Chapter 28
Ryan
Leaving Evergreen was hard. Leaving Em to go back to Chicago was even harder. We had been through so much in our short time together. So many highs and lows. Finally being honest with her was awesome. I hadn't felt this relaxed in weeks. What we had was real. Now all I needed to do was figure out how to go forward without losing my daughter.
I picked Melissa up Monday afternoon. I cherished our time together, but I was already missing Emma.
Melissa met me outside. "Hi, Daddy!" She chirped.
"Hi, baby." I had not seen Lindsey in a couple of weeks. "Why doesn't your mom want me to come in?"
"She doesn't feel well, so she went back to bed," Melissa said, twirling her hair around her finger.
I didn't think it was fair for me to press Melissa. I hated that she was always in the middle, the mediator between Lindsey and me.
"Hungry?"
"Yes, but can we eat out? Somewhere where they serve seafood? Not that I don't love your cooking, Dad, but I tried some lobster with Mom last week, and I really liked it."
"Lobster, huh? Sure, kiddo."
I sat at our table, looking over the menu, and found myself reminiscing about the night Emma ate crab legs during our first and only friends-without-benefits dinner. Melissa looked across the table at me.
"I knew it, it worked!" She smiled the kind of smile that lifted your heart in the way only your child could.
"What worked?"
"You and Emma. You're back together!" she said joyfully, jumping in her seat. "And I assume that means you got Pooka back for me?"
"Honey, are you saying you set that up? Did you leave Pooka behind intentionally?"
"Don't be mad, Daddy, but I wanted you and her to talk when you weren't so upset with me for flying to Denver on my own. And you're happy again, I can tell! Which means you and Emma are back together!" She grinned, still bouncing in her seat.
"Melissa, sweetheart, what did I tell you about worrying about grown-up problems?” I admonished her, unable to hide my smile at the thought of her purposely leaving her beloved panda at Em's.
"Oh crap, Pooka! I'm sorry, but I left Pooka at Emma's. I forgot to bring him back with me."
"Daddy!" Melissa pouted, looking adorable. "Well, I guess Emma will have to bring him here, and we can hang out. Could she? I would love to get to know her, and I promise I won't say anything to Mom!"
I thought about how much I would like that too. I hated the idea of being away from her for an entire week. Could it work? But then I brought myself back to reality. How many times had Melissa kept some secret from Lindsey for me … such as her trip to Denver? No, the things Lindsey and I expected from our young daughter were not fair. Would she ever experience a normal life?
The waiter brought the food we'd ordered.
"That lobster looks pretty good. You let me know if you need any help with it."
"No chance, Dad, I got this." She smiled.
"Do you keep secrets for your mom that you don't tell me?"
She pointed her chin down toward her plate and played with her food, avoiding answering me.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you." Lately, I had the feeling Lindsey was hiding something.
"So, a few more weeks until summer vacation ends. Are you getting excited about going back to school?"
"Dad…" she shook her head "…is any kid ever happy when summer vacation ends?"
"No, I guess not. It has been a while since your dad's been in school."
* * *
Later that evening after Melissa went to bed, I Skyped Emma. I told her about Melissa and Pooka. Apparently, Em already knew. We both admitted we were grateful for my daughter's little stunt.
"Before I hang up, take your clothes off for me."
"You are such a pervert."
"Do it."
She looked somewhat nervous. Her eyes always got a little bigger when she was nervous.
"Unbutton your shirt and take your bra off."
Dancing enticingly, she undid one tantalizing button at a time. Unhooking her bra, she let it slide off her shoulders to the floor, exposing her C-cup breasts. Her nipples were impeccable. I loved her tits, beautiful pink vanilla wafer-sized nipples. I couldn't contain myself. My plan backfired on me. Now I wanted her more and the thought of having to wait a week was agonizing.
"If you use our battery-operated friend that hangs out in your nightstand, be sure to be thinking of me."
"Every time," she said, biting her bottom lip, both of us knowing she would be paying our vibrating friend a visit. She closed her laptop, effectively ending our conversation and her striptease.
She hadn't taken all of her clothes off, but the show I got was enough. I wasn't sure pleasing myself was going to cut it, but I made a quick trip to the bathroom to finish what my phone call had started.
On Thursday, Lindsey called. "I will need you to keep Melissa this weekend, and she has a piano lesson on Saturday so you will need to take her," she barked.
"Lindsey, I can't. I need to be at a meeting in Denver." My disappointment came through in the harshness of my voice.
She got quiet. When it came to Melissa, I never said no.
I didn't want to arouse her suspicion, so I took a step back. "Just an issue with one of the companies, nothing I can't rearrange. I would love to stay here with her. Are you going out of town?"
"Yes, there is an auction in Iowa that I had forgotten about until now."
Lindsey had planned on opening a small antique shop, an idea I supported. Maybe it would give her something constructive to do.
"Sure, no problem. When did you want me to bring her home?"
"Tuesday morning," she said, hanging up without so much as a thank you.
"Shit, shit, shit!" I slammed the phone on the coffee table, forgetting Melissa was close by in the kitchen. She came running into the room.
"What is it, Daddy, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, sweetheart. Your mom wants me to stay here until Tuesday while she goes to an auction. I love our time together, sweetie. I was just upset that your mom didn't give me any notice and I'll need to rearrange some things. No biggie, though." I hugged Melissa and kissed her cheek.
"Were you aware of your mom's plans to go to Iowa?"
"No, I mean, yes. She may have said something about it, but I forgot."
It was obvious Melissa was covering for her mom. I had this nagging feeling something was going on with Lindsey. Maybe I should give hiring a private detective some serious thought.
"Dad, you don't need to change any plans! Emma can come here! Mom will be out of town, and I would love to get to know her! Please, please," she urged.
"Melissa, I can't very well invite her to stay here with us."
My daughter shook her head. "Dad, you're not a monk. I know how to use Google. Besides, she makes you happy. She's right for you, and I'm glad that you are together, and she can bring Pooka!"
I was a little shocked at the words my daughter had thrown at me, but she was right. I tried not to think about it, but I had little doubt she had read some less than flattering things written about me online.
"Maybe. Let me see what Em thinks." I reluctantly gave in, partially for my daughter but more because I wanted to see Em.
When I Skyped Emma she was as excited as my daughter about the idea.
"Really? I can come to Chicago and hang out with you and Melissa? That would be great!"
"I'll make reservations and send the ticket to your email. There is a flight that departs at 5:00 PM. Do you think you would be able to leave work a little early on Friday? We can go straight to dinner from the airport."
"Yes, yes! Now let me hang up so I can start packing!"
"Em?"
"Yes, Mr. Smith?"
"I love you."
Em cleared her throat and motioned for me to turn around. Melissa was standing behind me, grinning. I turned back around to look at Em. "I love you too, Mr. Smith." She closed her computer, disconnecting us.
"Why does Emma call you Mr. Smith?" Melissa asked.
"That is a long story and one for when you are older. Now off to bed with you."
On Friday, as Melissa and I were getting ready to head to the airport, she had a small overnight bag with her.
"Honey, what is that for?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Stacy called me this morning and asked if I could stay the night. Can you come and get us for piano lessons in the morning? Then maybe Stacy could come over for a little while, and we could all hang out and go swimming?"
"Young lady, I understand you are trying to give Em and me time to ourselves but …"
My daughter leaned over and kissed my cheek. "You're welcome, Dad." She was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
We arrived at O'Hare a few minutes before Em's flight was due to land. I waited anxiously as I watched the people departing her plane come up the ramp. Finally, I saw Em heading our way. Melissa saw her first and went running to hug her. Watching the two of them together was amazing. A few months ago, I would never have believed I could feel so fulfilled and happy.
We ate dinner at a steakhouse. Em and Melissa bonded like they had known each other for years. They chatted about boys and clothes and how much they both liked hiking. As we left, Melissa took Em's hand as they walked to the car. Seeing them together, hand in hand, I knew there was no turning back for me.