Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
J ack
As I was talking to Daniel in my office, my phone kept pinging with text messages from Sierra—pictures of Christmas decorations everywhere. I ignored her because I knew she was doing it out of spite.
“More Christmas pics?” Daniel laughed.
“Yes.” I sighed, throwing down my phone. “I really wish she’d just go home.”
“I don’t understand. You said she hates the holidays as much as you do. Why is she sending you pics?”
“Because she’s in holiday hell and making sure I am too.”
“That’s what you get for making her take Ellie shopping. What are you three doing for Thanksgiving?” he asked.
“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?” I cocked my head.
“No. But this year is different. You have your daughter and a beautiful woman in your home now.”
“It’s no different. I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas, and nothing will change that.”
“So you’re going to deny your innocent four-year-old daughter of Christmas? Does that make you any better than your father?”
“Seriously, Daniel?” My eyes narrowed.
“All I’m saying is break the cycle. It doesn’t have to be that way for Ellie. And frankly, I’m worried.”
“Worried about what?”
“That poor kid doesn’t stand a chance between you and Sierra. I have to get to a meeting. I’ll talk to you later.”
It was almost five o’clock when I glanced at my watch. Grabbing my coat and briefcase, I headed out the lobby doors and climbed into the Escalade.
“Did you take Sierra and Ellie home?” I asked.
“Yes. Those two sure went on a shopping spree. The back was filled with bags.”
“I’m not surprised.” I sighed.
When I arrived home, everything was quiet. I set my briefcase down, took off my coat, and went upstairs. When I reached my bedroom, I smiled when I saw Sierra and Ellie snuggled against each other, sound asleep.
Walking over to the bed, I sat on the edge and ran my hand down Sierra’s cheek. She looked like an angel—they both did. Her eyes opened, and she stared at me.
“Tough day?” A smirk crossed my lips.
“What time is it?”
“Five-thirty.”
“Oh shit!” She sat up, waking up Ellie. “I need to get ready for dinner.”
“What’s this?” I picked up a pink case from the bed.
“Ellie’s new iPad,” Sierra said as she walked into the bathroom.
“You bought her one?”
“Yep. I sure did. I told you she needed one.”
“No four-year-old needs an iPad, Sierra.”
She shut the bathroom door and ignored me. I looked at Ellie, who was sitting there staring at me.
“I love my iPad, Daddy. I like to play games.”
“Did you get a haircut?” I smiled.
“Yes. Becca cut it. She’s nice.”
“It looks pretty.” I ran my hand down the back of her head. “Play on your iPad while I change for dinner. Gretchen is going to babysit you while we go out. You’ll like her.”
“Are you coming back?”
I felt the ache in my heart as I saw the fear in her eyes.
“Yes. We’ll be back right after we eat.”
“Do you promise?”
“Yes, we promise.” Sierra ran over to the bed and hugged her. “Play on your iPad while your daddy and I go talk downstairs.”
I furrowed my brows as we walked out of the room and down the stairs to the living room. Walking over to the bar, I poured a bourbon.
“We should stay home tonight,” Sierra said.
“Why?” My brows furrowed.
“Because Ellie is scared we won’t return, Jack.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Sierra.”
“I’m not being ridiculous!” Her voice raised. “Don’t. Don’t you dare do that!” She pointed at me, and I had no idea what was happening.
“Don’t do what?” I asked.
“Dismiss that little girl’s feelings!” she shouted.
“I’m not dismissing anything. She’ll be fine with Gretchen. She knows we’ll be back after dinner.”
“No, she doesn’t know that! All she hears is that she’s being left with someone else while we go out. Her mind is a mess right now because the wheels are spinning, and she’s wondering if she’ll ever see us again!”
“I didn’t know you were a fucking child psychologist!” I shouted. “You can’t have a clue as to what Elianna is thinking. If you don’t want to go to dinner with me, say so! Stop using Ellie as an excuse.” I slammed my glass on the bar.
“That’s not it,” she shouted. “I know what she’s feeling!” Tears started streaming down her face. “I know because I lived it!” she screamed and dropped to her knees, covering her face with her hands and sobbing.
“Sierra?” My voice softened. Walking over to her, I got down on the ground, wrapped my arms around her, and held her against me. “What are you talking about?”
“Just cancel the dinner reservations, Jack. Please.”
“Of course. We’ll stay in, but you’re going to tell me what happened to you.”
I stood up, pulled my phone from my pocket, and called Gretchen to cancel. Then, I called the restaurant and canceled our dinner reservations.
“Thank you.” She looked up at me. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.” I wrapped my arms around her. “We’ll order in and then have a serious conversation after Ellie goes to bed. Okay?”
She nodded as I wiped the tears from her face. I looked over and saw Ellie standing there.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing, sweetheart. We just decided we’re not going out tonight,” I said.
“You’re not?” The smile on her face told me everything.
Sierra was right all along.
“Why are you crying?” Ellie walked over to Sierra and placed her hands on each side of her face.
“These are happy tears.” Sierra smiled. “I’m just really happy we’re not going out tonight and get to stay home with you.”
We ordered Chinese food, and as we sat at the table, eating, I couldn’t help but stare at Sierra. The way she broke down frightened me, and I never wanted to see her like that again. In time, I’d find out what happened to her. After we ate, Sierra asked Ellie if she wanted to hear me play the piano.
“Do you want to hear your dad play the piano?”
“Yeah!” Ellie’s face lit up.
“You know, I’m really not that good,” I said.
“You’re lying.” Sierra smiled. “Play something for us.”
“Yeah, Daddy!” Ellie jumped up and down.
“Okay. I’ll tell you what. You go take a bath first and get into your pajamas, and then I’ll play for you.”
“Okay!” Ellie ran up the stairs.
“Why would you do that?” I asked Sierra.
“Because I haven’t heard you play yet, and I want to. Thank you.” She kissed my cheek and went up the stairs.
After Ellie’s bath, she and Sierra joined me at the piano. Ellie climbed on the bench and sat between my legs as I played classical music.
“I had no idea you were this good.” Sierra smiled, and I winked at her.
“Do you know how to play My Heart Will Go On?” Ellie asked.
“By Celine Dion?” My brows furrowed.
“Yeah.”
“It’s been a while, but I’m sure I still can.” I positioned my fingers on the keys and began to play. At the precise moment, Ellie began to sing the lyrics.
I looked up at Sierra, whose eyes were wide and trying to contain the tears like mine. My daughter belted out the words as if it was no big deal while I played the music. Once again, I looked at Sierra and noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks. After Ellie sang the last lyric and I played the last key, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly.
“How do you know that song?” I asked her.
“My mom always played it. Celine Dion was her favorite.”
“Do you sing a lot?” Sierra asked her, wiping her eyes.
“Yes. I sing all the time. Everyone told my mom I have a natural God-given talent.”
“You are very talented.” I squeezed her. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.” I picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.
After tucking Ellie in and kissing her goodnight, Sierra and I left the room. Grabbing hold of her hand, I led her to my bedroom.
“We’re going to have that talk now,” I said.