Chapter 21 – Carr
Chapter Twenty-One
CARR
“ R emington isn’t the father?” Addison nearly drops the bottle she’s feeding Violet. I tilt the container back until Violet can latch on again.
“Highly unlikely as he had a vasectomy five years ago.”
“Who are you thinking it is then?”
“Dex, probably. I requested the lab resend the results. We should get them tomorrow.”
“What did Remington say when you confronted him?”
“That all is fair in war and commerce. I told him he could have the Osaka deal. I didn’t want it.” I tickle Violet’s foot and watch in fascination as her tiny toes, looking like beans only half-grown curl against themselves.
“Can you do that? Just hand over a deal to someone else?”
“The Yamamotos are nice people, but I shouldn’t have to pretend to be something I’m not just to get the business. Either you like what I bring to the table or we aren’t going to be partners. I should have remembered that instead of getting caught up in trying to beat Remington. Why was I trying to outfraud him with you and Violet?”
“Did he really hire someone to pretend to be his family?”
“He sure did. I guess I should be relieved.” Violet is ready to be burped. I gesture for Addison to hand the baby over. When Violet is in my arms and a burp cloth is draped over my white cotton dress shirt, I stand and start patting.
“If he already had the actresses, why did he want Violet?”
“Contingency. He thought if he had another child, it would sway the Yamamotos in his favor. Even after hearing your story, Mr. Yamamoto was still considering Remington. We both lied to him.” I shake my head. “It’s a deal that was always going to be a problem.”
Violet gives off a satisfying belch. Addison and I exchange grins.
“It’s silly how happy we are whenever Violet does something super basic.” Addison takes Violet from me.
“I admit that I never thought I’d be happy about a poopy diaper.”
“You’re a good dad.” Addison’s eyes meet mine, and there’s a sadness there that is reflected in my own.
“But not for Violet.” I take the sleepy baby and lay her in the crib so that I can take Addison’s hands in mine, rubbing the top of the diamond that she is still wearing after our Japan trip. “I’m not trying to replace Violet with someone else, but I know that before you, my life was empty. In these few short weeks I’ve realized that the robotic pursuit of money, deals, and plans are empty, and what I’ve needed to fill up the space in my life is a family. I want you there beside me and with, God willing, little ones. Say yes.”
“Why are you doing this when I just put Violet down for a nap?” she whispers heatedly.
I smile. “I didn’t think that when she was crying for food or pooping out her dinner that it would be the right setting.”
I pull her against me. “I could have waited until after we made love, but I didn’t want you to think I’d proposed in a post-coital haze of glory.”
“Is that what you call it after you come?” she giggles against my mouth.
“It seems like you need a reminder of how good I make it for you.” I swing her into my arms and cross to the connecting room. “You think you’re cooking something in your baby oven?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Let’s help the odds out.” I throw her on the bed.
“You okay?” I ask Addison as she places Violet in the carrier.
“No. Not really. How about you?”
“Not great.” I pick up the carrier. When Megan left me with the little one, I never imagined I would grow to have these feelings of attachment. “Shall we?”
Addison twists her ring but gives a short nod. She visibly gathers herself and leads the way out of the nursery and down to the first floor reception room, where Megan and Dex are waiting, along with a small army of lawyers. Megan is sitting in one of the two long sofas facing each other while Dex is across the room, staring out the window. He’s probably counting down in his head to his next pickleball match.
He grimaces as we enter. “Do we really have to do this?”
“Yes.” I gesture for him to take a seat next to Megan. “This is for Violet and her future. I don’t want there to be future misunderstandings.”
“Why is she here? Isn’t she just the nanny?” He gives a curt jerk of his head toward Addison.
I draw her to my side and lift her left hand to my mouth. “No, not for a long time.”
Dex’s eyebrows go up at the sight of the diamond while Megan shoves her ringless hand under her ass.
I hand over the documents. “For the good of Violet, I will retain custody, but you two will have regular visitation. At all times, you are to treat her with respect, kindness, and love. If, at any time, the independent court-appointed guardians for Violet determine that you are stable, both emotionally and financially, to care for Violet, I will give up custody. If, however, by the age of five, you have not achieved that state as judged by the independent consultants, you will relinquish your parental rights, and I will adopt Violet.”
Agreeing to this is painful for me and Addison, but we determined it was the right thing to do. Paying Megan and Dex off would be too messy. Dex is my cousin, and Megan has very few morals and a very loose mouth. When Violet got older, the rumors would reach her ears. I wanted to be as above board as possible and be able to look my girl in the eye and say that I did everything to keep her family intact. And if Megan and Dex surprise me and become great parents, then I have to do what’s in Violet’s best interest as much as it would break my own heart.
Dex signs quickly. “I’ve got an appointment, but I’ll be by next week for whatever it is that I’m supposed to do. You need a ride somewhere, Megs?”
Megan chews on the end of her pen. “I’m supposed to take the baby today. We are supposed to take her.”
“Can’t.” Dex pulls out his wallet and throws some bills onto the table. “Buy her something nice. See ya, Carr.”
He walks out. Megan throws down the pen, snatches the money, and chases after him. “Wait, Dex. I’m coming with you.” She looks back at us. “Next weekend, I’ll take the baby.”
Addison looks like she’s about to launch herself at Megan. I grab her hand and squeeze it. “We figured it would be this way. Let’s take Violet to the park.”
“I’m worried about Violet.” Addison makes a face at our baby.
“We’ll love her enough that it won’t matter.” I palm her back and stroke a small sliver of skin between the bottom of her shirt and the top of her jeans. “What’s important is that we’re together, that we love her, and that we’ll always love her. Our love will be enough.”
Addison turns her face up to mine. “You’re right. Our love is enough.”