Hunger, email to check and a need to buy Ethan a present forced her out of the bed. Jem padded silently to the ensuite and emerged soon after smelling sweet and feeling a whole lot better after a restless night. Though early, the time being 7.30am still ensured that Ethan would have left already. Her hungry stomach would be free of distraction.
Jem lightly stepped down the stairs her tummy rumbling in response to the now familiar aroma of coffee and croissants. A person could get used to this, she chided herself. Who was she kidding? She already was used to it!
'Ooo, I'm in lurve!' Jem declared, eyes half closed sniffing the air appreciatively as she entered the breakfast room.
'Nice to hear it. Do I know the lucky man?'
'You're still here!'
'Shouldn't I be? And do I?
'Do you what?'
'Know him'
'Who?'
'The man you love.'
'Ah…yes, er, no, I …um, meant the smell…of coffee and croissants.' Jem reluctantly sank into the chair that Ethan had pulled out for her right next to him. It would be churlish if she sat elsewhere. The whisper soft stroke that flitted across her shoulders as he resumed his seat served to renew the tension in her belly from last night. Here we go again! 'Ah, I see. And pray tell why shouldn't I be here?'
'I don't know, why?' Jem prevaricated.
'Well...you seemed surprised to see me this morning?'
'Well…you've usually left for work by now.'
'Not today.'
'Are you still going in to work, though?'
'Of course, after I've had breakfast. Any reason not to?'
'No-' Jem could have kicked herself, her eagerness to see him go rather obvious. '-er, of course, it's a work day after all and you'd know whether you have to go in today. You do, don't you?' Jem hoped her nonchalant shrug and tone had helped to gloss over her blunder.
'Alas I do. While I thoroughly enjoyed our day out yesterday, paperwork and scheduled meetings wait for no man. By the way, what's your name today?'
'Jemima!' Chloe answered as she came skipping into the breakfast room.
'Your doll's over there honey.' Ethan automatically pointed to a dark haired rag doll that was gracing the corner of the lounge deep in conversation with Big Ted and Slush.
'Nooo, silly! Jemima's name's Jemima. I chose it.' Chloe declared proudly as she snagged a croissant from the plate in the middle.
Ethan spluttered, as he automatically slid a plate under his daughters crumbling pastry, when he heard that the name of a nondescript rag doll from a long running children's show was to be applied to the vibrantly alive and beautiful creature sitting next to him. Stuffed was not a word that could be applied to the woman and Ethan's intentions towards this playmate definitely didn't belong on any children's show. Still, Jemima and her namesake both had flowing dark hair, huge blue eyes, were small and they became soft and pliable when held.