I don't want you gettin' hurt again."
Nick took the coke can she handed to him and popped the tab, "I think I'm okay now mom.."
"I think you're still getting over the hurt and anger but I think you're closer to being better than you have in a long time."
"The guys like her....well, except for Brian. He thinks she's with me for my money and no matter what I tell him....he won't change his mind."
"He's protecting you."
Nick sighed, "I know...but he's being blatantly mean to her mom....he doesn't even try to hide his anger....LeighAnne's tried to tell him, I've tried to tell him and I think Jordyn has too.....he just won't listen."
"Honey, he's had to watch you dig yourself an early grave when the stuff with....with Kate....he doesn't want to see you go through that again. I don't think Jordyn is with you for the money, she would be long gone by now if she were. Brian just has to see that. And he will."
"But I know it hurts her..."
"Has she told you that?"
He shook his head, "No. She says it doesn't bother her. Mom, he made her cry one time after he chewed her out. I can see it in her eyes that it does hurt her feelings a bit. Everyone else seems to like her just fine....even all the girlfriends and wives do and you know how tough of a crowd they can be."
Jane chuckled, "They sure can be. They can smell a rat a million miles away."
"I know. They like her just fine. I just....I wish Brian could see what they do."
"He will eventually....you may just have to give him time."
Nick nodded, "I know...."
Jane smiled and leaned up to press a kiss on his cheek, "He will. You'll see."
Brayden took Jordyns' hand as he led her around the backyard. It wasn't very child friendly, since he was practically the only kid who was ever over now but Brayden always found a way to play in any area. He looked up at her, "Jordyn?"
"Yea sweetie?"
Brayden grinned, "I think gradma likes you."
Jordyn laughed, "You think so, huh?"
He giggled as she swung him up in her arms, "Yep!"
"Did you have fun spending the night over here?"
"Yea..it was fun! Grad-ma let me stay up real late."
"She did? Uh oh, we better not tell your dad."
"No way!"
"It'll be a secret?"
He nodded, "Yea, a secret...me and you!"
She laughed, "Sounds good to me. Let's go find your dad, ok?"
"Ok. No tell?"
"No, I won't tell."
She didn't know when it had happened or how it happened, but somehow....someway....Jordyn was caught alone by Jane soon after her and Brayden had walked back inside.
It was like she just looked around and it was just her and Nick's mom. The nervous butterflies came back full force in her stomach and she began to wring her hands nervously together. Jane smiled at Jordyn, "It's okay, I won't bite."
"I'm sorry...it's just....this is just really making me nervous...meeting you and stuff.."
"It's okay, I promise I'm not going to interogate you. You've probably gotten alot of that from the guys and everyone else..."
Jordyn nodded, "Well..yea."
"Care to help me fix lunch?"
"Oh, sure..."
"You don't mind?"
Jordyn shook her head and pulled her hair back away from her face before walking over to the sink to wash her hands, "No, not at all. I'd feel weird if I didn't help."
Jane smiled and handed her some lunch meat, "You're very good with Brayden."
"Oh..thank you...he's a good kid..."
"Yes, he is. He gets that from Nick."
Jordyn smiled, "I can see that...Nick's been nothing but nice to me."
"Well good...he can be a little....testy sometimes...but I think that's how it is with most guys anyways."
"I guess so..."
Nick watched from the doorway, just out of sight, as his mom and his girlfriend talked. He didn't really care if it was about him or not, but it was good that his mom got along with Jordyn and that Jordyn got along with his mom. He smiled as Jordyn fell right into a rhythum in the kitchen. Brayden tugged on his pant leg, "Daddy?"
"Yea?"
"Will you play with me?"
Nick looked at those big eyes of his and couldn't say 'no' even if he wanted to. He nodded and let Brayden lead him back towards the living room.
They stayed at Jane's house well into the late afternoon. Jordyn seemed comfortable, finally, which made Nick happy.
Brayden was getting tired and cranky since he'd missed his nap, so when he finally got so irritated Nick knew it was time to go. Jane walked them to the door as Brayden hung onto Nick, sleepily. "Thanks for lunch mom."
Jane smiled, brushing Brayden's hair back from his face as he yawned tiredly, "Not a problem. You know you're welcome any time, you too Jordyn. It was very nice to meet you."
Jordyn was a little surprised when Jane leaned forward to hug her, "Thank you Jane, it was nice to meet you to."
Jordyn took Brayden from Nick and took his car keys from him and walked down to the car to put Brayden in the back seat so he could sleep better.
Jane smiled up at Nick, "I like her Nick....I like her alot."
Nick smiled, "Thanks mom.."
"Go on, I know you want to spend time with her and Brayden..."
Nick hugged her tightly, "Thanks for everything."
"You're welcome. Call me sometime, ok?"
"I will...talk to you later!"
Jane watched from the door until Nick's car disappeared down the street.
Nick looked over at Jordyn with a smile, "I was right, huh?"
She rolled her eyes playfully, "Yes, yes you were right."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it gently, "She loved you."
"She did?"
"Yep. She loved you..."
"Well good..I'm glad she did...I like your mom too."
"I told you it wouldn't be so bad either."
"Yes, I know..."
Nick glanced in the rearview mirror at Brayden as he snored lightly in the backseat. He smiled, "You know...I think he has the right idea."
"What?"
"Taking a nap."
"A nap?"
"Yea...sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?"
She smiled and looked in the backseat. It did look awfully tempting.
She nodded, "It does sound like a good idea...one big nap....maybe pizza tonight?"
"Yea..sounds like a good night to me."
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