Chapter 25
JUNIPER
Suburban Daddy
Good news. Ortho says he sees great progress with my mobility. As of now, no surgery.
That’s great news!
Suburban Daddy
I’m relieved. You sure Addie is okay with you tonight? Hilary should be off in a few hours and will come get her asap.
Crew. I know we still need to talk, but Addie is great. We’re having a blast, actually. I’ve already introduced her to the life-changing music that is Jewel.
Suburban Daddy
Haven’t heard that name in forever. Better than the shit King teaches her. Yesterday was Bow Wow blasting in her room.
Ah. I remember discovering my love for new genres. Akon’s music was my life’s anthem.
Suburban Daddy
Not you too…I’m not sure this thing between us will work…
Har Har. We know that isn’t true. You’d miss my tits too much.
Suburban Daddy
What gave that away?
Hickeys. The answer is hickeys. All over my once pure tits.
Suburban Daddy
I defiled you.
That he did.
It’s been two weeks since the night Crew showed up at my house and fucked me ten ways to Sunday.
We still haven’t completely talked about what us being together looks like, and I’m antsy over it. He may have proclaimed he was never letting me go during sex, but I want to make sure the same is still true when he’s not horny and looking at me naked.
I’ve quickly learned how little private time parents get to themselves when they have children. It’s been a bit challenging, given our new… situation. Between both of our schedules, any moments of alone time we’ve had have involved sneaking away and giving in to our need for each other.
Again and again.
It feels like we’re together. And I want to be together, but are we actually together? That’s the burning question.
At the home game following that first night, one look at Tenley and Gus told me everything I needed to know. They were behind it all and proud to see Crew finally make a move.
That makes three of us.
Right now, however, Crew is currently in Tampa for an away game series, and while it’s usually Hilary’s week with Addie, she has to work late tonight. Vanna is visiting family in Cuba for the month, leaving me the only option.
And by only option, I mean likely the first person to jump at the opportunity to hang out with Addie. Crew didn’t ask—he didn’t need to. I’ve been dying to spend some one-on-one time with the little city queen, and now is my chance.
I was afraid at first he might say no, given I’ve never kept her on my own, but he had zero hesitation. Hilary, too. I’ve come to really respect their relationship as co-parents together, always clueing each other in before making a decision that affects their daughter.
I’m also lowkey obsessed with Hilary and truly feel like I’ve earned myself a really great friend. A really great friend who also happens to love hot yoga and stuffing our faces together afterwards.
It’s balance.
Which leads me to tonight. Hilary texted me earlier saying she would be here around nine when she gets off, and it’s currently six fifteen, leaving Addie and me two hours and forty-five minutes left of fun.
We’ve already painted our nails—a wide variety of neon colors on each finger. Her choice.
We baked cookies and used them to make ice cream cookie sandwiches. Pretty sure I changed her life with that one.
We spent an hour chasing Shakespeare around the house. Addie thought it was his way of playing tag, but really, the dude was overstimulated and trying to get away. He’s slow to warm up with people, especially kids who wear terror like a crown.
“What kind of movie are you thinking?” I ask Addie as we settle onto the couch, each grabbing a fluffy blanket in the process.
“Hmm.” She taps her chin. “What about Peter Pan?”
“Oooo, good choice. Very important question, though,” I tell her. “The new one or the old one?”
“Easy.” She grins wide. “The original. There’s nothin’ like it.”
“Atta girl.” I tap her nose, reaching for the remote to set the movie up. “Have I told you yet how happy I am to hang out with you?”
“Only a million times, Juniper.” Addie leans her head against my shoulder, and my heart bursts. I’ve always wanted a child of my own, and although Addie isn’t mine, it feels so special getting time with her like this. “I have a question,” she ponders.
“Okay. And I have an answer. Let’s hear it.”
“Do you love daddy?”
No reluctance, just confidence. I can learn a thing or two from Adeline Briggs. “Do I love your daddy?” I repeat. “Here’s what I’ll tell you…I really, really, really, really like your daddy.”
I’d rather Crew not find out how in love with him I am through his six-year-old daughter. I want to tell him myself. I plan to, but the timing just hasn’t been there.
She peers up at me with the cutest blue eyes, oddly resembling mine, and flutters her lashes. “Do you think you’ll love him someday soon? I really hope you will.”
“I know I will,” I tell Addie honestly, leaning my head against hers. “Your daddy is very easy to love. Just like you are.”
“Gigi says daddy is in love and wants to get married someday.”
“Gigi? You mean Mrs. Nonna?” I ask, hesitantly.
Addie nods with pride. “That’s the one!” she cheers. “We visit all the time now. It’s so much fun. Great-Gramps even let me flip a pancake on the cooker. I told him no pancakes beat Dr. Juniper’s!”
Crying. I’m honored.
“That sounds like a pretty special thing you got to do with your great-gramps. I’m a little jealous, actually…your Gigi makes my favorite cinnamon rolls in the entire world.”
“The ooey-gooey center!”
I hum, tasting my favorite breakfast pastry. “And all that icing on top! So good!”
“Gigi is the best cook,” Addie exclaims before looking away, lost in thought. “What about your family? How come I’ve never met your mommy?”
That’s a really great question. Probably because she’s AWOL. Just kidding. Kind of. “Well, I’m not really sure,” I answer honestly. “Hey! I have an idea. How about we change that? I’m due for a call with my mama anyway. What do you say?”
“Oooo, let’s FaceTime! I love FaceTime!”
“FaceTime. You got it.” I reach for my phone in my back pocket and pull up my mom’s number, clicking her contact to call.
The phone rings quietly, Addie checking herself out on the camera facing us. “Let’s hope she answers. Sometimes, she can be a real old lady and go to bed early.”
“Is that my daughter running her mouth about me?” the phone resounds, and Mom’s face appears on the screen.
“I would never,” I answer, doing my best to fake being appalled.
Mom shakes her head. “I know better than that. It’s good to see your face, Junip bear. Who’s this darling little lady with you?”
I peer down at Addie, expecting her to need an introduction, but she takes it away. “Hi, Mrs. Dr. Wilde’s mommy. I’m Queen Adeline of Emerald City.”
Mom gives a look of surprise before a grin spreads wide across her cheeks. It’s her kind smile. The one I’ve missed for so long and feel grateful to experience now. “Oh my. Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Queen Adeline of Emerald City. You sure are a beautiful young lady.”
“Thank you very much,” Addie acknowledges. “I even have pink tennis shoes that aren’t really royal shoes, but my daddy says they are. I know he’s just being silly.” She holds up a foot to the camera for good measure, and, surprising me immensely, my mom falls into a fit of laughter.
“Looks like royalty to me,” Mom tells her. “I think that makes you one lucky girl, Your Highness.”
“She called me ‘Your Highness,’” Addie whispers, her voice muffled, tugging on the sleeve of my shirt. “I think I’m supposed to curtsy.”
“Go for it, babe,” I encourage her, loving the freedom Addie feels to be herself. Without needing further instruction, she stands on the couch cushion and curtsies to my mother on the phone, her flower dress with ruffles on the hem making her look like the coolest queen I’ve ever seen.
It’s probably the pink-and-white Blazer tennis shoes she wears, too.
I’m obsessed with this girl’s style.
Mom emanates excitement in the best way, and it warms my heart to see the shock meeting Addie was for her tonight.
Her spirits are up, and that’s a win in my book.
“I remember when you did the same thing, sweetie. You loved pretending and playing dress-up. I used to tell my sister you’d be on Broadway someday,” Mom says, reminiscing on old times.
Her sister. All these years later, the death of my Aunt Mallory still stings.
She was Mom’s sister and best friend, who lost her battle to cancer too young.
But there’s something different about today and the mention of her…
Mom doesn’t look so sad. There’s a light in her eyes—although small—it’s still there.
There’s no way I could possibly miss it.
“I remember,” I whisper, feeling like a teeny-tiny prayer has been answered. Maybe it’s the change in me being away or maybe it’s simply divine timing. Whatever it is, I’ve got no business questioning it. “Before my Broadway obsession hit, I was convinced I’d be just like Jewel someday.”
“Or a Spice Girl,” Mom laughs, the nostalgia hitting me big time.
“Who’s Jewel?” Addie asks curiously.
“Only a popstar legend!” I tell her, inwardly proud she would ask. “Wanna listen? I can teach you all the dance moves.”
“Then we can surprise Daddy!”
I nod. “Sure can.”
“Who is this Daddy you speak of?” Mom doesn’t miss a beat, her brows lifting in curiosity.
“He’s a very good friend,” I tell her, and almost get away with it. Addie likes to put all her favorite people in boxes, and undoubtedly, it’s my turn.
Well, mine and Crew’s.
“Daddy is my daddy,” she cheers. “And Daddy loves Dr. Juniper so, so, so much.”
“Does he now?” Mom side-eyes me with a smirk. “Is this the baseball player, honey?”
I’ve mentioned Crew a few times to Mom in passing, but frankly, her moods are unpredictable, and it’s always been easier to keep our conversations light. But she seems to be interested in remembering all the things tonight. Yay me.
“He is. He’s a very good man.”
There’s this feeling that comes over me when talking about Crew, and I’m pretty sure it’s written across my face.
Happiness. Bliss. Love. Maybe so.
“Daddy has the biggest muscles ever! He can lift me over his head with one hand!” Addie jumps in.
“I’m assuming he’s a very good man you also happen to care deeply for? That look in your eyes tells me everything I need to know.”
“And what makes you say that?”
Mom blinks. “Because I haven’t seen it before, Juniper. I only ever hoped.”
“Mom,” I sigh, suddenly getting emotional.
“I’m going to do better. Your dad and I both are. Just give us some time, okay? We just need time.”
“Time,” I repeat, breathing in her words of hope. “I can give you as much time as you need. Always.”
She nods, and I can tell right away the conversation is ending. “I should be going now. Your father is out clearing the garage and probably searching the streets for me.”
I smile to myself but stop short, realizing what she said. “He’s doing what? I’m sorry, did you say Dad is clearing out the garage?”
“That would be correct.”
“We have a garage, too!” Addie shouts, and I love how animated she is, dying to be a part of every conversation. Definitely six going on sixteen.
“And when you say clearing it out…what do you mean?” I don’t want to get overly eager only to have misunderstood.
“He’s getting rid of shit, Juniper. Are you happy?”
She’s laughing about it, and I don’t have the mental capacity to request she not curse around Addie like that. Not when my father is clearing out his clutter in an attempt to minimize and let go.
They’re making steps. Baby steps.
“Yes,” I answer with beaming pride. “I’m…I’m so glad to hear that, Mom. You have no idea.”
“Oh, I do, honey. Trust me, I do. Just know we’re trying. Queen Adeline of Emerald City, it was wonderful meeting you. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
“Oh, I won’t!” Addie perks up. “You should come to my daddy’s game sometime! That would be so much fun! I can introduce you to Lenny the Lightning Bolt. Oh, and Sergio. And Uncle Gus and King Size!”
Mom laughs, a solemn look on her face. I can tell she doesn’t want to dim her spark by declining. “Maybe someday. You girls enjoy the rest of your night.”
“You, too, Mom. Tell Dad I love him.”
She nods and blows me a kiss. “I will. Oh, and Juniper?”
“Hmm?”
Her eyes dart to Addie, who’s now jumping from couch cushion to couch cushion. “Whoever this man is…don’t let him go. That little girl adores you. Must be something special.”
“I don’t plan to. Love you, Mom.”
“And I love you.” And she hangs up the phone.