Chapter 7 #2
“You don’t have to do it all on your own all the time,” I remind her, handing her Mia, who is still sleeping in her car seat.
Amanda gets the seat, with Mia safely snuggled inside, snapped into her base, and I step back to help her out, but she surprises me when she climbs over the console and back into the front seat.
Leaning in, I peek at Mia, satisfied that the commotion hasn’t woken her up.
I place the diaper bag on the floorboard and softly close the back door just as the tow truck arrives.
I talk to the driver, confirm where he’s taking her SUV, and climb back into the truck.
“He’s taking it to McIntosh Garage. That’s what Reid told him to do. Are you sure you have everything out of your car that you need?”
“I’m sure.” She nods.
“Okay, let’s get you ladies home.”
“That’s the last of them,” I tell Amanda, placing the last two bags of groceries on her kitchen counter.
“Thank you so much. How much do I owe you?”
“Amanda.” My tone is a warning.
“I know you’re busy.”
“I’m not,” I counter, even though I am, but I was happy to help her. My phone rings before I can say more. “Hello,” I answer.
“Hey, Dad, did you get them home okay?”
“I did. Just finished bringing in the groceries,” I tell her.
“Thank you, Dad. I know I pulled you from work.”
“I was happy to do it.”
“Tell Amanda I’ll call her later. Reid got a hold of the owner of the garage, and he said he’ll call first thing Monday after he has a chance to take a look at it.”
“Will do. Talk soon,” I say, ending the call as Mia lets out a happy squeal.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I move to the living room and work her out of the straps of her car seat.
“Hey there, pretty girl,” I say, lifting her into my arms. She rests her head on my shoulder, as if she’s used to waking up to me.
“I can take her,” Amanda offers, walking toward us.
“I got her, Momma. Just do what you need to do.” I walk toward her as she turns to go back to putting the groceries away. With one arm holding on to Mia, the other slowly helps unpack groceries.
“This is weird. I’m not used to having help.”
“The ex never helped?”
She shakes her head. “Nah, he was never around, always ‘working,’” she says, doing air quotes with her hands as she says that last part.
I keep the words I want to say locked inside. “You deserve better,” I tell her, unpacking another bag. Mia lifts her head and places her hands on my cheeks. I smile at her before kissing her nose. She giggles, gives me a sloppy kiss in return, then puts her head back on my shoulder.
“You’re good with her,” Amanda comments.
“She’s a sweetheart.”
“Well, thank you again,” she says as she puts the last bit of groceries away. “Are you sure I can’t pay you?”
“Actually, you can.”
“Okay.” She nods and reaches for her purse that’s on the counter.
“You and Mia can have dinner with me.”
“What?” she asks, her mouth falling open in shock.
“I’m going home to an empty house, and it’s almost dinner time. What do you say?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. Come on, have dinner with me. We can go wherever you want.”
“Bellamy’s way past the baby stage.” Amanda laughs. “I think you’ve forgotten what it’s like to take a baby out. They’re loud and messy, and it’s not always the best of times.”
“I do remember, and if I hadn’t, Coral would have reminded me. Besides, Mia is an angel. If you’re worried about the mess and her being loud, we’ll hit a drive-thru or get a pizza and come back here to eat.”
Amanda bites down on her bottom lip, but finally, she slowly nods. “I think maybe ordering in?”
“All right.” I nod. “What are you feeling?”
“Um, something easy is fine. Pizza?”
“What about Mia?” I ask her.
Her eyes soften, and I’m rewarded with an even softer smile. “She can have pizza. I’ll just cut it up into small pieces and remove the cheese so she doesn’t choke.”
“I’m on it.” Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I place the order and, thankfully, remember the unit number from carrying in the groceries. “Thirty minutes, they must not be too busy.”
“Well, we’re having an early dinner,” she reminds me.
“Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, after today, pizza on the couch sounds like just what I need.”
“Well, do whatever you need to do. I’ll keep this little one occupied.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“Mandy, listen to me.” Her eyes widen at the nickname.
I’ve never heard her called that before, and I’ve never heard Bellamy call her that.
It just kind of rolled off my tongue, and I’m going with it.
“I want to help. I’m here. I have nothing but a big, empty house waiting for me at home.
Let me help you. Go take a bath, read for a while, or whatever you need to do. I’ll watch Mia.”
Tears glisten in her eyes. She steps toward me, and I’m certain she’s going to take Mia from my arms and tell me to stop bossing her around, but that’s not even close.
She steps up to me, offers me a watery smile, and wraps her arms around my waist. Mia gets in on the action, reaching for her mom’s hair, and I wrap my free arm around Amanda, hugging her tightly.
I make a mental note to tell my son-in-law how grateful I am for him loving my daughter. I don’t know if I could handle watching Bellamy struggle the way Amanda seems to be. Hell, it’s hard enough watching Amanda.
“Thank you,” she whispers before stepping out of my embrace.
I watch her disappear down the hall, and the next thing I hear is the beep of the washer.
She’s starting some laundry. Good. “All right, Little Miss, what do you say we tackle those blocks over there?” I point to the soft basket full of blocks and carry her toward it.
Sitting with her in my lap, I start to stack them.
Mia is content to sit and watch until I get about five blocks high.
She reaches out and knocks them over, and I gasp, tickling her.
She giggles, and we do it all over again.
By the time the knock comes at the door, Mia and I have mastered building and tearing down blocks, and Amanda sat the last fifteen minutes or so with her feet propped up, watching us with a soft smile on her lips.
Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.