Chapter 25
I've run out of places to hide…
As the baby approached six months old, House found himself more and more drawn to her. He tried to avoid it, but he was powerless.
He felt a tug of his heartstrings every time he looked at her. And now he was sure it was not gas. She was smiling for him. He also seemed to have the knack for calming her down.
She would get fussy and Anita or one of the nannies would try their best, but she would still cry. Then he'd come into the room and smile at her or hold her for a minute, and she'd calm down immediately. Everyone was amazed.
But he just smiled, held her and whispered, "That's my girl."
Every day she seemed to learn something new. Her little mind was like a sponge and he was happy to feed it. Her eyes were bright with intelligence even at so young an age.
She loved music too. He'd sit her in her infant seat by the piano and play for her and she'd smile and coo.
One day Victoria came home to find him playing with the baby. She got a strange look on her face and said, "Greg, could I speak to you?"
He smiled at Andra, then joined Victoria in the bedroom.
"What's up?"
"What are you doing?" She asked him.
"Hanging out with the kid. Why?"
"Exactly my question. Why? Why are you doing this?"
"Why not?"
"Because you are not going to be a part of her life. Why start this?"
He was silent. He knew she was right. He didn't know why he liked spending so much time with his daughter.
"Greg, it's better if you don't spend too much time with her. Then neither of you won't get too attached. At this age, if you limit your contact, she won't remember you. She won't miss you."
"Right. No problem." He told her and walked away.
Victoria knew she was acting bitchy, but it was for the best. Best for him and best for Andra.
House tried to do as she asked; he tried to stay away from the baby. He really did. But like a moth to a flame, he was drawn to her room. So he tried to be sure he only spent time with her when Victoria was not at home.
Of course, his wife found out. When she came home early one evening and found him playing piano for Andra, she sighed and stared at him.
He tried to look guilty, but he didn't feel it.
"Damn it, she's my kid and I can spend time with her if I want!"
Victoria just gave him a look and took the baby to her room and put her to bed. Then she returned to the living room and approached the piano where he still sat playing softly.
"Greg, I think it's time we finish this."
He looked at her. "What?"
"You've fulfilled your part of the bargain and we've been married a year. Andra is just six months old. If you leave now, she won't remember you at all, so she won't miss you."
He didn't answer.
"As soon as you are packed and ready to go, I'll give you your check. And you may as well move to the guest room now."
He was still silent and she left him there.
He sat staring at the piano keys. Suddenly he didn't feel like playing any longer. He should be happy. He was about to be a free man again and one with a quarter of a million dollars.
He wandered into his 'new' bedroom and laid down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Why was he feeling so depressed? This was what he'd agreed to. This was what he'd wanted. This was the best thing for everyone.
He wasn't sure how long he laid there just staring at nothing. But when he did get up, the rest of the apartment was silent, so he knew that both Victoria and Anita had gone to bed. He left the room and walked quietly into the baby's.
The little nightlight on wall put a soft glow over her crib. She was sleeping, blowing out little bubbles as she slept.
He reached out a finger and touched her cheek. It was so soft. He smiled as he moved his finger to her soft curls. It was amazing how much her hair had grown.
He realized that once he left and took that check, he would never see her again. He would never see her hair grow any longer. He would never see HER grow.
And suddenly he knew the truth: He was in love with his daughter.
And his wife was not going to be happy.