Better Not to Know + Pt. 11
KYLE 'GAZ' GARRICK x READER
Summary: Back home with Bug, you're learning to adjust. Change is inevitable, but you're reminded it's also unpredictable.
cw: bit of angst, pining, fluff, mum is cheeky, work drama
mdni banner: @saradika-graphics
It feels like your flat has been busier than a London tube station since you brought Bug home.
Between Kyle's mates, your mates, coworkers and family, your home has seen more guests in the last two weeks than it has in the entire four years you've lived there. Thank God Kyle doesn't mind playing host. He's certainly got a talent for it.
Take your mum, for instance. She's positively enchanted by him.
"Goodness, he's quite handsome, isn't he? I swear, there's just something about a man holding a baby. It makes them ten times more attractive, doesn't it?"
She's peering over her tea cup at Kyle, who is holding Bug as he chats with your step-dad in the kitchen. There's an appreciative glimmer in her eye that makes you scoff in amusement. She always was a sucker for a pretty face. Must be where you got it from.
"Yeah," you sigh, turning to mush when Kyle waves Bug's wee baby fist at you. "It really does."
Your mum smirks at you, chortling out, "Oh, my. You're arse over tea kettle for the lad, aren't you?"
"Mum!" you hiss, casting a furtive glance towards the kitchen before scowling at her.
Though Kyle has probably already sussed out that you have feelings for him, you would rather your mum not announce it, just in case. You're not exactly sure where he stands, as far as this situation between the two of you goes, and, to be honest, you're still working on coming to terms with it yourself.
Blowing out an irritated breath, you slump back into the sofa cushions, arms crossed. "Things between Kyle and I are—complicated right now."
Your mum snorts, rolling her eyes. "Of course they are, dear."
"What's that supposed to mean?" you snip out, sounding defensive.
Your mum arches one delicate brow as she studies you with eyes that know you far too well. "Just reminding you, love. You have a knack for overcomplicating the uncomplicated."
"I do not!" you deny, then think about it and have to amend the statement. "Well, not like I used to, anyway."
"Mm-hm," she hums, not believing you for a second.
Her gaze drifts back to Kyle, snickering when he glances at you again. "Goodness, that lad watches you like a hawk. I do believe he's smitten with you, love."
"Smitten?" you giggle, pretending her words don't make hope flare in your chest. "Honestly, Mum. You sound like Ricky the doorman at work, and he's ancient." You sniff, amused. '"Smitten'..."
Your mum shrugs, a wry smirk curling up her lips. "Well, it sounds nicer than saying he looks at you like he's gaggin' to get you up the duff again."
"Mum!"
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-
Kyle let you sleep in the next morning. Slowly waking, you peek one eye open to see his side of the bed is rumpled but empty.
Since bringing you and Bug home from the hospital, he's not bothered going back to the guest room. You meant to say something to him about it, but it's awfully nice having him right there when Bug wakes up every few hours needing to be fed or changed.
Thinking of Bug, you sit up to see his bassinet at the foot of the bed is also empty. You're not surprised. Kyle is an early riser, no matter how little he's slept, and has made it a habit of taking Bug with him when he gets up in the morning.
Climbing out of bed, you put on your robe and shuffle off to the loo to take care of business, then head towards the kitchen. The aroma of fried sausage lures you in, but you pause to take in the scene before you.
Kyle is standing at the stove in low-riding sweats, chest and feet bare. He's got Bug cradled in one arm, scraping scrambled eggs around a pan with a spatula. And he's chattering away to his son.
"That's the eggs done," he tells Bug, setting the pan off the burner. "Now, we just need to make Mummy her tea, then we can go wake her up for breakfast. Gotta keep her proper fed, so she can keep you proper fed, yeah? You got a big appetite, don'cha?"
Your heart absolutely melts when Bug coos in response.
"I know, lad," Kyle murmurs, his expression mock serious. "Bet you're hungry again, already. Should we skip the bottle this time an' get ya a knife an' fork instead? I can already tell, you're gonna eat me an' Mummy outta house an' home when ya get older. Probably spend your whole allowance at the chippie, like I used to do. But ya still gotta eat all your veg, lad. Mummy will insist, an' we have to keep Mummy happy. For both our sakes."
God, if this gets any sweeter, you might cry, and that will ruin breakfast, which you don't want to do. You don't know how many more mornings like this you will have together, and you want to enjoy every minute while you can.
Despite what Kyle said in the delivery room, you can't hold him to that. It was an emotionally charged moment that you were both caught up in. He probably didn't mean for you to take his 'I love you' literally. Since he's not said it again or even mentioned it, you decided it was best to just let it go because, eventually, you will have to let him go, too.
You can't assume Kyle will stick around indefinitely. He's got his own life to get back to—his career, his flat, his... other birds. Becoming a new father may have changed his circumstances somewhat, but he's still single, can still date, perhaps someday even fall in love.
And doesn't that thought make you want to curl up in a ball and cry? God, you're pathetic.
Sure, Kyle will always be there for Bug and, by extension, you, but that doesn't mean he wants to be with you, at least not in the romantic sense.
No matter how much you wish he did.
Blinking away useless tears, you take a deep breath to steel your resolve. Determined to simply live in the moment, you push all thoughts of the future away and take a seat at the counter.
"Morning."
Kyle turns, eyes warm, smile soft. "Mornin', pet. Ya hungry? Me an' Bug made you breakfast."
"That sounds wonderful. I'm starving," you reply, forcing a smile.
And you try your best to ignore the way your heart clenches when Kyle hands over Bug while grazing a quick kiss on your cheek.
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-
After breakfast, Kyle asks if you're up for a drive through the country, maybe stop for lunch somewhere along the way. You love the idea, eager to get out of the flat for awhile after being cooped up for the past two weeks. A little fresh air and sunshine would do you some good.
You've barely made it out of the city when your cell rings, Lydia Downs' name popping up on the screen. Wondering what she could be calling about, you answer instead of letting it go to voicemail.
"Hullo?"
"Darling! It's Lydia. Hope I'm not disturbing you, but I need to speak with you about something important concerning work. Can you talk right now?"
"Um, sure," you reply, shrugging at Kyle's curious expression. His hand grips your thigh, a frown pinching his brows together.
"Fabulous. Listen, I don't want to upset you, but things are looking rather dire here at the agency. That business with Webster has caused quite the scandal and several clients have already expressed a desire to leave."
"Oh, no!" you gasp, panic twisting your stomach into knots. "What's going to happen? God, am I about to lose my job?"
Kyle scowls, fingers tightening on your leg as he pulls off the road at a petrol station and parks. You clutch his hand, shooting him a worried look.
"Well, that's why I'm calling. Evelyn has decided that, under the circumstances, it would be best to sell the agency. She's offered me first dibs on it, before approaching other potential buyers."
"Are—Are you considering it?" It feels like your heart might beat right out of your chest. How will this affect your job? Do you even still have one?
"I am. In fact, I've already secured financial backing and have solicitors hashing out the details as we speak. I've accrued several loyal clients over the years who are willing to stay with me, so I've got a solid foundation to build on.
"The reason I'm calling you is to ask if you would be willing to remain with the agency as well? There will be an adjustment period—the agency will need to be re-branded under a new company name and a change of location will occur due to costs and downsizing, but I'd really like to have you onboard as the new assistant art director once we're up and running again. Jessica Frank will be taking over my role as head of the art department."
Your mouth drops open. "You want... oh my God!... Yes. Yes, I would love to," you reply, barely coherent, unable to wrap your head around it all. You're completely floored by this turn of events.
"Brilliant! I'll have a new contract drawn up for you, and we can negotiate the particulars some time next week. I'm really looking forward to working with you. I think we're going to accomplish great things together."
"Thank you, Lydia. I'm looking forward to working with you, too."
After ringing off, you turn to Kyle with an excited squeal and throw your arms around him. "I can't believe it!" you gush. "She just offered me my dream job!"
Kyle laughs, letting you squeeze the life out of him until Bug starts wailing and you have to let him go to calm the poor lad.
Once you're back on the road, Kyle takes your hand and brushes his lips across your knuckles. "Getting this promotion is like icing on the cake, isn't it?"
You grin, nodding, assuming he's referring to Bug's birth as the cake. An angel food cake, you decide, peeking over the seat at your precious boy.
Once outside the city, Kyle turns off the main thoroughfare, taking a road that eventually brings you to a village. It's rather idyllic with it's fieldstone buildings and narrow, cobbled lanes. It has that old world feel to it that tourists and photographers would flock to when searching for the quintessential English village.
Turning down a lane just off the village's square, Kyle pulls up in front of a lovely stone cottage with a slate roof and chimney pots.
"C'mon, pet," Kyle says, opening his door. "I'll get Bug. You grab his nappy bag."
"Wait! What are—"
He door shuts, cutting you off. Growling under your breath, you get out of the car and wait for him to pop out Bug's carrier before trying again.
"Why are we here? Are we visiting someone?"
"No," he says, grinning. Putting his arm around your shoulders, he turns you to face the cottage. "Be honest now, love. Whad'ya think of the place?"
You glance at the cottage, then give him an exasperated look. "It's lovely, Kyle, but what are we doing here?"
Just as he's about to answer, the front door of the cottage opens and a smartly dressed woman with a stylish bob steps out and waves.
"Mr. Garrick! Good to see you again. Oh, and you brought the family along. Wonderful," she exclaims, hurrying forward to greet you. "Let's all go in. I just put the kettle on. We'll have a nice hot cuppa while we finalize the paperwork, then I'll hand over the keys and leave you an' the missus to it." She beams an excited smile at you.
Being called his missus throws you for a second, but you ignore the little thrill it gives you to address the more pertinent issue at hand.
"Kyle, what the bloody hell is going on?"
Pulling you closer, he drops a kiss on your nose and smiles. "I bought us a cottage, love. Welcome home."
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pt. 10 | pt. 12
