Love & Happiness (Sexy Secrets Book 3)

by Nycole S. Bailey

  I nod at him and we are all silent for a few moments, the only sounds in the dining room are of us eating. I am beyond relieved that this has gone a lot smoother than I had thought. I am sure that the fact that it happened so long ago is one of the key factors. Sure, my dad is upset, but there is nothing he can do to change what happened. When I take the first bite of my food, my appetite comes back with gusto and I have to consciously force myself to slow down.

  “Charlie,” my dad says to him. “I think I already know, but is this why you popped him one in the mouth today?”

  I try not to smile as I see in my peripheral vision Charlie nodding with a smirk on his face.

  Chapter 10 - Fathers - Part I

  Zoe - Early June

  In the days and weeks after telling my parents about Mr. Harlan, I expected things to ‘jump off’ and there to be more drama. But to my pleasant surprise, none of that happened. Dad just told me that he had spoken with Mr. Harlan and that Mr. Harlan would be working more out of his own office instead of working out of his temporary office at R&R Construction.

  That’s it - no more than that.

  I hate to say that I am kinda disappointed.

  I know, I know - since I claim not to like drama or messy situations.

  I also thought that my dad would have pulled me aside to talk more about the Mr. Harlan thing, but he didn’t. Even though he said he wasn’t upset with me, he was something with me. But couldn’t pin-point what that something was. I ended up approaching him.

  Flashback

  “Hey Dad, you got a minute or two?” I ask as I peek my head into his office. He looks up from his computer and gives me a smile.

  “Sure Zoe. Come on in.”

  I enter his office and close the door behind me before taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

  “So what’s on your mind?” he asks as he settles back into his chair.

  “Daddy - are we okay?”

  “Yeah Baby,” a slight frown marring his forehead as he says this. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Well - the whole Mr. Harlan thing. I know you said you were not upset with me, but I can tell that you are something with me.”

  He lets out a long sigh as he takes off his reading glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose.

  “Zoe,” he starts. “I am not anything with you, I just choose not to dwell on the fact that my daughter was in a relationship with someone who I considered to be a friend.”

  “Okay, I can understand the logic behind that, but you are not even going to yell at me or anything? I mean when I told you Charlie and I were married, you were pissy towards me for weeks.”

  “That was different. You and Charlie eloping and then keeping it a secret was something that was happening in the here and now. It was something that could impact your present and future. This thing with James is something that happened in the past. And as much as I don’t like it, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it. And me getting upset about it now will do nothing more than raise my blood pressure.”

  I twist my mouth and give him a skeptical look. “So what you are saying is that you are okay with what happened between me and Mr. Harlan?”

  A sound that resembles a growl comes from my dad. “Hell no, that is not what I am saying! I am saying that I choose not to think about it - period. I thought you would be relieved that I am not upset with you or go all ballistic when you told me.”

  “Oh, I am glad that you are not upset with me, but I know you Daddy. You have a tendency to give blistering lectures and chew asses,” I say arching an eyebrow at him.

  He gives me a smile that l know still makes my mom swoon. “Well, just so you know little girl, when James and I talked he got more than a blistering lecture and his ass got plenty chewed.”

  I lean forward, about to ask for details, but he cuts me off.

  “And no, I’m not going to discuss that with you,” he says to me sternly, effectively shutting me down.

  I pout some, but come around quickly when he asks abut his soon-to-be-born granddaughter.

  End Flashback

  After that I stopped being paranoid that my dad was upset with me, I just put it all behind me.

  Something small hitting me upside the head brings me back to the present. I look down at the chocolate covered peanut as it hits the floor and then look in the direction it came from.

  Livy is looking at me with a sweet but mischievous smile on her face.

  “I have been talking to you for the past five minutes,” she says.

  It’s Saturday and Charlie and I are spending it with Livy and my brother. Charlie and Isaac are in the media room watching TV while Livy and I are in the kitchen on our tablets looking for nursery ideas for me. I am almost at the end of my second trimester and I still haven’t decided how I want to decorate my little girl’s nursery. We are also devouring a bowl of chocolate covered peanuts - hence Livy throwing them at me.

  “I’m sorry, I was just daydreaming. What’s up?” I ask her.

  “How about this?” Livy asks as she turns her tablet around and shows me a nursery done up in light gray, white and pink. Even though I am having a girl, I refuse to use the color pink as I am not a fan of the color.

  “No pink,” I say as I raise an eyebrow.

  She just wrinkles her nose at me and returns to browsing photos.

  I have learned that Livy is more of a traditionalist when it comes to picking nursery colors. For her little boy, his nursery is done up in various shades of blue with dark walnut furniture.

  “You know,” I say to her. “Why don’t we make a trip to a few baby stores and maybe I can find something that catches my eye.”

  “That sounds like an excellent idea. Let’s go tell the guys.”

  ********

  Charlie

  “Hey Charlie,” Zoe says as she comes to stand next to the recliner. “Livy and I are going to a few baby stores to see if I can get some ideas and maybe pick out stuff for the baby’s nursery. Do you and Isaac want to come with us?”

  I look up at my wife, her mid-section looking like she swallowed a soccer ball. I lightly palm her belly, feeling a weird manly-caveman vibe that makes me want to shout ‘I did this!’. I look across the room at Isaac to see if he has an opinion on the matter, but he is busy talking to Liv and palming her beach ball-sized tummy. I am pretty sure he doesn’t want to spend the afternoon surrounded by baby paraphernalia.

  “I think we’ll pass. Besides, I just hung up my vagina and don’t feel like putting it back in.”

  “You are such an ass.” Zoe thumps me lightly on my ear before leaning over to kiss me. I wrap my arm around her waist and carefully drag her over the arm of the recliner and into my lap.

  “Seriously,” I start off, my hand once again possessively on her belly. “Whatever you pick out for the baby’s room will be okay.”

  “Even if I go with all pink?”

  I laugh. “You and I both know you don’t want our little girl to have an all pink room since you don’t even like the color, so I can’t see you subjecting me or her to something you don’t even like.”

  “Good point,” she smiles and goes in for another kiss. We get lost in each other for a minute or two, my hand inching its way up her long skirt and to the crotch of her panties. I run my fingers ever so slightly there, feeling the blooming wetness.

  Something soft hits me upside the head. A pillow from one of the recliners.

  I look up and Isaac is glaring at me. “Seriously, I know you and my little sister are married and all, but I will be damned if I am going to watch you feel her up,” Isaac says.

  Zoe huffs and tries to maneuver off my lap, but I end up helping her to a standing position. I watch as she walks over and thumps her brother on the back of the head before she and Liv leave the room.

  Isaac and I sit in silence for a few long seconds - our focus back to watching TV.

  “So…are you really okay with your wife being away from you?” I finall
y ask, looking at him. “She’s due in like two weeks, right?”

  “Yeah - she’s due in two weeks, but the doc said she could push the kid out at any time.” He looks at me with a pensive expression before saying, “Maybe we should go with them?”

  We sit in silence for a few seconds more and look at each other before he yells out, “Hey Baby Girl…wait up, we’re coming with you two.”

  ********

  Zoe - Later

  After spending almost almost three hours in various baby stores, we are now having dinner at a nearby restaurant. I suppress my gag reflex as I watch my sister-in-law pour hot fudge over her food. Normally, this wouldn’t cause me to gag if she was pouring it on something like ice cream or cake, but she is pouring it over dish of chicken fingers and mashed potatoes. I look at my brother to see if he is paying attention to what his wife is doing to her food and he pays her no mind as he takes a bite from his gigantic cheeseburger.

  I discreetly nudge Charlie. He has his own gigantic cheeseburger in hand, ready to take a bite, but halts his movement.

  “What’s up Baby?” he asks.

  I nod my head in the direction of Livy and he just shakes his head and chuckles.

  “It can’t be as bad as what you did the other night. I mean you slathered your hot wings with cream cheese.”

  ********

  Zoe- Two Weeks Later - Father’s Day

  Charlie and I arrive at my brother’s (Isaac) house a little before noon. We're celebrating. Father's Day at their house this year. After I ring the doorbell it takes a few seconds before someone answers. Judah, answers the door.

  "Damn Zoe! You’re getting big," he says by way of greeting.

  Instead of replying, I lightly punch him in the chest and brush him off as he tries to hug me. I turn around briefly to watch him and Charlie do the one-arm-man hug-thing coupled with the hand-shake thing that I realize I will never figure out. Charlie then places the few gifts bags in his hand in the dining room with the rest of the Father’s Day gifts.

  I make my way to the kitchen, where I find Mom and Ms. Ruby (Livy's mom), talking and cooking. Livy’s parents have been in town for about a week as Liv’s due date was last week but so far she is three days overdue and what I've heard from Isaac is that Livy is quite miserable. I give both my mom and Ms. Ruby a hug; my seven-month belly getting in the way.

  "Where is everyone?" I ask.

  "Your dad and Leo (Livy’s dad) are out on the patio and I think Isaac is too. Livy’s taking a nap," my mom responds.

  A few seconds later Charlie and Judah walk into the kitchen. I watch as Charlie gives hugs to mom and Ms. Ruby. I follow Charlie and my brother to the patio so I can greet everyone else. Once on the patio, I am greeted again by hugs from my dad, Mr. Leo and Isaac. I can feel Charlie behind me as he takes my elbow and guides me to a comfortable seat, automatically placing a pillow behind my back knowing that this helps relieve some of my recent back pain. He also pulls over one of the ottomans so I can prop my feet up.

  At first, I join the conversation, but slowly, I withdraw and I’m content to just listen to the men-folk talk as I find myself getting drowsy. When I nod sleepily, Charlie suggests that I go inside to take a nap. I decline, but when I nod again, I take his advice. He helps me up from the chair and I let out a low moan that only he hears.

  "Is your back hurting?" Charlie asks softly in my ear.

  I nod before his strong fingers start to massage my lower back. He continues his massage as we make our way back into the house and up the stairs. We end up in the guest room across from the master suite. I watch sleepily as Charlie pulls back the comforter and sheets. I slip off my sandals and crawl into bed. The instant my head hits the pillow I feel overwhelming sleepiness come over me and in no time I am sound asleep.

  ********

  Charlie

  After tucking Zoe in bed for her nap, I make my way back downstairs and stop in the kitchen to talk to Ms. Ronnie and Ms. Ruby.

  "Has she been sleeping well at night?” Ms. Ronnie asks me as I take a seat at the kitchen bar watching them both move about the kitchen cooking and whatnot.

  "It's hit or miss. Mostly, she sleeps pretty good but lately she's been waking up with a little back pain.”

  “Is she taking anything for it?”

  I shake my head, indicating no. “Nah, mostly I just massage her lower back until she drifts off to sleep again.”

  “You should try a heating pad too,” Ms. Ruby chimes in. “That has been helping Livy these past few days.”

  I nod my head, indicating that I will try it.

  “Can I help with anything?” I ask.

  “Aw, isn’t that sweet,” Ms. Ruby says to me. I give her my best smile.

  “Ruby, don’t let that handsome face and gorgeous smile fool you. He’s just trying to sneak some food to sample,” Ms. Ronnie says, narrowing her eyes playfully at me.

  “Ahh - come on. Why you wanna to call me out like that?” I give them both the smile that Zoe claims I use to get my way.

  She is right, I do use it to get my way and it works because not less than two minutes later I have a small plate in front of me with spoonfuls and bites of this and that. After I have finished my little snack, I go over and give them both kisses to the cheek before heading back out to the patio.

  I take a seat on one of the deep cushion patio chairs as I listen to Pop and Leo talk. I am content to sit and listen as I let my mind wander to Zoe and my soon-to-be born daughter. I want to be a good father to my daughter and lately I have been having thoughts of my own father and if being a good father is genetic.

  I know logically that is not possible, but still - I do wonder.

  My mom has still been mentioning since the beginning of the year that my father wants to see me, although she has not been mentioning it as often. I hate to admit that a small - a very small part of me - wants to see him and ask him what the fuck he was thinking when he left me and Mom.

  “Charlie?” I jump a bit when I hear my named being called. I focus back on the surroundings and realize that everyone is staring at me as if waiting for an answer.

  “I’m sorry,” I say sheepishly. “I guess I zoned out.”

  Judah smirks at me before speaking.

  “Pop and Leo want to know what you think about your pending fatherhood.”

  I look around and wonder if I should really tell them.

  In that instant, I realize that I have nothing to hide. These men are a part of my family and whatever fears or concerns I have won’t be ridiculed or dismissed. I take a deep breath, lean forward in my seat, placing my elbows on my knees as I look down at my feet as I begin to speak.

  “I am scared that I won’t be a good father. That I won’t know how to change her diaper right. I know nothing about little girls. I am scared I am going to mess up somehow and Zoe will hate me. I am scared that when she is in her teens, she will hate me because I know I am going to be an over-protective asshole.”

  I look up, bracing myself for amused expressions or stifled laughter, but I see none of that.

  “You know,” Pop starts off and I swing my gaze to him. “The fact that you are scared about all these things lets me know that you are going to be a good father.”

  “Yeah?” I ask not really believing.

  “Yeah!” They all say back to me with conviction.

  ********

  Dinner is an energetic affair of good food and embarrassing fatherhood stories about Pop and Leo being shared. The gift-giving portion happens before dessert is served and we all watch as Pop and Leo open various Father’s day gifts from everyone. Isaac and I even get a few dad-to-be gifts.

  Afterwards, everyone gathers in the living room, while Ms. Ronnie and Ms. Ruby prepare the dessert to serve. But before we eat dessert though, I want to talk to Pop alone.

  “Hey Pop,” I get his attention. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”

  He nods and follows me as I exit the living room and head to his home office that is
down the hall. I suddenly feel nervous for what I am about to do. When we are both in the office, I start speaking before I lose my nerve.

  “I just want to say thank you,” I say as I look at the at the man who has been a father-figure to me since I was ten-years-old. “Thank you for treating me like I was one of yours; for teaching me how to be a man.”

  I dig into my pocket and produce the item that even my wife doesn’t know about. Pop collects watches and it’s an engraved pocket watch - something I know he will like. I give it one last look before presenting it to him.

  He looks at me – long and searching before taking the pocket watch from me.

  I found a vintage pocket watch a few years ago – before I married Zoe. However, over the years, I could never find the right time to give it to the man I consider my father. I recently had it engraved with a saying - ‘A father isn’t always blood. It’s the man in your life who wants you as his’.

  I watch him read the short engraved phrase. When he doesn’t respond right away, I start to think this is a stupid idea and wonder if I did the wrong thing before he engulfs me in a tight hug.

  “You are mine,” he whispers gruffly as he hugs me tighter.

  ********

  Zoe - Two Days Later

  On the Tuesday after Father’s Day, a six A.M. call from Isaac lets us know that Livy is finally in labor. We arrive at the hospital a little after eight, hoping that we haven’t missed the birth.

  We haven’t.

  All of our family and friends are here as we await the birth of my nephew.

  While I am excited about the birth, I am also concerned about Charlie. He doesn’t know that I witnessed the emotional moment he and my dad shared on Father’s Day. Observing that moment made my heart ache for Charlie so much. It also reminded me that I told Charlie’s mom that I would talk to Charlie about seeing his father. Something that I failed to do.