Page 12 of Bullet

"No way," I declared, looking down at the menu. "This is beautiful news. I knew deep down he loved me. After all this time, I see nothing has changed. This is unbelievable. I'm about to order one for myself."

"Order me one too. I have yet to try it, but I've been meaning to." We laughed like schoolgirls as I signaled for our server. I ordered two Crystal Bullets with a light orange twist. Minutes later, our drinks arrived while I cleaned Clear's mouth. My mouth watered to taste the brown liquor with a twist. Once I was done, mama and I toasted before sipping our drink. Oh, my goodness. It was so good and smooth. The light touch of orange zest was perfect. I never knew he had a passion for making bourbon.Was it a hobby or just something he'd done to take his mind off my absence?I'd take bourbon-making any day over marrying a woman that wasn't me.

The laughter from the businessmen traveled to us as they rose from their seats. I gave them a glimpse, then went back to my drink. Every sip was better than the one before. The footsteps from the men pulled me from staring at my drink and into the russet brown eyes of the boy I once loved, like the air I breathed. He stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes looked at me, then at Clear. His root beer complexion was partly coveredby a full and thick beard that connected evenly to his tapered, wavy fade. I still had a good view of his full lips, which incited my heartbeat to pick up. My Bulley was still youthful, yet there was an air of maturity around him from the suit he wore and the way he carried himself.

His busy eyes looked back at me, then to his friends. "Gentlemen, I'll see you all in a few days, like we planned. Right now, there's a personal matter I need to attend to," he expressed, looking into each of their eyes like the man he was.

My eyes roamed over how his big body filled out his all-black business suit. Bulley was definitely bigger, but he also looked more rugged. Heartache would change you like that. I knew all too well. His business associates or clients agreed before walking away.

He turned and looked at us. "Crystal? What's going on right now?" He stepped next to Clear, and she looked up with a big smile on her face.

"Daddy!" she cheered.

His eyes instantly went to her, and his large and tatted hand wiped down his bearded face. He shook his hands out to his side, then lowered himself in front of Clear. Bulley's eyes roamed every inch of her before he looked back at me. "Is she my daughter?"

I nodded. "Yes. Bullet, this is Clear Views Clips, your daughter. Little Clear, this is your daddy."

She beamed in her seat. "Daddy. I knew it."

Bulley stood and pulled Clear into his arms. He cradled her to his broad chest and held her with his eyes closed. I looked on with tears brimming in my eyes as he soothingly rubbed her curls and then her back. Bulley opened his eyes, and I pulled back her chair for him to sit down in. He took the seat and showered her face with kisses, making her laugh and wiggle in his lap. After a few minutes, he gave her a break and then gazedat me. His large hand reached up and cradled my face, his thumb softly caressing my cheek.

"Hey, angel. Before I bombard you with questions, I want you to know that I still think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on." He nodded, and tears spilled down my cheeks. The warmth from his hand and words of affirmation still provided the security and love I craved only from him.

"Thank you, my love. You look amazing yourself."

He snickered. "It's only for work."

Mama cleared her voice. "You all clearly need to talk. I'll give you two the space you need. Baby girl, I got dinner."

"No, ma'am. I got it. Have a good evening, Mrs. Views," Bulley stated with a small grin. Clear tugged at his big beard while she laid in his arms.

"Alright, son. It's nice to see you again, Bullet. Take care of my girls," Mama replied.

"I got them forever." He looked at me, and I blushed. I knew he meant every word he said.

Mama smiled. "I know it." She grabbed her purse and light jacket and then left the restaurant. I knew she anticipated all the tea later on.

"Angel?"

I looked at him. "Yes."

"We've never had the type of relationship where we screamed and cussed at each other, and I won't start now. Tell me what I need to know."

I exhaled, then nodded. "You're right, love. Here's the truth. The day I left you at the river, my Pop Pop had me sent to Arizona, where my mama's parents lived. He took my phone and gave me a new one. He and Daddy completely caught me off guard. When I made it to Arizona, I had no idea I was pregnant until a month into my stay. My doctors told me I was three months pregnant. With my family stripping me of everything, Ihad no way to contact you. There was a lot I had to endure on my own. I grew quicker than I expected. Trust me when I say I miss you every day. However, the moment Clear could talk, I told her who you were. I had a few keepsakes I was able to bring with me, so I put them in her room so she could see her daddy every day. I'm so sorry, Bulley. This was out of my control. Had there been any way I could contact you before I left, you know I would've taken the chance to."

He released a deep sigh and looked down at Clear. Just that fast, she had fallen asleep in his large arms. She was so little, but she already knew where home was outside of me. Bulley gazed at her while he spoke.

"I missed out on a lot. Running midnight snack errands for you, rubbing your stomach, witnessing her birth and first steps. I would've loved to experience each of those events. You must know that I hate your father and grandpa with a passion. They kept me away from my love and daughter, and that type of thing is unforgivable. I could really cause havoc right now, but for the sake of Clear, I'm going to try to be civilized."

"You have every right to feel the way you do. This was my family's first time meeting Clear outside of my mama. She's been there the whole time. My brothers and Pop Pop love her, but not Daddy. He sees her as a mutt."

Bulley raised his hand. "Don't. Don't tell me anymore. I'm subject to blowing your daddy's brains out tonight. I tolerate him playing in my face, but not hers or yours. He will have to see me soon, but right now, I'll start a war, and that's bad for business, so I'll move on. Tell me about my baby girl. I wanna know everything."

I smiled. "Trust me, I get it. Clear is everything and more. She was born on January 17th, 2021. Her favorite color is anything rainbow. She loves to help us bake, garden, and create." I chortled, thinking about the wonderful person we brought intothis world. "She's so active and rowdy, and pre-k works her nerves already. I love that she's not a picky eater or complains about her food touching. Her appetite is hearty, and she's such a foodie. Baby girl speaks her mind and moves to the beat of her own drum."

Bulley snickered as he looked up from Clear and at me. "She sounds exactly like the girl I fell in love with. Thank you for sharing. I got it all locked in here." He pointed to his head. "Now tell me about you. Are you single? Married? How's life in Arizona for you?"

I blushed and sipped some of my bourbon. "Life for me in Arizona is slow yet peaceful. It lacks the adventure, fire, and desire I had with you here. There's peace and quiet and chasing after our child, but it would be nice to have a little more. That little more is you. I'm very much single because the only man I love and want to touch my body is you. I love the life and routine I've established with Clear and my grandparents. However, it would be lovely if you were a part of it. What about you? How have you been? Tell me about Crystal Bullet Bourbon?" I gave the glass a little shake before I tossed back the rest.

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