by Allysa Hart
Katie pressed her back against the seat to establish some distance between them and muttered a pouty “Yes, sir. Sorry.”
“Thank you. Now let’s play the quiet game until we get there. As for your comment, Miss Rose—I didn’t get kicked out of the Scouts. I just grew more interested in girls than camping.”
Katie bit her lip, working to keep the rest of her questions to herself. She had been begging to be allowed to see the new house, but her requests were refused. Tantrums didn’t work either and had cost her some uncomfortable sitting time. It felt like forever for this day to come and she could barely contain herself.
She gasped with delight when they finally pulled up to the beautiful white and pale blue house complete with a white picket fence and neatly trimmed hedges. There were little planters interspersed with colorful plants and flowers which indicated that Rose had already made herself at home. The second Keith parked the car, Katie unbuckled her seatbelt and raced to the front door. Finding it locked, she bounced on the balls of her feet waiting impatiently for it to be opened.
“It’s so pretty! Let me in!” she exclaimed, pushing past Keith as he unlocked the door.
“Do you like it?” he asked, wrapping his arm around Rose’s shoulders.
“It’s so homey! I love it! Where’s my room?” She tugged on Keith’s sleeve as she whipped her head back and forth.
“Down the hall and first door on your right,” Rose answered. Katie sped away before she finished speaking, threw the door open and froze. The room was elegantly decorated and equipped with a brand new queen sized bed, dresser, and desk and a small sitting area near a windowed alcove. Even though she did not continuously maintain the little part of her persona, nothing in the room encouraged its existence.
“What’s wrong, sweetie? Don’t you like it?” Keith asked as he observed her response from the doorway. Her disappointment was palpable.
“It’s really pretty, but you said all my stuff was here. This has none of it.” She figured it was pretty obvious, but she swept her arm out through the space indicating what she meant.
“It’s all here. Did you look around?”
Katie walked around the perimeter of the room taking in the pictures and decorations. Her adult side loved it, but her little side felt lost and rejected. She opened the door to a walk-in closet. It was neatly arranged with all of her everyday clothes, but not a hint of the bright colors that made up her “little” wardrobe. Katie opened a door that led to a pristine bathroom. There was a separate shower and a Jacuzzi tub that beckoned to be filled with bubbles to soak in. Tears began to build in her eyes.
“What’s wrong, honey? I did my best to make this place special just for you,” Rose said.
“I don’t understand. Is this your way of telling me that you don’t want my little side anymore?” The pain was so deep that she couldn’t find the words to adequately express how she felt. She choked out the words. “You forced me to accept that part of me after Mark died. You agreed to the phony adoption. How long have you been planning on taking all of this away from me?”
“Open that door, sweetheart. Things aren’t always what they seem,” Keith said softly, pointing to a door on the far side of the room that she had assumed was a linen closet.
Half-heartedly, she opened it and her heart rose in her throat as she faced a second bedroom filled with her special things. Her toys, books, Legos; they were all there. The brimming tears tracked down her cheeks. She turned to Rose and Keith whose faces were covered with satisfied grins.
“Thank you! Oh my gosh, thank you so much! I’m so sorry I doubted you.” She engulfed both in a crushing hug.
“You’re welcome. We are going to leave you for a bit to get settled. Come and join us in the kitchen in about fifteen minutes. We have one more surprise.”
Katie barely paid attention to Auntie’s words as she bounced around her new playroom. Exclaiming over each detail, she twirled happily before running her fingers over everything. The twin bed had a canopy with curtains that she could close to create her own special hiding place. Her books were neatly arranged on shelves, and there was a huge built-in desk area covered in Lego mats made especially for construction. The room couldn’t have possibly been more perfect.
The walls were decorated with pictures of her silly little self with different members of her family, including Mark, along with some of her art. The fact that they brought Mark into the new house was special to her, and she reached to run a fingertip along his face.
“I miss you, Daddy. Thank you for loving me enough to make sure I wasn’t alone. I’ll try to make you proud. It’s nice that I can feel you watching over me when I play, just like you used to.”
After spending a little time making sure all of her Lego structures were safe and sound and then rearranging a few of them on the huge table built specifically for the room, she wandered out to the kitchen where Rose and Keith were preparing dinner.
“I can’t believe you guys gave me two bedrooms. That’s too much. I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“Nothing’s too much for our girl. Can you grab the napkins and silverware and follow me? We are going to eat on the back porch.”
Katie nodded and grabbed the requested items, following them out to the porch. “What are we having for...” Before she could finish her question, she stopped short and blinked in shock and confusion. Tucked into the corner of the yard on a raised platform was her treeless tree house. The silverware fell from her hand and clattered to the wooden deck with the napkins fluttering close behind.
“How did you do this? Seriously, is this for real?” Unable to finish her thoughts, she simply pointed.
“Well, it’s definitely not for fake.”
She would have rolled her eyes at his corny response if she wasn’t so overcome with emotions. “Is that the actual house Mark built for me?”
“The one and only,” Keith confirmed. His voice sounded tight, and she could tell he was fighting back tears of his own.
“I don’t know what to say. I thought I would never see it again. It was the only part of that house that I didn’t want to leave behind.” She pressed her fists to her chest. “God, I miss him.”
“I know, sweetheart, so do I.”
“Thank you. I love you, Uncle Keith.”
“I love you too, my little girl.”
Chapter Eight
After a long emotional day, Katie cuddled into her new bed, in a new home and surrounded by the things that made her feel like a real part of the family. Rose had read her a bedtime story, tucked her in, and kissed her on the forehead. It had been a long time since she felt true happiness and she fell asleep with a smile on her face.
“Baby?” She heard a whisper and opened her eyes. A scream caught in her throat as she sat up and pressed herself against the headboard to stare at Mark.
“Mark? You can’t be here. You’re dead. You died. I saw them bury you.” Fear pounded in her heart.
He lifted his hands in a non-threatening manner. “Shhh, it’s okay. It’s a dream, baby girl.”
“It can’t be a dream. It’s so real.” She started to reach for him but quickly pulled back. “Oh, my God, I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too, baby. I’m so sorry for leaving you. Please forgive me. I never wanted our life together to end like this.” His words were drenched in guilt.
She shook her head furiously. “It’s not your fault. I know it wasn’t your choice and that you never wanted to leave me. I was mad at you for a long time, but you did so many things to make sure I would be okay. Thank you for that. I wouldn’t have made it without Keith and Rose. They did everything you asked them to.” She needed him to know she was okay. His soul deserved to rest easily.
“I did everything in my power. How have you been feeling?” His smile was ethereal.
“Feeling? I’m okay now, I guess. I am well taken care of. See what they did for me?” She pointed in the direction of her play room.
“Yes, I s
ee my little girl is spoiled, as usual. Are you happy, darling?”
“As happy as I can be without my Daddy and best friend. I’d give it all back if I could be with you again,” she answered shakily. It was an honest answer.
“I wish that I could still be with you, but I left you with a piece of me that no one else has.” He placed his hand on her tummy. The dream was so realistic that she could almost feel its warmth.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll feel him soon. Our last night together was a special one.”
“Are you saying I’m going to have a baby?” She shot out of bed and backed against the wall. His reveal terrified her. “I can’t. Not without you. I don’t want to be a single mom.” She lost control and began to sob.
“Don’t cry baby girl, please. I can’t bear it.” His voice quivered as though he was as heartbroken as she was.
A few seconds had passed before Katie was able to get herself under control. Not knowing when the dream would end, she didn’t want to spend any more of those precious seconds crying.
“You would have been the best Daddy in the world,” she choked out.
“I thought I already was the best Daddy in the world.” His pout broke through the melancholy.
“You know what I mean, smartass.”
“Language, little girl.”
“Sorry, Daddy.” Properly chastised, she put her hands behind her back and dropped her eyes to her toes. Even in her dreams, Mark was able to assert himself and put her into a little mode. Her reaction evidently pleased him, and he flashed a beautiful smile. Reality entered her thoughts once more. “How can I do this alone?”
“Haven’t you learned anything from Keith and Rose? You are not alone. You will never be alone. I wish I could stay forever, baby girl, but I have to go.” His body began to fade right before her eyes.
“No, don’t leave! Just a few more minutes.” She begged frantically. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
“You always want a few more minutes. I love you more than words can say, baby girl, and I always will. Behave and take good care of our son; I will always be watching over you both.”
“A son? How do you know?” She reached for him, desperately wanting to feel his warm touch.
Backing away, he winked, blew her a kiss and faded into the darkness.
“I love you, Mark. Thank you for this last gift,” Katie whispered, hugging her arms around her belly.
Startled awake with her arms still around her waist and eyes damp with tears, she sat up in bed and peered through the darkness. She was alone. Shaking the fog from her sleep addled brain, she scrambled out of bed and slipped on some shoes with one thought on her mind. Baby. Could it be true? Could their last night together have resulted in pregnancy? Grabbing her car keys, she hurried to the nearby pharmacy, hoping that it was open at this early hour.
***
The blaring alarm clock woke Rose from one of the most restful nights that she had experienced in a long time. She reached over her snoring husband to cease the incessant beeping and swore that she was going to buy a clock that played music instead of the obnoxious noise. His snoring stopped as he felt her press against him and he turned to tuck himself against her naked body. She wiggled her backside against his stiff manhood and laughed at his groan.
“Didn’t you get enough of me last night, Sir?” Feeling the divine welts that his belt had left on her did not hinder her from teasing him.
“Mmm, call me ‘Sir’ like that again, and you won’t be allowed to leave this bed until I have convinced you to respect me as you should.” He rumbled in her ear.
Even straight out of sleep, Keith was on his game, but that didn’t stop Rose from laughing at his tetchy promise. Her gaiety turned to lust as her husband’s tongue traveled the length of her neck and stopped with a sharp nip to her ear. Just as she felt her arousal grow, the sound of the front door slamming jarred them both to attention. Half a second later, Keith was out of bed with pants on and gun in hand as he stood silently listening at their door. Pulling the covers up to her chin, Rose froze in fear and glanced at the clock. It was only a little after five in the morning.
Keith crept silently into the hall and then stuck his head back into his bedroom to whisper orders. “Throw on some clothes and take your phone to Katie’s room. Lock the door and do not come out until I come and get you two.”
Rose jumped into action and quickly did as she was told. She slipped a large shirt over her head and hurried out of the room in time to see Keith round the corner to the main living area. Hustling in the opposite direction down the dark hall, she slid into Katie’s room and locked the door behind her. Not wanting to startle the girl out of sleep, she tiptoed to the bed to wake her gently. Keith knocked on the bedroom door just as she discovered the bed was empty.
“Open up, babe. It had to have been Katie. Her car is gone.”
Unlocking the door, Rose was faced with both relief and concern. “Why would she leave so early? She didn’t have work today. Did she leave a note?”
“I didn’t see one. Call her cell phone and I’ll get the coffee brewing.” Keith left the room, seemingly unruffled by the unusual start to the morning.
Phone already in hand, Rose tapped Katie’s name and turned as the phone rang from the nightstand. Picking it up, she sought out her husband. She tossed him the phone and crossed her arms in frustration. “Calling her didn’t help much.”
“I am going to blister her hide when she comes home. How many times do I have to tell her to keep her phone on her at all times? Stop tapping your foot. You’re just as bad as she is.”
Moving her hands to her hips, Rose glowered. “I do not have a habit of leaving the house when everyone is sleeping. Where the hell did she go?”
“Why are you yelling at me? I don’t have the answers. Sit down and drink your coffee. We won’t know anything until she gets back.”
About fifteen minutes later, the sound of a car door slamming made them turn their attention to the front door to watch Katie rush through with a plastic grocery bag gripped tightly in her hand.
“It is five thirty in the morning! Where did you go in such a hurry that you couldn’t bother to leave a note or remember to take your phone?” Rose’s interrogation began.
Katie floated by them in a daze without even acknowledging their presence and made her way straight to the bathroom.
“What’s going on?” Keith turned his face of confusion toward Rose.
“I don’t know. Should we go after her?” she answered, her annoyance turning to worry at Katie’s abnormal behavior.
“Let’s wait a few minutes. Maybe she’s dealing with female stuff. Just keep calm.”
A couple of minutes later, Katie walked into the kitchen with a look of pure awe on her face. She was holding a white stick in her hand. “We’re going to have a baby.”
“What are you talking about?” Rose choked out.
Katie handed the test to Rose who snatched it from her hand in disbelief. The woman sunk to the floor and burst into tears. “How did this happen? When did you suspect it? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You may not believe this, but Mark told me in a dream. He said it’s a boy.” The stunned young woman lowered herself to the floor next to Rose. “Can this be real?”
Keith joined his wife and Katie, held them tightly and began to laugh hysterically. Casting his eyes towards the ceiling, he whispered, “Way to go, buddy” before he lost control and broke into tears.
“Is there a chance that this could be a fluke?” Katie whispered.
“I doubt it. Have you missed a period?” Rose said. “I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. We’re going to have a baby, Keith. A baby!”
Wiping his face with the back of his arm, the man slowly rose. “I hate to do this, but I need to get to work. You girls need to find a doctor and make an appointment.”
“I’ll take her to my OB,” Rose suggested.
“I want both of you
to go with me. Will you?”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way, sweetheart,” Keith promised, helping her to her feet.
Katie’s relief was evident by how her body relaxed and her eyes glossed over. “Somebody pinch me, please. I feel like I’m still dreaming.”
Laughing, Keith smacked Katie’s butt hard enough to make Rose wince and raise Katie to her tiptoes.
“Was that real enough for you?”
She scowled at his retreating back as the echo of his laugh reverberated through the house.
***
“I hate naps. I hate naps. I hate naps.” Katie chanted to herself as she stared at the big clock on her little bedroom wall. She wasn’t tired, but Auntie had decided she needed to rest because her sass was out of control.
Sighing she flipped from her side onto her back and stared at the ceiling fan. “This is stupid, stupid, stupid.” Her head rocked back and forth on the pillow as she sang to herself. Out of the corner of her eye, the temptation of her Lego table prompted her to return to her project. Sitting up in bed, she listened for the sound of Rose moving outside the room. Hearing nothing, she concluded that Rose was working in the garden and would never know if Katie broke the ‘nap’ rule.
Smiling at her scheme, Katie slid out of bed and tiptoed to her table. Once engrossed in her work, she let her guard down and failed to take notice of the sound of approaching footsteps.
***
Rose opened Katie’s door and peeked inside to check on her. She had decided that naps would be an integral part of Katie’s routine when she was not working and was determined to keep her girl happy and healthy during the pregnancy. Apparently, the joke was on her because the little stinker was not only wide awake but playing with her Legos with her back to the door.