Jet bends, lifts Bili into his arms and swings her onto his hip—so natural, as though he was born to be a father. Seeing the way he cares for their beautiful child has made Autumn love him even more, something she didn’t think possible.
Autumn uncurls from the floor and stands beside Jet; kisses the little girl’s head. “Bili, you’re going to meet your Grandma today.”
Jet offers a strained smile. “You’re still sure about this?”
Autumn nods. “Definitely. Enough is enough. No-one deserves missing out on loving this child.”
Jet nods. “I agree.”
“Have you packed her bag?”
“Yep. There are two changes of clothes, wipes, spare nappies and a fresh bottle.”
Autumn smiles. “Well, what are we waiting for?”
They arrive out the front of the Leone residence mid-morning in their new family-friendly car—the Aston Martin finding a home elsewhere. Jet unbuckles Bili and carries her up to the front door, while Autumn carries her baby bag.
Autumn rings the doorbell with a trembling finger, her stomach urging her to turn and flee, but her heart keeping her feet firmly planted on the doorstep.
“Whatever the outcome, I’m here for you,” says Jet, offering a supportive, but nervous smile.
Autumn stands on her tiptoes and kisses him on the cheek. “I know.”
After a short moment the door is opened by Mrs Leone, her mouth dropping with surprise when she sees the three of them standing in front of her. Quite obviously she was not expecting this visit.
“Hi, Mum,” says Autumn. “We thought it was time you met your granddaughter, Bili.”
Mrs Leone’s eyes gloss with tears. She looks at Bili in Jet’s arms and manages a smile before she begins to cry. “She’s—she is gorgeous.”
Bili watches Grandma for a moment then turns to Jet and thrusts her fingers between his lips. “Dadda, Dadda.” Jet pretends to munch noisily on her fingers, throwing Bili into fits of childish laughter; a sound that sends tingles through each of their hearts.
“May I?” Mrs Leone says, holding her arms out to Bili.
“Of course,” says Jet.
Mrs Leone lifts Bili from his arms. “Hello, darling. Aren’t you just a dear little girl?” Bili places her hand on Grandma’s face and stares at her with her big brown eyes, framed by the longest eyelashes. “I’m your Grandma, darling,” she says, voice thick with tears. “It’s so lovely to meet you.” She looks at Autumn and Jet. “Well come on in. We certainly can’t stand out here all day.”
Autumn gives Jet a knowing smile and places her arm around his waist before they follow Mrs Leone into the house. As they walk along the hall, Jet whispers into Autumn’s ear, “Now who’s presumptuous?”
Autumn grins. “Presumptuous indeed.”
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About the Author
Jacquie resides in sunny Brisbane with her husband and two sons. Numbers and practicality are a way of life for Jacquie as she works as an accountant by day. So it’s no wonder, for sanity’s sake, she balances this banality with words, characters and imagination in all other possible moments.
Jacquie is an author of a number of novels and writes contemporary women’s fiction that is emotionally driven and possesses unique themes beyond the constraints of the physical universe. She strives to offer romance, but with complexity; spirituality, without the religion. Her novels express a purpose and offer subtle messages about life, the spirit and, of course, love.
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ISBN: 9780857990259
Title: The Paler Shade of Autumn
Copyright © 2013 by Jacquie Underdown
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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The Paler Shade Of Autumn Page 26
