Chapter 2 #2
My gaze pivots to my baby, who squeals in delight when he sees me.
Best welcome home ever. While I wash my hands, he balances vicariously while holding the edge of the couch.
“Look at you.” He’s pure happiness for my soul.
“Who’s my big boy?” I ask, drying my hands quickly so I can hug my little munchkin.
I slip off my jacket, draping it over the back of the couch as I rush around, making sure not to disrupt the balance he looks so proud of accomplishing.
Sitting on the couch, I bend to lift him in my arms and smother his chubby cheeks in kisses before embracing him.
I close my eyes, soaking in his goodness and reveling in his baby smell and the way his fingers twist in my hair . . . just before he tugs.
When I pull back, his toothy grin is on full display and his eyes are bright just looking at me. “Everyone should be this lucky,” I say, planting another kiss on him.
“He does give great greetings.”
“He sure does.” His smile fills every gray day with pure sunshine. “Has he eaten?”
She reaches over and tickles his belly. “He’s eaten, we went for a walk around the apartment, and I suspect he’ll want some playtime before bed.” Getting to her feet, Mom kisses my head. “Tell me what happened at work.”
Maxwell loves to bounce on the couch cushions, and it keeps him busy while we talk. “Noah Westcott is just so infuriating, Mom.”
“Most men are, honey.” She laughs, but I’m not sure she’s joking.
She and my dad have been divorced for more than five years, but she seems content not dating.
She could and gets out regularly if she’s not stretching the truth.
I believe her. She’s a former beauty queen and was modeling when she met my dad.
She’s also been mistaken as my baby’s mother.
I’d like to think someone was flattering her and that we don’t look the same age, but she does look amazing and her zest for life keeps her youthful.
My dad is the opposite. You’d think he was twenty years older than his age. She kept him younger.
She comes to sit next to me, taking hold of Maxwell from behind to keep him bouncing and laughing and giving my arms a much-needed reprieve from the workout. Leaning to the side, she looks at me. “Did you say Westcott?”
“Yeah, that’s his last name.” I rest back, tapping on his toes which elicits a joyous laugh. “Why?”
“There aren’t many Westcotts around, but I know a family. They’re from Beacon, but they have a home here. Delta Westcott works with a lot of charitable organizations. Lovely woman.”
Maxwell flops on his butt, so I lean over him and blow raspberries on his belly. Looking up, I say, “I’m sure that’s just a coincidence. That last name doesn’t seem that unique.”
“I’m sure it’s not.”
Setting him back on his play mat on the floor, I sit beside him but turn to my mom. “Doesn’t seem like he’s willing to quit, even when I laid out the facts.”
“The facts being?”
“How his presence affects me professionally.” I shrug as if I’m justifying it to myself. “We have a past, a brief history—”
“A baby together.”
My heart stops, an ache replacing the beats that existed prior in my chest. I look at my baby with worry taking over again.
A dry throat causes me to clear it, but it doesn’t seem to help.
“I need water.” I get up and move into the kitchen.
I can feel my mom’s eyes on me, so I huff. “Just say it, Mom.”
Resting her arm on the back of the couch, she asks, “Are you going to tell him?”
I pull the pitcher from the fridge but stand at the counter with my thoughts consumed by this fated question. “If it’s the right thing to do, which I assume it is . . .” I sprinkle in some sarcasm and an eye roll to keep myself from tearing up again.
“You know it’s the right thing to do.”
“I know.” I reach for a glass and fill it with water. “But if it’s right, why does it feel so wrong?”
“Because you don’t know him. We don’t know what he’s capable of or if he even wants a child.”
“My fear is the opposite. That he’ll take him away from me.” I drink the water like it’ll be ripped away from me if I don’t. The cool liquid soothes the panic racing through my veins.
“You’ll fight. You’ll win. You’ve been his only parent and have done an amazing job. But now that you know who the father is—”
“I knew who the father was, Mom. I hadn’t slept with anyone else in a year.”
“I meant, you didn’t know his last name or how to find him.
” She stands and comes around the couch.
“You did everything you could to find him, to tell him.” She takes my hand between both of hers.
“You did everything to give Maxwell a father figure. When that didn’t pan out, you went through it alone.
He’s an amazing baby, Olivia. Don’t let the presence of this Noah shake you.
If you need to fight, you’re not alone. But what if you don’t? ”
“What if he wants to co-parent? How can I let him walk out of here with my baby?”
“If he wants to co-parent and put in the work to earn the title of parent and dad, Maxwell wins.”
I refill the glass and take another sip.
Eyeing Maxwell again, I nod. “You’re right.
It’s about him and what’s best for his life.
” I return to the baby and pick him up. Anchoring him on my hip, I walk to the hall, where my mom slips on her shoes and her purse.
“I don’t have to rush into it, right? I think I need to see how he is, who he is, and judge from there the best method to handle the situation. ”
“I think that’s fair.” She brushes Maxwell’s front curl to the side. Her eyes return to mine, and she smiles. “But I have a feeling he’s not as horrible as you’re hoping he is. Don’t build a case against him too fast. You found him charming enough to woo you into bed—”
“Okay. Okay. That’s enough. I don’t need to talk about that night with my mom. Thanks for watching Maxwell today.”
She starts to laugh. “My pleasure. Cassandra said she got her appointments taken care of and will be back in the morning.”
My nanny is amazing, but I’m so fortunate to have my mom in my corner.
She kisses the baby and then adds, “He also must be very attractive, considering how handsome my grandson is.”
“Mom,” I whine, embarrassed about discussing this with her. At twenty-seven years old, I shouldn’t be, but it just hits some raw nerves. She’s still getting a good laugh in when she walks out the door. Just before closing it, I add, “He was and still is.”
She turns around and stops, smiling like she’s watching me perform my first ballet. Blowing me a kiss, she says, “I love you. I love you both.”
“I love you.” Turning to Maxwell, I take his hand and touch his mouth to blow her a kiss. “Say love you, Mimi.”
“Mimi.” Like my mom is of me, I couldn’t be prouder of him.
We spend time together before I get him bathed and to bed. He’s fast asleep, blessing me with an easy night. I’m exhausted and starving. I find a bowl in the fridge with chicken salad full to the brim. My mom’s the best.
I settle in on the couch, turn on the TV for some background noise, and think about the day behind me. Noah is attractive, annoyingly so. But more than his looks, the unknown that he’s brought into my life has me concerned.
I know I need to tell him about Maxwell, but the complications surrounding the issue are immense. He also brings out my insecurities. I’m alone. Could that hurt my case?
Who knows?
Maxwell deserves a father who’s present, though. Someone who wants him, will love him, and will always do what’s best for him. Is that Noah Westcott? I sure hope so because he’s about to find out he’s a father.