Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
CHELSEA
Tonight is the Championship football game at the high school.
Jackson has been at the field all week prepping his team for tonight.
Francesca stopped by earlier, wearing her ‘Gage’s Fiancé’” jersey, and dropped off a couple of shirts for Adley and I.
She even had a little t-shirt made for Dominic.
The back reads ‘Gage’s Nephew’. I love that everyone has a Gage’s fill-in-the-blank shirt to wear and show support for the town’s favorite coach.
“I just talked to Adam, and he said he’d be here after work to pick you guys up and head to the field. I’m going over earlier, but I’ll see you there,” Francesca says and turns to head out.
My heart rate spikes. After work? What time is that? Will he really be here, or will he get so involved with work that he forgets us again?
“Girls! Come set the table! Your father said he’d be home soon, so I made dinner.
” Adley and I rush into the kitchen, grab plates and silverware, and hurry over to the dining room table, trying to set it as nicely and quickly as possible.
Dad being home for dinner is a treat, he’s always working late and has meetings he’s running out for.
The house smells so good; I love when Mom makes pot roast and potatoes. She says it’s one of dad’s favorites.
I hope he’s in a good mood tonight.
Mom is finishing up, and Adley and I are watching television. I hear some clanging in the kitchen. I see mom pacing back and forth, looking out the front window, then heading back to the kitchen again. I glance outside and realize it’s dark. Dad is usually home by now.
“Shouldn’t Dad have been here by now?” Adley asks when she notices mom’s nervous behavior.
I shrug but I know the answer. Yes, he should have been here at least one show ago. I can’t really tell time yet, but I know when one show ends, and another starts.
“Chelsea! Bring your sister in, let’s eat before it gets too cold.” Mom’s voice is shaky, and her face is pale. She’s upset, but she’s trying to hide it.
The three of us gather around the table, and mom fixes our plates. My sister dives in, but I take in mom’s demeanor. She continues to glance at the front door. When she notices me looking at her, she reaches out and squeezes my hand, “Eat, sweetie.” She picks up her fork, so I do as well.
Hours later, after Adley has fallen asleep, I lay awake waiting. I know what’s going to happen when he finally walks through the door.
A car door slamming makes me jump. I creep out of bed and peek out the window, seeing my dad stagger up the front walkway. He fumbles with his keys, but the door opens before he can get the lock turned. Mom must be waiting for him, so I go to my door and squint through the small crack.
“Go to bed, Molly.”
“Where have you been?” Mom cries. “You said you were coming home. I made your favorite.”
“I got busy.”
“Busy drinking?”
Dad turns to her, rage on his face. “It’s called working. You should try it sometime.”
“The girls were waiting for you.”
“They’ll get over it.”
He storms past mom and into the kitchen, grabbing the plate she made for him.
Why did she still make him a plate when he never called to say he wasn’t coming home?
He sits at the table and begins eating. Mom stands and watches him for a minute, then leaves the room, coming down the hall towards me.
I quickly jump back in bed, silent tears leaking down my face.
He said we’d get over it. I don’t want to have to get over it. We don’t get much time with him to begin with, I just want dad to show up when he says he will.
Pushing that thought out of my head, I say a silent prayer that Adam remembers us today. Then I chastise myself and tell myself to remember I’m not there anymore. I’m not back in that house, a little girl with no say, whose only example of a man was one that never bothered to care.
Seeing Dom in his t-shirt has me choked up. The love this family has shown me in such a short time since I’ve been back is astounding. I’m beginning to allow myself to feel that I’m safe here again. That Adam and I could actually give this thing between us a go and do right by our son.
I’m feeling like myself again, but a better version.
The old Chelsea would second guess every conversation, look, and touch that I did or didn’t get from Adam.
New Chelsea is accepting that he has a job, an important one, and as the owner, his time is limited.
It’s what he does with the free time that is making me feel good.
Even when he was with his brothers the other night at Moose’s, he came over to see us before going home for the night.
Yes, he stood me up on what should have been our first date as parents, but when he showed up to the bar, apologized, and then worshiped me later that night? It was different. He was present. He was concerned and caring. And he was asking and making plans with Dominic.
And tonight is our first night out as a family of three.
Of course, we’re with the rest of our family and friends too, but the idea that we are going to be seen together in front of the whole town, is causing my heart to race.
I mean, what better way to come out than at the Championship game?
I didn’t want to take away from the night, but Francesca assured me we would be a good luck charm for Jackson and the town.
“Gage and his shirts.” I’m pulled from my thoughts as I hear Adam enter through the back door and reads Dom’s shirt as he sits on the island so I can tie his shoes.
“Your sister was here a little while ago, dropped it off for him. I think it’s cute, everyone has one.” I twist around so Adam can see mine.
“Get the fuck outta here with that,” he snarls out.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“You won’t ever have another man’s name on your back.”
I hold his stare and raise a brow. “Shall I take it off?” I’m teasing him, testing him and I know it. I know he loves it, too.
He watches me intensely until Dom yells ‘football!’ His eyes leave mine and instantly soften while looking at our son.
“Chelsea, I think it’s time that we try to explain to him who I am.” He walks closer to the island and Dom scoots across the shiny marble right into Adam’s arms.
“Hey bud.” He gives him a quick kiss on the head, and they melt into each other.
“I don’t know that he’ll understand the meaning, but he’s adapted to your whole family rather quickly.
” I grow solemn as I circle to the same side of the island, rubbing Dom’s back.
“He’s getting used to seeing you.” I grab Dom’s hand.
“Dominic, I know this will be hard to explain, baby, but listen to momma for a minute.”
“Momma,” he says it so proudly and smiles a wide smile showing his white little teeth.
“Yes, baby, good.” I swallow the thick emotion that has suddenly crept up. “And this is your daddy.” I try to see his face through teary eyes. “Can you say Daddy?”
“Daddeee!” He repeats it with excitement carrying out the sound and turning up his lips to show those teeth again.
He laughs, throwing his arms in the air.
Adam tickles his belly and Dom falls over into his chest, laughing some more.
He doesn’t think twice about anyone catching him. He just knows they will be there.
Just like I should have known.
“You have both of us, baby boy. We’ll always be here for you.” Adam states it with a matter-of-fact tone and no other explanation is needed.
Adam leans over and kisses me quickly on the lips. “Let’s get to the field, Momma.” He winks and grabs the diaper bag I had sitting on the chair and off we go.
* * *
“That is some serious BDE right there,” Britt says as we head onto the field and up the stands.
She juts her chin towards Adam, who is walking towards the stands like he owns the place, carrying our son.
He’s the hottest guy here, and add in a baby?
I could lick him from head to toe in front of all these people and not give it a second thought.
“Big Daddy energy in the house!” Chess laughs.
“Nope, I was referring to the big dick energy all those Casanova men carry.”
“Britt!” Francesca reprimands her friend.
“Oh please, like you haven’t heard worse from any of your brothers. Or this group for that matter.”
“Is nothing sacred?”
“Ha! Not with us!”
“Oh, Chelsea, I know you know what I’m talking about. Don’t tell me he doesn’t get dominant with you. I can see it. Adam puts on the stoic act; mature, responsible, in charge for the public. I know that carries over to the bedroom.”
I blush because Adam would die if he heard us talking.
Yes, Adam is dominant, and I love it. It’s a secret piece only I ever got from him.
Of course, the guys all talk and tease each other, but he’d never disrespect me by telling our secrets.
Secrets we’ve kept for years. He has never even breathed a word of my nickname that he reserves for just the bedroom.
Peaches is a one-on-one name. I love it.
We all climb the stands and take our seats right behind the bench, at the fifty-yard line. Just like old times. I loved going to the professional games when Jackson played. It was exciting to share that time with the family.
I take a seat next to Adam, reaching for Dom but he won’t give him up.
He’s a proud dad tonight, showing off his son.
My heart hurts for taking this from him, but I’m relieved I can give it back to him now.
The town is welcoming me back, and no one says a word to our faces except to tell us how perfect Dom is and how he looks just like Adam.
There is whispering, but the fact that they see us together is enough for them right now. They aren’t asking for details and honestly, it’s not for them to know. For all they know, we chose that time apart.