Chapter Twenty-Four
Taking several deep breaths, Kat sat facing Mia and waited for the right words to come. “I want to talk to you, babe, about something important.”
“Do you want to talk about rabbits? I saw a bunny today!” Mia offered.
“Did you?”
“Yeah, under Mrs. Bradshaw’s shed. I’m gonna catch one and train it. Mrs. Bradshaw doesn’t want them ‘cause they been eatin’ her flowers. Can I watch cartoons now?”
“Not yet. I need to tell you something. Um, I have a present for you.” She knew what to say—she just didn’t know how to say it.
“What is it?”
“Well, I have two presents actually.” She took a deep breath. “What would you do if your daddy didn’t live in Japan?”
“Would he live here with us?”
“No.” She had no idea where she was going with this. “But what if you could talk to him? Would you want to?”
“Does he like rabbits?”
Kat figured she might as well go with it. “Yes, he likes rabbits. He likes a lot of the same things that you like. He was gone for a while, but he may be back now. Would you want to meet him?”
“Today?”
“No, not today, but maybe this weekend.” Mia wasn’t grasping the enormity of what she was telling her, but maybe that was for the best.
“We can read a story with him. He’ll like that.” Mia nodded with certainty.
“I’m sure he’d love that. Mia, do you understand what I’m saying to you? You would have a mommy and a daddy.” She wanted her to understand what she was agreeing to. “Like Mommy has Grandma and Grandpa.”
“Would I still live here with you?”
“Of course, baby. You’ll always live with me, but maybe when you and your daddy become friends you can play at his house sometimes, like you play at Kiki’s.”
“Okay.” She rolled on her side and over the edge of the couch, hanging her head upside down, obviously at the end of her attention span.
“I love you, sweetie,” Kat said to the upside down contortionist who was her world.
“I love you too. Wanna spin in circles?”
“Why don’t you spin and I’ll call your daddy to see if he can come play on Saturday.” She blew raspberries on her belly and stood. Mia squealed and spun away.
Children were so resilient. She just changed Mia’s world and her daughter didn’t even realize it. Watching her out of the corner of her eye as she twirled and sang the Wonder Pets theme song, she dialed Jeremy.
“Kat?” he said by way of answering
“Hi, Jeremy.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. I talked to Mia. She said she wants to see you, so I was thinking maybe Saturday at our place.”
“Saturday would be perfect,” he said in a voice filled with gratitude.
“Okay then.” She gave him her address and then, before she hung up, she said, “Oh, and Jeremy, in case she asks you, you like rabbits.”
“Rabbits?”
“Yeah. She asked if you liked them and I said yes. That seemed to be some kind of rating system for her.”
“You tell my daughter that I love rabbits.” He laughed.
“I will. Okay, I’ll see you Saturday.”
After she hung up the phone she gave Mia her coloring book from Jeremy and told her that he said he loved rabbits. Mia smiled and said, “That’s ‘cause he’s my daddy.”
On Thursday night Tyson dropped off Trixie. He was leaving for Washington and they were dog sitting. Mia was thrilled. He kissed Mia and Kat goodbye and promised to bring them each back a souvenir.
“Are you going to be all right?” he asked again, a bit anxious he wouldn’t be there the day Mia met her father.
“Tyson, relax. Everything will be fine.”
“Hey, you can’t judge me for wanting to give this guy a once over if he’s going to be hanging around my girls.”
“I promise, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Jeremy’s a good person who just made a poor choice as a boy. I truly believe he intends to right that wrong, now that he’s a man.”
On Saturday morning Kat dressed Mia in a new pair of overalls and a pink cardigan. It was getting cooler now that September had arrived. She did her hair in pigtails with little bows. She was very excited to meet her daddy.
“Make sure my bows are just right, Momma.” Her daughter sighed as though the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. “Gorrum wants to come today, but I told him he can’t.”
It had been a while since Gorrum had been mentioned. “Oh no? Why’s that?”
She shrugged. “I told him if he wants to see what my daddy looks like he can hide, but he’s not allowed to meet him.”
Kat finished her hair and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Mia, does Gorrum have a daddy?”
She shook her head.
“Does that make Gorrum sad?”
“Sometimes,” Mia admitted. “But Gorrum has lots of friends and sometimes grown-up friends are like extra daddies and mommies. Sort of like Kiki and Tyson.”
She smiled. “You’re very right. I’m glad Gorrum has other friends.”
“Me too.”
At eleven o’clock Jeremy arrived. Mia excitedly ran to the door, but when Kat let the strange man inside, her daughter clung to her leg and hid behind her butt. Kat wondered if she thought, because he was her daddy, that she’d recognize him.
Battling his own nerves, he crouched down to Mia’s level. “Hi, Mia,” he said, voice soft and heavy with emotion.
Mia hid her face behind Kat’s legs. Maybe it was natural instinct for kids to automatically return to the womb when scared.
“I sure am glad to meet you.” Jeremy coaxed. “Boy, I’m really nervous. I never had a daughter before and I’m not really sure what a daddy does. What do you do when you’re scared?”
Holding onto the hem of Kat’s sweater, Mia peeked around her legs. She evaluated him for a long moment. “When I’m scared,” she said with all the authority of a three-year-old, “Momma gives me a magic brave’ry cape.”
Jeremy nodded. “Oh, I wish I had one of those.”
Mia tilted her head to one side and dramatically tapped her chin. “I know! You can borrow mine.” Reaching to her shoulders, she removed her invisible cape and held out her short little arms as she stepped toward him. Her hands touched his shoulders. “Just don’t b’ruin it.”
“I promise, I’ll take extra good care of it.” Standing up, he placed his fists on his hips and puffed out his chest like Superman. “I feel braver all ready.”
Mia laughed. Kat was impressed at how easily he pulled her out of her shell.
“Wanna see my room?” Mia eagerly asked.
He looked at Kat to see if that would be okay. She nodded and he said, “I would love to see your room, Mia.”
Slipping her small fingers into his large hand, she dragged him off. Kat’s heart pinched at the sight.
She tried to give Jeremy and Mia their privacy, puttering around the house, putting clothes away and organizing closets. Every now and then she paused to listen and she’d hear Jeremy telling Mia a story or vice versa. When they laughed together Kat’s hand went to her heart as if she could somehow calm the flutters.
She was in the kitchen reading when Mia came out. “Momma, I’m hungry.”
Jeremy stood behind her, watching her closely. He seemed to be absorbing her every word and action. Only parents realized how much children were actually unique little human beings with feelings and opinions and tastes of their own.
“What would you like for lunch?”
“Peanut butter and jelly! Can Daddy eat too?”
“Sure. Is peanut butter and jelly okay for you?”
“That sounds perfect,” he said, a sweet grin curving his lips.
“How about we pack a picnic and go to the park?”
“Yeah!” Mia cheered.
They stood at the counter, Mia on her stepstool, and Jeremy to her left as they made a PB&J assembly line. Once they packed a canvas bag with juice boxes, food, and a blanket, she called Trixie and hooked her to her leash.
Jeremy placed his hand over hers, smiled, and relieved her of the bag. They walked together, as a family. Kat held Trixie’s leash in one hand and Mia’s hand in the other. Jeremy’s held their daughters other hand and carried the picnic bag. As they walked Mia sang and pulled herself off the ground, swinging from their arms.
It was amazing how natural the three of them adapted. There was nothing traditional about how their family started, but in that moment they looked as normal as a Hallmark card. Something about the way he looked at Mia—with such fascination and pride—made her believe Jeremy was there to stay.
At the park, they set up their blanket and ate. Jeremy never tired of all Mia’s questions and requests, which was no easy feat.
“Mia, stop feeding Trixie,” Kat repeated for the tenth time.
“She’s hungry.”
Kat sighed and Jeremy laughed.
Shoving a large bite of bread in her mouth and leaving a smear of jelly on her cheek, Mia turned to Jeremy and asked, “Are you and Momma married?”
“Uh…” He nervously looked at Kat, unsure how to answer.
She smiled. She’d been answering difficult questions since Mia could talk. Let him tackle this one.
“No. Your mother was my girlfriend a long time ago.”
“Did you kiss her?”
Jeremy blushed and she silently laughed as she sipped from her juice box. He sent her a look of panic that playfully promised retribution. “Yes,” he finally answered and his blush crested over his defined jaw.
“Then you used to be married?”
“Um, no…” The pleading look he sent Kat was absolutely pathetic.
She laughed and rolled her eyes. Taking a long, dramatic breath, she announced, “Look, Mia, Geese!”
Mia quickly turned and bolted off the blanket, chasing the squawking birds toward the field.
Jeremy turned. “Thanks for that.”
“Hey, you wanted to see what it’s like having a three-year-old.”
Mia chased the geese. After several minutes he said, “She really is incredible. You did a wonderful job with her, Kat. Thank you.”
Not many people complimented her parenting, so his praise was nice to hear.
When they returned home, they played Hungry Hippos. For dinner, they ordered a pizza and watched Cinderella. Mia asked if Jeremy could sleep over, but he thankfully told her he couldn’t.
He helped Kat tuck her in and then he offered to read her a bedtime story. Mia chose Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
“We’re like the three bears, Daddy.”
Jeremy paused and smiled at her, brushing a hand affectionately over her strawberry curls. “Yeah,” he answered, voice cracking. “I guess we are.”
After the story Kat kissed her goodnight.
“I want a kiss from Daddy too.”
Leaning in gradually, he pressed his lips to Mia’s forehead and shut his eyes. Her arms wrapped around his neck and squeezed as he slowly embraced her little body.
Standing by the door, Kat’s heart pounded, emotion tightening her throat as he held their daughter in his arms for the first time. As her vision blurred, she turned and left the room, busying herself with clearing the table.
Scooping up the marbles from the game, Jeremy came over to help. His hand brushed hers as they chased the marbles with their fingers and they stilled. A moment of awkwardness passed, perhaps charged with a long forgotten familiarity or the gratitude of an unforgettable day. Drawing back her hand, she looked away.
“I can’t tell you how much today meant to me, Kat.”
She smiled at him and folded a dishcloth. “I’m glad.”
“Can I see her again?”
“I think Mia would be upset if you didn’t see her again. I guess we should set up some kind of schedule.”
“What if I wanted to take her somewhere? Would that be okay?”
Don’t freak out. “Sure, as long as you had a car seat and I could check in with her.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “How about next Friday? I could even keep her over night to give you a break?”
Way too soon! “Can I think about it?” She was still adjusting.
“Of course. Well, I better go. Thank you for what was probably the best day of my life.”
“You’re welcome. I know Mia had a great time.” She walked him to the door.
He placed his hand on the knob. “You’re a wonderful mom, Kat. What you have with Mia, it’s really special. I…there isn’t a lot that impresses me about people these days, but you… you impress me.” He kissed her cheek, pulling away before she had time to react to the unexpected gesture.
Letting out an unsteady breath, a smile wobbled on her lips. “I’ll call you about next Friday.” Kat released a long exhale as he pulled away. As far as expectations went, he’d exceeded them.
Tyson walked out of the hotel bathroom in a towel and a cloud of steam. Seeing he had a missed call, he pressed the button on his cell for voicemail.
“Hey, babe. It’s me. I guess you’re busy with work and meetings. I miss you. Today…today was good. I have a lot to tell you when you get back. I’m going to bed in a little bit, but if you get this before it’s too late give me a call. I love you.”
She sounded good and that made him happy, despite his lingering anxiety that another man was encroaching on his territory. No matter what, he wanted what was best for both Mia and Kat.
Checking the time, he stilled, as there was a knock at the door. He frowned, unsure who it could be at this hour. Opening the door, he mentally groaned. Imani draped against the doorjamb in a low cut red dress, two glasses and a bottle of champagne dangling from her hands.
“Well, looks like I picked the right time to drop by. I figured we could celebrate a job well done.” She pushed past him and sauntered into the room.
Tyson turned, leaving the door open.
Purposely acting obtuse, she ignored his unwelcoming stance, and proceeded to pop the cork on the bottle of Dom. There was a loud crack followed by an outpouring of sweet scented mist. She grinned triumphantly. “I love that sound.”
“Imani, what are you doing here?”
“I told you. I thought we could celebrate.” Bending, she filled the glasses.
“It’s inappropriate for you to be in my hotel room.”
She rolled her eyes. “Since when? It isn’t like I haven’t seen you in a state of undress before. Although I must say, my memory hasn’t done you justice. Have you been working out?”
“You have to go,” he said firmly, still standing at the open door.
Ignoring his request, she pressed a glass into his bare chest and let go. His hand quickly caught the flute before it dropped. Reaching past his side, she pushed the door closed.
The smooth skin of her long neck tightened as she took a generous sip from her glass. “Mmmm. I love good champagne.”
“Imani—”
“Oh, Tyson, lighten up. When did you get so old and boring? We’re adults. Have a drink and relax.”
“I don’t need a drink.”
“That’s your opinion.”
“I need you to go.”
She emptied her glass and placed it on the table with a frosty clink. “Tyson, Tyson, Tyson. Don’t you understand when someone offers you something you say thank you and accept it gracefully? You’re going to need to brush up on those social skills. Shall I give you a lesson?”
“I’m in a relationship, Imani.”
“Since when? I don’t see anyone here, but you and me. Any woman that lets a man like you out of her sight for more than a day is a fool if you ask me.”
“Thanks for the champagne, but you need to go.” He opened the door and sent her an expectant look.
Her red dress slid off her ebony shoulders and fluttered to the ground. Long black limbs stretched as she curved her shoulders, drawing his attention to her dark breasts.
Irate, he quickly shut the door. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Come on, Tyson. You know we’re good together. We’re both successful people used to swimming in an ivory pool. We understand what the other needs and know how to provide it. You can’t deny that we make sense together.”
“Maybe at one time you were what I wanted, what I was willing to settle for, but that’s all changed now.”
“Are you saying you’re not attracted to me?”
“Imani, you’re an impressive woman, but you’re not for me. I want different things.”
“And what is it this woman provides for you that I can’t?”
He looked her directly in the eye. “Love.”
Imani was a lot of things, but first and foremost she was a realist. For her to claim she would ever love anything more than her career would be a boldfaced lie.
She laughed without humor. “You love her?”
“Yes.”
“Well… she must be something quite special.”
Offering her a reprieve, he turned. Fabric whispered as she dressed. Glass clinked softly as she gathered her flute and the champagne. “It’s a shame, Tyson. We could have had something good.”
He didn’t need something good. He already had something great. “Goodnight, Imani.”
With a regretful, humbled tilt of her eyes, she sashayed out the door. He sighed and went to find his phone.
“Unbelievable!” Jade said, sipping her coffee. “I can’t believe Jeremy’s back. What does Tyson think of all this?”
Kat gave her a satirical look. “Tyson hasn’t met him yet.”
“Well, that should be interesting. Two men, one tall, dark, and handsome, the other blonde, green eyes, and…” She paused. “Hey, what does Jeremy look like now?”
She snorted. “Not like he did in high school, that’s for sure.”
“Really? Is he cuter?” Jade asked, scooting forward in her chair.
“He’s, um, older.”
“We’re all older, Kat.”
“I know, but he’s—I don’t know. Different. He’s bigger. He’s a man now.”
“I bet he’s ripped from being in the military. He is, isn’t he?”
“He definitely isn’t scrawny.”
“How not scrawny? Like Tyson?”
“I would actually say he’s bigger than Tyson.”
“Well, it looks like we need a little high school reunion once you get things settled with Mia. I was always pissed I ended up with Nick when you got Jeremy.”
“Oh, come on, Jade! You never liked Jeremy. Nick was just a tool. Besides, if you dated Jeremy, you might have a three-year-old now. Then what would you do with yourself?” she laughed.
“Honey, I never would’ve gotten pregnant. I may not always play hard-to-get, but I’m always prepared. I learned that from the Boy Scouts.”
“How many Boy Scouts?”
Jade smirked. “Enough.”
The door opened. “Momma, I put my crayons back in the box. Can I come out now?”
“Sure, baby.”
“Hey you, come over here and give me a hug,” Jade said and Mia skipped into her arms. “Oh, you’re getting so big! When are you coming to stay at my house again?”
“How ‘bout today?” Mia asked.
“Well, I’m busy today, but soon. Okay?”
“Okeydokey!”
Kat stood and took Jade’s coffee cup.
“Well, I better get going. I have a full day ahead of me.”
“Thanks for the caffeine fix.”
“Anytime.” Jade grabbed her purse. “Keep me posted on the ex-lover meets new saga.”
“Don’t call him my ex-lover. You know we were never that serious.”
“True. Huh, isn’t it weird you suddenly have more men in your life than I do?”
Kat snorted, following her out to her car. “Doubtful.”
“Yeah, maybe not.”