Matthew’s POV
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The study in this place is impressive, the same size as the large kitchen downstairs but on the third floor looking out over the pool. Tinted windows with shutters over them. A lock box and a few filing cabinets line one wall, but the centre stage is the large ebony oak desk which sits proudly at the centre of the room.
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I remind myself that this is Jay’s office and begin to feel like I've been called into the headmasters room like when you're at school. I glance at the large leather chair as Jay packs away documents in a file, thinking off the top of his head what else he might need. Pulling up one of the leather chairs by a large conference table I wait for him to have a word with me.Just waiting for the no touching Taylor comments and definitely no climbing in my bed at night. Considering my track record it’s not hard to understand why he might have that chat with me.
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“Man, I actually don’t want to leave” he says looking up at me and I smile, Jay has been taken over by his newborn. The smiles he now wears are more frequent, he’s become calmer and more focused. Tenacious in his protection of his wife and baby. And I’m just glad that I am on the right side of that tenacity.
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“I’m honestly worried about this meeting, it’s a big one closing in on something sizeable and I cannot be distracted” he murmurs almost to himself as he packs away items and I stare at the pictures on his desk of Taylor. One at the Sydney opera house and another on top of a mountain somewhere. Pulling my eyes back to him he takes a seat finally and pulls the brandy out. Here we go I think idly as I watch him pour out two crystal glasses of the best stuff. Briefly feeling like I’m at a job interview with a managing director rather than drinking with my best friend.
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“I’m just saying Jay, you’re good at what you do. Conniving enough to get what you want” I laugh and he chuckles eyes flicking up to me briefly before he smiles down at his Rolex.
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“You’re right, however, there are always unknown variables” he says softly.
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“Here” he says softly handing me the brandy as I look up at him surprised by his tone, he relaxes around me. Ever since I potentially saved her life during labour things have changed.
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“Thanks man” I tell him and he nods considering his words before he speaks. I notice that he’s changed into a fresh white shirt, sure that the red lipstick marks will never come out of the other one.
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“Taylor needs help and that is clear, with the baby” he begins and I watch his cool eyes.
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“And only the baby.” He explains watching me right back, a perceptible edge to his tone.
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“Hate to admit it man but you’re much better with babies than Ross. And I know that because of” he begins but stops short, because I’m in love with Taylor and her baby and I will always be there for them.
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“I will take care of both of them” I tell him finally and he exhales.
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“Thank you” he says softly, sipping his brandy. I see the relief wash over him and realise that now we’re both able to put aside our differences for the sake of her.
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“I know things happened between us, like they always do but I’m determined Jay to be there for her. I won’t fuck this up” I tell him sincerely.
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“She will need help at all times of the day and night.” He explains looking into his lap.
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“I get that and I understand you will need to be there in the middle of the night” he says through gritted teeth, leaving out the comment of no touching my wife tactfully. His eyes meet mine with a warning however, and this is the last chance ever extended to me.
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“Man at the moment we’re waking up over eight times a night. It’s a lot on her; I just burp and change” he rambles on smiling to himself.
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“I cannot have anything happen to them” he whispers looking down into his empty glass.
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“Nothing will happen in any regard, Jay” I tell him sincerely, understanding that my chance is being presented before me and I will not blow it.
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“Matthew” he says standing up and replacing his glass back with the bottle. I follow him waiting for him to finish.
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“I can’t thank you enough for being there for her” he says and I smile to myself. Together, we stride through the hall and down the marble steps onto the first floor. Looking past the bedroom that I have taken up in their home as we descend the second set of marble steps down into the foyer where his wife is waiting for him. Clutching onto Henry as she watches him a wry smile on her lips.
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“Sorted” he says softly pulling them into his arms.
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“I love you” I hear her say before she kisses him, being careful with her red lipstick as she strokes his face her hands coming to rest on his chest.
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“I love you both” Jay whispers down to her clasping his baby in his arms he kisses him softly on the cheek as Henry sleeps soundly.
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“You be a good boy, try and sleep for your mama” he whispers stroking his blonde hair. Turning to me I smile looking up from the floor, as he passes me the baby unexpectedly.
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“Thank you” he says over to me before taking Taylor’s hands in his own and kissing her passionately. Looking down at Henry, I sway him and he purses his lips.
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“I’ll let you know when I’ve landed” he promises as she wipes her eyes.
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“Don’t worry about a thing” he smiles looking down at her.
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“I promise you I will be back so soon and then we can fly out to Florence” he smiles down at her wiping her tears away.
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“Please don’t go” she says softly and I look up at her worried expression, he watches her concerned before smiling.
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“Mon amour, I’ll be right back” he says reassuring her as she places her head in his chest.
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Eventually Jay leaves, I watch him walk through the double doors in his business suit as I hold onto his baby. Taylor pulls herself together, looking over at me and I suggest that I give Henry a bottle as she smiles. I set her down in the living room with Ross intent on doing everything for her whilst he is away. That begins with feeding her baby and determining what to cook for dinner. My brain flits back to Olivia briefly and how she scornfully named me second daddy to Taylor’s baby. As I look down at him in my arms in the kitchen, soundly asleep, I realise that being his second daddy will be the role of a lifetime.
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