Page 41 of Ruin

He just shrugs. “The lady in the shop said it’s the big toy this year.”

And didn’t she just see him coming?

I smile at his generosity. “It’s really kind of you,” I tell him. “Say thank you to Zeus, Gigi.”

“Thank you, Zweus!” Gigi runs at him and wraps her arms around his leg, hugging him.

The look on his face makes my heart constrict in my chest. I watch as his eyes fill with that level of emotion that only your child can make you feel.

He places his hand on her head and clears his throat. “You’re welcome, Gigi.” His voice sounds like gravel.

Gigi lets go of him, her expression one of absolute joy. “Can I take it to the park with me, Mommy?”

“I don’t know. It’s an expensive toy, Gigi.”

“I be careful, I pwomise. Pwease, Mommy.” She begs with those gorgeous eyes of hers.

“How about this? You can take it with you. But, when we reach the park, Princess Twilight Sparkle will stay with Mommy until you’re done playing.”

“Yay! Mommy, you da best!” She bounces on the spot.

“Let me just put these inside”—I gesture to the flowers—“and then we can get going.”

I go inside, leaving Gigi on the porch with Zeus. I quickly fill the sink with water, setting the flowers in it. I’ll put them in vases when I get back.

I grab my bag and my and Gigi’s jackets.

When I get back on the porch, Gigi and Zeus are sitting on a step, and she’s giving Zeus a full lowdown on all the My Little Pony character names. He’s intently staring at her, hanging on every word she’s saying.

I feel an ache in my chest for him because he’s missed out on four years with her.

“Ready?” I say.

They both turn, and Zeus gets to his feet. Gigi hops up.

“Whereabouts is the park?” Zeus asks me.

“It’s a fifteen-minute walk. But we can drive there if you want. I was thinking we could get some lunch afterward at Gigi’s favorite diner, if you want?” I want them to have a decent amount of time together.

“Sounds perfect.” He smiles wide. “I can drive us there. I’ve got a car.”

“Gigi needs a car seat,” I tell him.

“All covered.” He walks off our porch and down the garden path, toward an Audi A7. “Rental car. I had them put in a car seat.”

I warm at the knowledge that he thought to do that.

Gigi skips over to his car. He opens the back passenger door, letting her in.

I watch with amusement as he struggles to fasten her into the car seat.

“It’s easy, Zeus. That stwap goes over here and then cwicks in there.”

“You want me to do it?” I offer.

“No. I got it.”

“You sure?”