Chapter 18
THE APARTMENT WASN’T MUCH, BUT it was theirs. The married housing portion of college apartments only had the bare minimum, with a couch that filled most of the tiny living room. A single row of cupboards and small ice box in the kitchen. A full-sized bed that had become very crowded with a baby who preferred to sleep snuggled against one of her parents. And a shower that a person could barely turn around in.
But Sam and Norma both loved it. They’d had been married a year now, and baby Olivia was nearly six months old. Sam was absolutely besotted by her. It might have started when Norma was several months into her pregnancy, and the baby responded to his voice by kicking inside Norma’s stomach. Or it might have been when he first held the infant, and Olivia stared at him as if he were the moon and the stars. Or it might have been the night when she was a week old and wouldn’t settle down. Sam had walked the floor with her for hours, until they both fell asleep on the couch, Olivia cradled in his arms.
Currently, Sam was walking the floor with her relaxed against his shoulder. It was naptime, but she seemed to sense that her mother was out of the apartment. On Saturdays, Sam took over baby care for a few hours while his wife caught up on errands that were made complicated with a baby. She’d gone to the library to return books.
When Olivia squirmed and lifted her head, Sam patted her back, “Shh, baby girl. Time to sleep now.”
Her little body relaxed as he continued to gently pat her back. He began to hum, knowing that the vibrations of his chest would soothe her even more. Soon, her breathing deepened, and her fingers loosened from where they’d been gripping his shirtsleeve. Now for the transfer. He walked slowly into the bedroom, where they’d set the bassinet on the other side of the bed. Not that Olivia slept in it much. She was starting to turn over on her own, and was close to sitting up, so they really needed to invest in a crib. Or maybe borrow one? The last expense they could afford was furniture pieces.
Carefully, Sam transferred Olivia to the bassinet. She stirred, but thankfully didn’t fully awaken. A missed nap would mess up her night schedule because she’d fall asleep way too early. Then the vicious cycle would begin. Sam exhaled silently and set a folded baby blanket across her. Her eyelashes fluttered, and he was struck by how much she looked like Norma. Honey-colored hair and green eyes.
Sam gazed at Olivia for a long moment. He didn’t know if he could love this baby any more than he did. Not even if she were his own flesh and blood. Watching Norma in her motherhood had been a tender and sweet experience. It had brought him closer to her, and he could honestly say that he loved his wife. Whatever collision path they’d taken to get to this moment didn’t matter in the long run. What mattered was that they were together now.
Someone knocked at the front door, and Sam moved out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He hoped the sound wouldn’t wake up Olivia. Maybe Norma had forgotten her keys? She was back earlier than he’d expected, but it would be nice to spend some quiet time together during Olivia’s nap. When the child was awake, she took full attention from both of them.
Sam swung open the front door, fully prepared to see Norma. But a man stood on the porch, framed by the gray clouds beyond. A man who Sam recognized immediately. His skin went cold, and his stomach felt like he’d just plummeted off a three-story building. “David?”
“I didn’t believe it when everyone told me.” David wore a pressed dress shirt and black slacks. His dark hair was slicked back, shoes shined. In his hand he carried a bouquet of flowers.
It didn’t take much deduction to decipher who he was here to see and why.
“I couldn’t figure out why another man would take on a pregnant woman,” David continued, his tone tight, his eyes perusing Sam. “But after working in California for a while, I began to miss her. I went out with a few gals, but no one was as sweet or as beautiful as my Norma. I asked around, and it seems that I was the only fella in her life. So that baby is mine, and Norma asked to make a life with me. And I turned her down.”
Sam’s blood simmered. He stepped onto the front stoop and pulled the door tightly closed behind him. Folding his arms, he said, “Don’t speak about my wife like that, David.”
The man had the gall to laugh. “Wife ...yeah, you really did marry her. Legal and everything. I checked at the courthouse.”
Sam tilted his head. “What do you want?”
David’s lip curled. “I’m back for good. And I’m back to get what’s rightfully mine. I don’t care if you married her. That’s my kid in there, and Norma’s my girl.”
It was Sam’s turn to laugh, although his sounded bitter. “You signed away your parental rights. Norma showed me. And I’ve legally adopted Olivia.” Whoops.
David’s brows lifted. “Olivia? That’s her name?”
“Norma is my wife, not your girl.” Sam took a step closer. “You’d better leave now, or you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
Again, David sized him up. “You think you can take me?”
“I can take you.” He might be a college student, and David might have the physique of a mechanic, but Sam was defending his own. There was no way he’d be the one to go down.
David’s chuckle was low. “As much as I’d love to get into a brawl with you, I’d rather hear what Norma has to say when she sees me.”
Sam had never been so glad of his wife going on an errand. “She’s not available right now.”
A line appeared between David’s brows, and he shifted his stance. “I can wait.”
Sam wished he could contact Norma and give her fair warning. Maybe he could track her down at the library. Maybe...A familiar figure came into view at the end of the parking area.
Sam’s heart rate spiked. Norma was already coming home. There was no way to send David on his way without her noticing him. He exhaled a thready breath. This was it. The moment he hoped would never come. David returning with an apology and a changed heart, begging for forgiveness.
And now, Norma had a decision to make.
David didn’t miss Sam’s gaze shifting, and he turned, releasing a low whistle when he spotted who was walking their way. Over one shoulder she carried a canvas bag. Likely filled with more books and maybe a few items she’d picked up for dinner. All so ordinary, but not ordinary at all. Not with the situation she was about to walk into.
Sam saw the moment Norma realized who the man was on her doorstep. Her mouth thinned into a line and her brows tugged together. He hoped that was a good sign, that she was displeased, and she’d send her ex away.
“Well hello, darling,” David boomed with a grin as she neared.
“David?” Norma looked from him to Sam, then back to him. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m having a nice chat with Sam here,” David continued in a voice that was unnecessarily loud. “We’re catching up on old times, and he informed me that our little girl’s name is Olivia. I love it. Named after your grandmother, right?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Right.”
“Norma,” Sam said. “Let’s go inside. David can be on his way. He has no business here.”
“Aw, don’t be such a spoilsport, Sam,” David said in a mockingly cheerful tone. “I’m the father of that little girl in there. You wouldn’t want her to grow up without knowing her real daddy, would you? I can give her a lot more than a shabby student apartment. I’m a partner now in my cousin’s shop.” The last sentence was directed at Norma.
Sam was done with this man’s pretention and snake-oil words. He moved toward David, but was stopped by Norma grasping his arm.
“Sam,” she said in a firm tone. “Where’s the baby?”
“She’s taking a nap.”
Norma gave a stiff nod, then turned to face David.
He flashed a smile and held up the flower bouquet he’d brought. “I only want to talk, Norma. Figure out how all this went wrong between us. Maybe heal a few wounds. There’s no reason for us to be strangers. Not when we share a child together.”
To her credit, Norma didn’t make a move to take the bouquet. “You can’t just show up after a year of silence, David, and expect to get anything. I’m married, and Sam’s legally adopted Olivia. There’s no place for you in our lives.”
Something like anger crossed David’s face for an instant, but just as quickly, he cleared it. “I understand you’re upset about how things ended between us, but I’m here now. I brought you a peace offering and all I want to do is talk. Do you have a few minutes for a man who’s come a long way?”
Sam couldn’t see Norma’s expression, but he could feel her thoughts turning. Please say no, he wanted to shout, but he had no right to tell her what to do. Not even as his wife. Because if there was something he wanted more than anything in the world, it was for Norma to choose him.
“All right, David,” she said. “Let’s talk. But then you’re leaving.”
David’s face broke out into a smile. “Of course, of course.” He leaned over and set the bouquet of flowers on the lowest step, then straightened. “A walk around the block?”
Norma hesitated, then nodded.
That nod felt like a knife to Sam’s chest. She was going to listen to whatever that louse David was going to tell her. But what could Sam do? If he didn’t trust his wife, then what was the point? He needed to trust her. He would trust her.
He slipped the book bag from Norma’s shoulder and stepped toward the door. Then he opened it and walked inside. Next, he did one of the hardest things in his life—he shut the door. Resting his forehead against the wood, he released a long breath. For several moments, he just breathed. Then he straightened and moved to the kitchen window that overlooked the parking lot. There...Norma and David were walking side by side, David at least a foot taller than she was. Her arms were folded, while he gestured generously with his arms, no doubt creating an elaborate maze of excuses.
How long would they walk together and what would Norma say when she returned? Would she let David see the baby? Would she let him be in Olivia’s life? Or even worse, would she forgive her ex and regret her decision to marry Sam?
Was all that he’d done, all that he’d changed and sacrificed for her, about to be swept away and tossed into the trash? Would his love for Norma become insignificant in her eyes?
Yes, he thought, he loved his wife. And he knew she was fond of him. They laughed together, they helped each other, served each other, and were generally compatible. They both doted on Olivia, and if anything took Olivia from him, he didn’t know if he’d ever recover from the heartbreak.
The minutes dragged on until a full hour had passed. Now, Sam was pacing. Checking on Olivia, who was apparently having the best nap of her life, then he was pacing again. He stopped at the kitchen window every so often, searching for the pair, but they were long out of sight. Sam shook away any thoughts of them embracing each other, speaking sweet nothings to each other, planning a future...
The front door clicked open.
Sam spun to see Norma step inside. Without a word or a glance at him, she shut the door, locked it, then headed to their bedroom. She’d been crying, if her puffy red eyes were any indication.
He remained rooted to the floor, listening as she shut the bedroom door. The telltale sound of the bedsprings creaking filled the ominous silence. Apparently it wasn’t loud enough to awaken the baby. What was Norma doing? Deciding on their future? Coming up with a gentle way to tell Sam she wanted another chance with David?
He sank onto the kitchen chair and dropped his head into his hands. Should he sit here and wait for her to come out? Should he storm into the bedroom and demand answers?
Then he heard a small cry. Olivia was awake.
He wanted to rush to the bedroom and scoop her up—hold her close and kiss her button nose. Smooth her sleep-damp hair from her face and—
“Sam?”
He almost didn’t hear Norma’s whisper. It felt like he was coming out of a deep sleep full of nightmares. Lifting his head, he saw Norma standing in the kitchen entrance, holding Olivia.
He scraped his chair back and stood. “Are you . . . all right?”
Norma’s eyes were still red and puffy. She sniffled. “Do you love me, Sam?”
It wasn’t even a question he had to think about. It was also something he’d told Norma plenty. But it seemed that in this moment, the question was different than any he’d ever been asked before. And the answer would turn their life either right or left.
“Yes, I love you, Norma,” Sam said, his voice cracking. “With all my heart.”
She nodded, and new tears slipped down her face. Then she walked toward him and wrapped one arm about him, Olivia nestled between them. He wrapped both of his arms around his girls.
“I love you, too, Sam,” Norma whispered.
They’d both said the words before. Many times. But this time her words traveled from her heart to his heart, creating a bond as strong as steel. He tightened his hold and kissed the top of her head.
She released a sigh. “David left. He said he’ll be back tomorrow to meet Olivia, but he won’t be. I could see it in his eyes.”
She drew away and looked up. “I told him I’m in love with you and that our marriage is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I told him that Olivia is your daughter in every way that matters, and if David wants to be in her life, he’ll be like an uncle. For once, he took me seriously. For once, he heard the truth. And then he made false promises—ones that a child could see through.”
Sam ran his fingers over her cheek. “I’m sorry.”
Her eyes glimmered with tears, but her smile appeared. “Don’t be sorry. His rejection and cruelty led me to you, and you’re the best man in the world, Sam.”
His chest expanded with warmth and relief. “In the world, huh?”
She laughed softly. “In my world.”
He met her smile with a kiss, reveling in the sweetness that was everything Norma.
“I think we need to celebrate,” he said when he drew away.
One of her brows lifted. “Celebrate?”
“Yes, we’re celebrating our little family,” Sam declared. “We’re going out to eat.”
Norma’s forehead crinkled. “I don’t think Olivia’s ready for that. She’s not going to sit still at a restaurant table.”
“We’ll take her to the diner,” Sam said. “Introduce her to the place it all started. If she can’t keep her manners, then we’ll box up the food and bring it home. Have a picnic, and she can babble to her heart’s content.”
Norma’s smile widened. “I love you, Sam Davis.”
“And I love you, dear Norma.”