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Stepping closer, he continued ‘Maybe but when I think of Holly I always end up thinking about you instead And, yes, I do question what you expect of ive back in return’

Which hy he wanted more time The hope disappeared She couldn’t bla ask to be accepted so easily ‘Guess you’ll have to wait and see’ She lifted her girl into her arms ‘But first’ Deep breath ‘Holly, this is Daddy Say, “Hello, Daddy”’

Holly grinned and stared at him ‘Hello, No’

Noah laughed, not appearing at all disappointed ‘Does this irl, instead of yes? If so, we’re in for souments’

‘No No’ Holly banged her hand on Stacey’s arrinned some more

The Wainwright house was a three-storey, semi-detached in neat condition with a tidy front lawn Despite Holly having been in hospital, the gate onto the road was fir out and being hit by the kid on a skateboard Turning back to his vehicle, he opened the rear door, unclipped Holly fro’

Stacey handed Holly back ‘You carry her I’ll get that’

His heart softened as he reached for his daughter It was hard to get enough of her now he’d accepted parenthood ‘Thanks’ He leaned over and kissed Stacey’s cheek, tried to ignore the jolt of longing that caught hi off, he waited to follow her to the house

She’d looked stunned then pleased at the kiss Damn, he should’ve kept his e he was ready for ain His body ired for hers, rarely quietened when around her But to take Anastasia to bed noould be wrong, and unkind It would suggest nothing had changed, that they were still seeing each other as two people without a child between them, and before both of them had worked out what they wanted for the future He was presu Stacey hadn’t too many expectations of him and her position in his life

The front door opened before they reached the steps ‘Holly, sweetheart, you’re hoht stood there, looking relaxed and pleased to see them all Even him ‘Hello, Noah’

Noah stuck his hand out ‘Ian, I hope I’ you’

‘Of course not You’re welco who he should be visiting Holly or Stacey? ‘Cohter

It was like stepping into the past Laughter caround, the s reached his nostrils and warmed him Noah closed his eyes and breathed deeply, drew up memories of when he’d been a little boy ‘Wonderful’

‘It is, isn’t it?’ Caution laced Stacey’s question

‘You’re lucky’

‘I know, though soranted’

Judy appeared in the kitchen doorway and crossed to lift her granddaughter out of his arms ‘Hello, sweetheart Grandma’s happy to see you’ Kiss, kiss, kiss on Holly’s cheeks Then she smiled at Noah ‘You’ll stay for dinner’

Did he have a choice? He chuckled ‘I’d love to’

‘I’ll heat up some baked beans for Holly and you can sit with her while she eats’ Stacey grinned Which was the first easy grin he’d had from her in days

It warmed his heart and relaxed some of the tension that had built up on the short drive fro to survive?’

Stacey’s spread hand flipped back and forth ‘Maybe’

Only one red splotch marred the front of his white shirt by the tih and shoved the plate aside ‘Read me a story, No’

‘What’s the ic word?’ herher mother

‘Please, No’

‘Please, Daddy’ Stacey had come to stand in the doorway ‘Noah is your daddy’

‘No Daddy?’ Those beautiful eyes were huge in the tiny face

‘Yes, Daddy,’ he growled around a blockage in his throat

‘No, Daddy’ The little led

Reaching for her, Noah wrapped his daughter in his ar, his throat still blocked, and when he glanced across to Stacey she iping her eyes with the back of her hand Anastasia was full of love for so many people She was happy for him to be a part of Holly’s life, had offered to have a DNA test for his peace of mind