Chapter 6 SUPRISE

Jace's POV

I watched Natasha walk up the path to her house, the porch light casting a warm glow around her. A pang of regret hit me, wondering if I'd just scared her away. I should've listened to my gut and let things progress at her pace.

Sitting in the car, I wrestled with my emotions. What had I done? Why had I brought up the wedding? It was a stupid, impulsive move. The words seemed stuck in my throat, and I could still feel the weight of the moment hanging between us.

Without thinking, I got out of the car and walked toward her house. What was I doing? I should turn back, go home, and beat myself up for the rest of the night. But my feet kept moving, carrying me toward the porch.

As I reached the door, I bumped my head hard against the porch railing. "Fuck!" I yelped, startled, and swore under my breath, rubbing the throbbing pain.

The front door creaked open, and Natasha stood there, concern and surprise etched on her face. "Jace? What are you doing here? I thought you'd gone home."

I couldn't find my voice, standing there blinking stupidly, feeling the sting of the bump on my head. Natasha's eyes widened as she noticed the blood trickling down my forehead.

"Oh my god, are you alright?" she asked, stepping closer, her concern genuine. "Come on, let me get you treated."

"I'm fine," I protested, but before I could utter another word, she grabbed my hand, her touch surprisingly gentle. I felt a jolt, a strange warmth spreading through me.

She pulled me inside, her small house a cozy haven from the cool night air. The living room was sparsely furnished, with a comfortable sofa facing a small television and a few bookshelves lining the walls. It felt lived-in, warm, and uniquely Natasha.

As she tended to my wound, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me. It had been a long time since someone had taken care of me like this. I wished I had bumped my head harder, just so she would have to tend to me again.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, her voice soft and concerned.

"Not really," I replied, trying to downplay it. "Just a little bump. I'm more embarrassed than anything."

She smiled, and the warmth in her eyes made my heart race. "You should be more careful. I can't have you knocking yourself out before our next coffee date."

"Next coffee date?" I echoed, a teasing smile creeping onto my face. "I thought you were going to avoid me after tonight."

"Not a chance," she said, her tone light but sincere. "I like having you around, even if you do have a talent for head injuries."

As she continued to clean the wound, I couldn't help but watch her movements. Her fingers were deft and careful, and I found myself mesmerized by the way she concentrated on the task at hand.

"You're really good at this," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe you should consider a career in first aid."

She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think I'll stick to my day job, thank you very much. But I do have a knack for taking care of people. It's kind of my thing."

"Well, I appreciate it," I replied, my voice sincere. "It's nice to be taken care of for a change."

She looked up at me, her gaze piercing through the playful banter. "You deserve it, Jace. Everyone deserves to be cared for."

The air between us shifted, the lightness giving way to something deeper. I felt a connection forming, a bond that was both exhilarating and terrifying. I wanted to reach out, to close the distance between us, but I held back, unsure of how she felt.

"All done," she said, breaking the spell. She placed a small bandage over the cut.

I couldn't help but notice the way the light from the lamp caught the curve of her cheek, the way her hair fell softly around her face.

I found myself imagining her closer, her lips brushing against mine, the warmth of her body against my own.

Just as I was lost in that thought, the sound of a child's voice broke through my daydream, "Mommy!!"

Did I hear that right??

I turned to the direction of the voice.

It was a little girl, no older than three, with bright eyes and a mischievous grin, running towards Natasha.

"Mommy!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around Natasha's legs.

I was taken aback. "Mommy?" I murmured to myself, completely thrown.

"You're back!" the little girl squealed, hugging Natasha tightly.

I watched them, mesmerized. Natasha's face softened as she hugged her back, her entire demeanor changing. I had never seen such warmth and love in her eyes before. Did she have a daughter?, But she said she's single? I have thousands of questions on my head right now.

I sat there, frozen, as the little girl wrapped her arms around her legs. I couldn't believe it. Natasha was a mom? But she had told me she was single. I had so many questions, but before I could ask any of them, Natasha turned to me with a warm smile.

"Jace, this is Kiara, my daughter," she said, her eyes shining with pride.

I stared, unsure of what to say. Kiara looked up at me with big brown eyes, and I felt a pang of awkwardness. I didn't know how to react.

I was about to try and say something, Natasha continued, "And this is Ciara, Kiara's sister, and Lisa, my friend."

I turned to see two more girls, one of them is Kiara's age, along with a woman who smiled at me warmly. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. What was going on?

"Hi," I managed to say, standing up to introduce myself to Lisa.

My phone rang, shrill in the silence. "Sorry, can I pick it quickly?" I asked Natasha, and she nodded slightly.

"Thanks". I excused myself, feeling like I was escaping a nightmare.

"Hello?" I answered, my voice shaking slightly.

I listened for a moment, my heart racing.

"I will be right there," I said and hung up the phone.

I turned to Natasha. "I'm so sorry, Natasha, but I have to go," I said, trying to sound calm.

Natasha looked at me, concern etched on her face. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," I lied, trying to reassure her. "I'll call you later, okay?"

I didn't wait for her response, just turned and hurried out of the house, my mind racing.

I drove to the hospital, my heart pounding in my chest. When I arrived, I rushed to the reception desk.

"I got a call that my sister was in an accident," I told the nurse, trying to stay calm.

The nurse nodded sympathetically. "Let me check. Ah, yes, she's in room 304."

I took the stairs two at a time, my heart racing with fear. When I burst into the room, I saw my sister lying in the bed, her leg in a cast.

"Jace!" she exclaimed, relief written all over her face.

I rushed to her side, feeling a wave of fear wash over me. "What happened?" I asked, trying to stay calm.

"I was driving home from Sarah's place, and some idiot ran into me," she explained, wincing in pain. "I'm okay, just a broken leg."

I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

"Don't tell Mom and Dad, okay?" my sister asked, looking at me pleadingly. "I don't want them to freak out."

I nodded, understanding. "I won't say anything. But you have to promise me you'll be careful from now on."

My sister smiled, looking relieved. "I promise."

As I sat there with my sister, I couldn't help but think about Natasha and her daughters. What was going on there? And why had she lied to me about being single? I had so many questions.