Fancy's Baby

by Pamela Bauer

  She sighed. Love did strange things to people. Love. It had given her hope that she could have it all—the husband, the kids and the white picket fence.

  Where’s your get-up-and-do-something attitude? Maybe Wendy had a point. There had been only a few times in Kika’s life when she hadn’t fought for what she wanted, and she had regretted them.

  She wondered if this was going to be one of those times. The question was, what would she regret more—losing Fancy’s Baby or losing Nick Miller?

  * * *

  NICK HAD BEEN on ten-hour days for only two weeks, but already he was finding it a challenge when it came to his family responsibilities. Although it was nice to have a three-day weekend, the long hours made parenting difficult.

  By the time he made the commute home to Tyler every day it was after seven, which made the dinner hour sometime around seven-thirty or eight. Any leisure time was quickly gobbled up by household chores and getting Melody ready for bed.

  “I’m glad I ran into you.” Cece beamed with excitement as she stopped Nick outside TylerTots. “Mom told me Melody’s been chosen to be Fancy’s Baby. That’s great!”

  When Nick grimaced, she added, “Uh-oh, you don’t think it’s great, do you?”

  They stood in front of the happy-clown sign outside the church, the evening sun creating long shadows on the lawn. Nick would have liked to forget the entire Fancy’s Baby episode, but he could see the concern in Cece’s eyes.

  He heaved a long sigh. “I have until Friday to let them know if she’s going to do it or not.”

  “You still have reservations?”

  “A few,” he answered, not wanting to rehash what had happened between him and Kika.

  While they were talking, Sarah Fleming emerged from the church. She smiled and said hello, but didn’t stop to talk.

  As soon as the pastor had crossed the street, Cece said in a low voice, “I’m surprised she didn’t stop to talk.”

  Nick could hear the hurt in her voice. “Have I done something I shouldn’t have?” he asked.

  “It’s not you. It’s this whole business with Michael and Jeff,” Cece told him, her eyes still following Sarah’s progress as she walked down Main Street.

  “Michael is Sarah’s husband, right?”

  Cece looked at Nick and nodded. “I was hoping that he and Jeff could put the past behind them and start over, but so far they haven’t been able to resolve their differences about their father.”

  “Jeff hasn’t had much time to get used to having a brother around, has he? Annabelle said he only learned about Michael last Christmas.”

  “That’s right, and in the meantime it’s creating this strain in my friendship with Sarah.”

  “I’m sure it’s difficult for everyone involved. My guess is that things will eventually work out. You know what they say about time—it’s a great healer.”

  “Are you speaking from experience?” she asked him with an inquisitive lift of one eyebrow.

  He shook his head. “I’m not one to be preaching. I tried for nearly two years to get over Beth’s death, but it wasn’t so much a matter of time, but place. I couldn’t do it as long as I was living in California.”

  “Are you sure it’s Tyler that’s responsible and not Kika Mancini?”

  When he didn’t answer right away Cece added, “I know she spent the night at your house.”

  That grabbed Nick’s attention. “Patrick?”

  “No, Zachary. And you don’t need to worry. Mom didn’t hear about it.”

  Nick rolled his eyes. “Thank goodness. Cece, it’s not what it seems—” He started to explain but she cut him off.

  “Nick, you don’t need to justify anything to me. I certainly don’t expect you to remain single the rest of your life as a tribute to my sister.”

  Maybe Cece didn’t expect it, but he did. “It doesn’t seem right that I should be happy, not after what happened,” he said solemnly.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Come on, Cece. You know I was the one who wanted to have a third child, not Beth.”

  “And you think that because you wanted the baby it’s your fault that she died?”

  His silence was his answer.

  “Nick, listen to me. I’m a nurse, and I can tell you that Beth might have died from that aneurysm even if she hadn’t been pregnant with Melody.”

  “Maybe.” He wanted to believe her, but guilt was a difficult burden to release.

  “There is one thing I do know for sure,” Cece said confidently. “Beth wouldn’t want her children to be without a mother because you couldn’t let go of the past.”

  “Kika Mancini’s not exactly the motherly type,” he noted with an amused chuckle.

  “Not like Beth was, no, but she’s not a wicked stepmother, either. The boys talk about her all the time, and it’s obvious that Melody’s attached to her—she named her bear after her.”

  Nick agreed with her but the question wasn’t his children’s feelings for Kika. It was whether Kika wanted to be with his children. So far, the signs weren’t encouraging.

  “Tell me something, Cece. If you were in my position, would you take Melody to Minneapolis to be Fancy’s Baby?”

  She evaded answering his question. “Melody can still be Fancy’s Baby even if you decide not to see Kika again.”

  Maybe the modeling assignment didn’t depend on his relationship with Kika, but Nick knew that if they went to Minneapolis to film the commercial, they would see Kika. Would it be wise to let his children see her again, considering how attached they already were to her?

  He supposed he could always stipulate that he didn’t want Kika present during the filming. That way he wouldn’t have to worry about Melody wanting to get closer to her.

  The problem was he wanted to be close to her. What disturbed him most was the possibility that Kika’s interest in him would fade as soon as Melody finished the commercial. It wasn’t enough that Kika wanted his daughter for Fancy’s Baby. He needed Kika to want him, too.

  So when he got back home he did the only thing he could do. He called her.

  “We need to talk. Can you come to Tyler?”

  * * *

  IT WAS LATE by the time Kika arrived in Tyler. Street lamps lit the corners as she drove through the quiet residential area. When she turned onto Elm Street she saw the red convertible sitting in the driveway. Her heart started to pound in her chest.

  It was only as she drew closer that she realized there were two cars in the driveway. Nick had company.

  As Kika pulled up to the curb, the porch light went on. Within seconds, the screen door opened and out walked Cece Baron, with Nick following on her heels.

  She climbed out of the rental car and walked over to them, reminding herself that Nick had invited her to come to Tyler.

  “Hi, Kika. Welcome back.” Cece greeted her warmly and made small talk.

  Kika smiled and made all the polite responses, the whole time acutely aware of the man standing next to her. He wore a guarded look that did little to let Kika know how he felt about her appearance on his doorstep.

  He said little, letting his sister-in-law do most of the talking. When she finally got in her car and drove away, Nick invited Kika inside.

  “I wasn’t expecting you until later,” he said as he held the door open for her.

  She glanced at her watch. “My flight got in ahead of schedule. Is this a bad time?”

  “No, it’s all right.”

  Zachary was playing a video game at the TV. When Nick suggested it was time to quit for the night, he asked, “How come I have to go to bed so early?”

  Nick didn’t respond, but simply pointed in the direction of the stairs to the second floor. With a groan, Zachary turned off the TV. It was then that he noticed Kika’s presence.

  “Oh, good! You’re back!”

  His enthusiastic welcome warmed her heart. “Yes, and I have something for you.” She set her briefcase down on the coffee table and o
pened it. She pulled out an eight-by-ten autographed glossy of Jim Carrey.

  “Neat! Did you get him to sign it in person?”

  “No, I had a friend get it for me. I have one for Patrick, too.”

  Zachary grabbed the second photo and went racing up the stairs, looking for his brother.

  “More gifts?” Nick asked, suspicion lacing his voice.

  “Umm-hmm. I have something for Melody, too. Want to see?” She wasn’t going to play any games with him. She pulled out a child’s tea set. “Here.”

  He looked at it briefly, then set it down.

  “You want Fancy’s Baby.”

  “Is Melody going to do the commercial?” She held her breath while she waited for his answer.

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” he said cautiously.

  “And?”

  “And I think you were right. It’s too good of an opportunity to refuse. The money she earns will make a nice trust fund for college.”

  Kika expelled her breath all at once, then smiled. “Am I ever glad to hear you say that.”

  “I need to check on the kids. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

  “No, I’m fine,” she answered, sitting down on the sofa.

  Footsteps pounded on the stairs and Patrick and Zachary came into the room. Melody followed behind. All three stood shyly in front of Kika, as if waiting for her inspection.

  Patrick spoke first. “Melody wants to show you her lip’s all better.”

  Before Kika had a chance to inquire about the cut, the little girl pushed her face close to hers. “It looks good,” Kika said as Melody lifted her chin for examination.

  “She’s got something else to show you, too,” Patrick added.

  Melody held up her white bear and said, “My Kika.”

  Kika could hardly swallow, so big was the lump in her throat. “You named your bear Kika?”

  She giggled shyly and nodded.

  Kika reached for the tea set. “Look. I brought you something.” She patted the sofa cushion beside her.

  The little girl climbed up close, her eyes greedily appraising the tiny porcelain tea set. Kika wanted to brush her hands over the soft red curls, but before she had a chance to do so Nick was lifting Melody in his arms.

  “Time for bed. All of you,” he commanded.

  Melody started to squirm and the boys groaned. “Will you be here tomorrow?” Zachary asked. The question brought an interested look from his father.

  “I can come back if your dad says it’s okay,” Kika answered.

  “Aren’t you going to sleep over?” Patrick asked.

  Kika felt her cheeks redden.

  “Come on,” Nick said a bit more sternly. “Enough with the questions.” Melody continued to squirm, trying to reach Kika with outstretched arms.

  “Melody wants to give Kika a hug,” Zachary declared.

  Kika saw Nick’s eyes darken.

  He bent down so that Melody could wrap her arms around Kika’s neck. Before she was finished, Melody had given Kika kisses on both cheeks.

  The gesture brought tears to Kika’s eyes. When Nick returned from putting Melody to bed, she was dabbing at her smudged mascara with a tissue. Not wanting him to mock her affection for his daughter, she swallowed her tears and went on the offensive.

  “I wanted to explain to you about the audition,” she began. “It’s true we didn’t tape the entire list of children who came in, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t get consideration.”

  She took a deep breath and continued. “You see, it’s like this. By the time we’ve taken a Polaroid snapshot and done a short interview, we can tell which kids just aren’t going to work.” As she talked, her hands moved expressively. “Instead of disappointing the parents at that stage of the game, we choose to let them believe they’re being taped.”

  “And disappoint them later,” he added in a disapproving tone.

  “When you’re interviewing thousands of kids, it’s not an uncommon practice,” she said defensively. “It saves tape and the time it takes to review the tape.”

  “I see.”

  She could tell by his guarded expression that he didn’t. She needed to convince him she hadn’t done it to intentionally hurt anyone.

  “I didn’t want to do it in Tyler, but my assistant didn’t bring enough tape to start with and it seemed like a reasonable solution. And whether or not you choose to believe it, I’m not planning to do it again.”

  He shrugged. “It’s your business.”

  She stood then and faced him with her hands on her hips. “Yes, it is, and frankly, I don’t see why you should be so upset about this. Melody was chosen. Why does it matter to you how I run my business?”

  He rose to his feet and planted his large frame directly in front of hers. “Because it’s my daughter who’s involved.”

  “You’re still angry with me.”

  “Yes, I’m angry. You blast your way into my life—into my kids’ lives—encouraging their affection, pretending you like them—”

  “I do like them!” she declared emotionally.

  “Is that why you left—because you’d got what you wanted?”

  “I left because you didn’t want me here!”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hungrily. “You think I don’t want you?” he asked in an agonizing whisper. As if to answer his own question, his mouth covered hers in a passionate caress that left Kika in little doubt of his feelings.

  Her hands reached up to cling to his shoulders as her body greeted his with the same intensity of emotion. She couldn’t stop the soft moan that escaped when he ended the kiss.

  “How can you possibly think I don’t want you?” he asked, his eyes dark with desire.

  “How can you think I don’t like your kids?” she countered.

  “I overheard your phone conversation that day at TylerTots.” He paused, then repeated her words for her benefit. “‘After this, no more kids. I just don’t want to be around them.’”

  With a sickening clarity, Kika recalled her conversation with her aunt Lucy. “You don’t understand.”

  “You’re right. I don’t.” His eyes were troubled as they stared into hers. “If you don’t like kids, why are you doing everything in your power to win the hearts of mine?”

  “I do like kids. The reason I said that to my aunt Lucy was because of...” She wanted to finish, but something held her back.

  Fear. What if she told him about Caroline and he agreed with that nasty little voice in her subconscious that said she was to blame for what had happened?

  “Because of what, Kika?” He waited for her explanation. When she didn’t answer, he said, “It doesn’t matter why you said it. You’re important to me and to my kids.” The depth of emotion in his voice touched her soul. He held her by the shoulders, his gaze pinning hers.

  “When my daughter spoke her first words, it was your name she uttered. I have two sons who practically worship the ground you walk on and then there’s me. I—” He stopped abruptly.

  She waited for him to continue. “What about you?” she prodded gently.

  “I need someone to share my life. Ever since Melody was born I’ve been trapped in this emotional black hole. I thought I was doing something wrong with her, that the reason she and I were struggling to have a normal father-daughter relationship had to do with the fact that her mother died at her birth.”

  “And now you don’t believe that?”

  “I think the reason I’ve felt there was something missing in my relationship with Melody has to do with the fact that, emotionally, I wanted to be dead—just like Beth. Every time I looked at Melody she would remind me that I was alive. It was something I didn’t want to be reminded of, until I met you.”

  Her throat squeezed tight with emotion, making it difficult to swallow.

  “You make me feel alive, Kika, and it’s a wonderful feeling. I want to laugh and have fun. I want to go to sleep holding you in my arms and wake up to
find you’re still there. I know we haven’t had enough time to really make this relationship work, but I believe in my heart that we’re right for each other.”

  He raked a hand across his head. “That’s why it’s driving me crazy to think that you only used me to get to my daughter.”

  “You think I only came back because I want to make sure Melody’s going to be in the commercial?”

  He pinned her with a penetrating gaze. “Did you?”

  “I came because I love you,” she answered honestly, moisture gathering in her eyes.

  He pulled her to him and gave her a wild, hungry kiss that had both of them breathless by the time it ended. He cupped her cheeks in his palms and said, “Tell me this means you’re not going to disappear from my life ever again.”

  “I don’t want to,” she told him shakily.

  He heard the uncertainty in her voice. “I think you’d make a good mother to my children, only I’m not sure that’s what you really want.”

  “It is, but...”

  “But what?” She tried to look away, but he held her chin firmly, forcing her to look him in the eye.

  “I need to tell you something before you make any more plans.” She started to tremble, so he eased her down on to the sofa, holding her just as he had that night on the Ferris wheel.

  She took a deep breath. “I—I can’t have children,” she stuttered, then went on to tell him about Caroline and the fear she had been carrying around that she would never know what it was like to be a mother.

  While she talked, he rocked her gently in his arms, softly speaking words of understanding. When she was finished, he kissed her tenderly, then said, “You can have children. You can have mine. Zachary, Patrick and Melody.”

  “It might take some time for all of us to adjust to one another,” she warned.

  “Does that meant you want to take things slowly?”

  “Not too slowly.” She gave him an impish grin.

  “What do we do about our jobs? You work in Minneapolis and I work in Milwaukee,” he said with a grimace.

  “I like Tyler,” she told him, enjoying the firmness of his muscles as her hand moved across his chest. “I think it would be a nice place to live.”