Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
She lifts a brow just before trying to take me by surprise. She would have too if I didn’t know her so well. I anticipate her right before she tries to push me back into the water.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her down with me. We both go under. When we surface at the same time, she has a scowl on her face, but the mirth in her eyes tells me she’s not too angry with me.
“I can wash your hair for you when we get back,” I tease.
She looks away. Once again, I’ve forgotten how much things have changed between us. It was something I would have done with no question in the past. Reaching to brush her hair out of her face, I look into her eyes.
“I can pamper you anytime you want without it turning sexual. I care for you. Which means I’m always here to take care of you,” I say.
I see in her eyes when my words take a wrong turn. I curse myself in my head. Eggshells. I’m always walking on eggshells.
“Now… I’m always here from now on. Now until forever, baby,” I say before she can hurl harsh words at me.
She wraps her arms around her middle and her teeth start to chatter. I sigh. I think we’re done here for the night. One step forward, two steps back. I’m still learning this dance, but I don’t intend to give up on it.
One day at a time, Gregor. One day at a time.
Chapter 30
Patience
Gregor
“You really don’t have to do this,” I say as I hand Chloe over to Cee.
“It’s fine. We’re going to have a pajama party, watch a few movies, and play with dolls.”
I look at the two dressed in pajamas and want to stay home and join them. They look adorable. Chloe wraps her arms around Cee’s neck and gives her a tight squeeze.
“I could always bring someone in to stay with her. You’re more than welcome to come with us to dinner.”
“I think your mother is looking forward to dinner with just the two of you. We’ll be fine here. I’m excited for our playdate. You enjoy yourself.”
I want to tug her into my chest and kiss her, but I hold back. Cee has made my little girl so happy over the last four weeks. The two are always together when I arrive home or when I come out of my home office when I work from home.
“Okay, dear, I’m ready,” my mother sings as she meets us in the foyer.
I look at Cee and Chloe one more time before turning to leave. The way Chloe beams up at her says a million words. I know the feeling, I’m in awe of this woman too.
“If you need us to come back, just give me a call. Ethan will be here with you.”
“Shouldn’t he be with you? We’re in no danger here watching TV and playing with dolls.”
“He’ll be with everything I hold dear in this world, right where he needs to be. Mother and I will have enough manpower with us.”
Cee’s cheeks glow with color and she looks down. It’s the truth. These two are my world. If anything happened to either of them, I don’t know how I would move on with my life.
“Have fun, girls,” my mother says as she wraps her arm around the one I offer.
I lead her out to the car feeling like I’ve left a part of me behind. I’m silent the entire ride to the restaurant. It’s someplace my mother heard of and wanted to try.
***
“You know what’s most important, Gregor?”
I look up from my plate at my mother. She’s watching me closely. I wipe my mouth and give her my full attention. I’ve been a bit distant throughout dinner. My mind is back at the house with the two loves of my life.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, do you know what’s most important?”
“No, what’s that?”
“You haven’t given up. When your father and I were having trouble, it was his persistence that won me over. I’d pushed him away and filed for divorce, but I still loved him.
“I made the mistake of allowing him to see that. From that moment, he fought with everything he had to make things right between us.”
“It’s funny. I don’t remember you two ever showing that you weren’t in love. Despite how harsh he was with us. You always stood by him.”
“You were only a few months old when we first separated.” She takes a pause and purses her lips. “You boys think your father is so hard on you. He truly does it all out of love. I think that’s what made me want the divorce in the first place. Unlike you, your father had no patience for the grief I was going through.
“He saw a healthy baby boy and wanted another. I mourned the loss of having you in my womb. I saw it as betrayal of our bond to have another. Clooney didn’t understand any of that and used his high hand to force me into snapping out of it.”