Thanks for the reviews, I'm really glad people are liking this.
C
5.
The moment was broken as Grace and Neil came back into the room, arms laden with food, carefully placing it on the table at the edge of the room. Noticing the slightly tense atmosphere in the room, Neil glanced at Grace, before coming over to squat down in front of his son.
"You ok mate?" he asked softly, a hand reaching out and gently placed on Jake's knee. Grace had followed him, standing behind Neil, a concerned look on her face, glancing between Jake and her boss, a protective look etched across her face.
Jake glanced across at Jack, who gave him a small smile, something that didn't go unnoticed by either Neil or Grace.
"I'm ok Dad, just a bit tired. Can I go and eat dinner in bed? The Saints Chelsea game is on soon, and I want to watch it," he said, knowing that he had started the ball rolling, also knowing that the rest of it would be battled out between his Dad and Grace and their boss. He closed his eyes for a moment, praying that he hadn't destroyed it all. His Dad loved Grace, Jake knew it, and needed her just as much. She had been so strong for him, had made Dad smile, made him relax and let go and stop fighting the world so much. He'd seen the way his Dad looked at Grace, the smiles he gave her, the way he seemed to relax whenever he was around her – and had seen the same reaction in Grace.
With a sideways look at Jack, Neil helped Jake up and off the couch, Grace moving over to pile up a plate of pasta for Neil to take upstairs. As they moved past her, Grace wrapped Jake in a one armed hug, handing the pasta to Neil, their eyes meeting for a moment, before Neil looked back at his boss. Grace placed a gentle kiss on the top of Jake's head, whispering that she'd be up to see him later. With a last apologetic look at Grace, Neil turned once more to Jack.
"I'll be back in a minute, I just need to get him settled. He still gets tired really easily, and – "
"Neil, it's fine. You go ahead. We'll be ok down here for a while, won't we Grace. Dinner looks great, and I see you've brought four plates, so I'm going to dive in. Good night Jake, it was nice to meet you, I hope you sleep well, and you just know that the Saints'll thrash Chelsea" Jack grinned at Jake's indignant look.
"As if," Jake yawned, slightly surprised to find that he really was getting tired, leaning into his Dad for comfort. "And – "his mind turning back to his and Jack's previous conversation.
"Don't worry. It'll all be fine. You just go and get some rest" Jack told him, not missing the anxious look Neil and Grace shared at the mystery comments.
