Chapter Forty-Four: Just Add Water

Devon settled into the master bedroom and slid her heels off and into a pair of jandals in favour of the nice day that beckoned outside. Jon had left her to make sure the kids rooms were aired out and ready for their arrival. The master suite was beautiful with its creamy neutral colours and thick lines. If she had her way it could do with a tiny splash of colour as just some flowers or the odd piece would do the place the world of difference. The bathroom was elegant and to die for, she was sure it could swallow her whole apartment whole. Gleaming porcelain square basins and polished granite counters looked fresh out of the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens. A splash of colour could have bought this room alive too.

She dug in her bag for her makeup purse and decided to freshen up before the kids got here. God willing she prayed this would go well. She didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes or be an elephant in the room with them. She applied her lip gloss as she thought about the situation rationally. No one expected her to just fit in and she didn’t want the kids to have to like her just because she was with their father. But what if they didn’t like her?

“You ok?” He propped himself against the door frame and watched her.

“Just nervous. You probably think I’m being ridiculous.” She snapped on the cap of her lippy and fussed with her hair.

“Hell no I don’t. It’s like an instant family just add water. I may be all sexy and charming but the gloss soon wears off when you learn I have four children right?” He impishly grinned at her and how he ever thought that’s what she could think about this.

She zipped up her makeup bag and walked up to him. She traced a finger across his jaw. “You think it would lessen the appeal don’t you? I can tell you it doesn’t.” Her fingertip tugged on his bottom lip. “I bet your fans don’t think so either.”

His eyes followed her finger as she removed it from his lips and kissed it slow like a lollipop. He always was an easy tease. His eyes narrowed and his face softened. “You are just a little ball of evil, you know that right?”

Devon grinned as she brushed back his hair where the sides were showing a few flecks of grey in between the dirty blond. “Uh huh. Too bad your kids are arriving soon. Daddy could have punished me.” She fluttered her eyes innocently as her lips kicked up in a smirk.

He tugged her in tight and hooked an arm around her waist. “Wait until you’re alone again Miss Devon.” It wasn’t a threat it was a promise and it tingled down her spine right to her toes.

Her fingers drifted up his neck around his jawline. “Well that’s going to have to wait until the kids go home tomorrow.”

“What? Why? I have a lock on my door.”

His shocked face was enough to make her giggle. “No way, no sex around the kids.” She pushed him back gently. “Not negotiable. Not even with those ridiculous puppy eyes.” She warned as she stared into his big blue eyes that usually given five minutes, he could always have pretty much what he wanted. But not this time, she was going to be firm about this. It would be weird especially if one of the younger boys came into the room at night. Hell. It was going to be weird just without the sex.

“I understand Dev, but seriously my kids sleep like the dead.”

“So will I after today!” She laughed. Whew. Her stomach was still flip flopping at the thought of meeting them as they were his world and him their world so it was kind of a big deal. And as stated before she wasn’t out to win any mother of the year contests nor did she want to be their mother. God, shut up! Her head always got away on her and she couldn’t help but wind herself up like this.

Jon checked his watch. “I’ve got enough time to make you a coffee from the world’s best coffee machine downstairs. You might be impressed but you do make good coffee.”

“Ok sold. Let’s go.”

She sat at the counter where moments ago they’d just made love and watched him fumble around the kitchen and try and operate the large coffee machine against the far wall. The doorbell rang just as he delivered her cup. He slapped his hands together. “They’re here. I’ll go and get them.”

Oh dear god. She sipped her coffee and wished it was something stronger.

The explosion of chatter and laughter floated down to the kitchen as she heard Jon and the kids reacquainting themselves. A stronger female voice could be heard too. Oh god, Dorothea? She was here too? She quickly straightened herself up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She didn’t know how she felt about meeting not only the women that used to be in Jon’s life but in her ex-home as well. Wouldn’t that be weird? Weird or not she really didn’t have much time to think about it as they all spilled into the room.

“Guys, guys!” Jon called flanked by two younger boys at his side and Stephanie and Jesse followed in behind them. They were stunners and so was their momma as she came in wrapped up in a woollen coat with her chocolate brown hair spilling around her shoulders.

“I want you to meet Devon.” He grinned proudly.

Devon smiled and more than likely awkwardly. “Hi guys. Your Dad has told me so much about you.”

“Did he tell you I can beat his ass at football?” Jesse asked with an impish smirk that mirrored his fathers. He had height with a lean athletic build that moulded the tight t-shirt and jeans he worse.

She burst out laughing. “No, he didn’t but if that was true it would have been a deliberate oversight. We all know your Dad doesn’t like to lose.” She said confidently as she relaxed a little. They didn’t seem fazed by her at all.

“Hey!” Jon exclaimed as Stephanie and Jesse laughed. “We’ll see about that. Down on the river later just you and me.” Jon signalled at his eldest son.

“You’re on!” Jesse laughed reached for a soda from the fridge.

“She’s good Dad. Pleased to meet you finally Devon. “Stephanie smiled. Her sun kissed blonde hair was swept back from her face and she was wearing thin dark designer frames on her face. She also had the height and a very gorgeous figure that was showed off by the loose sundress and leggings she wore.

“Same with you guys, it’s really nice to meet you all after hearing lots about you.” She waved at Jake and Romeo who seemed more interested in Jon for the moment.

“Hi.” Dorothea stuck out her hand and smiled warmly. “I’m Dorothea.”

“It’s so nice to meet you. What gorgeous children you have.” She shook her hand and was surprised that it didn’t feel awkward like she thought it would. Dorothea’s smile was welcoming and she looked pleased to be getting a break from her kids if anything. Devon couldn’t blame her as she had no doubt she was about to find out just how much work four children were.

“You might change your mind about that in a few hours. In fact I’ll bet on it.” She winked. “Jon was right, you’re lovely.”

She couldn’t help but blush. “Well thanks. I do care about him very much.”

“So I’ve heard. I’ve also heard your salon is amazing so if it’s not too weird I’d love to pop in sometime.”

Devon’s eyes widened. “Wow, I mean--sure I’d love to have you there. Anything I can do for you let me know.”

“Great, I’ll be in the city next week. Carol tells me you’re doing some new things as well with groups. I might be interested as I run a couple of community groups for the ladies here. Maybe you’d be interested in fundraising a little with me?”

“Well I’d love to be able to help, sure. Come in next week and we’ll talk.” Fundraisers were a different angle but she was always open to anything and already knew both Jon and Dorothea were very good at them and she had no problems helping out.

“And I get told off for talking shop.” Jon interjected throwing an arm around Devon’s middle.

“Oh go away! Oh and before I leave I need to talk to you about Steph. She wants to get a part time job in the city but I told her we’d need to discuss it. Between school and things we just have to be careful.”

“Got it. We can do that.” Jon nodded.

“What sort of work does she want to do?” Devon asked. “Sorry, not trying to be nosey.”

Dorothea shrugged and threw her hands up. “God, anything. She’s a fashion bug but I guess she just wants some exposure to that world before she makes up her mind and goes to college.”

“Well...” Was it rude to start suggesting things for them when it wasn’t their daughter? “I know of a couple of clothing places in Soho that are clients of mine. I could always ask if they had some weekend hours going.”

Dorothea raised her eyebrow. “You’d do that?”

“Sure-I can’t guarantee it but I can ask and put in a good word. They’re trendy places so she’d get a good taste of pure fashion.”

Jon hooked his arm over her shoulder and squeezed it. “Babe that would be awesome. Then we’d least know she was in good hands.”

Dorothea smiled. “Sure. As long as we can work out with her that it won’t affect her grades then I’m good with it.”

“I’ll call Andre Marcus on Monday. They own a fashion boutique down the road from the salon in Soho. Lots of young people go through there. She’d love it.”

“Sounds perfect. Thanks Devon, we appreciate it. Now, I need to get going but it was lovely to meet you. Don’t take any crap from the kids either.”

Devon grinned. “I’ll try not to.” She let Jon and Dorothea talk while she shifted her coffee cup into the dishwasher draw.

“You want a soda?” Jesse asked her standing in front of the fridge making a quick and dirty sandwich.

“I’m good thanks, Jesse.”

He flashed her grin. “Your accent is really cool.”
She caught Stephanie’s look at her brother before she rolled her eyes. “She just had coffee doofus.”

“Shut up.”

“Don’t worry he always acts goofy around girls he thinks are pretty.”

Devon blushed. “Ah-well-” Good grief.

Jesse smacked her over the head gently. “I’m going outside to throw some ball. Jake you comin’?”

Jake followed Jesse out while Steph picked up their bags. “Boys.” She commented as she walked out of the room with just Romeo left standing there. He was the cutest kid with his sandy blond hair and big eyes. The bob the builder matching tracksuit was pretty adorable as well.

“What about you? huh?” She bent down to his level and ruffled his hair. “You want something to drink or eat?”

He shook his head. “I want to go outside too.”

“Ok well we can do that!” She held out her hand but instead he held his arms up.

God, he wasn’t THAT tiny. “Ok sure.” She lifted him up and stood up and adjusted the weight. Holy crap.

“You speak funny Mrs Devon but you smell nice though.”

“Just Devon to you darling, but thank you.”

“Can you make my pyjamas warm tonight?”

“Sure I can.”

“I can bath myself now too.”

“That’s great, you are a big boy aren’t you?” Having held next to no babies in her life. Devon thought she was doing pretty well hauling a six year old into her arms.

“And can you read me a story? Mrs Brownlee used to always read us one.”

Before she could answer Jon met her in the hallway and laughed. “Romeo--here. Hand him over. You’re too big for this.” He offloaded him and carried him outside with her. Romeo thought she was the new nanny. Damn. Well she just hoped he’d be ok with the fact the new nanny actually slept with Dad as well. Jesus. What was she getting herself in for?

Jon released Romeo and he ran to where his brothers were spread along the grassy river-bank ready to play some ball.

“Hey Devon! Check this out!” Jesse called and pitched a long throw a fair way down the river bank to his brother.

She clapped. “Wow--that’s pretty impressive!”

Jon chuckled and rubbed his chin.

“What?” She asked as she folded her arms.

“He’s showing off.”

“Like father like son if you ask me.”

“Oh ouch.” He clutched his chest and pretended to stumble. “Where is Steph?”

“Being the good girl and taking their bags to their rooms.”

“She’s a good kid and thank you for suggesting your friends.”

“Well they’re not friends but we do have a business mutual agreement to pimp each other’s business and they’re lovely guys that run the store. A married gay couple and I assume that’s not an issue.”

“Not at all-sounds great. Dorothea was impressed with you.”

“Yeah? Pass her test to be left alone with her kids.”

Jon hooked his arm around her shoulder as they walked out to the yard. “Sure did. She couldn’t believe I’d landed someone so young but mature.”

“It’s not weird that she wants to come by and work with you? I could tell her if it makes you feel uncomfortable. She can be a woman hard to say no to, that’s all.”

“I thought it could be weird but I think I can see that your family is so used to you guys being separate now. She’s not here to threaten me and I’m not here to threaten her. If we work in harmony it’s only got to be good for you and the kids, right?”

He kissed the top of her head. “You baby are beyond your years.” She closed her eyes as a cool breeze swirled around her feet and her skin drank in the sunshine. It wasn’t the first time that she’d been told that she was wiser beyond her age, she’d dealt with a lot and made decisions that had made her grow up in an instant through her life.

She sighed as they strolled down the path that cut into the grass down the bank. So far so good and they didn’t hate her so that in itself was a big plus.