Chasing Day Series: Chasing Day & Catching Day

by Twyla Turner

  “Oh! May I, please have my present now?” She asked politely.

  “Of course, sweetheart.” Chase agreed.

  Chase realized he had a lot to learn about not giving in to her demands and coming up with compromises. Even though, Day had four years to learn that little trick, he was just getting started. The reminder rose up his hackles, so he distracted himself with walking over to grab the bag with Lyric’s new doll.

  He handed her the bag and watched as she reached inside and pulled out the doll, along with the matching yellow and pink dress for her. Chase smiled in relief as Lyric’s entire face lit up. She immediately hugged the doll to her.

  “What do you say, Lyric?” Day prompted her.

  “Thank you!” She said as her little face looked up at him.

  Chase cleared his suddenly thick throat. “You’re very welcome.”

  “Can I wear the dress now? Please?!” Lyric asked.

  “Why don’t you wear it tomorrow for Thanksgiving?” Day negotiated.

  “Okay.” She pulled the doll away from her chest and looked at it lovingly. “Oh my gosh, she’s so beautiful,” Lyric said in awe.

  “Just like you. I found the only doll that looked like you. It was the prettiest one in the bunch.” Chase said sincerely.

  “Really?” Lyric asked.

  “Yes, really,” Chase answered. “So what are you gonna name her?”

  “Hmm…Melody!” She said excitedly.

  “What a pretty name for her! What made you think of that?” Chase asked curiously.

  “If she looks like me, then she can be my little sister. I’m Lyric and she can be Melody, like a song,” she announced logically.

  Chase looked up at Day and she gave him a knowing smirk.

  “Wow! She is smart.” Chase said impressed.

  “Mom, can Melody sit at the table with us?” Lyric asked.

  “Sure, baby.”

  Day made their plates of bacon, eggs, and tiny pancakes, and they all sat at the kitchen table. Chase looked around at them and felt his chest tighten.

  “How about you say grace, Lyric?” Day suggested.

  “Okay,” the little girl said softly. Chase watched as she put her little hands together and bowed her curly head. “Dear Lord, thank you for the food, mommy, my new friend Chase, and Melody. Amen,” she finished and lifted up her head to smile proudly at her mother.

  Chase tried to wipe at his eyes inconspicuously, but he looked up and found that Day had caught his emotional moment. She smiled in encouragement and he looked away quickly. One minute he wanted to hug her and the next he wanted to shake her.

  They ate in silence for a while. Then Lyric said something that stopped their forks in midair.

  “Are you my daddy? My friend Tara has a daddy. He’s a big boy like you. And some other kids at the playground have daddies too. They throw them up in the air and push them high on the swings. Higher than the mommies. I wanted one, but mommy never brought a big boy home to be my daddy.” Lyric rambled innocently.

  Both Chase and Day swallowed hard as they got their thoughts together.

  “Sweetie, you never told me that you wanted a daddy.” Day said softly.

  “I didn’t want to make you sad. Sometimes you look sad like maybe you wanted a daddy too. To kiss like Tara’s mommy and daddy do.” Lyric said honestly, her kid logic hitting close to home.

  Day blinked rapidly and cleared her throat though nothing came out. It was obvious that she was at a loss for words.

  “Lyric?” Chase waited for her to look at him. “You’re right. I am your daddy.” Chase confirmed to the little girl’s delight.

  “Really?” She asked in awe.

  “Yes, really.”

  “Where have you been?” She asked with a little frown.

  As much as Chase wanted to point the blame at her mother, he didn’t think it was a good idea to drag their daughter into their adult drama.

  “I’ve been away working. But I’m all done now. And guess what?”

  “What?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Chase placed his large hand over her little one.

  “You’ll stay forever?”

  “Yes,” he answered, saving the death talk for another time.

  “Oh!” Lyric clapped her hands together, a little light bulb turning on above her head. “Will you take me to the park and push me high on the swing?”

  “Heck, yeah! Today, if you want?”

  “Mommy, can we go to the park?! Pretty please?!” Lyric bounced in her chair.

  “Yes Lyric, we can go.” Day answered, finally finding her voice.

  The little girl smiled so hard every little tooth in her mouth could be seen. In her innocent mind, the significance of having a father in her life only added up to high swings and tosses in the air. His absence for the first four years of her life, forgiven with a promise of forever.

  If only forgiveness were that easy as an adult. Chase thought to himself as he looked at Day.

  ~~~

  Day watched as Chase and Lyric played at the nearby playground. Just as he’d promised, he pushed her high on the swing and threw her little body so high in the air that Day cringed right before he caught her again. The entire time, Lyric giggled and squealed with joy.

  At one point, the two walked hand in hand towards the merry-go-round, their backs to Day. She secretly pulled out her phone and snapped a few pics of the moment. It was a moment that she’d dreamt of for more than four years. The minute she realized that she was pregnant, she’d imagined moments like this.

  Day had cried herself to sleep on many a night, at not having Chase in her life as their baby grew inside of her. It had killed her not to tell him, but she honestly didn’t want to stir up trouble between him and his wife. She didn’t know if he even wanted kids, and after the Rhys fiasco. She was too afraid to even ask. And it wasn’t like she couldn’t afford to take care of her daughter. She made well over six figures, working with the Symphony. Her life was good though she’d missed her best friend.

  Even now that he was back, she still felt like she couldn’t reach him. She knew it was her own fault, by not telling him about Lyric. But they needed to heal their relationship if they wanted to successfully co-parent.

  What the hell are you talking about, Day? Co-parent? Do you really want to co-parent with him? Or do you want to build a real family with him?

  She knew the answer. She just didn’t know how to get him to forgive her.

  Time. It’s all you can do.

  ~~~

  “Daddy, will you read me a bedtime story?” Lyric asked as Day tucked her in and Chase watched from the doorway.

  Both Day and Chase froze. Even though they had told Lyric that Chase was her father earlier, she hadn’t called him Dad yet. This was the first time. And like every time a small step was taken forward, they both got emotional. Day wondered if they’d ever stop becoming weepy every time the kid said or did something sweet.

  “Of course I’ll read you a story, munchkin butt,” Chase said the new pet name he’d given her while playing earlier and Lyric giggled hysterically.

  Day replaced his spot in the doorway and watched as Chase read Goodnight Moon to their daughter. He had to read it a second time before she finally fell asleep. Day turned on her nightlight and shut off her princess chandelier light. Chase walked out and Day closed the door till only a crack was left open.

  “She’s afraid of the dark. So don’t be surprised if you find a little person in your bed and their feet in your face come morning.” Day laughed quietly.

  “She’s amazing, Day,” Chase said in awe. “So smart and beautiful. Well-mannered and sweet. I might be still hurt by not being a part of her life, but you’ve done a wonderful job.” He admitted.

  “Thanks, Chase. That means a lot.” Day said huskily. She never knew if she was doing a good job or not, so the praise from him choked her up a bit.

  They stood in the hallway awkwardly. They stared at each other hungrily, b
ut all the baggage between them kept them at a distance.

  “Goodnight, Day.”

  “Night, Chase.”

  Day walked to her bedroom and turned to look across as Chase walked to his door. They both looked at each other again. Day knew that her eyes had to look almost desperate as she gazed at him. Chase turned his head and closed the door. Day left hers cracked open just in case Lyric needed her and she walked to her bed and collapsed in frustration.

  “Fantastic. Looks like I’ll have to continue masturbating, like the last five years. Oh, joy!” Day moaned to herself.

  She had been too busy being a mom and a career woman, to go out on dates or even have a casual fling. She was as proficient in flicking the bean, as she was playing the cello. Now wouldn’t be any different.

  Chase heard the distinct sound of something vibrating and his ears perked up. He crept slowly to the doorway and eased the door open. Yep. That’s definitely vibrating. Then the sound of a soft feminine cry of ecstasy reached his ears and he groaned internally.

  The woman that he couldn’t get enough of since he was a kid was masturbating right down the hall, and he was over here pouting. What the hell is wrong with you, Chase?!

  He quickly closed the door and flopped down on his bed. His dick was hard as a rock, with no signs of going down anytime soon with visions of Day pleasing herself in his head. Well, I might as well masturbate too. Like I have for the last five years.

  Chase knew that during their five-year long divorce battle, Whitney had more than likely had him followed by a private investigator a few times. She hoped to catch him in the act of cheating, so he’d been on his best behavior for longer than he could remember. His hand was more familiar with his cock than it was with a football. Now, was no different.

  Chapter 15

  “Mommy said that her and her best friend used to play in there. But I can’t play in there yet because I could get hurt and it’s old.” Lyric pointed to the treehouse as they pulled up to Pat’s house.

  “That was me,” Chase said as he turned to look at her.

  “You’re Mommy’s best friend?” She asked in astonishment.

  “Yep, we’ve known each other a long time.” Chase grinned at her.

  He turned back to look at his dad’s house and for the first time ever, Chase was shocked. The roof had been fixed, the once falling gutters replaced, and a new coat of white paint made the house look practically brand new. Chase wondered if his father had died at some point and he just didn’t know about it.

  “I saw the workers there a few weeks ago.” Day said, noticing where he was looking. “Maybe he’s turned over a new leaf.” She shrugged.

  “That’s one impressive leaf,” Chase said in amazement.

  They got out the car and Chase opened the back door to get Lyric. She clutched Melody in her arms, both dressed in their matching yellow and pink dresses. Though, Lyric had on white tights and a coat over hers, for the chilly weather. Her curls were tamed and confined, up in a bun on top of her head.

  Chase lifted her up into his arms and planted kisses all over her face, making her crack up with laughter. It had only been a day and a half, and he couldn’t seem to stop carrying her around everywhere they went. He knew if he wasn’t careful, he’d make her rotten. But he couldn’t help himself. He was still in awe that she was his.

  “You know, maybe this spring I can rebuild the treehouse for you. Make it into your very own princess palace. Would you like that?” Chase suggested.

  Lyric’s mouth fell open and she clapped both hands on either side of his face, smooshing his cheeks. “A princess house in a tree?!” She asked with excitement.

  “Exactly.”

  Her little legs began to beat against his stomach happily. Her little lips smacked his and tiny arms wrapped around his neck as she placed her head against his neck.

  “I love you!” She sighed.

  Chase’s heart squeezed and it took a few moments to speak again. “I love you too, Lyric. Though you shouldn’t love me just because I’m building you a princess house in a tree.” He informed her.

  “Oh, I do love you, Daddy. Now I just love you more,” she said as she squeezed him tighter.

  Chase blinked back the same tears that had plagued him since the minute he knew she existed. He looked up at her mom and she looked just as emotional as he did.

  “Let’s go inside before Nana starts wondering where we’re at.” Day proposed.

  As they walked up the front steps, Pat opened the door to meet them. Her eyes were glassy as she took them all in.

  “This is the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in my whole life,” she said sappily.

  They all gave her hugs as they stepped inside.

  ~~~

  Chase helped Pat clean the kitchen while Day laid Lyric down for a nap. When Pat started to talk, he knew she’d been waiting for the right opportunity.

  “I know you’re still a little bent with Daylen,” she began. “But Chase, sweetie…you gotta let that mess go.”

  “That’s easy for you to say,” Chase grumbled.

  “Don’t be a stubborn fool,” she scolded. “Do you love her? Wait!” She held up a hand to stop him from speaking. “Aside from how angry you are that she didn’t tell you about Lyric, do you still love her? Isn’t that why you actually came in the first place to see her performance?”

  “Maybe.”

  “That’s a yes.” Pat ignored him. “Do you even notice that for the first time in both your lives, the timing is right?” She asked and Chase remained silent. “You’re both in the same place. Neither of you are dating or married to anyone else. Both of you are happy and healthy and not fighting off inner demons. Your careers aren’t taking you away from each other. Everything is perfect if you’d just open your eyes and see. Don’t let pride get in the way of your happiness,” she finished wisely.

  Chase didn’t respond because he knew that she was absolutely right. They’d never had a real fighting chance before. At every turn, they’d run into what seemed like insurmountable obstacles. Now there was nothing stopping them from having a great life together, except for his hurt pride and past baggage.

  Later that night, after they returned home and watched The Princess and the Frog with Lyric. They put her to bed and were both walking out into the hallway when Lyric’s sleepy voice reached them.

  “Kiss goodnight,” she said sleepily. “Mommies and daddies kiss like Tiana and Naveen.”

  Chase looked at Day and her chocolate brown eyes looked at him with hope. He knew it was his opportunity to move forward and stop being an ass. But for some stupid reason, probably pride, Chase felt like he had every right to hold onto his anger for a little longer than a few day, so he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the cheek.

  “Goodnight, Day,” he said and then turned away from the disappointment in her eyes.

  “Goodnight, Chase.”

  ~~~

  And so it went for the next couple of weeks. Chase spent the day with Lyric while Day went to rehearse for the Symphony’s next concert. He took Lyric to the park by their house every day. He also took her to the Lincoln Park Zoo, to the aquarium, and anywhere else that was fun for kids. He learned all the songs to her favorite cartoon movies and decided to record them singing them on his phone. He even asked Day if they could start a YouTube channel. She’d said yes, with a shake of her head. They’d named the channel Chase’s Lyric, a play on the 90s movie. He uploaded the videos and because he was still considered one of the best quarterbacks the pro-league had had, his popularity made their little duo go viral within days.

  He hadn’t spent much time looking for another place to live. He tried not to look too closely at why he wanted to stay in Day’s home. Everything was perfect, except for the fact that he kept Day at arm’s length. He knew she was getting frustrated with him, but he still wasn’t ready.

  ~~~

  “He still won’t touch you and he’s been living there for how long?” Amy asked after
rehearsal.

  “Three weeks,” Day growled. “Do you know how hard it is to be in a house with a man that looks like Chase, who you know can fuck like a porn star, and not get any?!” Day ended on an angry huff.

  “No, actually I don’t,” Amy said honestly.

  “You wouldn’t. You’ve been with Jake for a bazillion years.” Day rolled her eyes. “The bad part is, he’s not even that mad at me anymore. He’s just doing it now to punish me. I’ve seen him staring at me. I’ve even seen him try to hide his hard-ons. He’s not fooling me. Do you think it’s illegal to tie a man up while he’s sleeping, force feed him dick pills, and the jump on and try not to get bucked off?” Day asked half seriously.

  “Uh…I’m pretty sure that’s rape.” Amy cringed.

  “Crap! Never mind.” Day pouted.

  “How about this? The holiday party is coming up this Saturday. And you know how Dan has been dying to take you out?” Amy said leaning in conspiratorially.

  “Yeah?” Day leaned in too.

  “Well, why not ask him to take you to the party? Have him pick you up at home, where Chase will see. And you could be dressed to kill. It’ll kill him and I bet he’ll make a move after that.” Amy grinned deviously.

  “I don’t know. I don’t wanna string Dan along. He’s a nice guy.” Day frowned, thinking about the sweet tuba player.

  “Well make sure you tell him that it’s only as friends, but that you need a DD. He’ll totally do it and he’ll know not to expect anything. And Chase will still be jealous no matter what. What he doesn’t know, won’t kill him.” Amy plotted.

  “That is kinda brilliant.” Day said, honestly considering the evil plan.

  “I know, right?!” Amy grinned and nodded proudly.

  “Fuck it! Let’s do it. Mama needs some D!”