Page 68 of Dominate
“Because you didn’t love Daddy the way you love Gareth.” She shrugs and turns her gaze out the window again, leaving that little truth bomb behind like it’s no big deal.
This girl—this incredibly smart, impressive little girl—has been through so much, yet she still sees everything going on around her.
“When did you get so perceptive, Sopapilla?”
She frowns and looks back at me. “What’s perceptive?”
I smile. “It’s when you notice things that some people don’t.”
She nods and replies, “Probably when I turned seven.”
Her answer is so matter-of-fact, I can’t help but giggle and move over to sit beside her so I can hold her the rest of the train ride. She is seven, but she is still my baby, and the smile on my face right now is completely real.
Gareth sends a car to pick me and Sophia up at the train station. A short drive later, we’re outside the gate of the Harris family house. Well, mansion is more like it, though it’s not old and dilapidated like the Coleridge Estate. It’s slightly more modern with giant pillars in the front. My mind reels at the memories Gareth has in this home growing up without a mother, or a father for that matter. Although, it seems like things with his dad have been very good since the wake in Cape Verde, so I’m hopeful their reconciliation is long-term.
Sophia and I walk up the gravel driveway. Just as we reach the front step, the doors burst open. Out comes Booker with his arms wrapped around Poppy, who’s holding on to her pregnant belly for dear life. Her cheeks puff out as she exhales and inhales quickly.
“Booker, I forgot my handbag!” she exclaims and moves to turn around.
“Vi, grab Poppy’s bag!” Booker yells over his shoulder, then returns Poppy to forward motion. “It’s going to be okay, Sunshine. We got you.”
“Someone needs to call my parents,” Poppy cries as Tanner, Belle, Camden, and Indie hustle out the doors next.
Camden and Tanner seem to be in the middle of some sort of argument, so Belle frantically shouts at Tanner to call Poppy’s parents.
“I don’t have Poppy’s parents’ number.”
“Then just run over there. Fast!” Belle exclaims. “They only live around the corner for God’s sake.”
“Wife, we’re having a baby. I don’t have time to go for a jog right now!”
“Dad! Call Poppy’s parents!” Camden shouts back into the house and looks over to Belle. “Dad has the number.”
This brings a collective sigh to the two shouting couples as they attempt to make their way toward a vehicle.
Poppy is the first to notice me and Sophia standing here with our jaws dropped. Her eyes fly wide as she plasters on a pained-looking smile. “Sloan, is this your daughter?” she cries out much too loudly as she continues panting against what I can only assume are contractions.
“Yes, this is Sophia,” I reluctantly reply, wrapping my arm around her.
“Oh my God, I’ve been dying to meet her!” she squeals and makes a move toward us instead of the truck that Booker is trying to lift her into.
“I’m sorry but, Poppy, are you in labour?” I ask because surely she can meet Sophia another time.
“Yes, I am!” she bellows out with a crazed sort of laugh. “We can talk after, right?”
“After you have a baby?” I ask, my brow puzzled. Then I realise that rationalising with a woman in labour is not wise. “Yes, Poppy. After is good.”
Booker finally wrangles Poppy into the truck and closes the door. He glances over at me apologetically. “I’m so sorry, Sloan. We were all really looking forward to meeting your Little Minnow. Gareth won’t stop talking about her.”
My attention is diverted from Booker when Tanner and Camden collide into me and Sophia with big, squeezing hugs.
“Is this Little Minnow?” Camden asks, squatting down and giving Sophia’s shoulder a playful punch.
“This is Sophia,” I reply, my eyes swerving everywhere as everyone rushes all around us. “Are you all going to the hospital?”
“You bet we are!” Camden retorts. “Nice to meet you, kid.”
Tanner suddenly drops down and clutches Sophia’s arms. He shakes her excitedly while shouting, “Little Minnow, we’re having a baby!”
