Page 32 of Defending A Promise
“I don’t see anything. Do you?” Declan asks me as he ushers all four of us into the house and into the kitchen. He closes the sliding glass doors as Bella stands guard.
I keep checking my son’s arms and legs, but don’t see any bites. “No.” I place Nicholas on the kitchen counter. “Are you okay?”
He rubs his tear-stained eyes. “Uh huh.”
“That was scary, wasn’t it?” I ask him as I try to control my rapid breathing and racing heart.
He nods. “Bella was trying to save me, Mommy. Don’t be mad at her.”
“I know she was. She’s a good doggy, isn’t she?” I take the wet washcloth that Declan hands me and wipe my son’s face.
He nods again. “Can she have more tater tots?”
Relief floods over me as Declan answers. “How about we have some ice cream?”
“Can Bella have some?”
He nods as he pulls out two packages from the freezer. “Yes, she can. She has her own doggy ice cream. Do you want to give it to her?”
He holds out his hands for me to pull him off the counter. I’m not ready to let my son go, but he now has ice cream in his sights and the snake is just a memory.
Declan opens the doggy ice cream and an ice cream sandwich for Nicholas. “Take these into the living room and we’ll watch Sesame Street.”
“Okay. Come on, Bella,” Nicholas says and the giant dog dutifully follows him into the living room as Declan turns on the television.
We both watch them from the kitchen island eat their ice cream as Elmo is singing some song that has my son dancing in his seat.
“That was fucking scary as shit,” Declan states the obvious, in a hushed tone so little ears can’t hear the cursing.
“You’re not wrong.” I turn to him. “Can I keep Bella?” I’m only half joking.
“I’m glad she was out there with him.”
“Me, too. What kind of snake was that? Do you know?”
“Cottonmouth.”
“Shit. Those are poisonous.”
“Yep, but they’re native to Florida, although I haven’t seen one around here in a few years. Tomorrow, I'll go through the yard and make sure it's safe and there are no nests lurking around, but for now, he plays inside the screened-in patio.”
“Agreed.”
“Come on. Let’s go watch Elmo dance.” Declan takes my hand and pulls me into the living room and onto the couch next to him as Bella and Nicholas sit on the floor. It’s less than an hour later and both of them are out cold and we can finally watch something other than children’s television.
“I’m going to put him to bed,” Declan says as he picks up my sleeping son and carries him to his room. Bella is right behind him, ever on duty watching over Nicholas.
After this evening’s events and watching Nicholas with Declan, the realization of what Nicholas is missing out not having a father figure around hits me full force. I wish that either Nick or River was around to be that person for my son, but I’m so thankful that Declan is here in their place. He’s been so amazing with my son and has kept his promise to me about taking care of us both.
A warm feeling takes hold in my chest and suddenly I’m wondering what life would be like if Declan and I had taken a shot with each other all those years ago. I wouldn’t have Nicholas, and I can’t imagine my life without him. But what if.
“He’s down for the count. The both of them are,” Declan interrupts my thoughts as he comes back into the living room.
“It’s been quite the evening for them,” I laugh because at this point, it’s either laugh or cry about it.
He hits the mute button so we’re not listening to Elmo sing any longer. “So, what were we talking about before that snake interrupted us? Oh yeah, that you and Nickels are home for good. How does it feel?”
I turn towards him with my knee bent up on the couch, “Well, if I could just get rid of the stalker, life would be grand.” I take a deep breath. “What’s happening here?” I cannot believe I just asked him that. What am I thinking?No guy wants to talk about that, Riley. Come on. You know better than that, girl.“Never mind. Forget I asked. It’s been a long day.” I try to laugh it off and dismiss the question as I try to turn back to the television, but he doesn’t let me.
