Maddie slapped me and pushed me away, then turned Lily’s highchair back around.
“That’s right, baby girl,” she said, pointing to the window. Maddie had put birdfeeders all around our house. “That is a bird! Good girl. Say ‘bird.’”
Lily smiled her big, adorable smile and flailed her arms. “Birda!”
I sat next to Lily. “Bird. Say ‘bird’ for Daddy.” Lily’s hair was starting to get lighter and curlier, but her blue eyes seemed to be fading to a blue-green. When Lily’s eyes met mine, something happened. It was as if she was looking into my soul. No one other than Maddie would ever make me feel the way Lily does.
She giggled and then said, “Dada…bird.”
MADDIE CARRIED LILY as we walked up to the table where Jack and Monica were sitting. “Hey guys!” Jack said as he pulled out the highchair for Lily. Of course the big fabric thing had to go in first, but not until Monica wiped it down with antibacterial wipes.
Once Lily was settled with a bunch of Cheerios, Maddie and I sat down. We both looked at Jack and Monica. They just stared back at us, smiling.
“Well?” I asked.
Monica shrugged. “Well, what?”
Maddie sighed in frustration. “Don’t play games. Boy or girl?”
Jack took a deep breath and said, “Both.”
I stared at him. “Huh? What, do you have a mutant growing in ya?”
Maddie giggled, then said, “No.”
Monica smiled and nodded. “Yes.”
Maddie and Monica both jumped up and squealed as they jumped up and down. Lily got in on the action and tossed a handful of Cheerios in the air. I looked around at everyone, but couldn’t figure out what in the hell was going on.
I looked at Jack, confused, as he laughed.
“Twins, dude. We’re having twins.”
I stood and reached across the table to grab my best friend.
“Congratulations, Jack. I’m so damn happy for you.”
He pulled back and blinked his tears away. “It’s a miracle.” He shook his head. “It’s a double miracle.”
WHEN MARY AND Monica walked into L’Fay Bridal, I stood outside the door feeling panicky. I couldn’t believe I’d let them talk me into flying to New York City for a damn wedding dress. The Berta dress I’d found in a magazine was perfect, and Monica had made it her goal to get me that dress. I would have married Cale in a paper sack, to be honest. This whole show of buying a dress was just not me.
I pushed the doors open and walked into the ultra-modern boutique. The wood floors and white furniture made me want to take off my shoes and not touch a thing.
By the time they pulled the dress down and ushered me into the changing room, I was in a full-out panic attack. I hate doing this kind of thing.
“Deep breaths, Maddie. It’s not that big of a deal.”
My best friend was smiling as she rested her hands on her six-months-swollen belly. I shook my head.
“Monica. We’ve flown to New York City to look for a stupid dress I saw in a magazine. Do you know how much I could have saved by just buying something local?”
Monica shrugged and pushed me into the changing room. “Stop being such a whiney bitch and try the damn dress on.”
I forcefully pulled the curtains shut and turned to look at the breath-taking lace dress hanging before me. Stripping out of my clothes, I slipped on the dress. I looked at myself and gasped. I looked beautiful. Really, the dress looked beautiful. It fit me like it had been made for me. I turned slightly to see the sexy, low back. “Oh my,” I whispered.
It barely covered anything—if it went down another inch, you’d see ass cleavage. The train hung low, adding just the right touch. The dress was romantic, sexy, and still classic looking. I pushed the curtain open. Monica and Mary both sat on a white bench talking to Suzie, the bridal consultant who was helping us. She was a tiny little thing. I bet she wasn’t even five feet tall. Her dark, bouncy curls and dark-framed glasses matched her spunky personality. The three of them all looked up and stopped talking.
Suzie smiled and adjusted her glasses. “That is the dress, Maddison. The way it fits your body is perfect.” She turned to Monica and Mary. “Ladies, don’t you agree? This dress was meant for her.”
Mary wiped a tear away. Monica grinned from ear to ear and cleared her throat. I knew she was choked up.
“You look beautiful, Maddie.” Monica said. “Just beautiful.”
I looked down at the dress and I chewed on my lip. I peeked back up and asked, “Yeah? You think so? Do you think Cale will like it?”
I picked up the train and turned around slowly. When they saw the back, Mary and Monica both gasped. My nerves were finally settling. It appeared I’d found my dress.
“Holy shit. I can practically see your ass! Cale is gonna faint.” Monica said, fanning herself.
Mary giggled and said, “If you aren’t already pregnant, you will be by the end of your wedding night.”
I felt a blush moving across my cheeks as I looked down at Suzie. She winked and said, “It’s perfect.”
I nodded and said, “I’ll take it.”
Monica skipped and did a little fist pump. “Yes! Now let’s go have lunch. I’m starving, and these babies must be having a rolling over contest in here.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the details of the wedding. It was going to be small, very small. Only family and close friends. Craig and Diane, Jack’s parents, had done an amazing job having an arch built for the beach.
I’d turned fifty shades of red when Cale said he wanted the arch to placed in specific location on the beach. My heart soared when he pulled me to him and whispered in my ear, “This is the exact location I first claimed you as mine.” It took everything out of me not to beg him to take me again, right there on the spot.
“Is everything ready for Lily’s party?” Mary asked.
I took a sip of tea and nodded. “Yep. I ordered the cake months ago. All the decorations are set and ready. Did Mitchel order the bouncy house?”
Mary rolled her eyes. Cale’s father, Mitchel, had insisted on a bouncy house. Lily wouldn’t be able to go in it without one of us with her, so I figured Mitchel secretly was using Lily’s birthday as an excuse to get one.
“Yes, the damn thing was ordered weeks ago.” Mary said, sighing.
Monica and I giggled, but Mary said, “Don’t laugh, your father got all excited about it, too.”
I almost choked on my tea as I busted out laughing. “Did you know Daddy has been dating?”
Mary waved me off like what I’d just said was old news. “Please, I set them up.”
I gasped as Monica leaned in closer and said, “Do tell, Mary. Do tell.”
She wrinkled her nose and said, “Well, I had a friend who just moved here from LA. She went through a terrible divorce a year ago. Her ex was starting to call and show up at her house, so she decided she needed some time away from California. She used to be a teacher, years ago, so I talked her into applying at the university. She got hired and she is loving it. She’s also loves dating your father.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
Who is this person sitting before me? The older Lily got, the more relaxed Cale’s parents became. They’d even bought tickets for a train ride across Canada to celebrate their anniversary.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. “Gross.”
My mother popped into my head and I was momentarily saddened by her not being with us. I pulled out my phone and went to send her a text message. She hadn’t responded yet to the wedding invitation. Daddy hadn’t wanted me to invite her, but I just couldn’t do that. I didn’t invite her to Lily’s birthday party, though.
I looked closer at my phone.
Mrs. Jones: Please contact me as soon as possible.
I had a text from Zoey’s mother. My heart pounded and I instantly felt sick. Why was she texting me? Why did she want me to contact her?
“Maddison? Honey, is everything okay?” Mary asked as she r
eached for my hand.
I felt tears building in my eyes as I looked up at her. “It’s Zoey’s mother. She wants me to call her.”
Mary’s face dropped. She reached for my phone. “What? Let me see that.” She read the text, then took a screen shot of it and sent it to someone before picking up her own phone and making a call.
“Mitchel? I just sent you a screen a shot of a text that was sent to Maddison’s phone. Okay, good. Call Jonathon and have him get on it. Yes. I know.”
Monica looked just as confused as I was. I couldn’t help but wonder why Mary was having Mitchel call their lawyer?
Mary handed my phone back to me as she continued to talk to Mitchel.
“What’s going on, Maddie?” Monica asked.
I shook my head and whispered, “I don’t know.”
My phone rang and I jumped. I looked down to see it was Cale. I answered. “Hello?”
“Maddie? I need you to come home. Right away.”
I jumped up, making the table jerk. Everyone looked over at us. “What? Why? What’s wrong with Lily?”
“Nothing’s wrong with Lily. It’s Zoey’s mother. She just served me with legal papers. They are seeking joint custody of Lily.”
My entire world stopped. There was no way in hell I was letting that vile woman anywhere near my daughter.
CALE TOOK MY hand as we sat in the conference room full of lawyers. My father had his lawyers present. Mitchel had his lawyers, and Zoey’s parent’s had their lawyers.
Daddy’s top lawyer stood up and faced Mr. and Mrs. Jones. “We are more than ready to take this to court. You have had zero contact with Mr. Blackwood since the death of your daughter. You’ve made no contact whatsoever to even try to see your grandchild. For you to approach my clients and say you want joint custody of her is insane. There is no judge on this planet who will even entertain this petition.”
I swallowed hard as Cale squeezed my hand. Zoey’s parents leaned over to listen to something their lawyer was whispering. He seemed totally caught off-guard when it was revealed that neither of Zoey’s parents had ever laid eyes on Lily.
Mrs. Jones leaned back and shot me a dirty look. I smiled politely and she turned away. Their lawyer stood up and cleared his throat. “My clients are willing to let the petition go, for now. They would, however, like to be a part of Lily’s life.
Cale and I both said, “No,” at the same time. Mrs. Jones snapped her head back and the look she gave me actually caused me to shudder.
“We have every right to see her.” Zoey’s mom said. I stood up and glared at her.
“How long did she have colic?” I asked.
Mrs. Jones looked at me like I was nuts. “Excuse me?”
“When did she cut her first tooth, or run her first fever? Does she like carrots? What was the first word she ever said? Has she taken her first steps yet? What’s her favorite thing to have in her cereal? When she fusses at night, what settles her down?”
Mrs. Jones’ mouth dropped open, but nothing came out. Zoey’s father hung his head down, not even bothering to look at me.
“You can’t answer a single one of these questions,” I said, “because for the last year you have had zero contact with her. None.”
The woman narrowed her eyes at me and slammed her hand down on the table, making me jump. “You. Are. Not. Her. Mother.”
Cale went to stand, but I put my hand on his shoulder. I shook my head. “I’m more of a mother to her than you would ever be. Even if Zoey were alive, you and I both know she’d never have stayed. She’d have left Cale and gone back to her single, carefree life.”
Mrs. Jones stood up. “You don’t know that.”
“She didn’t even think Lily would live. She never even bothered to set up the nursery. She didn’t buy a single thing for Lily. Not even a crib. You know, you weren’t even around when your daughter was pregnant. You abandoned her, just like you abandoned Lily the day she was born.”
Mrs. Jones squared her shoulders and held her head higher. “Well, I’m ready to be here for my granddaughter now. You are not her mother. You will never be her mother.”
I locked eyes with her. I was not backing down from this fight. Lily was my daughter, and I would stop at nothing to keep this woman away from her.
I laughed gruffly, looking down at Mr. Jones. I had the feeling he wanted nothing to do with this fight. Why Zoey’s mother had decided to pull this shit now was beyond me.
“I’m going to find out why the hell you are suddenly so interested in our daughter. And, as far as me not being Lily’s mother, and you getting visitation rights? You can go fuck yourself.”
I pushed my chair back and walked out of the room. My hands were shaking and I felt sick to my stomach. I covered my mouth and made a beeline for the restroom.
After I threw up everything in my stomach, I sat down, finally letting my tears fall.
“I’ll never let her have my daughter. Never.” I whispered.
I PACED BACK and forth outside the bathroom door. I was about ready to go in when Maddie came out. I quickly pulled her into my arms. When she broke down in tears, I wanted to go back and pound the shit out of Zoey’s mother. I had never hated anyone in my entire life, but I hated that woman with everything I had.
“Shh, baby, don’t worry. They have no legal rights to her.”
“Surely no judge in their right mind would grant her anything. Right?” she said.
I held her tight. “No, with zero contact, there is no way. Dad seems to think there is something else fueling Zoey’s mother. Whatever it is, we are going to find out and put a stop to it so she never bothers us again. The lawyers are also drawing up the papers to have you legally adopt Lily.”
Maddie wiped her eyes and looked up at me. Her beautiful, green eyes were so bloodshot from crying, and mascara streaked down her face. It broke my heart. “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go home and see our daughter.”
She slipped her arm around my waist as we walked out of the courthouse. I glanced over and nodded at my father’s lead council. He smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. I’d given him the phone number to Jack’s private investigator. I knew that guy would get to the bottom of this. There had to be a reason Zoey’s parents were showing up out of blue.
We’d driven in silence for twenty minutes when I finally asked Maddie a question. “Did you find your dress?”
For the first time since she’d flown in yesterday, she smiled. “I did,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows. “And I’m pretty sure you are going to faint when you see it.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really? Will I want you out of it?”
She nodded and giggled. “I even know what I’m wearing underneath it.”
I felt my pants getting tighter and I adjusted my growing dick. “Damn it, Maddie. You’re going to make me pull over and take you in the car.”
She laughed. “I like that you get so horny for me,” she said. “Just so you know, I don’t plan on wearing any panties when we get married. I want you to think about me wet for you during the entire ceremony and reception.”
I hit the brakes and quickly pulled down a side dirt road.
“Where are we going, Cale?” Maddie asked, laughing.
I had no clue where the hell I was going. I drove a bit further until I saw another small road. Turning, I drove about a mile. I parked, jumped out and walked to Maddie’s side where I opened her door and pulled her out.
“Cale, we are on someone’s property, what are you doing?”
I unzipped my pants and pulled them down as I reached up her dress. I yanked her lace panties and they fell apart in my hand. I loved that she wore such delicate panties.
She smiled and placed her hands on my shoulders. I knew that Maddie loved it when we made love—slow and sweet. But I also knew she loved when we did things like this—spontaneous, raw, passionate sex.
Picking her up, I placed my dick at her entrance. She dropped her head back and moaned as I entered her. I pushed her against
the car, taking us to heaven and back.
MADDIE WALKED THROUGH the door and into the kitchen. Monica looked up and smiled. “How did it go?”
“She’s such a bitch.” Maddie said, whispering the word “bitch.” Continuing, she said, “I hate her. She’s never going to get within a foot of Lily.”
Maddie picked up Lily, who smiled and said, “Mama, bird!”
Maddie walked to the sliding glass door and out onto the deck. She was smiling as she talked to Lily and pointed up to the birds. She sang to her as she danced with Lily.
I let out a long sigh and turned to Monica. “Jesus, I hate to see Maddie so upset. But, I have to tell you, I almost yelled out, ‘Hell, yeah’ when Maddie told Zoey’s mother to fuck off.”
Monica covered her mouth as she started to laugh. Jack came over and slapped me on the back. “I always did like that girl”.
I threw my head back and laughed.
“How about some dinner?” Monica asked as she stopped and put her hand on her stomach. “Oh God…Oh God…”
Jack and I both looked at her and said, “What?”
Jack rushed to her and said, “What’s wrong, Monica? What’s the matter?”
She looked down—something was moving across her stomach.
“Holy shit,” I said as I walked over and placed my hand on her stomach. I looked at Jack as Monica grinned from ear to ear.
“What was that?” Jack asked.
Monica laughed. “I don’t know. Maybe a tiny foot or something? Oh, shit. One of them is kicking big time.” She grabbed both our hands and placed them under her stomach. Sure enough, someone was going to town in there.
“God, this is the most amazing thing ever,” I said.
Jack nodded. “These are the greatest moments of my life. Nothing like feeling your child moving inside your wife’s body.”
I looked to my right and saw Maddie standing there, holding Lily. She was staring at us, as we had our hands on Monica’s belly. She had a wounded expression on her face.
The Journey Home Page 23