Take a Breath(57)

I nod, cup my hand on his face and kiss him gently. “He’ll be caught soon. I know he will.”

I get up to grab some spaghetti from the pantry and start loading some in the pan. I take some meatballs from the fridge and start lightly frying them up. I’m stirring the meatballs, when I feel a set of arms wrapped around me from the back. Jake kisses my neck and I make a light humming sound in my throat. We’re like that a while until Matthew comes bouncing through the door. Jake jumps out of his skin and moves quickly. I start laughing which also sets Matthew off.

“Wow, Dad, what a way to look guilty. Did I interrupt something?”

He winks at me and I blush. “Don’t tease your father Matthew, he feels a little delicate about all this.” We both start laughing again and Jake is standing there shocked.

“Well, I’m glad you both find me so amusing. This is all new to me you know. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act.”

Matthew sits himself down on the stool. “Dad, I’ve told you, I’m fine. It’s okay, honestly. Take a chill pill.”

“Take a what now?”

The look on Jake’s face was priceless. Everything already forgotten, as I try and push these awful dealings away and try not to let it rule me. Matthew and I laugh again and eventually Jake relaxes his stance and lets out a chuckle. I grab the sauce for the meatballs and get some parmesan cheese out of the fridge.

“Matthew, take a seat mate. The dinner’s nearly ready.”

He salutes me and sits down, “Alright Governor.”

I give him a stern look for his mickey taking and he just giggles at me. After a few minutes of stirring everything, I gather three big bowls and start dealing out the portions. Jake grabs some cutlery and we sit down to eat.

They both make appreciative noises.

“This is good, Ana. I didn’t realise how hungry I was.”

Matthew smiles and I say thank you. Jake touches my hand and winks at me. If Matthew wasn’t here, I would dribble some of this sauce on my chest and request that he lick it all off.

My, my I have it bad.

“You know Clive really has the hots for you, Ana. He wouldn’t stop going on about you and how much he wishes you were his stepsister and what a lucky, erm, person I was.”

He looks at his dad, obviously choosing his words carefully not to aggravate him.

“Boy is he is going to be angry when I tell him what’s been going on while we were away.”

Jake puts his fork down. “Matthew I think it's best you don’t tell anyone anything until we have caught this killer.”

Matthew sucks on a piece of spaghetti. “So what happened earlier? Has there been another murder?”

Jake nods his head. “Yes, another girl in Reston. Forensics are there sweeping the scene, so we’ll probably know more in the morning.”

Jake wasn’t going to say anymore and Matthew wasn’t going to push. He knew he wouldn’t get more info out of him, other than what he had already divulged. Jake gets up and moves to the cabinet and gets two glasses. He then moves to the fridge and pours out some wine into the glass. He places it on the table for me, and then gets Matthew a drink.

We sit there for a while eating and the boys practically licked their plates clean and muttered their approval. Jake then loads the dishwasher up and starts its cycle. Matthew excuses himself so he can finish off getting ready for school and leaves Jake and I in the kitchen. I take a few sips of my wine, feeling suitably filled and refreshed.

“Back to work tomorrow, and I am for now, fitting my hours around you. We’ll drive together and come home together.”

I smile. My caveman.

“Jake, honestly. You can’t change your life around me, I’ll be fine.”

He looks disgusted. “You think I’m going to let you out on your own knowing he’s still out there? Think again. I won’t hear any more of it, Ana. I’m the boss, I say what is what and that’s the end of it.”

I suck in a breath. “Wow, you’re really quite sexy when you get all caveman on me.”

“Ana, this is serious,” he scolds. “I want you to be safe.”

I nod my head, suitably told off and we finish off our wine. Who am I to complain, this means I get to spend 24/7 with Jake. This is like heaven for me.

He pours us another glass and we enter the living room. We sit for a while watching a robot going around murdering anyone associated with John Connor. We snuggled up so comfortably, that I must have fell asleep.

“Ana, Ana, wake up. It’s time for bed. Come on, its 11pm and we have to be up early tomorrow.”

I moan and I hear him laugh. “So comfortable,” I sigh.