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Learning to Love (Kindergarten!Teacher!Reader x SingleDad!JJ AU) - Part 3

Hello my loves! This is part 3 of this JJ Maybank AU. Part 1 and Part 2 for those who haven't read them yet. I'm not sure how many parts there will be at this stage, probably looking at 1 or 2 more<333 I hope you enjoy! As always feedback and reblogs are very appreciated. All the love to you!!

Monday morning arrived just as quickly as it always does. But this time, you were actually excited beyond measure, and you were sure trying to convince yourself that it had nothing to do with a certain little girl in your class and most definitely nothing to do with her dad either.

You looked back on your lunch yesterday during your walk to class, a heat rising to your cheek inconceivably, the giddy feeling in your leaving you caught off guard as you thought back to your conversations with Ava and JJ. The way the two of them were so clearly close, how he was so sweet and kind, how he was unlike you have ever met before. And how he was the father of one of your students.

 You shook the thoughts of his handsome face out of your mind and diverted your attention to the dark grey clouds harbouring the sky, silently cursing yourself for not driving in this morning and praying that the weather will hold out for later.

The kindergarten was quiet at this time of the morning, leaving you to set up for class, humming to a song stuck in your head. It was easy to get engrossed in what you were doing, until a knock on your classroom door brought you back into reality.

“Morning Sarah!” You greeted your co-worker who was working in the classroom beside yours. Sarah was kind, a little older than you but had a childlike heart just like you and hence the two of you always got on very well.

“Hi Y/N. I hope you took your vitamins this morning!” She chirped as she waved a leaflet in front of her, the suggestive voice accompanying it making your brows furrow in anticipation. You took a few steps closer until you could make out the words on the paper clear as day. “FLU OUTBREAK – PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.”

“That time of year, huh?” You sighed shaking your head as you walked towards the pile of papers Sarah set down on your desk to pick one up and study it further.

“Sure is. Already had a few parents call in to say their child is sick. Is it okay if I leave these here to hand out please?”

“Of course. Thank you for bringing them over.” You smiled at her which she returned and with a small wave of her hand she slipped out of your classroom, leaving you to carry on setting up the tables for some art.

It didn’t take long for the kids to start arriving and soon most chairs were taken. Inevitably, the phone rang a few times and you had been informed of a few kids who couldn’t make it in due to them being ill, and sadly there were some who arrived with runny noses and chesty coughs. The parents seemed apologetic especially upon reading the leaflet handed to them, but due to the lack of childcare and work obligations, you ended up with a few poorly ones, noting to take extra care making sure they stay hydrated and get extra nap time.

“Hi Miss Y/N! Long time no see.” Came a cheeky voice from behind you, leaving you to turn around and to find Ava’s twinkly eyes and smirk that looked exactly like her dad’s. The thought made your heart thump as you turned your attention higher up, finding JJ’s smile already on you as he muttered a ‘hi’, the way his gaze followed you leaving you in a pool of butterflies.

“Morning Ava. Nice to see you too.” You chuckled as you sent her a little wink, your reaction leaving her to erupt in a small fit of giggles, warming your heart at its core.

“Hi JJ. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but have to give you this.” Apologetically you reached for the flu leaflet, handing it to him who studied the paper for a moment before meeting your eyes.

“Thanks for letting me know. Busy time for you.” He pressed his lips into a thin line and tilted his head slightly, studying you while your heart raced and hands grew clammy from the attention he was paying you.

“A little. Nothing I haven’t seen before though.” You shook your shoulders nonchalantly, earning a little smile and a nod from him.

“You going to be alright?” He reached a hand out to your shoulder and gave it a small squeeze, your eyes widening in surprise and seemingly his too, as if his movement came out of nowhere, shocking him the same.

“Oh yeah. Of course.” You babbled, scratching your neck awkwardly, trying to ignore the way your skin burned at the place where his fingertips met the fabric of your top. He smiled at you, one of those smiles that holds so much meaning and yet are only so small that if you didn’t look for it you would not even notice. But of course, you noticed as you started to notice everything else he did.

“Alright. Be good pumpkin.” JJ leaned down to press a kiss on Ava’s head and ruffle her hair in the process, leaving her to whine unimpressed, making you chuckle as you took her bag and allowed her to take her seat, preparing for another day of trying to keep it together, while your head was completely someplace else, away from this classroom.

By the afternoon, the heavens opened. Leaving large drops of rainfall to tap against your classes window, lulling you into a state of coziness, whishing for a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate, alongside the umbrella you so carelessly left at home.

The kids seemingly felt similarly about the weather, as chatter died down from the normal level of loud, most of them silently playing amongst themselves, just awaiting the arrival of their parents, making it easy for you to keep an eye on them. Although, you adored your job, today was one of those days where you couldn’t wait for it to be over so you could crawl into bed in the comfiest pyjamas you owned.

So when the first set of parents started arriving, you felt lighter with every kid leaving, until you were left with only Ava who has been drawing on an A3 paper since the early afternoon, completely engrossed in the activity, switching pencils every once in a while.

Your curiosity got the best of you as you got out of your chair and walked towards her, sending her a smile as she looked up at you excitedly.

“I’m nearly finished Miss Y/N.” She clapped her hands excitedly as she reached for another pencil and started colouring something vigorously, a giggle leaving her lips as she lifted the paper in front of her, pride and joy playing behind her eyes.

“May I see?” You asked, stepping closer to her to which she nodded enthusiastically and laid the paper down, for you to be met with delicate drawings of people, stood and sat around what seemed to be a field with a tree and a pretty sun, the innocence leaving you smiling at her fondly.

“These are all my favourite people.” She started excitedly as she started pointing at characters with her finger.

“This is uncle John B and auntie Sarah.” Ava explained while gesticulating to a couple, a man with messy brown hair and a woman next to her with bright yellow hair, making you bite your lips to supress a chuckle.

“And this is auntie Kie and uncle Pope.” Followed a girl and a boy, sat in a couple of chairs beside each other.

“This is daddy. And this is you Miss Y/N.” She finished, as your breath hitched and eyes widened while looking over at the last two people standing beside each other. You could easily make out JJ’s character as that was the most developed, as if she spent most time on his drawing. It was clear she paid tonnes of attention to him as even the freckles of his face were accurate, for a child her age, the thought squeezing at your heart. But nothing could have prepared you for the feeling of being one of her favourite people, and although it may have been just a funny coincidence in her adoring brain, to be drawn next to JJ left your knees feeling weak as your cheeks heated and lungs closed up.

“Wow. This is really sweet Ava. You are so talented.” You breathed out, scrambling for words to react, your brain running on autopilot while you forgot where you were. A knock interrupted you, snapping your gaze to the door which was opening, to find JJ stepping through them. His hair was slightly damp with his jumper seemingly wet from a few drops of rain, as if he ran from his car to the class, trying to dodge the rain as best as he could. That smile played on his lips as it always did and you were sure you suddenly felt so warm, it may as well have been a summer’s day.

“Sorry I’m late. Work was hectic.” He let out an embarrassed chuckle as he waved at Ava, who excitedly shuffled out of her chair and skipped towards him, the drawing waving in her hand like a flag. Your cheeks warmed at his voice and the way his eyes so easily met yours, his gaze not faltering for what felt like forever.

“Missed you daddy!” Ava shrieked as she jumped around, JJ as a result kneeling down and embracing the enthusiastic girl before picking her up, allowing her to throw her little arms around him and return the hug.

“No problem at all.” You shrugged, as you walked towards your desk once again, closing your laptop which held your teaching schedule and started filling your own bags with your belongings.

“Did you have a good day?” You asked out of the blue, your lips acting faster than your brain.

“Yeah. Good, thank you. Busy which is what the shop needs.” JJ smiled up at you, fond and proud in a way that twisted your insides.

“Hope you girls did too?” He followed, giving a squeeze to Ava which left her a giggling mess, to which you had to bite your lips to supress a chuckle.

“Yeah, we did. Ava did so good today will all the crafts, she really has got incredible talent.” You smiled bashful, upon seeing the small tint of rose hinting at her cheeks.

“I don’t know where she gets it from. I couldn’t draw a stickman right.” He laughed as he set Ava down and gave her a playful twirl.

“I’m sure that’s not true.” You shook your head as you put your coat on and grabbed your jacket, while JJ wrapped Ava up and folded up her drawing which he placed safely in her backpack. You followed them out of the classroom which you locked up, and comfortable silence took over you while you walked to the front entrance of the school.

You took a moment after opening the door to stand under the terrace, wide eyed, taking in the storm in its entirety, the way the raindrops fell out of the sky without seemingly ever stopping. The wind was strong, causing even the largest trees to shake side to side. An unwilling sigh left your lips because that damn umbrella, while you zipped up your coat and adjusted your bag, trying to get as much of your body under cover as possible.

“Well, at least it didn’t rain when I walked in.” You looked at JJ with a sarcastic expression.

“You two get home safe, and I will see you tomorrow.” Sending a smile and a small wave to the pair, you got ready to step out into the rain, when a hand wrapped around your wrist and pulled you back in, steadying you.

“You’re not about to walk home in this?” You couldn’t figure out whether this was a question or a statement, your brows furrowing in slight confusion.

“I decided to not drive in this morning, thinking it was a nice day, so jokes on me.” Offering an awkward smile, you gazed down to where his hand was still wrapped around you. He noticed your hesitation and dropped his hand, awkwardly twirling his fingers as it his skin was as scorching from the touch as yours.

“Let me give you a lift. I can’t have you walking in this storm.” JJ looked at you with assurance and determination, his expression not faltering at the slightest, even at your lips that fell agape and your throat that seemingly became unable to create any sounds.

“Oh, I really don’t want to trouble you.” You croaked out after a few attempts, your heart racing just a little more from the way he looked over at you and clearly after you.

“Please. Let me.” He repeated sternly and the only thing you could do was to pull your lips into a line and nod. He nodded as a confirmation while reaching into his jumper pocket and pulling out a wet umbrella which he handed over to you.

“I’ll run out and bring the car to the gate. You and Ava stay here alright?” He asked, and without even giving you an opportunity to protest, he grabbed onto Ava’s backpack and pulled his hood on his head and ran out towards the road before he disappeared from your view.

“Your dad is stubborn, huh?” You questioned Ava, who was now glued to your side, ready to tackle the horrendous weather.

“He just cares.” She shrugged carelessly, as if her words didn’t hold any wisdom a kid her age should barely be able to acknowledge. As if her statement didn’t make your heart skip a beat at the potential that JJ Maybank may care for you slightly.

Before you had a chance to dwell on her words, bright headlights illuminated the front gate, to which you opened the umbrella and held your hand out to Ava.

“You ready?” You smiled at her cheekily, earning a smirk from her as she held onto you and the two of you emerged into the rain with quick footsteps as you tried to cover Ava from the rain mostly, not wanting her to catch a cold. JJ waited for you outside as he opened both the passenger and the back doors, while you ushered Ava towards her seat and stepped onto your tiptoes, covering the pair with the umbrella as best as you could in the windy conditions while JJ strapped her into her booster seat, chuckles and giggles filling the air from all of you as you battled against the elements.

“Come on.” JJ shouted after closing Ava’s side door, reaching for the umbrella to take it out of your hands, in an effort to cover you while you shuffled into the seat. When he was certain that you were in safely, he shut the passenger door and ran over to the drivers seat, quickly closing the umbrella and tossing it at the back while he jumped in and pulled his door shut.

A sigh left his lips as he sat back for a moment, then opened his eyes and looked over to you and Ava, leaving all of you to erupt in a fit of laughter at just how against all your efforts, you and he were soaking wet, but Ava didn’t have a drop of water on her.

“At least one of us is dry.” You smiled, looking at Ava in the rearview and sending her a little wink, to which she clapped triumphally.

“Alright. Lets get out of here.” JJ offered as he looked over at you, his gaze lingering for a moment as he looked over the features of your face and you swore you could see a small tint of pink creeping up the apples of his cheek. You were sure it was just the heater that was now sending warm air all around you.

The journey was quick and mainly filled with directions to your house which was only a few streets down, as well as humming along to Ava’s songs on the radio.

It felt oddly natural, sitting beside JJ as he stole small glances at you with a small, content smile playing at his lips, which you kindly acted like you didn’t notice. Or, because you feared that if you made eye contact with him, your cheeks would heat, and your hands would grow clammy and he would notice how your heart was beating faster than normal, just being in his vicinity.

It didn’t take long for you to pull up beside your block of flats, the rain seemingly refusing to falter in any way.

“Here we are.” JJ breathed out as he turned the ignition off and faced you, his eyes holding a small glint of disappointment that caught you off guard as you turned your full attention to him and his sky blue eyes that you couldn’t turn away from.

“Miss Y/N?” Ava called from the back, interrupting your thoughts as you turned you head, embarrassed to have been caught in the act of staring her father down so shamelessly.

“Could I come and meet Olive please?” She asked when you looked over to her with a patient smile on your face, her question lighting you up.

“Ava..” JJ started as he frowned, a little embarrassed of the invitation her daughter put out so unknowingly.

“If your dad is happy with that, then of course you can.” You spoke up before he could protest and shut Ava down, the attention now completely turned to him.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude.” He lowered his voice as he leaned a little closer to you, the smell of wood and mint hitting you, clouding your veins and turning your insides into jelly as you were sure you would never be able to get his smell out of your brain.

“You really wouldn’t. I promise.” You whispered back, holding his eyes until your gaze suddenly dropped to his lips that were so close to you that you could almost taste them, making you realise just how badly you wanted to. You watched as JJ swallowed hard and his breath grew shallow, until you went to meet his eyes again, only to find them on your lips, your breath hitching in the moment.

“Okay.” He croaked out as he cleared his throat, the built tension scattering away at the shriek Ava let out while she did her best to jump around in her seat, bouncing off excitement, making you and JJ laugh as you shared some knowing looks, before he handed you the umbrella and got out of the car to get Ava ready.

You dug your keys out and let yourselves in through the door, your shoulders dropping immediately in comfort as you stepped into your apartment.

“Olive!” You called out with an excited Ava beside you, until you heard the sound of a tiny bell and a small meow from your cat who was now running to greet you. He was slightly unsure when he approached to find two strangers in your home, until you encouraged Ava to kneel down and let him sniff her, at which point your loving pet was ready to give her all his pent up love. You smiled at the giggle she let out as she gently pet Olive who flopped down on the floor, enjoying the fuss he was getting. When you were certain that the two of them were getting along just fine, you got up off the floor and went to find JJ who was having a little nose around your lounge, looking at your bookshelf and pictures you hung, making the place the coziest part of your home.

“Can I get you something to drink?” You offered as you walked up behind him, making him jump a little as he was in deep thought. He looked behind you and his eyes lit up as he found his daughter clearly having the best time and met your eyes with gratitude, making you weak in the knees.

“No I’m okay. Thank you though.” He answered to which you nodded and walked to the bathroom across the room to grab yourself a glass of water for yourself.

“Do you live here by yourself?” JJ asked as you walked back towards him and took a seat on your sofa, a sigh falling from your lips.

“Yes. Most of my family live in the city, but I fancied the change so I decided to move a few months ago.” You explained, while he walked towards you and took a seat, his knee bumping with yours as he did.

“Have you lived here all your life?” You questioned in return, wanting nothing more than to find out more about the man who caught your attention so easily and unexpectedly.

“Born and bred.” He smiled proudly, making you chuckle as you nodded in understanding.

“It’s a beautiful place. I always felt happiest by the sea, whenever my mum and dad would take me and my siblings to the seaside for vacations. I knew I would always settle down somewhere by the water.”  A content sigh fell from your lips as you looked back on your favourite times and the fact that you achieved what you always wanted by being here.

“Do you miss them?” JJ shuffled a little closer, most likely subconsciously, but you couldn’t help the way your skin felt on fire now that his thigh was pressed against yours.

“Sometimes. I speak to them a lot though.” Sending him a reassuring smile  seemed to allow his own to show and it took you a second to realise he was in your home, getting to know you, sending your brain into frenzy.

“I think we better make a move. Ava gets cranky if she doesn’t eat dinner on time.” He whispered cheekily, not wanting the little girl to overhear his words, a giggle escaping the both of you as you nodded in understanding and got up after one another.

“That you for this.” He pointed to Ava who was now saying goodbye to Olive, giving him a little kiss to his forehead which he seemingly enjoyed.

“No problem. Anytime.” You assured and you meant it. You knew he knew from the way his eyes grew with fondness as you walked them towards your door, sending a wave to Ava and looking back to JJ as he stepped outside.

“Take care JJ. Drive safe.” Smiling you touched his shoulder, wanting to feel him under your fingertips once more. You watched as he opened his mouth to speak with nothing leaving his lips and a small blush painting his cheekbones.

“Bye Y/N.” He breathed out in the end, looking into your eyes for one more moment as he hurried off, into the rain, leaving you with a racing mind and a confused but hopeful look on your face that maybe, just maybe he might be what you were always looking for.

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