Chapter 11 Lila #2
“Remember that Lila’s decorating our house?” Vance said. “The one I grew up in with Mémé.”
“Can I see it?” Margot asked.
“Maybe you can come to the set on Monday for a few minutes,” I said. “Vance and Mia could bring you.”
“If I’m not in the way,” Margot said.
“You’ll be with me, so we’ll make sure we don’t bother anyone,” Mia said.
“Okay,” Margot said, smiling up at Mia.
Irene and the girls sat at the table while Vance and I plated the food. When we were all settled, Irene asked if she could say a prayer.
“Of course,” I said.
Everyone bowed their heads, and Irene prayed. “Thank you, Lord, for this incredible food and for bringing Margot back to us. And for Lila and Mia coming into our lives when we needed them most. Amen.”
We dug into the food, everyone exclaiming over how good it was. Mia declared it her new favorite meal, and Margot echoed the sentiment.
“Now we all have a shared favorite,” Irene said. “Isn’t that fun?”
She told stories about Vance as a boy. “He was an unusual one. When he was eight, he started watching all these cooking shows—taking notes and everything.”
“Did he make any of the recipes?” Mia asked.
“Oh yes. He was always cooking up something good,” Irene said. “Which I was grateful for. I was always so tired after teaching all day.”
“I wasn’t the greatest cook at first,” Vance said.
“And he was busy in high school with sports,” Irene said.
“So he didn’t cook as much for a few years.
But I knew he’d end up in the food business.
I hadn’t thought about wine, but, when he told me he was going to try to become a sommelier, I remembered what a keen sense of smell he had. And a discerning palate, apparently.”
“What’s that?” Margot asked, picking up her glass of milk.
“It means I can tell you where the wine was made, what year, the region, and the varietal—just by tasting,” Vance said. “It’s a unique but strange gift.”
“He was a big shot in Paris,” Irene said. “Did you know that?”
Margot shook her head, her eyes wide.
“Everywhere we went, people knew him,” Irene said. “I was quite proud.”
“Did they know my mom too?” Margot asked.
“This was before he knew her,” Irene said. “Before you were born.”
“Is it true that my mom only married him because she was going to have a baby?” Margot’s bottom lip trembled.
“Where did you hear that?” Vance asked sharply.
“I heard Mom say it to Derek,” Margot said. “When they were trying to figure out how to get rid of me.”
No one said anything for a moment. I exchanged a glance with Mia, who looked like she might cry.
“Let me tell you about your father when you were first born,” Irene said gently.
“I’ve never seen such a proud papa. He was the one who got up in the middle of the night to give you your bottle.
When I stayed with you—when you were first born—I would wake up and hear him singing to you, the creak of the old rocker in the nursery.
Sometimes I’d get up too and stand in the doorway, just to see my large son holding this tiny baby.
I felt like my heart might burst with happiness. ”
“Why?” Margot asked, wrinkling her freckled nose.
“You’ll understand when you grow up,” Irene said. “But when your child has a child, and you get to see them with your grandchild, it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world. I’m so grateful you’re back with your papa now.”
“I remembered Papa singing to me,” Margot said.
Irene beamed, even as her eyes glistened with tears. “Did you now?”
In perfect pitch, Margot sang a few lines of a French lullaby different than the one Vance sang to her the other evening.
When she finished, we all stared at her.
“How do you remember the words?” Vance asked softly. “You were so small.”
Margot shrugged. “It was in my dreams, I think. The song. And you.”
“They say songs can bring back memories like nothing else,” Irene said.
“Smells too,” Mia added. “I learned that in English class when we studied poetry.”
We ate for a few minutes in silence. I couldn’t speak for the others, but Margot made me ache. I wanted to scoop her up and hold her close until her mother’s cruelty was just a distant memory.
“Margot, do you like the ocean?” Irene asked, breaking the quiet.
“I’ve not been very often,” Margot said. “Mom doesn’t like the beach. She says sand gets everywhere and saltwater ruins your hair.”
Irene’s expression tightened for just a moment, then smoothed. “Well, we’ll have to fix that. Your papa used to love building sandcastles when he was small. Maybe we can all go together and he can teach you.”
“I’d like that,” Margot said softly, before turning to Mia. “If Mia comes too.”
“Of course I will,” Mia said. “I love the beach. Sand comes right off in the shower, so it’s not something to worry about. Trust me—I’ve had to wash a lot of sand out of my ears.”
I laughed. “The pediatrician gave me a dirty look when she saw all the sand in Mia’s ears. But it’s a small price to pay to play at the beach.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Irene said.
After dinner, Mia suggested she and Margot finish their drawings from earlier out on the patio. “Then maybe it’ll be time for dessert.”
“Mémé brought a cake in that box,” Margot said as they walked out to the terrace.
“I know. I peeked, and it’s chocolate,” Mia said.
“Do you like chocolate?” Margot asked.
“Who doesn’t?” Mia said before she shut the French doors behind her.
“She’s doing well,” Irene said once they were gone. “Better than I expected, honestly.”
“We have a ways to go, but we’re getting there. She’s resilient,” Vance said.
“She gets that from you.” Irene turned to me.
“Mia’s so good with her. And you’re the type of woman she needs in her life, Lila.
Gentle. Reassuring. That woman—she took this precious child and taught her how to be small.
Unnoticed. When I think of it, I want to chew nails.
Or maybe use a nail gun on that scrawny butt of hers. ”
Vance laughed. “Mama, you’ll scare Lila with that kind of talk.”
“No, I’m with you,” I said. “My ex basically did the same to Mia. Fortunately, I was here to compensate for the damage he did.”
“I really hope it’s not too late for Margot and me,” Vance said.
“It’s not,” I said. “You’ve already made such progress.”
“Thank God for Mia,” Vance said.
“She’s a good egg.” Irene reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “Well done, Mama.”
“Thank you. I’ve had a village. And she’s always been easy,” I said. “I lucked out.”
“And I hear she’s the one who put you on the dating site.” Her eyes twinkled. “I find that quite endearing.”
“My friends and I couldn’t believe it,” I said.
“Tell me everything. Have the others met anyone yet?” Irene asked.
I told her about Alex and Gillian. Irene listened intently, clearly delighted by the story.
“Maybe I should get on there,” Irene said.
“Really, Mom?”
Irene laughed. “God, no. All I need is a man causing me headaches.”
“That’s what I said.” I reached for Vance’s hand. “But so far, this one hasn’t caused even one headache.”
“Your friends sound very supportive of one another,” Irene said.
“They are. In fact, Seraphina’s throwing a celebration party for me tomorrow night. I think Mia mentioned it to you? Will you be able to join us? You can meet everyone.”
“I’d love to,” Irene said immediately.
“All my friends will be there. Their families. I think it would be good for Margot—to be with all the kids. They’re like Mia. All of them sweet as can be.”
“It’s an unusual group of kids who decide to put their mothers on a dating site,” Irene said, chuckling. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
I stood to clear plates. “We should clean up a bit before we have dessert.”
Irene rose to help, waving off my protests. “You cooked. I’ll clean. It’s only fair.”
“We’ll do it together,” I said.
We worked side by side in the kitchen, Vance drying while Irene washed and I put the leftovers away.
“What a lovely home,” Irene said, handing me a plate. “I can hardly wait to see the house when it’s finished.”
“I hope you’ll both be pleased.”
“It’s about time the old girl had a facelift,” Irene said. “I had a happy childhood in that house. It’ll be good to hear the laughter of children in those rooms again.”
“You must have a thousand memories,” I said. “I’ve tried to keep the past in mind while bringing it up to date.”
“How’s filming going?” Irene asked. “It was such fun to be on set. All the people it takes to make a show astounded me.”
“I think it’s going pretty well,” I said. “No one’s threatened to fire me yet.”
“Do you think it’s something you’ll want to continue?” Irene asked. “I’d imagine it’s hard to juggle a job like that and a family.”
“Mama,” Vance said, shaking his head. “No leading questions.”
Irene laughed. “Sorry. I’m nosy.”
“That’s one word for it,” Vance said.
“I saw some articles online,” Irene said. “Gossip sites. Photos of you and that contractor. And mentions of Mia’s school. Your address.”
My stomach sank. “You saw those?”
“A friend sent them to me, worried about Vance.” Irene’s expression was troubled. “Some of the information in those posts is very personal—things that shouldn’t be public. Has someone been following you?”
“We think so. Photos through my window. Someone watching the house.” I kept my voice low, not wanting the girls to hear. “The police say there’s nothing they can do unless there’s a direct threat.”
“Dear God. Vance, why didn’t you tell me?” Irene asked.
“I didn’t want you to worry. We’re being careful. But whoever’s doing this has access to a lot of information. Too much.”
Irene’s jaw tightened. “You think it’s someone from the production?”
“We’re not sure,” Vance said. “But some of the ‘accidents’ on the renovation—wrong orders, canceled deliveries—they all trace back to the same person. Kenzie. One of the producers.”
“Yes, I met her. Why would she do that?” Irene asked.
“We don’t know. But it feels personal.” I dried my hands, trying to steady myself. “We’re trying to figure it out—quietly.”
“Be careful, Lila. Please. Both of you.” Irene glanced toward the patio.
“Papa, come see my picture,” Margot called from the terrace.
Vance winked at me, setting his towel aside. “Be back in a moment. Mama, behave yourself.”
Irene threw up her hands, shooting me a sassy grin. “I always do.”
After Vance had slipped out to the terrace, Irene looked over at me, a serious expression in her eyes. “This has all been quite fast—you and Vance. And now Margot. I hope you’re taking care of yourself in all this.”
“I am. But the kids are our priority right now.”
Irene glanced toward the patio, where Vance had been convinced to model for a portrait. Both girls were bent over their tablets, drawing away. “Margot’s going to be tricky. I saw kids like her in my years as a teacher, and it won’t be easy.”
“Kids like what?” I asked.
“Kids who think no one wants them.”
“Then it’s our job to prove her wrong. And if there’s anything I know how to do, it’s make someone feel loved. I’ve loved Mia hard enough for two parents.”
Irene glanced back at the terrace, pensive. “I never dated when Vance was a child. I didn’t trust myself.”
“I’ve been the same way. Until now. But maybe it’s all meant to have unfolded like this. Mia and I are uniquely suited to love Margot. We were both rejected by the one person who was supposed to love us—just as Margot has been.”
“I’m sorry for all three of you. Life can be so cruel.
” Irene leaned against the stovetop, crossing her arms. “You know, I wonder sometimes if he only married Nicole because she was pregnant. If it hadn’t been for that, I don’t think they would have married.
She was completely wrong for him. Obviously.
Still, I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. ”
“That’s nice to hear.”
“Mia seems quite attached to Vance already.”
“They have a bond,” I said. “He sees how special she is. And she sees the man he is too. You have no idea what a miracle that truly is. After what Carter put us both through, it’s amazing either one of us is willing to risk our hearts being broken again. I’d never have predicted this.”
Irene dried her hands on a towel. “Me either. Just when I’d given up, all this happens.”
“Maybe it’s time for you to get out there too.”
“Maybe I should go on the app. Or the apps, as the kids say.” Irene chuckled, tugging on her gold hoop earring. “There’s a handsome man just across the hall from me. But all the women are after him. There are fewer of them, you know.”
“Well, as an observer, I’d say he couldn’t do better than you.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. But thinking about anyone seeing this old body of mine? Dear me.” She gave a playful shudder. “I don’t know.”
I laughed softly. “You’re beautiful, Irene. And strong. Any man with sense would see that in a heartbeat.”
She smiled, her eyes bright. Then she reached for me, pulling me into a hug. “Thank you for making my boy smile again. And for welcoming Margot into your life. I’m looking forward to being part of this new family.”
I hugged her back, missing my own mother but so grateful Irene was here with us.