It wasn't more than two hours later that Taylor told Christian that his daughter was in her way up to the apartment again, and five minutes later she had knocked on the study door.
Christian was as surprised to see her as he was to see her looking so contrite. 'Can I come in?'
'Of course'
It was incredibly quiet as she walked in to the study and sat down 'Luke's taken CJ to see his brother and sister... Faith's here, Gail was showing her something in the main room'
Jade looked around with a pout, fiddling with the edge of the armchair absently 'you knew what I hate most about you, what annoys me the most?'. Christian cocked his head to one side, questioning but letting her continue
'You are the most stubborn and pig headed person that I know, but you know what, Luke says the exact same thing about me... We're more alike than we'd ever admit... I, um, I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have been such a bitch and I shouldn't have walked out'
'Its fine'
'Well, it's not. You always told me growing up didn't you, don't mix sex with co-workers, never ever ever... I mean we both knew that when it happened'
She sighed, shifting in her seat and looking thoughtful
'I was on a whole different continent from every member of my family except Ari, and he wasn't exactly around much, Daniel's family were all on the other side of Israel and he'd been denied a week to go home a little while before... We were both attracted to each other and I think if we'd met here, then nothing would have happened, we were both just feeling a bit dead and empty, and we saw that in each other and it helped us both. That's why he's still my friend, that's why I stand by him through anything and he does the same with me... Because he was at one point in time the only saving Grace I had...and he stood by me after as well. When I was injured it was Daniel who... 'Cleared the situation away' as he called it'
Christian didn't need clarification, remembering her admission at the trail a while previously.
'I do understand Jade. Sometimes we just do things that we know are really dumb and really not a good idea- that's why we want to do them'
Jade lightly laughed and nodded 'he's a good guy Dad... Please don't blame him for this'
'I don't
'You're not looking that way now'
'Well, he's still the man who had sex with my daughter'
Jade shrugged 'Dad he wasn't the first, bloody hell'
Christian's expression was cold and he looked annoyed, which only amused her further 'you like Luke, he's slept with me invade you hadn't noticed'
'Id gathered, the two children were the giveaway Jade. And that's different, he's your husband, and he works for me, so if he messes up with you- I can fire him'
Christian looked incredibly smug with himself and they were interrupted by the pattering of small feet that made them both turn around.
Faith had appeared in the doorway, sucking her thumb and looking curious 'Grandad can you draw with me?'.
Christian looked amused and stood up, taking off his jacket and looking at Jade 'duty calls I'm afraid. Don't worry about the pictures, I've already spoken to Ari, we're sorting it'.
She looked relieved and Christian kissed the top of her head briefly before picking Faith up on his hip 'right, who shall we draw something for then?'
'Aunty Gail wants a picture of the doggy mummy said we could get'
Christian glanced at Jade and she shrugged 'I promised her one in the new house'
'Well, how about we draw one for her and one for Daddy?'.
Faith nodded and Christian walked away with his eldest Grandchild.
It was quite a while later that Jade came back to their apartment with Faith, finding her husband watching the highlights to a game they'd already seen with Carrick, talking animatedly about what 'they would have done', as if they had any real idea.
Faith was asleep in her arms and Luke quickly turned the volume down 'do you want to just put her straight to bed? CJ's already down and Carrick wanted to talk to us'
She nodded and quietly went into her daughters bedroom, undressing her and re-dressing her in pyjamas without her properly waking up, and a few minutes later she was tucked up under her covers.
Jade came back out, pulling her hair up into a ponytail and sitting down beside Luke as Carrick fiddled absently with his wedding ring
'so, I've got some news for you both that I thought I'd deliver in person. It's taken an awful lot of paperwork and forms to do but, well- you've been approved to adopt... And the Agency think they have found a good match'
'Are you serious?'
'Yes dear, I am. Here's the file if you wanted to take a look'
Carrick opened the file on his lap and handed it over to Luke and Jade, who looked down at the information and the little picture.
Please review and let me know what you think!
x
