Page 36 of Wick
I sigh and run my palm down my face. "Honestly, I don't think the severity of the situation has hit me yet. I'm on autopilot right now. My main concern is being here for Vayda, giving her the strength and support she needs."
Mr. Wilder nods. "I'd say what you're feeling is completely normal given the circumstances. I didn't want to believe it myself, but one look at the child and…" He lets his statement hang. I think we're all in agreement that girl inside the house is Damien's even if we didn't have the DNA test to confirm it, which it did.
Both Mr. Wilder and I are silent for a moment before he scoots to the edge of the swing and speaks again. "I want to thank you for taking care of my daughter. Vayda can be stubborn, so I know it was no easy task."
"I'll always take care of her, Sir. I'll protect her and make sure nothing like that happens again," I say with conviction.
"I have no doubt you will, Son. Just remember some things are out of your control and when you find yourself faced with an outcome you aren't expecting, one that leaves you a little lost, just remember it's God's will. He has a plan for us. I think that little girl inside is a true testament to his plan. I know what happened the day my son was killed, Malik. I also know you have been living with pain and guilt. It's time to let it all go. It's time to start living the second chance he gave you instead of merely existing."
"You're right, Mr. Wilder. I'm gettin' there. Vayda has opened my eyes to a lot of things lately. Being around her has made me realize I need to go after the things I want in life and that I deserve to be happy."
"Of course you do, Son. Damien wouldn't have wanted it any other way. If he were here today, he would have kicked your ass for breaking his baby sister's heart."
I snap my head up from looking at my feet.
"Don't look so surprised. I'm old, not dead. My little girl has been in love with you for as long as I can remember and vise versa. If it were any other man, I would have put a bullet in your ass for how you've been acting. I knew you two would find your way eventually." Mr. Wilder stands from the swing, and I do the same. He offers me his hand. "About time you pulled your head out of your ass, Son." We shake hands, and I chuckle as he disappears back inside the house.
A short time later, I'm walking into my parents' home. I call out, "Mom!, Dad!"
My mother comes bustling around the corner of the living room with a dish towel in her hands. "Malik!"
"Hey, Mom." I bend down, and she wraps her arms around my neck. "How's my boy doing?" She kisses my cheek.
"I'm good. Is dad around. I wanted to talk to you both."
"Sure. He's out back. I was just about to take his lunch out to him. Are you hungry?"
"I could eat."
"Great. Go on out. I will be there in a minute."
Walking into the kitchen, I step through the screen door and into the backyard to see my dad hunched over on one knee, fiddling with the lawnmower. He looks up from the machine as I step into view. "Malik! You didn't tell us you were coming to town." He tosses the wrench to the ground and stands. I meet him halfway across the yard, and he pulls me in for a hug.
"I hadn't planned on it, but there was sort of an emergency, and I drove Vayda to her dad's place."
"What kind of emergency? Is everything alright?" he asks ushering me to take a seat on a lawn chair by the back door just as my mother comes out with a platter of sandwiches.
"What's going on? Did you say there was an emergency with Vayda? Is it her father?" my mother asks, taking a seat next to my dad.
"Vayda's fine, and so is Mr. Wilder." Both my parents relax.
"Well, what is it, Son?" my dad questions.
"A woman showed up at Mr. Wilder's house the other day. Do you remember that girl Damien was seeing all through high school and up until he died?" My parents nod.
"Georgia showed up with a little girl claiming she was Damien's daughter." My mother gasps and places her hand over her mouth.
"Anyway, the child is eleven years old. The timing of her age and birth match up. Plus, we all know they were together for years. That, and a DNA test proved she's Damien's"
"Why is she just now coming forward? Why keep the child away from her aunt and grandfather for eleven years?" my father questions.
"Georgia said she doesn't have a good excuse for not telling Damien's family about Sydney, just that she's sorry she did. She came to them because she is going through some personal stuff and needs help with her daughter. She's asking for Vayda's help with Sydney while she straightens her life out. She has no family and doesn't want the state involved. It is obvious she loves her daughter; otherwise she wouldn't have come. Especially knowing how angry Vayda and her dad would be when finding out she has been keeping Damien's daughter a secret."
"What's the plan?" This is coming from my mom.
"Vayda and I are bringing Sydney back to New Orleans with us. We're going to take care of her."
My father lifts a brow. "We?"
