Chapter Thirty-Five

Elijah

 

I marched up to Kellie’s front door with my balls swinging between my legs, where they belonged. I’d be damned if she was going to chop them off and carry them around in her purse. This was my life, and if she wanted me to be a part of Bailey’s, then she’d have to accept it.

She swung open the door, her lips pressed into a tight smile. “We need to talk,” I insisted firmly, hanging on to my passion with all my might.

“Of course,” she agreed, opening the door and motioning me inside. I was certain her warmness would turn cold once she heard what I had to say.

“Where’s Bailey?” I asked, careful not to start our conversation where she could hear.

“She’s down for a nap,” she replied, her voice filled with confusion.

“Okay. You need to listen to what I have to say,” I started. “Taylor is an important part of my life, and so is Bailey. I chose to stay, to be here and be a father to that little girl, but I never agreed to take on your rules and regulations,” I added.

Kellie stared at me, her eyes growing cold and narrow, and her expression lost of all warmth it once had at the door.

“You can’t dictate who I have and don’t have in my personal life, no more than I can yours,” I said, waiting for her reaction.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for Bailey to have women in and out of your life,” Kallie snapped, her hand sliding to her hip.

“In and out of my life?” I questioned. “What women? I’m talking about one woman,” I questioned.

“We both know how you are. It’s the reason I didn’t come after you, trying to tell you about Bailey. You aren’t the type to settle down, and I’m afraid if you’re going to treat this island like your personal party pad, Bailey is better off without you in her life,” Kellie growled.

Wow.

“You don’t know anything about me,” I sighed, even though she hadn’t hit the target far from the jugular. That may have been who I used to be, but it wasn’t who I was now. “Taylor isn’t going anywhere. There are no other women, nor do I count on there being in the future. I deserve the chance to find happiness, and if you want me settled down, well, you have Taylor to thank for that,” I chuckled.

“Yeah right, Elijah Grant is settling down,” she snipped.

I watched her fold her arms in front of her, push her right leg outward, and cock her hip. She was serious. That was her problem; she didn’t think that I was capable of settling down.

“I didn’t think it was possible either, but I’ve changed. I’ve grown up, I guess,” I conceded, knowing that she was right to think that of me. I’d hooked up with her, left town, and never looked back. I’m sure she heard the stories from the other girls that were left behind, how I was a player, conquering women all over the island, ready to try my hand at the States. I’d been an ass. That was obvious. “I’m really sorry I hurt you, Kellie. I was young, stupid, but it isn’t an excuse. I didn’t want a relationship. My dad was alone and miserable, and I figured I’d be alone and miserable too,” I admitted.

Her eyes softened, and her arms slid to her side. I watched her body straighten, her expression shift, and her interest pique as I spoke. “You’re really that serious about this woman?” she asked.

“I am,” I exhaled.

“Mommy, are we going to the beach now?” Bailey’s voice squeaked from the hallway.

Kellie stepped out of the way, giving me a view of the sleepy-eyed little girl that had won over my heart so effortlessly, just as Taylor had. “Daddy,” she squealed, rushing to my side.

I leaned down, let her wrap her tiny arms around my neck and give it a good squeeze before lifting her into my arms. “Are you going to the beach with us?” she asked excitedly.

I looked towards Kellie, waiting for her to approve before I answered. She nodded with a warm smile. “Yes,” I agreed. Bailey leaned in, planting a big kiss on my scruffy cheek. She wrinkled her nose as the whiskers tickled her soft skin, and then giggled. “You’re tickly.”

“Go get ready,” Kellie instructed, to which Bailey immediately squirmed from my arms. She ran down the hall to her room to get ready for the beach as her mother ordered. “I don’t want that little girl hurt, you understand me?” Kellie threatened. “If you don’t plan on staying, or if you are going to go back to your whorish ways, you can just disappear now. I’ll tell her you had to go back on the ship,” she added.

My heart raced. I wasn’t leaving. I couldn’t imagine walking away from Bailey now. After only a few days with her, she’d won me over. “I’m not going anywhere, and no worries about my lifestyle. I’m happy with Taylor; happier than I’d ever been,” I smiled.

Kellie seemed satisfied with my response, nodding, and then excusing herself to get ready.

“I’m riding with daddy!” Bailey exclaimed, running down the hall towards me. Kellie rolled her eyes as she reluctantly agreed.

I strapped Bailey’s seat into my car and helped her climb into it. She gripped a stuffed whale in her hand that matched the purple bag Kellie handed me to slide in my backseat. “You get the kid, you get the bag,” she laughed.

“I’ll buy a seat this week,” I smiled, and then turned to strap Bailey in.

The entire ride to the beach she sang along with the radio, almost perfectly reciting all the classic rock lyrics. I was impressed.

At the beach, she showed off her castle building skills to her mother, while Kellie eyed me up from one end to the other. “You really like this Taylor, huh?” she asked.

I smiled and let out a chuckle as I nodded. “Are you blushing?” Kellie gasped.

“Hey, I’m new to all this,” I beamed.

“You handle change well, Elijah,” she grinned.

I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in just a few short weeks. But, what I did know is that I wouldn’t trade it for anything.