The more Addison thought about it, the more she realised how happy she was about being with Jake. Yes, Addison had been in love with Sam and he meant a lot to her but things just weren't meant to be between the two of them. Jake made her feel so special and he was great with Henry, which was everything to her.
Jake and Addison had been together for about a week now and things were going really well.
Today Addison was meeting Jake for lunch and he was bringing his daughter's with him. Addison had met them all before, but not since being with Jake and she was feeling incredibly nervous about it. She so desperately wanted them to like her because they were the most important thing in Jake's life.
Addison was stood holding Henry on her hip, trying to decide what to wear. She didn't know why she was finding this such a hard decision to make.
"We're going to meet Jake for lunch soon Henry and he's bringing his daughter's. You never know, one day they might be your sisters" Addison said before tickling his son's tummy and making him laugh
"Would you like that? Would you like three older sisters?"
Addison still hadn't picked out an outfit when her phone started ringing. She answered and it was Jake.
"Hey honey, I was just checking you still want to go for lunch?"
"Yes why, don't you?"
"I still want to go for lunch"
"Are you sure you want me to meet the girls Jake? If you think they need more time, then we can wait"
"You're meeting them today Addison. I know you're nervous, but they're going to love you"
"You don't know that"
"I do. Trust me, it's going to be fine"
"Okay, well I'll see you in an hour then"
Jake put the phone down before going upstairs to get his youngest daughter, Lily, ready.
"Let's brush your hair Lil. We need to leave soon to pick up Ivy and then go and meet Addison and Henry for lunch" Jake said
Lily went over and sat on her bed and let her Dad brush her hair.
"Ouch, you're pulling" Lily said
"Sorry honey, I'm trying to be gentle"
"Is Addison going to be my new Mommy? Because then she can brush my hair and she wouldn't pull like you do"
"I'm sure Addison will brush your hair for you if you'd like her to. Addison is my girlfriend and so maybe one day I'll marry her and she would be a Mommy to you. But we'll always remember your birth Mommy too"
"I don't remember Mommy, I only know her from photos"
"I know honey, but I've told you so many stories about her"
"She would have been the best Mommy"
It made Jake so sad that Lily had never met her Mother. Jake's ex-wife had died following very rare complications from giving birth to Lily so she never even got to hold her new born daughter. Lily was so desperate to have a Mom.
"Are you going to wear what you've got on? Or do you want to get changed?"
"I think I should put one of my pretty dresses on so that Addison will like me"
"Addison is going to like you no matter what you wear. But if you want to wear a pretty dress, then go ahead and get changed"
Lily picked out a dress and then Jake got it out of the closet for her.
Once Lily was ready to go, the two of them went to the car to go and pick up Ivy.
Ivy had stayed at her best friend, Holly's, house last night so they were going to pick her up on the way to meeting Addison.
Jake knocked on the door to Holly's Dad's house. Holly's parents had recently got divorced and Holly was staying with her Dad for the weekend.
"Hi Nick, is Ivy ready?" Jake asked when Nick answered the door
"I think so, come on in"
Jake and Lily stepped inside and Nick shouted upstairs to Ivy.
Ivy and Holly soon appeared downstairs.
"Dad, can I stay with Holly for the afternoon?"
"No, I told you yesterday that we're going out for lunch"
"I don't want to"
"I'm afraid it's not a choice Ivy, come on get your stuff and let's go"
"I don't want to go to lunch and meet Addison"
"Addison is really nice and you're going to like her. Come on, get your stuff because we're going to be late"
"I don't care"
"Ivy, now"
Ivy stormed off and went and got her stuff before coming down again.
"What do you say to Nick?"
"Thank you for having me to stay"
"It was no problem, enjoy your lunch and I'm sure I'll see you soon"
As soon as they were out of the front door Ivy started begging her Dad to not make her go again.
"Addison is expecting us Ivy. We're going to one of your favourite restaurants"
"I don't want to see Addison" Ivy said as tears appeared in her eyes
"Lily go and wait in the car, I need to speak to your sister"
Lily got in the car like she was told.
"Why don't you want to see Addison?"
"I just don't. I don't need to"
"I really like her and I think you will too. Just give her a chance for me, please? Lily's really excited to meet her"
"Fine but can we go straight home after?"
"Yes"
The two of them got in the car and Jake drove to the restaurant.
"Is Angela coming?" Ivy asked
"Yes she's meeting us there"
They got into town and Jake parked up before they walked to the restaurant. When they got there Angela was already sat with Addison and Henry.
Lily insisted on sitting on the other side of Addison.
After they ordered Addison tried to get to know all of the girls.
Lily and Angela both seemed happy to answer her questions. Ivy on the other hand, was being very difficult and was only giving one word answers.
In the end, Addison realised it was probably best to not directly ask Ivy questions.
It didn't take too long for their food to come.
"I need to go to the bathroom" Ivy said suddenly
"Oh Ivy, why didn't you say before the food came?" Jake asked
"Sorry"
"Can you wait until we've eaten?" Jake asked and Ivy shook her head
"Come on then, let's go"
"I want Addison to take me"
"Addison's eating her lunch" Jake started but Addison cut in
"It's okay, I don't mind"
Addison stood up and took hold of Lily's hand before taking her to the bathroom.
Ivy watched as they went. She hated how much Lily seemed to like Addison.
"Why are you being so horrible to Addison Ivy?" Angela said once Addison and Lily were inside
"I'm not"
"Yes you are"
"Leave it Angela" Jake warned
"Fine, but you're making this lunch really awkward Ivy"
When Addison and Lily returned they all finished their lunch.
Jake was hoping they would do something together but thought it was best to just take Ivy home.
"Do you want a lift back to college Angela?" Jake asked
"Err yes please if you don't mind"
"Right, you three say goodbye to Addison and then go and wait in the car"
They all said goodbye to Addison.
"I'm so sorry about Ivy, Addison. It's not you, she just doesn't want me to have a girlfriend"
"Okay" Addison said sadly "I really like you so I hope we can still be friends"
"I'm not ending things with you Addison"
"But Ivy doesn't want you to have a girlfriend"
"She'll come round to it. It's not going to be easy for her but she won't be horrible to you forever"
"Are you sure? Because I don't want Ivy to be unhappy"
"I'm positive. Ivy normally is a lovely girl, and I hope soon you'll be able to see the real Ivy"
"I'll keep trying" Addison said offering a small smile
Jake said goodbye to Addison and gave her a quick kiss before going to the car.
Addison was hoping today would have gone better. She got on well with Lily and Angela, but she hated that she was making Ivy so upset. Addison just hoped that Jake was right and Ivy would warm to her because she really did want a future with Jake, and Jake and the girls as part of that.
