Page 90 of Hello Tease

Emily didn’t leave her dad’s lap, but Jackson was hesitant to go anywhere but mine, Larkin’s or Nancy’s laps. Larkin eventually buckled him into his highchair so we could all eat without him playing musical chairs between us. For a moment, there was only the sound of scraping silverware.

I met Larkin’s eyes, and I noticed the panic there. Enough time with her had taught me that she didn’t like the silence in uncomfortable situations. Couldn’t predict what was coming next if she didn’t have a conversation to follow. So I stepped in. I wanted to show them that blending a family could be done successfully. Fletcher and his ex had struggled at first, but once they all found their footing, things were good. For Maya especially, who had a mom and a dad and two stepparents who cared for her.

“Seth, how’s work going in the city?” I asked. “You’re still in sales, right?”

Everyone’s head swiveled to him, and he finished chewing. “Right. Work is good. Been putting in a lot of hours with the launch of some new imaging equipment.”

Emily looked at me, explaining, “Daddy always works a lot. That’s why we spend so much time with Mommy.”

No one would meet her eyes except for Larkin, who said, “That’s right. I used to watch you all the time. Why don’t you tell Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa about Liv’s house? You’re having so much fun there after school.”

Emily launched into an explanation of how much she loved her new babysitter, and I noticed Nancy shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Finally, Seth said, “That’s great, honey.” I could hear the strain in his voice, but I had to applaud him for trying. It was more than he’d done in months.

Nancy whispered, “Oh my, look at Jackson.”

We all turned to look at him, fighting to keep his eyes open, lasagna sauce all over his cheeks. We held back laughter as Larkin got up to wipe him down with a wet rag so the acid from the tomatoes wouldn’t burn his skin. But soon enough, he was drowsing again.

“Wish I could do that,” Larkin commented.

Jerald said, “Wait another twenty years and you will.”

Nancy chuckled. “As long as the golf channel is on.”

It was a moment. A small one. But it was enough to break the ice.

Things seemed to ease up a bit after that. We talked about Emily’s school, and Jerald even asked me about my work and how my family was doing. I started to think this situation might never be truly comfortable, but maybe we could make it work. And judging by how happily Emily was staring up at her dad, I really wanted it to.

52

LARKIN

After we finished eating,I carried Jackson back to his bed while everyone else hung out in the living room. Emily loved being surrounded by her dad and grandparents, all the adults doting on her like they used to before Jackson was born and she had to share the spotlight.

I laid him down in his crib, watching him turn and lie on his side, pudgy little hands pillowed under his cheeks. Through the closed bedroom door, I could hear everyone laughing, probably at something Emily had done.

There was a sense of peace washing through me. We hadn’t arrived where I’d like to be yet, but we were on our way.

I thought back to when Seth admitted he had been cheating on me through my pregnancy with Jackson and continued to after he was born.

It had seemed like my life was over. I had no idea how I would make it work with two children and such a big gap in my employment and no real support system around. I wished I could go back and scoop that broken woman up in my arms and tell her she was stronger than she thought. That somehow, it would all work out, and even if it didn’t, she was strong enough, brave enough, to handle it one step at a time.

I smiled down at Jackson. He’d grown so much since then too, finding his voice and even his steps.

“Goodnight, baby,” I whispered. I turned on the sound machine to peaceful music then turned and left him in the bedroom.

My eyes adjusted back to the bright light in the living room, and I saw Knox sitting on a folding chair while Nancy and Jerald sat on the couch watching Emily and Seth play a game on the floor. When I came out, they all looked up at me for a moment before watching Seth and Em again.

I walked over to Knox, standing by him and putting a hand on his shoulder. He reached up, holding my hand. It felt right, to be here with him, to have him in my corner.

Seth finished the game, and Nancy took a turn, getting onto the floor with Emily, a pillow under her.

Seth came over to Knox and me, asking, “Is it okay if I speak with you outside, Larkin?”

Remembering the last time Seth and I spoke outside, I stiffened.

Knox squeezed my hand, and it was the reminder I needed that he was there for me if I needed him, that I could handle this.

“Sure,” I said, turning and leading the way outside. This time of year, it was starting to get chilly at night, so I wrapped my cardigan tightly around me as Seth stepped down the porch and then onto the sidewalk. He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

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