39. Chapter 39
Chapter 39
The Main Event was actually closed from the day before Thanksgiving though the weekend, so Paige was essentially getting a five-day vacation.
Mostly unpaid of course, but still.
She spent Wednesday baking a batch of Rice Krispies treats with extra little marshmallows mixed in, as her contribution for the Thanksgiving dinner at David’s. He’d told her she didn’t need to bring anything other than herself, but she couldn’t resist bringing a treat for Jacob.
She also spent way too much time picking out an outfit to wear, wanting to look casual and approachable, while at the same time looking nice, since it was the first time she was seeing Valerie in over five years. In the end, after ransacking her closet for several hours while Sputnik watched, Paige settled on her favorite pair of jeans and a cream-colored, chunky sweater.
When she arrived at the loft shortly after noon, David gave her a deep hug, and just held on to her until she started to get nervous.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He pulled back, taking in her loose, wavy hair and understated make-up that gave her a fresh appearance. “No. Everything’s great,” he told her, giving her a quick kiss. “I’m just so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
He kissed her again, this time with more intensity until she pulled back, because they weren’t alone in the loft. “Where’s—”
“He’s taking a nap.”
He leaned forward, but she held him off by gripping his hair, which he had been kind enough to leave down. “I’m sorry. It just feels kind of weird, to be, you know …”
“Kissing?”
“Yes. With Jacob here.”
“But he’s napping.”
“I know, but … it still feels weird, because we’re not alone.”
“Technically, though, we are alone, since he’s … napping.”
She simply blinked at him.
“So, are you telling me I’ll never be able to kiss you when Jacob’s here, even if he’s napping? Because that’s not good.”
“No, that’s not what I’m telling you. Look, I know I’ll have to get used to—”
“Kissing when Jacob’s taking a nap?”
“Yes, and when he’s awake.”
“Thank God.”
“And I will, but it’s not going to happen on the first day. I mean, I don’t want the first time he ever sees me to be with your tongue in my mouth.”
With a Fine, you win, look, he let go of her, then watched as she hung up her coat and set her purse on the entryway table. Then, even though she was clearly trying to be as discreet as possible, he saw her remove a small plastic container out of the side pocket and slide it behind her back, in an attempt to hide it.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“What’s what?”
“The plastic container you just put behind your back so I wouldn’t see it.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s obviously something,” he argued back.
She sighed. “It’s just a few Rice Krispies treats, that’s all.”
“You weren’t supposed to bring anything.”
“Well, I did, so get over it.”
“What’s a Rice Krispies treat?”
The childish voice came from behind David and the first thing that ran through Paige’s mind was relief that she and David weren’t in the process of making out, because Jacob was clearly not asleep.
Feeling her heart rate start to escalate because her life was about to fundamentally change, Paige took a deep breath and glanced over at Jacob. He looked almost the same as when she’d seen him at the park several months ago, with medium, ash-brown, buzzed hair and a sturdy frame. However, up close, his resemblance to David was even more striking, especially when Paige looked into the little boy’s hazel eyes.
Before she could respond to his question, though, David—after a quick, slightly abashed glance in her direction—turned to Jacob. “You’re supposed to be taking a nap.”
“I’m not tired,” Jacob said.
“Are you sure you’re not tired, or are you just saying that because you don’t want to take a nap?”
“I’m not tired.”
The two of them proceeded to engage in a battle of wills, which Jacob appeared to win when David backed down. “All right,” he told Jacob, then pivoted, saying, “Well, since you’re here, why don’t you come meet my friend, Paige.”
For a moment, she was struck by how surreal it felt to be introduced as David’s ‘friend’, and how surreal it probably was for David to introduce his ex-wife to his son.
“Hi, Paige,” Jacob said, somewhat shyly, pronouncing the g like a ch, making it Paiche.
“And Paige—” David turned to her, “—this is my son, Jacob.”
“Hi, Jacob. It’s nice to meet you.”
She held out her hand, and after a brief pause he extended his own and clasped hers in a warm grip, then carefully shook it twice.
When it was over, and he’d pulled his hand free, he repeated his initial question. “What’s a Rice Krispies treat?”
Paige brought the container out of hiding, then opened the lid halfway to show him the delicious bounty inside, which made his eyes widen. “You’ve never had one before?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Can I have one now?”
“No,” David answered immediately.
“Can I please have one, now?”
David gave Jacob a look that said his initial lack of manners wasn’t the reason he wasn’t getting the treat, nor would his pandering get him one now. “No.”
“But I’m hungry.”
“Then I’ll make you some lunch.” Jacob’s face fell, to which David responded with, “Maybe after you eat, you can have one. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Somewhat impressed with David’s parental abilities, Paige followed the two of them into the kitchen, where the smell of roasting turkey filled the air and one of the counters was stacked with cans of green beans, yams, cream of mushroom soup, boxes of stuffing mix, a small bag of russet potatoes, and other miscellaneous ingredients needed for side dishes.
Jacob immediately ran over to the table and climbed onto his booster seat, to await his food like a princeling, and after a brief hesitation, Paige took the chair across from him while David quickly made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and sliced up an apple.
Once Jacob began eating, David asked Paige if she wanted anything to eat or drink, both of which she declined.
Then, instead of joining them at the table, he went back to the island to start peeling potatoes, while keeping his eyes on them, wanting to see how they would interact with one another. At first, Jacob was reserved (not unlike how he was with Ashley) but he slowly began to engage, probably due to Paige’s sincere interest in him, which warmed David’s heart. He’d been a little worried she’d have a hard time with Jacob, but she appeared to be mostly at ease and natural with him as they talked about his favorite TV show.
“Do you like Scooby the best?” she asked, with a nod to his shirt, which boasted a large Scooby head with the caption, ‘RUH-ROH!’ underneath it.
“And Shaggy,” he answered, then lobbed her question back at her. “Who do you like the best?”
Paige tilted her head. “I have to go with Velma.” When he sort of made a face, like he thought it was a stinky choice, she pretended to be offended. “What’s wrong with Velma? She’s spunky—”
“What’s that?”
“It means she’s tough and daring. Sassy, too.”
“Oh.”
“Plus, she’s really smart. She’s the one who always solves the mysteries, so without her, the rest of the gang would just be driving around in the Mystery Machine, not solving mysteries. Right?”
He mulled that over for a moment, then lifted a shoulder. “I guess.”
She went on to ask about some of his other interests, and they ended up discussing his love for art. David discreetly watched as Jacob smiled shyly when Paige complimented his work, both on the chalkboard wall and the pictures on the fridge.
“I can barely draw a stick figure,” she admitted, making David chuckle because that wasn’t an exaggeration, which earned him a quick side-eye, followed with a rebuke. “Um, I don’t see any of your drawings on display, so be quiet over there.”
“No, but I can draw stick figures,” he countered with another chuckle, noting that Jacob was tracking the banter with both surprise and uncertainty. It occurred to David that light-hearted conversation had been in short supply with Ashley, especially at the table when she was usually focused on her phone, leaving dinner dialogue to the ‘boys’. It also made David wonder how quiet and awkward meals were now during Jacob’s visits with her, without David to fill in the gaps. “And I take photographs—really good ones—so there.”
“Taking pictures is not the same thing as drawing pictures,” Paige argued back, then turned to Jacob once again. “So, anyway, as you can imagine, the front of my fridge is bare. Well, except for a few magnets.”
When Jacob was finished with his sandwich and got the go-ahead from David, Paige gave Jacob a Rice Krispies treat and watched as he bit into it, his face immediately lighting up. Raising an eyebrow, she said, “Good, right?” before biting into one of her own.
After enthusiastically nodding his approval, Jacob demolished the treat in record time, and was licking his sticky fingertips when there was a knock at the door.
“Grandma’s here!” Jacob called out.
“Indoor voice,” David said, setting down his peeler and the potato he was working on.
“Grandma’s here,” Jacob repeated, this time with slightly less volume.
After exchanging a smile with Paige, David wiped his hands on a towel before going to answer the door. Jacob immediately began climbing out of his booster seat and was already halfway across the kitchen when Valerie appeared, just in time for Jacob to launch himself at her.
“How’s my boy?” Valerie asked, after impact.
“Good.”
Jacob then began to chatter away, most of which Paige missed because she was too busy looking at Valerie, who had changed very little since Paige has last seen her. Still looking like a slightly older, female version of David, Valerie had been like a second mom, and more of a comfort than Claire had been after Paige had suffered her miscarriage.
Now, observing Valerie with Jacob, Paige was hit with a wave of bittersweet emotions—happiness that Valerie obviously adored her grandchild, but sadness that it wasn’t the one Paige had been going to give her.
As if sensing Paige’s thoughts, Valerie glanced over at Paige and when their eyes met, they shared a soft smile.
They were still smiling at one another when David appeared, carrying several bags he’d retrieved from Valerie’s car, and he looked back and forth between the two women as he set the bags down. “Jacob,” he said, interrupting the boy’s endless chatter, “why don’t you come help me with these?”
As soon as he dashed over to David’s side, Paige got up and Valerie moved forward, until they met in the middle, wrapping their arms around one another. Paige immersed herself in the warmth and affection of the embrace, not surprised when her eyes began to gather tears. Everything around them seemed to dissolve away, as they both began talking.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Valerie said softly.
Paige sniffled a little. “Me, too.”
“It’s so good to see you.” Valerie leaned back and put her hands on Paige’s face, squeezing gently. “You look … amazing. Happy and healthy.”
“Thank you. I feel happy and healthy.”
“Apple pie!”
At Jacob’s exclamation, Paige and Valerie glanced over, to see him peeking over the counter at a pie David had just set down.
“Indoor voice,” David said.
Somewhat softer, Jacob repeated, “Apple pie!”
“Really, Mom? Three pies? For the four of us?”
With one last squeeze, Valerie released Paige and the two of them made their way to the island and sat down next to each other on the bar stools. “Yes, David, three pies. The pumpkin pie is for you, the apple is for Jacob, and since Paige doesn’t like either one of those, I made a chocolate cream pie for her.”
“Chocolate cream pie!” Paige said, mimicking Jacob’s indoor voice and earning a grin from him.
Along with the pies, Valerie had also brought deviled eggs, homemade cranberry sauce, a large platter with a cheese ball and crackers, and two bottles of wine. Wisely, David remained silent as he set the bottles off to the side.
Jacob glanced around at all the food waiting to be prepped and cooked. “When do we eat Thanksdinner?”
It was the cutest thing Paige had ever heard.
“Not for a couple of hours,” David told him.
Jacob frowned for a moment, but then almost immediately his expression cleared. “Can I go watch TV?”
Since Paige hadn’t been around young children very much, the little boy’s mercurial personality almost gave her whiplash. However, David was obviously used to it, and simply said, “Yes.”
After Jacob raced out of the kitchen, David picked up the potato peeler and was reaching for the half-peeled potato when Valerie cleared her throat.
David glanced across the island at her. “What?”
Bluntly, she told him, “You should go, too.”
“What do you mean, I should—”
“Go watch TV with Jacob.”
He indicated all the work that needed to be done. “Are you kidding?”
“I’m sure Paige and I can handle it. After all, it’s not the first Thanksgiving dinner we’ve ever made.”
“Mom—”
“I insist.”
This time Paige found the battle of wills playing out before her even more amusing, since David was now in the role of the child instead of the parent, and for a moment it seemed as if he was going to dig his heels in. However, he seemed to think better of it, and after setting down the peeler, he gave the women a mock salute and started to head out of the kitchen, only to stop at the doorway, turn back to get a beer from the fridge, a glass from a cupboard, and the platter with the cheese ball and crackers, before leaving again.
Once he was gone, Paige let out some of her amusement with a chuckle. “I can’t believe you just chased him out of his own kitchen like that. That was kind of impressive.”
“I had to,” Valerie said, without any remorse. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I love him to the moon and back, but how are we supposed to have quality girl talk if he’s breathing down our necks?”
“Good point.”
“I’ve been waiting—and hoping—this day would come for over five years, and the last two months have just about killed me, so—”
“The last two months?”
“Yes. Ever since David told me about his ‘plan’, I’ve wanted to get in touch with you, but he asked me to wait. So, I did, but it hasn’t been easy.”
“He told you about his ‘plan’ two months ago?” Paige asked in shock, quickly doing the math and coming to the conclusion that David must’ve told Valerie not long after she found out David and Paige were ‘dating’ one another.
Valerie nodded, before frowning a little. “Are you upset he told me about it?”
“No,” Paige was quick to say because she wasn’t upset. She was more like … “Just very surprised that he did, is all.”
“Why?”
“Because the night you used your ‘mom sorcery’ on him—”
“My what?”
“Your ‘mom sorcery’. That’s what David called it, when he was trying to explain how you got him to tell you he was dating me, instead of admitting he’d just been outsmarted by you,” Paige explained.
Valerie grinned. “I did outsmart him that night.”
“Yeah, you did, which is what I told him. Anyway, after that, he promised me he’d deal with you—”
“Deal with me?”
Paige shared the details about the mini-meltdown she’d had over Valerie finding out about them—plus the possibility of her expectations arising—and how David had sworn he wouldn’t let his mom have any.
“Hmm.” Valerie frowned. “I wonder how he was planning on doing that?”
“Obviously by telling you about his plan to get back together with me,” Paige answered, deadpan, then added, “Not long after he told you we were dating.”
At that, they both shared a long laugh. Then, shaking her head, Valerie said, “I don’t know if this will make you want to kill him even more, but he actually told me about his plan the day after he told me you two were dating.”
Paige’s mouth fell open at that information. “The very next day? Oh, no, he didn’t.”
“Yes. When he came to pick up Jacob, after helping you with that wedding.”
Paige tilted her head. “Did you have to use any methods of enhanced interrogation on him, to get him to spill his guts? You know, other than your ‘mom sorcery’?”
“Well, I demanded to know what was really going on with you two in a really stern voice.” Valerie’s lips twitched with amusement. “Does that count?”
“Apparently to David it does, but I would’ve preferred that he’d been waterboarded.”
“Sorry. He’s never been a real tough nut to crack.”
“Clearly,” Paige murmured, before shifting the conversation a little. “So, why did he want you to wait to contact me?”
“He didn’t trust me not to reveal the plan to you in some way. When I told him I was a vault and I wouldn’t do that, he told me I wasn’t, and I needed to wait until the plan either worked—or didn’t—before contacting you. So, I promised him I’d wait.”
“Why doesn’t he think you’re a vault?”
“Oh, because I’d told you things about his childhood,” Valerie said, making a face. Then, with a dismissive wave, added, “You know, like when he played a carrot in a school play and threw up on stage, and when he had braces and acne.”
“Those were good stories … but the pictures were better, though,” Paige mused, doing her best to hide a smile.
“Oh, God,” Valerie groaned. “Please don’t ever tell him I showed you pictures.”
“I won’t. Because unlike you—and your son—I truly am a vault.”
With a self-deprecating grin, Valerie admitted, “He was right not to let me contact you. I probably would’ve said something I shouldn’t have and blown up his plan.”
“You know, it’s funny you say that …” Paige trailed off with a soft chuckle. “Because that’s pretty much what he did.”
“Are you serious?”
Paige nodded.
“Is that something you can tell me about, without embarrassing—” Valerie paused, pretending to look around and see if they were being overheard, “—anyone?”
Paige had literally just claimed to be a vault, but what the hell. “No, but I’ll tell you about it anyway,” she said, as she reached over for one of the bottles of wine. “Over a glass of wine.”
“I’ll get the corkscrew.”
Valerie jumped up and began opening drawers, clearly not knowing which one it was in, so Paige told her, “It’s in the drawer next to the fridge.”
With a hint of a smirk at Paige’s knowledge of the kitchen, Valerie grabbed the corkscrew, then asked innocently, “Wineglasses?”
“Above the sink,” Paige replied with matching innocence.
After Valerie had poured them each a glass and they’d taken a drink, Paige relayed the story of the unplanned ‘reveal’ in her kitchen (leaving out the sweaty, needy, mind-blowing sex that preceded it), but sparing few of the humorous details after that. By the time she was done, they’d both polished off two glasses of wine and were wiping their eyes.
As their laughter died down, Paige leaned forward, her elbows on the granite countertop. Adopting a more serious expression, she asked, “So you really didn’t think what he was doing was weird?”
“Are you kidding? I was thrilled. I was totally behind him and his plan, and wanted it to succeed in the worst way, because I’ve always hoped you and David would find your way back to one another.” Valerie’s expression turned serious, matching Paige’s. “When you two got divorced, it almost crushed me. It was so hard losing you.”
“It was hard losing you, too. Harder than losing my mother, even, if I’m being honest.”
“Have you had any contact with Claire, since your book came out?” Valerie asked. “David told me you sent copies to her and your uncle Carter, and that he … killed himself.”
Paige quickly refilled their glasses and took a fortifying sip of wine before nodding. “She called to tell me he was dead and before I could process the shock of that—because it was pretty shocking—she told me his death was my fault and his blood was on my hands. She also said that she was ashamed of me for ‘peddling lies’ to make money and would never forgive me.”
Valerie almost choked on her own sip of wine. “Jesus Christ, what a horrible woman.”
“I know. I don’t disagree.” Paige was silent for a few moments as she recalled the tail end of that phone call. “So, I told Claire I would never forgive her for not believing me and then hung up on her. That’s the last time we spoke, almost a year ago.”
Valerie’s gaze was sympathetic. “I’m sorry for everything you had to go through with her.”
“Me, too. When she made her choice and it wasn’t me, that was almost crippling. I had to deal with a lot of anger and betrayal, and it took a great deal of effort to get through it, but eventually, I did.”
Valerie raised her glass. “Here’s to getting through it.”
Her eyes a little moist, Paige clinked her glass against Valerie’s. “To getting through it.”