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Few moments later, he heard footsteps descending the staircase. He couldn’t wait to meet the baby. He could hear her sniffles as they drew nearer.

“Hi, you must be little miss Avery” he said startling Karen because she had momentarily forgotten he was around.

“Sorry, Mrs Anderson. I didn’t mean to startle you”

“It’s alright, dear” she said with a smile.

Did she just call me dear? Avery should’ve been her from the beginning. Her countenance is so friendly now and the vibe here is really relaxed and calming.

She moved to place her in her play pen off the side of the living room so she could prepare something for her to eat.

“Please keep an eye on her for me. I will be right back” she said to him

“Hey grandma’s baby, I’ll be right back with the yummy for your tummy” she cooed.

He waited for her to disappear completely before he moved towards her.

“Hello, Miss Avery” he said causing her to lift her eyes from the screen that she was watching.

“I’m mommy’s old friend, Jeff” at the mention of mommy, she stretched out her hands indicating that she wanted to be carried by him nonetheless. He was so afraid because he didn’t know whether that was the right move but seeing her lips quiver and her eyes watering made him throw caution to the wind by carrying her out of the pen. She laid her head on his chest and that made his heart flutter a little bit. He felt all warm inside. He loved the feeling of holding her in his arms. It felt right and it seemed that she loved it too.

“What is going on here?” Karen questioned as she came into the living room with Avery’s food.

“Mrs Anderson, I just wanted to introduce myself and she indicated that I carry her?”

“She did what?” she asked a little too loudly startling Avery.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know if it was-”

“Boy, hush. She doesn’t like being held by strangers and even her own father which is understandable, if I might add. Maybe she gets a good feeling about you” she stated as she attempted to take him from her so she can feed her. Little Miss Avery moved away a bit signalling that she wanted to stay right where she was.

“I guess you have to feed her now” she said with a light laugh

He panicked. He had zero experiences with babies.

“I’ll teach you. Your expression told me what I needed to know. You don’t know anything about babies” she laughed

They settled down and after a few tries, Jeff got the hang on feeding Avery. It was as if she sensed he was new to being close to babies because she jerked him around for a while before she ate all her food. After being burped, she got comfy in his arms and then her eyes became droopy from the medicines she took after her meal.

He held her so carefully and she could she how much love he seemed to have for the baby. She didn’t know what to think of this whole situation. She knew why he’d come, Betsy, Lily’s mom had informed her. Her daughter thought it was that she was given a heads up which she really appreciated. He seemed to be so in awe of Avery and that left her feeling good inside. He was currently trying to rock her to sleep and she found the scene rather beautiful.

“I think she is finally asleep now. Where can I lay her down?” he asked jarring her from her thoughts.

“Follow me” she led him upstairs where he saw three doors in the little hallway. The middle door was slightly open and without really entering, he knew that was Avery’s room. They entered the room and he gently laid her in her crib while she turned on the baby monitor. Avery stirred a little that made him panic a little but all was calm when it seemed she was still very much asleep. The tiptoed out of the room nevertheless.

When they settled down once again, she said, “I heard all you said and frankly I see how much you have changed by the way you speak. But I have learnt that words aren’t enough. You need to walk the talk. I know you want my daughter back in your life and that is why you are here. I know who you used to be and you don’t talk like him anymore. I will give you the chance to show me and us that you have changed because I can’t ignore the sudden attachment Avery formed with you today. I was definitely going to send you on your way without a second chance but your interactions with her have changed my mind. Listen carefully Jeff Porter, you have just this one shot. Use it wisely. I won’t let my daughter be hurt again. She’s been through enough and my granddaughter doesn’t need to get hurt either.”

“Thank you so much, Mrs Anderson. I will not make you regret this decision.”

“You better not” she stated emphatically.

“I won’t” he assured her and then bid her goodbye. It was now time for him to work on how to get Laura back. One thing he knew was that if he let his honesty and sincerity shined through it would always work out. That’s what his mother taught him and now he can see that she has always been right.

“Boy, would she have a field day if she knew that I was saying she was right.”

He chuckled and drove off.