With all preparations out of the way – décor hung, cake decorated, presents wrapped and place neatly on a folding table by the front door – Krys felt satisfied with her hard work. Everything looked amazing, and Amy was a ball of excited energy. Krys, though, was filled with anxiety about what was to come when all the guests arrived.

She didn’t know who she wanted to arrive first – Dex or Jordan. She feared Jordan being here when Dex arrived and trying to bully Dex into leaving, but she also didn’t want Dex here first because Jordan might get territorial about Dex being here for his daughter before he was. Kylie had called and promised they would both be there, even if she had to bring Jordan on a leash, so that wasn’t an issue. And Dex had just texted an hour ago to confirm that he was coming.

Maybe they wouldn’t come until at least a few other guests were here. That would make everything a little less awkward, and there was less likely to be any drama.

That hope was promptly squashed when the doorbell rang thirty minutes before the party was supposed to start. Of course, Amy was elated to have early arrivals and rushed to the door to answer it. Close behind her, Krys held her breath, terrified to find out who had come so early. To her relief, it was just Ginny's mother, Elise, wearing an apologetic look and holding a pretty gift wrapped box.

“I’m so sorry, but Ginny’s sick and can’t make the party. But she insisted I bring the present,” Elise told them. “She really wanted to be here,” she added, looking at Amy.

Though she was obviously disappointed, Krys took pride in her daughter’s graciousness. “That’s okay. And thank you for the present. Tell Ginny hi for me and to feel better.”

“I will, thank you. And if she’s feeling better, I’ll have her call you tomorrow so she can say happy birthday herself.” Krys thanked her and stood in the doorway until the elevator opened for her.

But as she was getting ready to close the door, she stopped, her heart pounding as Dex stepped out of the elevator. He looked edible in a pair of casual jeans and a dark blue t-shirt, and he carried a very small red bag with a pretty pink bow in one hand. He approached her with a mischievous grin, and Krys practically melted under his attention. Consequences be damned, she needed this man in her life, for however long he was willing to stay.

He bent to kiss her as he swept through the doorway, giving her a wink as he called, “Where’s the birthday girl?”

Amy slammed into him with a giant bear hug, giggling. “Hi, Dex! I’m glad you came!”

He looked surprised but pleased, and if Krys hadn’t already been puddled on the floor, she’d be a mess now. She’d always worried that she might fall for someone who didn’t build a good relationship with Amy, and seeing Dex with her daughter and the mutual respect and adoration they shared told her she’d made a good decision.

How could Jordan ever think otherwise?

“I had to come. You’re my favorite nine-year-old in the world, and I have this great gift I wanted to give you.” He held up the bag, and Amy snatched it out of his hand to add to the table, beaming at him.

“Thank you!” she said, turning back to hug him again, and then she was off to the kitchen, probably to stare at the cake some more.

“Don’t you dare touch that icing!” Krys called after her as Dex wrapped her in an embrace. “Hi, you,” she said.

“Hello.” He kissed her hard and fast. “Am I too early?”

It was a loaded question, but he didn’t know that, so Krys just shrugged. “You’re not confined to certain hours for a party, Dex. You’re welcome here whenever you like.” It was true, too. Now that she could see the blossoming relationship between the man in her life and her daughter, she was ready to move past her worries about Amy getting hurt. They could start doing things together now, like a family, even if she wasn’t quite ready to believe that Dex wanted something so complicated.

As if her thoughts prompted it, the doorbell rang again, and Krys couldn’t imagine it was another parent with a present and apologies. “Have a seat, Dex. I’ll get you something to drink in a minute.” With that, she turned to answer the door, gulping at the dark expression and heavy brow Jordan wore. He gave a curt nod, even as Kylie made a valiant effort to overdramatize her excitement with squeals and hugs and kisses. Krys tried to stay in his line of sight, but she wasn’t tall enough, and Jordan stared right over her shoulder at where Dex had taken a seat on the sofa.

“Today is for Amy, Jordan,” she said in a voice so quiet she could barely hear herself. “I swear, if you start anything that takes away a bit of her happiness, I’ll call the police and have you arrested.”

His eyes flicked toward her briefly before focusing on Dex again, the only sign he gave that he’d even heard her. Then, he moved past her and stepped over to Dex, who stood and offered his hand in greeting. “How’s it going, Jordan?”

“Same as every day,” Jordan responded tightly, shaking hands briefly. He was making an effort, at least, and that was really all Krys could ask for at this point. As he leaned in to kiss Kylie’s cheek, Amy came barreling into the room and nearly knocked Jordan over with her greeting. “Hey, sweetheart, how’s my nine-year-old?”

“Do I look older, Dad? Taller, maybe?” she asked, spinning to show off her purple party dress.

“I think you still look like my little angel, even if you have put on a couple of inches.” He held out a small box, wrapped in gold paper, and Amy kissed his cheek, taking it from him. She turned to Kylie for hello’s and thank you’s before adding the gift to the table.

“Would anyone like a drink?” Krys asked, hoping to diffuse the awkwardness of the situation.

Kylie reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a bottle of sparkling Riesling. “I thought we might toast to new beginnings,” she said with a hopeful smile.

Krys appreciated the thoughtfulness of her actions and was thrilled when she offered to go in the kitchen to pour, Jordan at her heels. Blowing out a long breath, she told Dex, “I don’t smoke, but I could really use a cig right now to ease the tension.”

Dex frowned. “I thought you told him about us.”

“I did. It didn’t go well.” She shook her head. “He’s going to learn to accept that he can’t control my life and make my decisions. And he can’t judge others, either, not without solid ground to stand on.”

“He doesn’t like me, Krys. He never has.”

“It’s not just that. I think he’s jealous of any man who might encroach on his standing with Amy, and that’s how he sees you right now. If you’re with me, and we end up living together or married or anything of the sort, you’ll be with Amy full time, and he won’t. So he’d rather pretend to believe you’re a poor role model and that you aren’t safe to be around his daughter.”

"That's a coward's way out," he growled under his breath as the others came back in the room. It seemed to relieve some of the dissension once they'd toasted, but Krys still found more relief once others started showing up for the party. She had other things to focus on, and Jordan and Dex had other people to talk to, which meant things went much more smoothly.

Kylie, thankfully, helped play hostess, though they were both a bit exhausted and grateful when it came time to open the presents. As usual, Amy wanted to open the ones from family first, and Krys sucked in a breath when she grabbed Dex’s gift along with hers and Jordan’s. She saw Jordan stiffen from the corner of her eye, but Kylie laid a hand on his arm to calm him. Dex, sitting beside her in another folding chair, reached out and took her hand, squeezing it, and when she glanced at him, she could see pride and emotion overflowing.

The clothes, spa certificate, and a new tablet for home from Krys thrilled Amy, and she raced over to hug and kiss her mother. She picked up Dex's present next, and Krys went rigid. She wanted desperately to ask what he'd gotten, but she waited as her daughter opened the small box she pulled out of the bag. Gasping, she held up a pretty chain with a pendant on it. "Oh, this necklace is so pretty!" she breathed.

"That's your birthstone," Dex told her as she came to thank him.

“Can you put it on me?” she asked eagerly, and Krys had to blink back tears. She didn’t miss the way his fingers trembled as he worked the latch, and this time, she was the one pressing on his thigh in a show of support. She didn’t look over at Jordan, figuring he would be seething and not wanting to ruin her sentimental mood just yet. Besides, Amy was already back to tearing into the other small box that had come from her father.

“Disneyworld?” The girl’s jaw hung slack as she looked up at Jordan, who nodded with a smug look on his face. “When can we go?”

“As soon as school’s out for the summer,” he told her.

“Oh, Daddy, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she gushed. “And Kylie, you, too!”

Krys was shellshocked. She hadn’t known that was coming, and from the look on Kylie’s face, she hadn’t, either. It was wholly inappropriate for a party like this, when friends would be giving her clothes and little trinkets that could never compare to a trip to Disneyworld. Besides, that sort of thing needed to be discussed between parents before promises were made. Under the circumstances, there was no way Krys would agree to Jordan taking Amy out of state for days or even weeks.

The rest of the party was a blur of cake and ice cream and gifts and loud children. When everyone else had gone, and only Dex, Jordan, and Kylie remained, she plopped down on the couch, covering her eyes with her hand for a moment.

That was a mistake.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Krys’ eyes popped open to find Jordan in Dex’s face. “What makes you think it’s appropriate to give jewelry to a child?”

"Why wouldn't it be? She's nine, and last I knew, girls appreciate pretty things. It's her birthstone."

“Yes, set in fucking platinum! That’s something you get for a girlfriend, or your whore, not a small girl, unless you’re some kind of freak.”

Dex stiffened and clenched his fists at his sides, and Krys glanced through the open bedroom door to make sure Amy was still passed out from exhaustion. She didn’t need to hear any of this. “It’s white gold, asshole. Apparently, you don’t know anything about jewelry. I’m guessing someone else picked out your fiancé’s ring.”

“I don’t care what the metal is. You shouldn’t be buying jewelry for my daughter!” Jordan shouted. “It’s bad enough you’re fucking her mother.”

That was enough. Krys shot off the couch and pushed between them, facing Jordan in all her wrath. “First of all, my relationship with Dex, for the millionth time, is none of your business. And as for the necklace, it’s perfectly fine. Don’t you remember the necklace Daddy got me when I was seven? I still have it.”

“He’s not her father, Krys, so back off,” Jordan hissed through his teeth.

“No, I won’t back off!” she said, hands on her hips. “When were you planning on telling me about this trip to Disney, by the way? You know you can’t leave the state with her unless I give you a notarized letter.”

“I just got the details yesterday,” he hissed. “And I don’t have to clear my presents through you.”

“You do if you’re going to embarrass her less wealthy friends, who can barely afford to buy her an ‘I Love New York’ t-shirt for her birthday! You should have discussed it with me, gotten her something simple for the party, and given that to her in private, Jordan. If you want to talk about what’s appropriate, you have to hold to that standard yourself first!”

“Since when are you such a self-righteous bitch?” Jordan cried. Dex stepped toward him, fists ready, at the insult.

But Kylie shoved Jordan back and glared at both of them. “Stop it! Jordan, you’re out of line. Even I didn’t know you were going to give her those tickets today. It was a slick move, considering I wrapped the gift certificate in the same paper.”

Dex scoffed. “Maybe you should let your fiancé know before you decide to flex your bank account in front of everyone next time. And for the record, I bought my eight-year-old niece a necklace just like that for her last birthday. That’s why I thought it would work. If you don’t like it, I won’t stop you from taking it away. That’s your right. But you can explain to her why she can’t have it.”

Krys stood by, fighting tears at the fresh gashes Jordan’s insult left behind on her heart. Part of her wanted to walk away and go cradle her daughter in her arms, terrified that Jordan would take her away. But part of her wanted to claw at him, tear him down for how he was acting. And at the same time, she knew what it was like to feel overprotective. She’d been so nervous after Amy had been pronounced clear of cancer to let her play with other kids or go anywhere without her.

But that didn’t justify Jordan’s accusations or hatred toward Dex. That was all jealousy. “She keeps the necklace, Jordan. And when I feel things have settled down, you can take her on your damn trip to Florida.”

His chest heaving, Jordan shook his head. “You’re making a terrible decision.”

“Just because it’s not the one you want me to make doesn’t mean it’s wrong. You’d do well to remember that you don’t run the world, Jordan.”

He said nothing else, just turned to leave, and Kylie mouthed an, I’m sorry, over her shoulder as she followed. Krys appreciated that, knowing that Jordan could be a handful and not expecting Kylie to do more than she already had to help the situation.

When the door closed, she fell into Dex’s arms, shaking with rage and pain. Jordan was her brother, had been her best friend since long before that, and they had a special sort of relationship, sharing a daughter. She couldn’t believe he would attack her like that, and it cut her to the bone. She needed Dex right now, wanted to lean on him for support.

The problem was, Dex also represented everything that had caused the rift with Jordan. While she didn’t intend to let Jordan run her life and bulldog her into walking away from Dex, something had to happen to diffuse the situation before he followed through with his threats to try and take Amy.

“I have to fix this, Dex,” she mumbled, her throat raw with emotion and her body exhausted from the day’s events and the argument.

He turned her into his arms and sat her on the couch, joining her and putting an arm around her shoulders. "Well, the good news is, Jordan blows a lot of hot air but rarely follows through, and he's got a good woman who's obviously on your side to calm him down and tell him what's what."

Kylie was a good ally, but Krys also knew that, just like her, when it came to Amy, nothing superseded her importance. “He’ll override her where his daughter is involved,” she said out loud. “I just don’t know how to make him see that you’re not what he thinks, and that I’m truly happy.”

“Marry me.” Dex said the two words so casually that Krys just stared at him, thinking she’d heard wrong. But then he smiled. “He thinks I don’t take you seriously, that I’m using you. Marry me, and he’ll see I’m dead serious.”

Krys’ heart thudded rapidly in her chest, and her breath grew shallow. Had Dex just proposed to her? It was the sort of thing she’d dreamed of, even if the scenario had been a little more romantic, and she knew she’d fallen for Dex already. But she couldn’t quite allow herself to fall into the blissful place she wanted.

“Dex, you can’t be serious. We’ve been dating for three weeks.”

“So? Tell me it wouldn’t make you happy.” He took her hands in his, squeezing them encouragingly.

But they hadn’t even exchanged any sort of words of commitment. Neither of them had said ‘I love you’ yet, and she honestly didn’t know if Dex had feelings that deep for her. Of course, he must care or he wouldn’t be offering such a huge leap of faith to help. She couldn’t seriously consider the offer under the circumstances.

“Dex, nothing would make me happier than for us to continue on this path together and eventually get married. Maybe even have another child, if that’s in the cards. But it’s too soon for all that. Besides, it might show Jordan you’re serious about me, but it would probably have the opposite effect when it came to calming him down about you being around Amy all the time.”

Dex sighed, looking frustrated. "Listen, Krys, maybe it's best to let him take Amy for a while. I could visit her with him around, and he'd see that I'm nothing to worry about. In a few weeks or a couple of months of being a full-time dad when he's used to just being the big flashing sign of joy, he'll be ready to hand her back over to you, and he'll apologize. And with that will come your opportunity to demand that he stop trying to push me out of your life."

Krys gaped at him, not believing her ears. She’d been with Amy from the start, nursing her as a baby and holding her hand during chemo treatments. She’d been there the day she was diagnosed and the day she was cleared of cancer. She’d been the one to have to move them here when she couldn’t get treated in Australia, and she’d taken her daughter home when it was all over. “You don’t really expect me to hand over custody of the daughter that I’ve raised almost entirely by myself, do you?”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Dex backtracked, holding his hands up in surrender. “I’m saying that he’s talking about having her for an extended stay on a vacation. That’s not going to convince him of anything. You can tell him to take her on a trial basis, at home, like a real father. He’ll either refuse or do it and regret it. He’s a great dad now, but he’s not made to do it twenty-four-seven.”

Krys nodded slowly, in shock that he would have such an idea. “And what are we doing in the meantime?”

“Carrying on the same as usual. Like I said, we plan visits to see Amy so that Jordan feels more comfortable with me around, too.” He spoke in such a sensible tone that Krys almost questioned why she couldn’t do it.

But then she shook her head and shot to her feet. “No, Dex, that’s never going to happen. And actually, as much as I hate to say it, there’s only one way to resolve this until I can make Jordan realize how wrong he is. You can’t be here.”

This time, it was Dex who registered shock. His eyebrows rose, and he stiffened, staring at her in disbelief. “You want me to leave? You want to end this because of his childish issues? Boy, did I picture the situation wrong.” He looked wounded, and Krys hated it, but she didn’t know what else to do. “You know what happens if you send me away, Krys? Jordan wins, and he’ll walk all over you for the rest of your life.”

“He’s not usually like this, Dex, and I’m not talking about forever. I can change his mind. I just need a little time.” She started pacing, nerves the only thing keeping her from feeling truly devastated. She was stuck, and she had no choice here. She had to choose between Dex and Amy, at least temporarily, and there was no competition, regardless of how much it broke her heart.

“You can say it’s not forever, but I know you too well already,” Dex told her, standing up and locking eyes with her. His were sad, and she fought the urge to cry. “But I’m not an asshole. Not like Jordan, trying to throw my weight around. I won’t stand in the way of you keeping your daughter. That would be wrong, and I know in my head it’s not because you don’t care about me. My heart will eventually understand that, too.”

Krys bit her bottom lip as he stepped toward her and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to keep eye contact. “For what it’s worth, Krys, I love you. And if you want me back, I’m a phone call away. But you have to be sure because I can’t go through this again. You’re shattering my heart, whether you want to or not.”

Lips trembling, Krys closed her eyes as he planted a soft, chaste kiss on them. Then, he walked away toward the bedroom, likely to take his things. She wanted to call after him to leave them, that it wouldn’t be long before she had Jordan under control. But a part of her knew that this would likely be goodbye. She couldn’t expect Dex to just hang on and wait. He might find someone else, move on, before any of this went away.

Even though he’d said he loved her.

“Mama?” Krys jumped and turned guiltily toward her daughter, who stood yawning as she leaned against the door frame to her room. “Is everyone gone?”

“Yes, love. Your father had to go, and Dex is leaving now.” She didn’t offer any explanations. She couldn’t lie, and she couldn’t exactly tell her nine-year-old daughter the truth about what was going on. What a dilemma.

Amy frowned. “Why is Dex leaving?”

“He has to take care of some things. We probably won’t see him for a while, so you should make sure to say goodbye.” She blinked hard, but the tears came anyway.

“But I don’t want Dex to leave!” Amy’s eyes were suddenly wide open, and she looked panicked. “I was going to tell you it was okay with me for you to have a sleepover when I’m here, and I won’t bother you. Please don’t make him go, Mama.”

Amy’s words startled her. What was going on with her daughter? “Sweetheart, calm down. It’s okay. We’re just going to sort some things out, and then Dex can come back.” She winced, realizing she might be lying now. She took a step toward her daughter, but Amy had other ideas.

The girl ran toward the bedroom just as Dex stepped out with a duffel bag full of the things he’d left here – like deodorant, a couple of pairs of boxer briefs, the cologne he kept on her bathroom counter, and a dozen other things Krys could probably list off without even thinking hard. Amy threw her arms around him, looking so small against the much larger man, and cried, “I want you to stay, Dex. Please don’t leave. I don’t know what happened, but I’m sorry and so is everyone else. Just don’t go!”

Dex laid a hand on her head and gave Krys a concerned look. Krys only held her arms up in question. She had no idea what had gotten into Amy. Dex pushed the girl back and squatted down in front of her to make eye contact. “What’s going on, Amy? Why are you so upset?”

Amy sniffled and looked down at the ground. “I know you and Dad don’t like each other, but I don’t want you to leave. I like you. And Mama likes you. She’s so happy now that you come and take her places and come and spend time with us. If you leave, she won’t be happy anymore. I won’t be happy.”

Krys’ heart ached, and her rage swirled toward Jordan. Why couldn’t he ask his daughter her opinion? She obviously knew what she wanted and could think logically for herself. And here her own father was, hurting her emotionally and not even knowing it. She exchanged another glance with Dex, giving him a slight nod. She wasn’t going to have him leave if it really bothered Amy so much.

To her daughter, she said, “Maybe you need to have a talk with Dad, Amy. You should tell him what you really feel. He loves you very much, and he’ll listen to you more than anyone.”

Amy nodded and swiped at her eyes, turning back to Dex. “I want to tell him that you aren’t bad. You’re nice, and you’re fun, and you love Mama. Can you stay?”

He smiled at her. “Well, I could, but I have two conditions.”

“What?” Amy asked, growing serious and screwing up her face in concentration.

“Well, first, when you talk to your daddy, you should tell him how much I care about you, too. You’re special to me, Amy.”

She smiled through her tears. “I can do that. What else?”

Dex scowled. “Your mama and I agreed that I should leave. You convinced me it’s okay to stay. Now, you have to ask your mama if it’s alright.”

Two questioning faces turned toward Krys, and she couldn’t help but smile. She had no idea if Amy could talk her father into changing his mind, but with the turn of events, she knew without a doubt she had to make this work. “I would love for Dex to stay.”