Chapter 15
fifteen
LIAM
I’ve spent the last hour fielding questions from Poppy that I have no idea how to answer.
Is Auntie Ellie okay?
When’s Uncle Ezra coming over?
Can we have more sleepovers with Princess Maya?
I end up turning on Frozen , just so I can have a moment of peace. And to ask myself a million questions I also don’t have the answers to.
What would have happened if Poppy never interrupted us?
Did Maya ever say yes or no to the date?
Will I ever get to have my own sleepover with Princess Maya?
Fuck, I really need to stop saying her name like that in my head. But while I might be able to fix her title, I cannot stop thinking about her . Thinking about what might have happened if I’d have called her sooner, before she decided to erase me from her memory.
Would we have been together?
Would I have stayed in Manhattan? Kept my restaurant?
Would I have put my happiness before my daughter’s?
No. None of the above. I would have apologized, maybe tried to see her again. But I knew what changes had to be made. Nothing would have stopped me from going down this path. Hell, maybe I would have ended up in some town other than Sugar Valley, only for Maya’s connection to the place. Maybe things would be a whole lot worse.
“Daddy, sing!”
Poppy’s screeching halts my traitorous thoughts. I really need to start working with her on the bossiness. It was cute at four. At seven…
Still wondering if my daughter’s a monster, I stand up and belt out the lyrics to Let it Go .
I’m twirling Poppy around the living room when Theo and Ezra show up. And without fail, she ditches me instantly to run into Ezra’s arms.
“Thanks for knocking,” I say as a greeting.
“Then what would be the point of the key you gave me?” Ezra bends to pick up Poppy and positions her up on his shoulders.
“Emergencies?” I mutter.
Moving into the kitchen, I open the fridge and grab three beers.
“Thanks again for helping out with Stevie last night,” Theo says, taking one from my hands. “The pictures Maya showed me were great.”
“Yeah, of course. It was fun. Maya’s…” I trail off, not a clue what I was about to say.
“The best, I know. I’m not sure what I’d do without her right now. She seems to be the only person Ellie can tolerate.”
Ezra comes in to grab his beer and sets Poppy on the island. “I know. I feel horrible kicking her out. I just want to make sure I can check El’s vitals throughout the night. And you saw that vein start to pop in her head when I mentioned staying in the hospital.”
“Wait, what? What are you guys talking about?”
Theo drops the bomb that Ellie’s pregnant. And before I can ask about the rest of it, we spend fifteen minutes explaining pregnancy to Poppy and then calming her down from the high of knowing she’ll have another baby next door to play with.
Then Ezra explains the complications, how her lupus has been flaring due to the pregnancy, how it may not get better any time soon. Poor Ellie.
Before I know what I’m doing, I start gathering everything I need to make her favorite milkshake. By some miracle, I still have a small stash of candy canes in the pantry from last Christmas. I bring them all out to crush into the mixture.
“How can I help?” I ask.
But Ezra says it’s nothing but a waiting game now. That we just have to monitor her and wish for the best. I promise them I’ll keep Ellie well fed, hoping her favorite foods will keep her spirits high.
“Actually,” Theo starts. “I have one favor to ask.”
“Anything,” I reply easily. This family has done so much for me. I can’t think of a single thing in my power I’d deny them.
“Do you think Maya could stay here? With you? Just until one of the cabins opens up.”
I’m speechless.
For a moment, my eyes dart between the guys, wondering if this is a prank. Did Maya tell them about last night? Do they know our history?
But there is no sudden burst of laughter, no quirk of a brow or flared nostrils. Theo’s serious.
“Umm…”
“I know it’s a lot to ask. And if it would really put you out she can obviously get a hotel. But there’s nothing close by, and honestly I’m just being selfish. Ellie loves having her here. And she’s been a huge help with Stevie when Ellie’s feeling her worst. I just…I’ll do anything for my wife. You know that. Yet somehow I can’t find a fucking cabin for Maya until March.”
It feels like only moments ago I was trying to think of ways to get Maya alone again. Like Theo is handing me my wish on a silver platter. But Maya living here…that is not conducive to dating. Not at all. Right?
“Also,” Theo continues. “I get the sense that Maya doesn’t want to be alone either. She’s not very close with her family and I want her to feel welcome here, especially for the holidays. Depending on how long she can stay.”
“Has she already agreed to this?” I ask, because I’m dying to ask her opinion. If she thinks it’s a good idea, then maybe I can too.
“No, of course I wanted to ask you first.”
Of course. The polite thing to do. And somehow I hate him for it.
“I don’t know, guys. Maya, living here?”
I realize my mistake seconds too late. Poppy had left us after the initial pregnancy conversation to go finish Frozen and play with the dog, but I know my girl has ears like an elephant.
She comes barreling into the kitchen, hands flailing. “Maya’s having sleepovers with us now?”
We all look down at Poppy’s beaming face. It’s true, I don’t know how to disappoint my daughter. Teaching her to accept defeat will have to be a lesson for another day. Even if it will complicate my life in unimaginable ways.
And just maybe, I want the same thing Poppy does.
So I shrug, do my best to convey neutrality when I look back at Theo.
“Sure, she’s welcome here for as long as she wants.”
Poppy screams. And then she runs out the door.