Page 63 of Second Dance
“How do we get rid of this monster?” Sonya asked.
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Ben’s been working on putting something together. Something that will keep him away forever.”
“Money?” Peter asked.
“I’m afraid so,” I said.
Peter slumped. “Bastard. Why do guys like him always win?”
“They don’t,” Gillian said. “Just sometimes it seems like they do. But he’ll get what’s coming to him.”
I nodded. “Ben will get him to sign his parental rights away and we’ll take care of what we need to.”
“Yeah, I know you will, Dad,” Peter said. “But it still hurts … to think we share DNA with this guy.”
Gillian reached out to squeeze Peter’s shoulder. “He has no relevance in your life. Your father’s sitting right here.”
“I know that.” Peter wiped his eyes. “But what if I’m like him? Down deep?”
Gillian placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder. “No way. Put that out of your mind.”
“Why didn’t you adopt us?” Bella asked in a small, miserable voice.
“They tried,” Peter said. “But they couldn’t find Darren to get him to sign the paperwork.”
“Is that true?” Bella’s throat moved as she swallowed. “Did you really try?”
“Yes, it’s true. And I should have told you. Both of you. Years ago. I didn’t because I thought—” I stopped, tried again. “I thought it would worry you. That was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Bella blinked hard. “But if you didn’t adopt us, then—can he really take us away?”
“I am your father,” I said, more fiercely than I intended. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you stay with me. Trust me, people like Darren can be bought. He’ll leave us alone. I promise.”
Her eyes welled and she looked down, tears falling on her folded hands. “Did you ever really want us? Or was it just because you loved Mom?”
“I wanted you. I always have and always will.” I paused for a second, gathering myself. “When your mom came to work for me, I was smitten almost from day one. But I knew she had children. I told myself I was too young to be a father. Plus, I was working insane hours to build my company. I didn’t think there would be enough of me to go around. But I couldn’t help myself. I fell in love with Mattie. When she finally said it was all right to meet you, I was scared out of my mind. I can remember my knees shaking when the door to your apartment opened and there you were, Peter, with a dinosaur in each hand. You asked me right away if I liked dinosaurs and I told you I was obsessed with them when I was your age.”
“Is that true?” Peter asked.
“Completely,” I said.
“What about me?” Bella asked. “What was I doing?”
“Your mom had dressed you in this frilly dress, and you were complaining that it itched,” I said. “Then you yanked it over your head and started running around the apartment pretending you were riding a horse. Next thing I knew, I was also pretending toride a horse, galloping after you. Peter abandoned his dinosaurs and joined us. Your mom came in from the kitchen, and I remember she had this indulgent smile on her face, like she knew she was about to have another kid to look after. That evening was all it took. I knew driving home that I would figure out how to be the father you needed. It wasn’t always easy, even though your mom made it seem that way. But you two have filled my heart with so much love and purpose. I would choose you again and again.” By this time, I was crying.
“I ruined everything by trying to find him.” Bella pressed her lips together.
“We can’t think about that now,” I said. “We just have to deal with it and move forward.”
Bella slid off the stool. She hesitated, then walked around the island and stopped in front of me, standing inside arm’s reach, the way a wild thing stands at the edge of a clearing. Then, she melted into my arms, resting her young cheek on my shoulder. “You won’t let him take us, right?”
“Over my dead body,” I said, knowing it was true.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” Bella said.
I held her tight, breathing in the scent of her sweet hair. From the counter, my phone buzzed. It was Ben, calling me back. “Guys, it’s Ben. I’m going to take it in the study.”
Both kids nodded. Sonya went to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. I squeezed Gillian’s hand before answering the phone on the way to my study.
