Chapter Twenty-Two #3
“We’re in!” Kyler and Riley said, high-fiving each other in the process. “I think Riley’s brother is going to join.”
“Anyone is welcome,” Charlie suggested.
“Even me?” Amelia said, positioning herself closer to Margot.
“Of course. We would love to have you. But you must be warned that Kyler over there is quite the cheat.”
Everyone at the table chuckled, except for Daisy, mostly because she knew what was coming even before Amelia turned to her.
“Can we, Mom?”
Daisy chewed her lip, stalling. “Let me think about it.”
Amelia slumped. “You always say that. It means no.”
“It doesn’t.”
“Yes, it does. You just won’t say it in front of everyone.”
Daisy’s eyes narrowed. “Amelia. Later.”
Her daughter rolled her eyes, startling Daisy. She was about to pull Amelia aside when she turned, gaze locking on Jameson.
“Jameson, can I go to game night?”
Her ask caught Daisy off guard and Jameson looked uncomfortably between Daisy and Amelia. She was putting him in an odd position. On one hand, he desperately wanted them to come, but on another, he had no real jurisdiction here.
Her pulse spiked. “He doesn’t have a say in this, Amelia.”
“Why not?” Amelia snapped back.
The question landed like a shot. Daisy’s breath caught, her chest tightening. She could feel it… something dangerous brewing in the air, words balanced on her daughter’s tongue.
Amelia’s chin lifted, her small voice cutting through the silence. “I mean, he is my dad, isn’t he?”
The room stilled into silence. Then gasps circled the table. Daisy’s hands shook as her heart pounded against her ribs.
Her nightmare.
This was not how she was supposed to find out. Daisy quickly questioned herself and how Amelia had come to suspect that Jameson was her father. They had been so careful. Was her daughter that intuitive? Daisy didn’t think so, which only left one suspect in her mind.
Her voice broke as she turned on Margot. “Did you tell her?”
Margot’s reply was steady. “I didn’t say a word.”
“Then how—”
“I’m not stupid, Mom,” Amelia cut in, eyes fierce through tears. “I see things. I hear things. And I look just like him. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”
Daisy swallowed her own tears, standing stiffly. “We’re leaving.”
“I don’t want to go!” Amelia cried.
“Amelia. Don’t make me ask again.”
The girl crossed her arms, then glanced at Jameson, as if asking permission to stay.
The betrayal sliced Daisy deep, though she said nothing. Jameson shook his head once, mouthing, “Listen.”
After Jameson’s silent order, Amelia dramatically pushed out of her chair and bolted from the table. Daisy mumbled a strangled, “Excuse me,” and followed.
When Daisy entered the foyer, she found the front door wide open and the sight of a little girl heading toward the end of the driveway.
“Amelia! If you pass that gate, there will be hell to pay!” Daisy called, her voice sharper than she meant.
Amelia halted but didn’t turn.
Daisy’s chest ached as she jogged toward her, harsh words dying on her tongue when she heard the broken sobs. She caught her daughter’s hand gently. “Sweetie… please don’t cry. I never meant for you to find out like this.”
Amelia wiped her face with her free hand, her eyes red. “So it’s true. He is my dad?”
Daisy’s throat burned. She had dreaded this day for nine long years, and now here it was, barreling at her with no warning, no chance to prepare. She tucked Amelia’s hair gently behind her ear, forcing the words out. “Yes, baby. Jameson is your dad.”
Amelia closed her raw eyes and shook her head in understanding. “Then where has he been? Why now?”
Before she could answer, a voice came from behind.
“I wasn’t ready, Amelia.”
They turned to find Jameson standing there, his face etched with regret.
“You weren’t ready for what?” Amelia asked, her voice fragile.
“To be a dad,” he admitted, stepping closer.
“My life was reckless. I made mistakes, too many. Your mum was protecting you from all of it. Don’t be angry with her.
If anything, thank her for raising you into who you are…
kind, smart, good. I don’t know if you’d be that girl if I’d been the father you had back then. ”
Daisy’s tears blurred her vision. He was taking it, every ounce of blame, onto his own shoulders so Amelia wouldn’t turn her hurt on her. The love Daisy felt for him in that moment was sharp and painful.
His voice cracked as he continued. “I was just a kid when you came into this world. I thought you’d ruin my career. I couldn’t see what mattered most. I was wrong. And I’m so sorry. But if you’ll let me, I’d really love the chance to be your dad now.”
Amelia stared at the ground as he spoke. Daisy’s grip tightened around her small hand, her own heart pounding so hard it hurt.
When Amelia still didn’t respond, Jameson crouched to her level. His voice a whisper. “What do you say, love? Can I be your dad?”
For one breathless beat, Daisy feared silence would stretch forever, but then Amelia lifted her head at last, a tentative smile breaking through her tears. “I’d like that.”
Then she threw her arms around his neck.
Daisy pressed both hands to her face, tears spilling freely, her chest fluttering with a mix of grief, relief, and gratitude. This was the moment she had dreaded and prayed for all at once and she knew she would carry it with her for the rest of her life.