Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Reece
I look at my daddy and Tess. They look jubilant—that means happy—as they glance at each other. They keep doing it when they think I’m not paying attention. It’s the same thing Uncle Jeff and Aunty Lulah do.
I roll my eyes at my baby cousin as if to say, “Adults, am I right?”
My baby cousin is in my arms and I lean close to his face. “I’m going to have a family just like you,” I whisper. He doesn’t speak yet. He’s not even a month old. He doesn’t even smile, except he does, but Aunty Lulah says it’s gas. She says he’s too little to smile with purpose. But he makes an adorable purring noise and squishes up in my arms when I hold him.
“They haven’t told me yet, Jamie, but I know.”
I sneak a look at Daddy again. His hand is pressed next to Tess’s as if he wants to be holding it but doesn’t want anyone to know it.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, gumdrop?
“Is the court stuff over now?” I look down at Jamie again, and in my conspiratorial whisper, I say, “It won’t be long before you’re moving to the east coast too. I’ll bet we’ll be neighbors. Your daddy is already looking at houses. And your mommy really likes Tess. I can tell. Your daddy says she needs a good support system and it’s better if they move now, because soon she’ll be taking you to Mommy and Me groups and stuff. And that’s the best way to make connections.”
“How would you like to go for lunch with me, so we can talk?”
“That’s a superb idea, Daddy, but I already know you won.”
“Won?”
“You won me.” I shrug as much as I can with Jamie in my arms.
He laughs, so does everyone else and it makes me giggle too.
“You’re the best prize too, gummy bear. But how do you know?”
“I can see it in your face. You’re elated.”
“Elated? You mean as pleased as punch? Or as happy as a dog with two tails? Tickled?”
“On cloud nine,” Tess adds. “Ooh, how about ‘chuffed ?’”
I smile at her. “Good one, Tess!” I say, and kiss Jamie’s soft head when Aunty Lulah reaches out to take him.
“My turn, cutie,” Aunty Lulah says, as she scoops up the baby.
“Can Tess come to lunch?” I ask, bouncing from my spot of the couch.
“If you want her to come?” He looks at Tess with high eyebrows and she gives him a small smile and a nod. I don’t know how they think they’re fooling me. Anyone can see they love each other. Duh.
“Let’s go then, shoes on.”
“Just a sec, Daddy, I need to get my purse.”
“Purse?”
“Yes, Daddy, a lady always carries a purse.”
Lulah shrugs. “She’s your daughter.”
I sneak into the kitchen, grabbing my purse from where I left it at the side door. Reaching into the cupboard, I grab what I need and put it in my handbag, then race to the door to slip on my shoes.
“Coat, gummy bear.”
He helps me into my jacket. His motorcycle is back in the garage and his car is on the street. He never takes me on his bike. He says other drivers don’t see bikes sometimes and it’s not worth the risk. I argued that it wasn’t worth the risk for him either then. I know that made him think because he put a for sale sign on it the next day.
He still has one at the house on the island but that’s his special bike. Her name is Lady. He says it’s a bit safer on the back roads near our new house and maybe he’ll even take me out when we move there, so I think I’ll let him keep it.
When we arrive at the restaurant, Daddy lets me order off the adult menu because I don’t want grilled cheese, or nuggets or a hamburger. Tess orders something called baked ziti and Daddy orders a burger. I order spaghetti and meatballs and when the food arrives the meatballs are huge.
“Those are bigger than your head!” Tess says, her eyes as big as the meatballs.
“Silly, if they were I wouldn’t be able to do this…”
I pop one into my mouth and she laughs.
“So, tell me about what happened at court, Daddy.”
He narrows his eyes. “I thought you already knew.”
I smile. “I do, but a story is never just the end.”
Daddy and Tess look at each other. One of those looks that make my tummy flip with excitement because I know they really like each other.
He tells me what the judge said and that I must still see grandma Siobhan and Grandpa Liam but that he gets to be with me when I do. And I’m okay with that as long as he’s with me. They were nice enough.
When we’re all done, I ask to use the restroom.
As soon as they’re not watching me, I slip over to our waitress and explain my plan. She agrees and I hand her the items from my purse.
As I walk back to the table I see them pull their hands apart quickly. Silly adults.
“Shall we order dessert, gumdrop?”
I smile, because he’s falling right into my trap. I nod, enthusiastically, but the waitress is already on her way.
She sets down three cups and three spoons. Tessa looks puzzled but Daddy’s smile is crooked. He knows how sneaky I can be.
“Tess, how do you feel about butterscotch pudding?” I ask, narrowing my eyes and rubbing my chin like a detective.
“Actually, I love it.”
I smile widely, hop off my side of the booth, and squish between them on their side.
Taking my daddy’s hand, I point to the tattoo there. The Celtic triskele one. “This one is Daddy, this one is me, and I think if it’s alright with everyone, this one…” I look up at Tess and bite my lip. “Is you.”
She swallows, looking a bit watery. “And what does this mean?”
“It means you belong to us now.”