Page 55 of One More Yule Log
“Hey.” He held out his arms, and she let herself be picked up. She was all arms and legs and maybe almost too big for it, but she clearly needed the comfort. “We’ll still have cake and burn the real log. I swear.”
“But…it’s not the same! And why are they more important than me? Daddy used to be happy. And then you came, and he was happy again, except for the work!”
“Well, sometimes grown-ups do jobs they don’t like because they have to for a little while.” It did make his heart glad to know he made Ben happy. He headed downstairs, hugging her tight.
“Okay, so it’s been a long time. Tell him to quit.”
“I suggested it, honey.” He winked. “It may take some time. Your dad has some stuff to work through.” Guilt about Dale, but more, he thought, about the people like the recently quit Jeanine.
“You’re his boyfriend. You have to tell him. You can tell him it’s important.”
“I can?” He nodded slowly. “I suppose I can, but I can’t make him do anything just because I want it.”
“But…he loves you.”
“He does. He loves you so much it hurts, and he’s not sure he can get away from this even for you.” Gray knew he wouldn’t make her understand everything, but he could really just toe the grown-ups-do-crap-things-sometimes line.
“Well, he shouldn’t. I don’t like it.” She had a great pout.
“I know. He doesn’t either.” He settled her at the through bar. “Ta-da. Should I get your dad?”
“Sure. It doesn’t matter. He’ll just be sad down there.” She grabbed paper plates and silverware.
“Yeah. You’re a good egg, kiddo.” He kissed the top of her head before going to get Ben. “Come on, babe. You can’t hide.”
“I was just cleaning up down here. That’s all. I’ll be right up.”
“Okay. Liv is setting the table.” He trotted back up because he didn’t want to leave Liv alone. There was no singing or dancing this afternoon, no weirdly folded napkin flowers.
He shook his head, hating on this. He wanted them to figure this out, and nine-year-old just wasn’t quite old enough to get it, even if she was the most grown-up little girl ever.
Gray held out a hand, and she came to him for another hug, squeezing his waist.
“The table looks nice, Livvy,” Ben said, joining them.
“Thank you.” Liv wouldn’t even look at her father, and Ben’s shoulders slumped a little bit.
He bumped hips with Ben. No acting like he wasn’t the dad. Gray served up, and at least Liv took a big bite of chicken.
They ate in relative silence, and he kept shooting daggers at Ben, needing him to buck up.
Finally, Ben looked at Olivia, one eyebrow winging up. “Are you going to talk to me?”
“No. I’m mad, Daddy.” She kept her head down, her hair hiding her face.
“So am I.”
Her eyes flew up. “At me? I didn’t do anything!”
“No, I’m mad at the situation. It makes me angry that I couldn’t fix it to make everyone happy.”
“Oh.” She nodded slowly. “Me too. Why can’t Uncle Jack do it?”
“I’m going to ask, but you can’t get your hopes up. I’m afraid Uncle Jack won’t be happy.”
“He can be unhappy. I don’t care.”
“Olivia!” Ben looked honestly shocked, and Liv just shrugged.
