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“There was a time I didn’t think I’d ever forgive him. Eventually, we both learned we’re better together than without each other,” she says.
“Respectfully, I don’t think that’s going to happen for us,” I say softly.
I regret the words the moment they’re out of my mouth. I’m skating a dangerously thin line. I’m supposed to make this woman believe we’re getting married.
“I said the same thing. Yet here I am thirty-eight years later. Married to one of the most stubborn men in the world,” she says and laughs.
I smile and look down at a sleeping Chloe.
“Oh, wow. That was fast. Can we get some of that ice cream to go?”
“I’ve already called ahead to the kitchen staff. I had a feeling her nap was going to win out soon,” she says with a smile.
“Right.”
I should have seen it too. Just like I should have noticed sooner that we should have gone to the bathroom before Chloe mentioned it. All things I would have known to think of….
“Cee, I don’t think I learned to read a toddler as well as I do now until Clay turned her age. You’ve only been with her for a few hours,” Eileen says as if she has read my mind.
I nod, still feeling the sting. I should have more experience. That’s the part that hurts.
I swallow hard and follow Eileen to our ride back to the house. I get lost in my conflicting thoughts as we travel in the SUV.
* * *
Gregor
I know there was no way to keep them separated forever, but I wanted Cee to have time to adjust. My stomach is in knots. I don’t know what to expect when they return.
I’m ready to wrap Cee in all the love she needs. As soon as we fix things between us, I want to try for a child of our own. It won’t make up for the one we lost… the one she had to make such a difficult choice with.
“Gregor.” My mother’s voice pulls me from my pained thoughts.
“Daddy,” Chloe sings with her little voice.
She rushes to me, and I lift her into my arms, raining kisses all over her cheeks. She looks happy. Happier than this morning when I dropped in before my meeting.
I look over her head to see Cee watching us. The sadness that’s in her eyes tears a hole in me that threatens to cause me to bleed out. I step forward and she takes a step back, halting my advance.
“Thank you, Eileen. I had a lovely day. The retail therapy went a long way. It was nice getting to know you,” she says.
“Yes, indeed it was. Thank you again for joining us,” my mother replies.
“I’m going to call it a night. I’m suddenly not feeling well,” Cee murmurs.
“I’ll come with you,” I say before thinking.
“No, thank you,” she says emotionlessly.
My jaw works but I don’t reply. I watch as she turns and walks away without a single glance back. Releasing a breath, I lift a hand to run through my hair.
“Daddy,” Chloe coos, placing a hand on my jaw.
I look at my daughter and give her a tight smile. At least one Chloe will talk to me. I kiss my daughter’s forehead.
“You ask a lot of a woman who loves you with the very depths of her soul,” my mother says, pulling my attention.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I reply, swallowing hard with the admission.
