Page 75 of Claiming What's Mine

It almost felt necessary for me to give her an answer. I wasn't sure why, maybe it was because it had just been us for so long, I felt like she had earned the right to answer.

After a failed marriage, I figured the rest of my life would revolve around Bliss. It would keep things a lot more simple if I didn't have to focus on her and a relationship. Because Bliss came first, which my ex just couldn't handle.

Bliss tilted her head back to look up at me, her face scrunched like I had disappointed her. “That's your answer? You're not going to give me a name?”

With a straight face, I did my best to ease her worry, but also remind her thatIwas her mother, she wasn't mine. “I don't have to give you anything, but. . .” Drawing out the word, I scooted down the bed, and wrapped Bliss in a hug. “If giving you a name will make you feel better, I was out with Jayden.”

“The guy from the store?”

“Yes, the guy from the store.”

Bliss coiled her small body around mine, allowing me to hold her like I used to when she was really little. There were times where she would snuggle up to me this way, where she allowed herself to be that vulnerable child who needed their parent for comfort.

And I soaked it up.

My daughter was, and always had been, an independent kid. She didn't like getting help for things, and she has had an opinion for as long as I could remember. Even with her stubborn nature, she was a caring, loving, and curious child.

“Do you like him?” she asked, her big eyes peering up at me with so much curiosity.

“Of course I like him, he's my friend.”

“No, I mean do you like him like him?”

Brushing her hair with my fingers, I spun the thick ponytail into a bun, and let it go, watching the spiral unwind. Her question made me think, and those thoughts ran like a tsunami through my brain.

Yes, I liked Jayden Henry. I had always liked Jayden Henry.

There was a time where I had once loved him, a time where I had given him my heart and soul, and I thought we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

And then things changed. Things that were out of my control, choices I didn't have the ability to make. The options presented weren't in his favor at all, but I did what was right, and I still believed that.

“Mom? Did you hear me?”

Bliss's voice pulled me back to her, to us, to the question she had asked. Forming a feigned smile on my lips, I gently tickled the very tips of my nails across her cheek. “I heard you, and yes, I do like him like him.”

“Are you going to see him again?” Yawning wide, Bliss rubbed her eyes.

“I don't know, Honey, what I do know is that it's time for bed.” Patting her back, I helped her sit up. “Come on, let's go.”

Bliss pushed herself up on sleepy arms, letting out another yawn. “I'm tired.”

“I can tell.” Starting for her room, I remembered I had something for her. “Go climb in bed and I'll be right there.” Nodding, she disappeared out the door and into the hall.

Grabbing the jar in my purse, I went to Bliss's room. She was already covered up to her chin in her pink zebra striped comforter. A giant, fuzzy, hot pink pillow was slowly swallowing her face as she sank deeper into the fluff. Stuffed animals formed barricades around her shoulders and sides, engulfing her as if she was one of their own. Had I looked quick if I was just walking by, I wouldn't have even seen her there.

“Hey,” I said, holding the jar behind my back. “I forgot that Jayden got you something.”

“He did?” Bliss picked her head up, a spark of excitement in her eyes. “What is it?”

“A little extra light.” Taking the jar out, the fireflies were glowing bright, each one taking its turn to show its pop of color.

“Wow,” she said in awe, her eyes snapping open. “How cool! I could spend hours outside and never even see this many.”

It was crazy how a child could be almost dead to the world, and then, bam, just like that, they were wide awake and ready to run laps.

Reaching out, she wriggled her fingers for me to hand her the jar. “How did he get all these?”

“Jayden is actually really good at catching them.”

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