17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Noah
"There are waffles, eggs, and fruit," I remind Davey, trying to coax him to pick something as he stares stubbornly at his empty plate.
"I can make you some oatmeal if you want," Lily suggests, her voice encouraging.
"If you don’t eat, you can’t go out with your mother," I add, hoping it’ll motivate him.
Davey’s lower lip juts out in a pout—one I’ve seen countless times. After a moment, he relents. "I’ll eat some eggs."
"Perfect," I say with a smile, dropping a spoonful of fluffy scrambled eggs onto his plate.
"Lily!" Davey exclaims with excitement. "My mommy is coming to pick me up."
"I know, Sweetie. I'm so excited for you," she replies with a warm smile. "I'm glad you get to spend the day with her."
"Can you come with us?" he asks, his question hanging in the air, both innocent and utterly terrifying. My ex-wife and Lily, together? The thought sends a shiver down my spine. I glance over at Lily, who’s focused on cooking the last two waffles, clearly unsure of how to respond.
"Maybe next time, Buddy," I say gently, trying to soften the blow. "I think you and your mom should have some time together, just the two of you, since you haven't seen her in a while."
"Okay," Davey replies, his face lighting up again. "I can't wait to see her, Daddy."
"I know you're excited, Bud. I'm happy too," I say, offering him a reassuring smile as he wiggles in his seat, full of anticipation.
"Are you coming with us, Daddy?" Davey asks, his bright eyes hopeful.
“No, I’m not coming either,” I reply, forcing a cheerful tone I don't feel. “It’ll be just you and your mommy today.”
I notice the slight drop in Davey's enthusiasm, but he hides it well, nodding with acceptance. After breakfast, he slides out of his chair and announces, "I'm going to pick some toys to put in my backpack." He’s already packed a change of clothes, a water bottle, and some money, ever the little planner.
Five minutes later, he reappears in the kitchen, his Toy Story backpack slung proudly over his shoulder. "I’m ready," he says, his smile wide and full of anticipation.
At ten-fifteen, Davey shifts from the kitchen table to the armchair nearest the front door, eyes glued to the driveway. By ten-thirty, I leave a voicemail for Marian, reminding her that Davey’s been ready since ten. His excitement hasn’t dimmed, even with her tardiness. "Daddy, can I wait outside? I’m going to sit on the steps," he asks, his enthusiasm undeterred.
Lily glances at me, her beautiful face etched with concern, mirroring my own thoughts. If Marian stands him up, I will never forgive her.
Finally, at eleven-ten, Marian pulls into the driveway. No phone call, no explanation, and most infuriatingly, no apology. But Davey doesn’t care. He sprints toward her, arms outstretched, his smile as bright as ever. She catches him in a warm hug, matching his excitement with kisses and tears. For a moment, her casual appearance makes me think they’ve got something fun planned, and I don’t bother asking any questions. I just remind her, "Have him home by eight."
"Can I keep him overnight?" she asks.
I hesitate. "There’s only one change of clothes in his backpack."
"I’ll buy him whatever he needs," she shrugs. "No worries."
"Have him home no later than ten in the morning," I insist. "Jon will be back this afternoon, and I'd like to take Davey to visit everyone tomorrow."
"Ten," she repeats, flashing a casual smile. "Gotcha! I’ll have him home by then."
"Bye, Daddy!" Davey calls out excitedly from the back seat, his little hand waving through the window.
I wave back as they pull away, but as the car disappears down the road, a knot tightens in my chest. She’s his mother. He’ll be safe with her. But despite that reassurance, an overwhelming sense of panic rises at the thought of not seeing my son for nearly twenty-four hours. Why does it feel like I’m holding my breath, waiting for something to go wrong?
I walk back into the house, and Lily is there, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her eyes meet mine, soft and knowing. "Are you okay?" she asks, already reading my thoughts.
I shrug, but she steps closer. "He'll be okay," she reassures me, her voice gentle. "He’s probably going to have a blast. He’ll build memories with her this summer. The memories you build with a parent you don't live with are so important. They carry you throughout the years. They're like anchors to your relationship with that parent."
I listen intently as she continues, her own experiences lending weight to her words. "I spent summers with my dad, and thanks to those times, we’re close—even though we lived apart."
I nod, taking comfort in her wisdom. She’s been through this. She knows what Davey’s feeling, what he needs. And as much as I hate this situation, I trust her judgment. She’s right—this time with his mother is important, even if it tightens something inside me.
***
“What’s on your agenda today?” I ask, watching Lily sip her coffee, the light from the window casting a soft glow over her. There’s something mesmerizing about how content she looks, even after last night’s confrontation with Marian. The tension still lingers in the back of my mind, but I push the thought away, determined not to let it ruin our day. “Do you still need one of the cars?”
She sets her cup down, her expression shifting. “Zoe texted me earlier. She’s completely overwhelmed with a big event at the studio and asked if I could help out for a couple of hours. After that, I have to be at the daycare for the final inspection.”
I smile, sensing that her mind is already running through the details of her day. “I’ll be in my office—there’s a new book idea that’s been eating at me, and I need to see where it goes. But tonight, I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
Her eyes light up, a soft blush creeping across her cheeks as she remembers why we didn’t go out last night. “That sounds perfect,” she whispers, her voice gentle as she leans in closer, her gaze drawing me in like it always does.
I reach for her, cupping her face gently in my hands, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers. As our lips meet, I pour every ounce of love into the kiss, a quiet promise that tonight is ours—no interruptions, no distractions. Just us.
After I kiss her goodbye and walk her to the door, I retreat to the quiet of my office, but the silence only amplifies the weight pressing down on me. I stare at the blank screen, unable to focus, my thoughts consumed by everything Lily and I must face to defend our decision to be together. Her father’s blessing was a relief—one battle won. But Jon and Aaron... I can only hope they’ll take it easy on me and accept our relationship. Even if they come armed with reasons why we shouldn’t marry, I’m ready to defend us, no matter the cost.
But Marian... she has the power to break me, not with words, but by using Davey. The thought of it sets me on edge, a cold knot forming in my chest. Of all the obstacles we have to face, she’s the one who could wound me the deepest, hurting us both. And whether or not I’m ready, I must prepare for that fight. One of the things I’ve learned about Marian over the years is that she’s conniving. My brain isn’t wired like hers. Her ploys throughout our marriage always made me feel like I was five steps behind her, constantly struggling to catch up in a game she had mastered, and I never knew the rules of.
Every attempt at writing feels like a complete failure. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t focus—my thoughts scattered.
My gaze lands on the photo of Davey sitting on my desk. He’s about three, wearing a blue tank top that brings out the striking blue of his eyes. The photo was taken at the park, with a sea of green stretching endlessly behind him, captured on a perfect day where the sky was as clear as his laughter. The sunlight dances in his eyes, and for a moment, I’m back there, in that fleeting second of pure joy. He’s my world, my everything. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect his happiness, to keep his sense of security intact—I'd give my life without hesitation. An unfamiliar unease coils in my stomach, heavy as a stone, dragging me down with every breath I take.
A light knock on the door startles me, yanking me from the thoughts that felt like quicksand. “Come in,” I call, my voice steadying. The door creaks open, and there’s Lily, peeking in with her blue eyes and that captivating smile, wrapping around me like a ray of sunshine breaking through a storm.
“Hi, Sweetheart, you’re back.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Have you been in here this whole time?” she asks, her voice laced with surprise.
I glance at the clock, blinking. It’s almost five.
"Did you get any work done?" she asks, coming around the desk to give me a quick kiss. But I catch her hand, pulling her down to sit on my lap. She laughs softly, her arms sliding around my neck as I hold her close. Our lips meet again, this time slower, deeper, savoring every moment. Her perfume envelops me, pulling me into her warmth. The world outside fades as I lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her fingers tracing gentle patterns on the back of my neck. Time seems to still, leaving only us—her breath, her touch, the steady beat of my heart syncing with hers.
When the kiss ends, I keep her close, gazing into her eyes, the depth of their blue speaking to me, telling me she loves me. I wonder again, like I do every time, how someone as incredible as her could have ever fallen in love with me. It feels impossible, like a dream I’m afraid to wake from, yet here she is, real and mine.
“Dad stopped by the daycare today,” she says, rising from my lap and standing to her feet. “He saw your car parked outside, so he figured I’d be there.”
“How’s he doing?” I ask, a hint of caution in my voice. “He hasn’t changed his mind about us, has he?”
She shakes her head with a soft smile, easing my worry. “No, nothing’s changed.”
I exhale, relieved, as she takes the seat across from me. “I asked him about running into Cara, Patrick and the kids,” she adds, her tone shifting.
“Oh, right,” I say, remembering the moment I’d nearly forgotten—the encounter between Mateo and my son.
"He said he went out for a late dinner," she explains, "then a walk, and when he passed the ice cream shop, he glanced inside and saw them. Naturally, he went in to say hello, and Patrick invited him to join them for ice cream."
I nod, trying to picture it—Mateo, casually strolling in, sharing ice cream with them like it was the most natural thing in the world. "So that was it?"
She shrugs, her eyes never leaving mine as if gauging my response. "That's what he said."
“You don’t think he’s fishing for information about us, do you? Asking things like, ‘Does Lily go home in the evenings? Does she spend the night?’”
Her lips curve into a small, amused smile, but there’s a flicker of doubt in her eyes. “How could he have possibly known they'd be there?”
She has a good point, but something about the whole encounter still feels off. It’s too convenient, too coincidental. “I don’t know,” I murmur, rubbing the back of my neck. “It just seems like more than a random visit.”
“I asked him what he and Davey talked about. Since it was all in Spanish, I'm sure Cara and Patrick didn’t catch a word. Dad said they talked about Japan—the food, the culture. Then Davey mentioned he misses his mom. From there, the conversation naturally veered towards Marian and what she’s like.”
“So he is fishing,” I say, my voice tightening with realization. “Maybe he was trying to gauge if there’s any chance Marian and I will get back together. He doesn’t want you to get hurt.”
She exhales, her gaze softening as she crosses her legs and leans forward. “I think he’s just worried, trying to protect me in his own way.”
“I get that, but…” I trail off, my gut twisting. “He doesn't have to protect you from me."
***
I sit on the couch, eagerly waiting for Lily to finish getting ready for our night out. As I think about the upcoming weeks, my mind swirls with plans: the return of my family, the daycare's grand opening, Davey's first day of school, the wedding, our honeymoon. It’s as if all these different facets of our lives are converging at once, bringing everyone together in a whirlwind of activity and emotions.
I should be feeling elated and at peace, but Marian’s presence complicates everything. Her arrival casts a shadow over my excitement. She adds a layer of tension and unease, making it impossible to truly relax. With her around, I’m always on edge, bracing myself for the next confrontation, waiting for her to strike.
When Lily walks in, everything else fades away—my worries, my anxiety, even my rational thoughts. The woman takes my breath away. She’s wearing a yellow sundress with a V-neck that somehow makes her blue eyes shine even brighter. The flowy skirt stops just above her knees, and her wedge sandals accentuate her long, tanned legs. Her hair falls loosely around her shoulders, and with only a hint of makeup, she looks so young, almost achingly so. I stare, captivated all over again by the effortless beauty she carries with her everywhere she goes.
I stand and approach her, almost hesitant, afraid that touching her might somehow break the electric connection buzzing between us. But the thought of not touching her is unbearable. I trace a slow path up her arm with my fingertips, my eyes never leaving hers. “You’re so breathtakingly beautiful,” I murmur, my voice low. “I’m captivated by your eyes, your skin, your scent. I will spend the rest of my life appreciating your beauty.”
A soft pink blush sweeps across her cheeks, and it’s my undoing. I lean in, my breath catching, and whisper, “If we don’t leave now, Lily, we won’t leave at all.”