Allison
I woke up the next morning and went to Sierra’s room expecting to find David. Instead, I found her curled up and sleeping alone. The last I’d heard from him he’d called to say he’d be late and not to wait up. I had gone to bed and fallen asleep reading a book but thought for sure he’d come home by now.
I couldn’t help but think the worst and wondered if he’d been in some sort of accident or if whatever was going on with Missy was worse than he’d let on. Maybe it was Blaine, and his brother had relapsed. All of the horror stories went through my mind as I tried to call, but got no answer.
I tried Blaine’s number, and it went straight to voicemail. And before I could text Missy, I heard his car pull into the drive.
At least I knew he was alive.
I breathed a sigh of relief and woke Sierra up. “Time to get ready if you still want to go Christmas shopping.”
“I want to buy Daddy something special.” She sat up and tossed back the covers, then she stepped into her slippers and ran to the bathroom.
I heard the front door open, and I shook my head not allowing myself to run after him. I wasn’t going to do that. I was going to carry on with my morning like nothing was bothering me. But that was easier said than done.
“Alli? You guys are up early.” David unbuttoned his shirt and cuffs.
“We’re going to spend the day out.”
“I’ll just shower and come with.”
“No, you can’t.” I wondered how long it would take him to explain.
“Come on, why not?”
“Because your daughter is buying your Christmas gift and it’s a surprise.”
“I’ll go off alone while you guys do that, but I’m not letting you two go off into the city alone this time of year. There’s too much craziness. No way.”
“Whatever.”
“You act like you don’t want me to go at all.”
“I said whatever. I don’t care.”
“Cool, then. We need to talk.”
“I’m sure we do.”
“You’re pissed.”
“You didn’t come home. Last I heard, you were supposed to be late, but I didn’t think we’d wake up and you’d not be here. I was scared to death. I called around and got no answers.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I thought I’d be home before you woke up.” He walked over and pulled me into his arms.”
“Yeah, well you thought wrong.”
“Hey, I don’t want to fight. I’ve spent the night watching my sister’s family fall apart.” He let out a long breath. “She’s getting a divorce. Kevin’s been cheating with the manager down at the club.”
“Where you play golf?” I hoped he wasn’t talking about a nightclub.
“Yeah. Well, she used to be. I’m sure she’d gotten the news by now. Kevin has. Blaine and I approached him last night and told him how shit was going to go down. He didn’t take it well, but finally listened to reason.”
“Why couldn’t you just tell me? You’re so quick to want to make me a DeVant, yet you can’t share that with me?”
“It’s not like that. I didn’t mean to keep it from you; I just wanted more details before I got you upset. I know you want the best for Miss.”
“Yeah, is she okay? I could have gone to her.”
“She’s okay. A bit hung over, but the girls are with friends. She’s going to tell them today that their dad’s not coming home and they’ll have to have arranged visits.”
“I know how hard that can be. I hope she knows she can call me.” A flood of memories from when I had gone through my divorce came rushing back, but then I had thought that Sierra was Doug Simon’s baby. Things would have been an awful lot easier had I known the truth.
“She knows. She told me to tell you not to worry, and that she’ll call you.” He followed me down the hall to our room and took my hand as I walked past him. “Hey.”
“What?” I searched his eyes. I wasn’t angry, but I was hurt he hadn’t thought enough to include me and had me worried.
“I’m sorry, okay. I should have called. I promise it won’t happen again, alright?”
“If you want me to be a DeVant, you’re going to have to start treating me like one. Include me. Stop leaving me out, and at the risk of sounding like a needy person, I’d like a bit more attention.”
“Okay. I promise.” We finished getting ready, and he drove us into the city. We went to our favorite mall, and he gave us a bit of space for when we needed to buy his gift.
While the clerk was busy gift-wrapping our purchase, Sierra turned to me. “Mama, why are you mad at Daddy?” Her question stung my heart.
“I’m not mad at him, honey.” I brushed my hand through her hair, and she pulled it away and held it tight.
“You used to be mad at my other daddy, and I saw how upset you were earlier.” The lady behind the register gave me a strange look, and I thanked her and pulled Sierra away. I didn’t need everyone in the mall knowing our troubles.
I walked her to the nearest bench and waited for David who was going to meet us there in half an hour. “I love your dad, Sierra. I just was a little upset because I want more of his time. That’s all.”
“Are you going to leave him like you did my other dad?” My heart fell to my gut like a stone.
“No, and we talked about that. Doug wasn’t really your father. I think that’s why I never got along with him. Maybe deep down I knew it. Maybe that part of you that was your father was speaking to me, making me know it in my soul.” I let loose a breath and realized this would be the first Christmas without Doug. We’d followed the court orders to keep Doug from being pissed off and suing us the year before, but shortly after that, we’d filed to keep her from him.
“Do you miss Doug?”
She shifted in her seat, and I could tell she was uncomfortable. “He doesn’t even remember me.”
“He does, pumpkin. He’s just living his life. I’m sure he thinks about you at times. Do you want to reach out?” I knew if this were the case, it would break David’s heart, but I breathed a sigh of relief as she scrunched up her nose.
“No way. I used to hate it there with him. He wasn’t nice to you, Mama. So, he wasn’t nice to me either. Even though he tried. I guess I just don’t want you to leave Daddy. I want us all together. But you haven’t even gotten married like you said you would.” I hadn’t realized it was going to affect Sierra so much. It was time to set a date. Perhaps she could help.
“Well, your father wants me to pick a day that I want us to get married. When do you think we should do it?” I’d let her choose and make it easier for myself.
“Today.” Her eyes widened.
I winced. “We can’t today. We have to buy a license, and it takes a bit of time.”
“Christmas?” I couldn’t help but think about her pageant and knew it wasn’t a good time.
“Sierra, you have your pageant.”
“What comes next, Mama? You know, holidays.” She had her heart set on a holiday, and New Year’s wasn’t that bad of an idea.
“New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day. Valentine’s, but that’s not until February.” I thought about David handing over the company. That would be after the Super Bowl, and things would have died down considerably by then. “That would be romantic.”
“Do it then, Mama. We’ll have everything in red and pink.” I imagined myself in a gorgeous lace gown and Katrina in red beside me. Sierra could wear pink.
“We’ll talk to Daddy when we get home.” Sierra let out a little squeal of delight, and then David showed up early, and I waved him over.
“You two look excited,” he said picking up Sierra as he gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Did you get lots of shopping done?”
I patted his gift and gave him a wink. “All done.”
“I can’t wait. I got you two ladies something too.” He flashed me a wink as we headed out, but then I heard a voice calling my name.
“Allison!” I looked up to see Katrina rushing over, with Greyson in her wake. David’s eyes widened, and then he cut me a knowing glance.
“What are you two doing here?” David asked Greyson.
“Doing a bit of shopping like yourself, I’d imagine.”
“Indeed.” The two continued to exchange looks as Katrina ticked off a list of items she’d bought for her mother.
“I can’t believe the sales I’m hitting, and I even got a few things for the café,” she said with a bright smile. “It’s so good running into you guys.”
“Good to see you two as well.” I gave her a big hug and patted Greyson’s back. We said our goodbyes and carried on to the car.
David huffed. “Can you believe that? She was just with my brother last night, and now she’s with Greyson?”
“They’re business partners; they were looking for things to go in the café. You heard her.” I blew it off.
“I just wonder if Greyson even knows about my brother.”
“Maybe you should talk to them both. Find out their intentions for my friend, before she gets hurt.”
“I’m worried about the guys. Your friend is the one who needs to make up her mind.” I let out a long breath and bit my tongue. I didn’t want Sierra to think we were fighting again, but I wasn’t happy that he thought Katrina capable of hurting anyone.