Chapter 9
Victor
Summer runs around the backyard with her arms spread out wide like she’s an airplane.
A strong gust of wind blows, and her spring dress flies.
She spins in a circle, giggling, and I wait for her to spot the tree house I had built for her the moment I bought this house.
When Serenity agreed to this arrangement, I went out and found a home close enough to the city so I can commute, but far enough out for privacy.
She’d murder me if she found out I bought this place for them.
My two acres are fenced in, safe for playtime, and chairs are already in formation for our small ceremony. The back door opens and closes, and I resist the urge to search for Serenity.
Summer bolts around the large shed and squeals so loudly I’m sure the entire neighborhood heard her. “Is this a tree house?”
I nod enthusiastically, hoping she doesn’t pick up on my anxiety. Soon, the wedding will start, and I’ll see my father outside the hospital for the first time.
Summer doesn’t let me say anything else before she starts up the spiral stairs. I hasten my step to keep close in case she needs me, but before I’m halfway up, she yanks open the door and screams, “This place is amazing!”
Once inside, I sit down on one of the chairs, leaving the huge beanbag for Summer. “Explore.”
She runs around the tree house, mostly staying within my view. She comes back a minute later with bubbles. “Look. I found two bubbles.” But it sounds more like “bubba.” She holds out her little hand. “Take one.”
I reach out with suddenly sweaty palms. How long has it been since I’ve blown bubbles? I’m not sure I ever did when I was a kid. My mother found it too childish, and my father was always working. If I’ve learned anything from them, it’s how not to behave as a parent.
What if I blow and none come out? Or what if I blow too hard and they pop?
“On the count of three, let’s both blow,” Summer says, her wand already out and poised in front of her mouth. I quickly take out mine, too, and she says, “One, two, three!”
Three comes out as “free,” and I inhale, ready to blow my bubbles.
She blows, and dozens of bubbles come flying out. More shoot out of my wand. She runs around, popping each of them with a huge smile on her face.
“Are you guys in there?” Serenity asks. Her voice sounds like it’s coming from outside.
“Yes, come on up,” I say back.
Summer stops running around as the bubbles are all popped. “Again, Mr. Barlowe!”
I bristle. Serenity and Summer are the last people I want to call me that. “You can call me Victor.”
“Blow more bubbles!” Summer says with an excited smile.
My pulse pounds in my ears. Shit. I really don’t know how to be a dad. I’m not worthy to be her stepdad, even if it is temporary.
“Do it. Do it. Do it,” Summer chants.
I dip the wand in the bubbles and blow. I sigh in relief as a bunch of bubbles fill the tree house, and Summer runs around.
“Pop the bubbles,” she says as she uses two hands to poke at them.
I stand and start popping them along with her. Her happiness is so infectious I can almost forget how unworthy I feel of being her stepdad. Smiling, I dip my wand and blow. Again, the entire area fills with bubbles, and we both start popping them together.
So, this is what I missed out on when I was a child. This is what it’s like being a regular kid when big responsibilities and expectations aren’t put on your tiny shoulders.
“More, more,” Summer says when all the bubbles are gone.
I comply, and Summer zooms around, popping them before I can move from my spot. A noise sounds from my left, and when I look over, my gaze meets Serenity’s. She stands there, without moving or speaking. Her bright green eyes shimmer. Is she … crying?
How long has she been watching us? Shit. I hope I didn’t overstep again like with Summer’s bedroom setup.
“Is this too much?” I ask, and my entire body tenses, waiting for her answer.
Serenity shakes her head. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
Summer finally realizes her mother is here and runs to her. Spreading her arms wide, she says, “Mommy! Look what Bubba showed me.”
My heart doubles in size at the nickname, and a brick falls off the top of my vault like walls I’ve built around my heart. I’ve been afraid Serenity would knock down my walls. I hadn’t even considered it might be Summer.
“Do you like the tree house?” Serenity asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Yes, it’s like my own castle. If I get the dresses from my closet, I’ll be a princess!”
“Baby, you’re already a princess.”
Summer spreads her arms out. “But now I have a castle.”
I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my mouth. If anyone deserves to be a princess, it’s Summer. And if anyone deserves to be a queen, it’s Serenity.
I’ll do everything I can to make sure they both feel that way.