The first week’s tough.

I juggle everything. Getting up at four as usual, taking a break at seven to give Ava breakfast. She spends the day between the television in the living room when I take a break and the bakery. I need to sort something a bit more structured out for her, but it’s all a bit overwhelming.

Thursday’s usually our busiest day. It’s the day the supplies arrive, and when I do an inventory to see what we need for the next week. Lily picks up Ava and takes her for the afternoon. Out of habit, I keep checking the living room to see what she’s doing anyway.

The countdown to the weekend begins. Ginny will be with us. She pops in during the week, but doesn’t stay, and I don’t ask her to. She knows she has an open invitation.

On Saturday, the plan is to take both Ava and Ginny to meet my mother and father.

Hayley’s initial meeting with my parents went really badly. So badly, her reaction to it led to her and Drew breaking up, albeit temporarily.

I’m wary of taking Ginny there, but introducing Ava to them might help distract my mother. I need to hold onto that hope and be prepared to bail if it doesn’t work.

My heart’s beating fast as I pull into the driveway. I squeeze Ginny’s hand as I lead her and Ava into the house.

“I’m here,” I call out.

The house is quiet.

“Did you not let them know first?” Ginny whispers.

“I called Dad. They know we’re coming.”

I keep hold of Ginny’s hand as I lead her to the door. Ava’s on my other side, hanging back a little.

When we reach the living room door, Ginny goes through first, Ava trailing behind.

I’m right behind, smiling at the sight of my parents. Mum sits in her favourite chair, Dad on the couch. “Mum, Dad. This is Ginny. And I’d like you to meet Ava.”

Dad’s expression warms as I give Ava’s hand a little tug and she peeks around the corner. “Hi, Ginny and Ava.”

Mum, who’s had permanent resting bitch face from even before she got sick, gives me the biggest surprise with her expression. Her lips wobble as she lays eyes on my daughter for the first time, and her mouth falls open. “She’s yours?”

I nod. “I only just found out, and she’s come to live with me.”

“Oh, Owen.”

I hold my breath, waiting for something snarky to come out of her mouth.

“She’s beautiful.”

Ava squeezes my hand.

“Come on. Do you want to meet your grandma and grandad?”

Her eyes widen, and she nods.

I take a step into the living room, and in an instant, Ava’s arms are wrapped around my leg. We slowly make our way to the couch, and I sit, pulling her up beside me.

“Hello, Ava.” Dad gives her a smile, and she leans against me, planting her thumb in her mouth. Ginny sits beside me.

“We’re still getting used to each other, but she’s doing really well.”

Mum fixes her gaze on me. “Who’s her mother?”

Dad stands, walking over to the couch. “Hey, Ava. Want to come for a walk? We have a big garden out the back and lots of pretty flowers. What’s your favourite colour?”

“Purple,” she whispers, removing her thumb from her mouth.

“I think there are some purple flowers out there. Want to look?”

Ginny smiles. “I might have to go for a walk too.” She squeezes my bicep.

Ava looks at me with wide eyes, and I nod. “It’s okay. Go with Grandad and Ginny.”

I swear my dad’s chest puffs up when I call him that, and it makes me smile. There’s a bond there, ready to be formed, if Ava gives him the chance.

Ava lets go of my arm, and Dad holds out his hand for her to take. She takes another look at me, and I nod again. “I’ll be right here when you want to come back.”

There’s hesitancy on her face, but she slowly reaches for Dad’s hand, and pushes herself off the couch. One last look back at me at the door, and she disappears into the kitchen, Ginny right behind her.

I turn back to Mum. “Her mother was Cara Mitchell.”

My mother’s mouth falling open tells me I don’t need to explain what happened to Ava’s mother. “Oh, that poor girl.”

“I had no idea, Mum.” Shaking my head, I then bury it in my hands. “I was there the night Cara died, and I took care of Ava. Then I handed her off to go into care for two months before the social worker turned up and told me. She’s been through so much.”

“Well, at least you’re here for her now.”

I nod, looking back at her. “I’m not sure what I’m doing.”

Mum chuckles. “No one is. We all get things right, and we all get things wrong. You’re no exception.” She leans forward. “You’ll work it out. She’s a lovely little girl.”

“You know, you have two other grandchildren. They’re just as precious as Ava.”

She nods. “I know. And I have a lot of regret where they’re concerned. I’m not sure if Adam will ever forgive me for what I did.”

I sigh. “I’ll talk to Adam. Maybe we can sort something out.”

She leans back, and there’s pain in her eyes. “Don’t hold your breath. You’re a good boy for suggesting it, but I don’t think things will be better between us anytime soon. I can’t make things right. It’s too late.”

I shrug. “I don’t believe that for a second. Your grandchildren deserve to get to know you before …”

Mum gives me a faint smile. “I know you’re trying to be helpful, but nothing will be resolved between Adam and me before I die.” She lets out a loud breath. “It’s lovely to see you, and your daughter is beautiful, but I think I need to take a nap.”

Nodding, I stand as she does. “Do you need any help?”

“I’ll be fine.”

I press a kiss to her cheek. “Take care, Mum. I’ll work on Adam.”

She raises her hand to cup my cheek. “I’m proud of you, Owen. I’m proud of all you boys. Even if it doesn’t show sometimes.”

“I know. I’ll bring Ginny back sometime, too. You guys were so distracted by Ava that you didn’t really get to talk to her.”

“That would be nice.”

I watch as she makes her way up the hallway toward the bedroom. It’s clear she’s going downhill, and I don’t know how much longer she’ll have. As much as she drives all of us crazy, we love her.

Stepping outside, I smile at the sight of my dad with Ava and Ginny walking toward the house.

Dad is more animated than I’ve seen him in a long time. Ava’s got a firm hold on his hand, and she’s swinging his arm as they walk. Ginny grins as I approach.

“Your dad’s been telling us all about you.” She laughs.

I roll my eyes. “Don’t believe a word he says.”

“I got a purple flower.” Ava holds out her hand, a large bloom between her fingers.

“That’s very pretty. Did Grandad show you the whole garden?”

She nods.

“Lucky. We’ll have to put it in a glass when we get home. I don’t think I have any vases. But a glass is enough to hold one flower.” I turn to Dad. “We’re going to get going. Mum’s gone for a nap.”

He nods. “It’s happening more often these days.”

“I’ll bring Ava and Ginny back soon. Give me a call when Mum’s up to visitors.”

Dad grabs hold of my arm. “Any time you need me to look after Ava, I’m here.”

“Thought you might be. I spoke to Mum about getting you two together with Adam and Lily. It needs to happen, Dad.”

He nods. “I’ve seen them from time to time. At the wedding, and when Hayley left town. They’re polite to me, but I want more. Your mother does too, although I doubt she’ll admit it.”

“She just says it’s too late.”

“Maybe it is.”

I take Ava’s hand. “We need to try. If anything, this whole thing has shown me more than ever how important family is.”

Ginny looks at me with so much pride, and I raise an eyebrow. Maybe it’s because every day I spend with Ava and Ginny, I become a better man.

Or at least I’m trying to become better.

Our drive home is quiet, and it’s not until I pull into my driveway that I realise Ava’s asleep in the back seat.

I smile as I unbuckle the harness.

“Want me to unlock?” Ginny asks, holding her hand out for the keys.

“That’s a great idea. An even better idea is me giving you a key to my place.”

She grins. “That’s a big commitment right there.”

Laughing softly, I hand her the keys and lift Ava out of her seat. She wriggles before looping one arm around my neck and snuggling into my chest.

I follow Ginny into the house, and take Ava through to her room. Today was good for her. I’m still not quite settled into the fact that this is my life now, but things are pretty close to perfect.

Placing her on the bed, I plant a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.

Ginny’s sitting on the couch when I get to the living room, and I join her. “That was a quick visit.”

“Mum was a bit off-colour. We had a short talk, but I’ve taken you both to meet them, so at least that’s done.”

“So, your mum doesn’t get on with Adam and Lily?” she asks.

We’ve not had this conversation as it’s just not come up. “There’s a lot of history there, and Mum’s on the wrong side of it.”

She sighs. “That sucks. Your mum was at Drew and Hayley’s wedding, wasn’t she?”

I nod. “She was, but Adam and Lily steered well clear of her. It’s not an easy situation, and I guess taking Ava to meet her brought it home.”

“Your mum and dad really loved her.”

I grin. “They did. Dad misses out, too. He and Adam have a bit of a relationship, but it doesn’t translate into him spending time with his grandchildren. At least he can spend time with Ava.”

Ginny twists her mouth, and I raise my eyebrows.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“Your parents were really nice. I thought your mother would be a lot scarier.”

I chuckle. “I think Ava being there spared you the third degree. Drew and Hayley broke up after their first visit together.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re kidding.”

“Nah. Mum gave them a hard time about a long-distance relationship apparently, and how this town was too small for her big doctor son or something. Hayley was already stressed about the distance, and it all blew up.” I lean over. “Introducing you did worry me. If anything, I think you’re more sensitive than Hayley is. But you dodged a bullet.”

She grins. “I’m thankful for that.”

“Me too.” I’ve never been so relieved. “Mum was never quite this bad. Not that I remember. She’s facing her own mortality, and I’m not sure she likes what she sees.”

Ginny lets out a loud breath. “That’s got to be hard.”

“It is. But I think they’re just taking it as it comes. There are some days when I visit and she’s in bed and too tired to get up. Today was a good day, and I think our little trip was good for her.” I take Ginny’s hand and squeeze it. “She got to meet my family, however brief our visit.”

The look of love in her eyes is unmistakable.

“Thank you for taking me. It makes me feel closer to you.”

I lick my lips. “Ava’s asleep. So how about getting a lot closer to me?” Leaning back on the arm of the couch, I pull Ginny until she’s on top of me. “What about this?”

“Well, I am really close.” Her green eyes sparkle, and I lose myself in them as I take her in.

“Will you stay the night?”

She purses her lips and nods. “I could be persuaded. Though, this is getting to be a habit.”

I run my hands down her back, giving her arse a gentle squeeze. She giggles. “Good habit or bad habit?”

“I have yet to decide.”

“Just as well there’s plenty of time.”

All the time in the world.