Page 27 of Damon

“Yes,” he says simply.

“Yes, they’re okay? Or yes, they got home?”

“The answer is affirmative to both those questions.”

“Affirmative? Have you swallowed a fucking thesaurus?”

“No, I’m merely answering your question regarding the man and the child you have no interest in, in a professional manner. You don’t need to concern yourself with Damon or Constance.”

“Constance,” I stutter, “that’s what he called her.”

“Constance Emma McKinney,” he tells me, and my shocked eyes snap up to his.

“He called her Emma,” I say, almost in a wail. “Why?”

“You’d need to ask him that,” he says, then walks off toward the smell of freshly cooked food.

An older woman stands at my kitchen island. She has wispy gray hair, kind wrinkled eyes, and a pink-checked apron around her middle. She stirs a huge pot that sits on the stove. I glance around the room, looking for more people; surely the volume of food in that pan would feed an army. She looks up and smiles at our entrance.

“Good evening, Mr. Waite,” she says, and Harrison walks over then places a kiss on her cheek.

“Mrs. D, I’d like to introduce you to Emma,” he says, turning and signaling in my direction.

“Emma,” she says. Her voice is warm and welcoming like a grandmother. “It’s lovely to meet you, dear. I’m excited to be working for you these next few weeks. Whatever you need, please just ask.”

“This isn’t necessary,” I protest.

She places the large spoon she is holding in the pot then walks around the counter to me. “Nonsense.” She puts her aged hands on my shoulders and stares at me with a shrewd expression that evokes no argument. “Having a baby is one of the most emotional moments in a woman’s life. I’m here for however long you need, dear. Plus…” She turns and signals to Harrison. “He’s paying, and trust me he can afford it.” We all laugh at the unexpected joke.

“I’ll leave you ladies to it,” Harrison announces, his task obviously complete. “See both of you later.”

“Do you not have paperwork for me to sign?” I call to his retreating back, and he turns to face me.

“It’s at the office. I’ll call in tomorrow with it. Damon asked me to wait a few days.”

“Why?” I ask, perplexed as to why Damon wouldn’t be pushing to have me sign my rights away to his daughter immediately, especially after I threatened not to a few months ago. His furious face flits through my mind. He’d looked dangerous but utterly delicious that day.

“He knows this hasn’t been easy for you. He trusts you. The last thing he wants is to hurt you any more than you have been already.” I blink at him in confusion, and Harrison smiles. “Emma, I believe my friend is just as confused as you are with this situation. Take time to heal and consider what you want.” With that, he leaves.

***

Damon

My mother washes her fine-boned hands beneath the steaming hot water in my kitchen. She’s just changed Constance for the umpteenth time today. Babies defecate a lot.

Since our arrival home, my mother has been a godsend. As a child, I don’t remember her being particularly maternal, but as a grandmother, she has every quality a child needs. Her movements are calm and collected, every motion undertaken with care and love.

“How are you feeling, darling?” she says, turning to face me as I stand behind her holding my freshly changed daughter.

“Stunned,” I answer honestly. “It doesn’t seem real.” She laughs, and her perfectly made-up lips stretch into a wide smile. Her eyes dance with pure joy.

“She’s beautiful, son. Absolutely perfect. Emma has done a sterling job in looking after her for you.” My heart strains briefly at the mention of Emma. I wonder how she is. It settles me to think she has Mrs. D to help her move past this monumental time. I can’t imagine what she’s going through, having gone back to an apartment without this little one. “Have you heard from Harrison?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“He was arranging for Emma to be taken home?” She already knows this, but my mother seems to suspect there’s more to my feelings for her than I am letting on. I nod but don’t answer verbally, not wanting to give anything away. “Where is her new apartment again?”

“Canary Wharf, near the law office.”

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