Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Yeah… this is a good decision.
“There’s something else I need to talk to you about,” I say, unsure if I should bring this up today, but it seems like the right time. Sylvie looks at me, head tilted with intrigue. “Um… this is weird to say, and I’m not sure how to go about it—”
“You should just say it,” she suggests, and I love that my kid is blunt like I am.
I take her recommendation. “I’m dating Ms. DeLeon.”
Sylvie blinks, then blinks again. “My school principal.”
“Yes.” I wait to see her reaction. Everything has gone so well up until this point, admittedly buttered up by a surprise dog, but Sylvie has a relationship with Marcie that she might consider proprietary.
It’s a bland response I get though. “And?”
“And… well, I wanted to make sure you’re okay with that.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she tosses back and I can hear the eye roll in her tone. “Ms. DeLeon is really nice. I like her.”
I didn’t realize how important that answer was until the breath rushes out of me. “I’m just making sure. You’re my priority. That means you come first in all decisions.”
Sylvie’s expression softens, but she looks a bit bewildered. “Because you’re my dad and you have to be that way.”
“Yes, but also because I love you more than anything on this earth, so you will always be first.”
And the response I thought I’d get with Renault but didn’t—tears—well in her eyes. “Maman used to say that to me,” she whispers, and the tears fall free, slipping down her cheeks in silver streams.
I push up out of my chair, move to Sylvie and take her by the hand. I tug her up and then bend to lift her in my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist, her head presses into my shoulder and she puts me in a stranglehold as she cries.
I hold my daughter, rocking back and forth. I look up to see Miranda at the kitchen window and she gives me a sweet smile before melting backward to give us privacy.
It seems like hours but it’s only minutes that we stand like that. Eventually, Sylvie’s tears dry but she doesn’t make any effort to be put down and I’m not in any hurry to release her from the hug. I’m quite content to stay here the rest of the day, work be damned.
CHAPTER 20
Marcie
There is nothing awkward about working shoulder to shoulder with Ethan in his kitchen. We’re making dinner and are the only ones in the big house. Miranda organized the ingredients for us to make fajitas and Spanish rice, a sweet surprise when I arrived as I’d mentioned earlier this week that it’s my favorite meal.
Ethan’s preparing the rice to put on the stove and I’m slicing onions and peppers. The chicken is washed and patted dry, ready for the knife.
I glance over at Renault, lying near the back door, his head on his paws. Every once in a while, he chuffs or lets out a low whine. I think he misses Sylvie, who’s having an overnight stay with the Mardraggons.
“How are you feeling about Sylvie’s overnight?” I ask as I cut the top off a yellow pepper.
Ethan clicks on the gas burner and sets the pot on the flame. “I hate it but I think it’s necessary.”
“That’s an interesting word.” I turn to face him. “You didn’t say you thought it was good for Sylvie.”
He lifts a shoulder and walks to my side, snagging a strip of red pepper I’d already cut and taking a bite. “I have no clue if it will be good for her. On the one hand, they’re the closest thing she has to her mother, especially Gabe who, from what I can glean, was pretty close to Alaine and Sylvie. But Rosemund and Lionel… I don’t think she gets anything from them. It’s just weird.”
“Not all grandparents are cut from the same cloth,” I murmur, turning back to my work. I’ve observed Fi and Tommy Blackburn this past week and they were born to be grandparents. They treat Sylvie with utter kindness and respect, and she gives it back in equal measure. There’s no doubt they’re smitten with her and I can see their bond growing.
“When I dropped her off, Rosemund was just waiting at the door, hands clasped before her. She looked… imperious and so unwelcoming. Of course, most of that was directed at me since I walked Sylvie to the door. All she said was ‘Hello, Sylvie,’ and Sylvie politely said, ‘Hello, Rosemund.’ I know that’s the way it’s always been with that family, but damn… it’s so cold.”
“I find it fascinating that Alaine and Gabe don’t have that same coolness. I wonder where they unlearned that behavior?”
“Alaine most likely because she lived in another country. Gabe? Not sure. I still think he’s an asshole,” he says. I can’t help but laugh and Ethan winks at me. “I will admit with great pleasure though, I got immense satisfaction when Sylvie gave me a big hug before I left. Rosemund looked like someone had rubbed shit under her nose as she watched us.”