Mia was babbling to herself in the back seat.
"Can you play your music, mommy?" Mia asked.
That was the first coherent sentence she asked since we hit the road.
We were entering the highway.
"What song?"
"I forgot what it's called." She giggled.
"Oh, that's too bad. I'll just play my iPod; maybe that song would come up." I told her, pressing the auxiliary button, playing the 'Top 25 most played' playlist.
Father and Son by Cat Stevens was the first song that played.
"That one, mommy! What's it called again?" She asked.
She was so excited, it's adorable.
"It's called Father and Son. That's one of my favorites when I was really little." I told her.
"Really mommy? You were little before?"
She marveled at the newfound fact that I was young once.
"Yup, sure was. I looked just like you when I was your age."
"So when I grow up, I'll look just like you?"
She was beaming now.
Bless your heart.
"Maybe." I smiled at bit.
I took a turn, and then parked by the lamp post.
"First stop of the day."
I took Mia out of her car seat, but I didn't put her down.
This place was where I bought her locket.
They sold old, vintage things.
Other than that, they sold curio items.
I liked the curio.
I think she'd like those as well.
Entering the shop, the lady who sold the necklace didn't fail to recognize me.
"Ah, hello dear! How have you been?" She asked kindly, ushering me inside.
It was a homey place.
"I'm doing well." I told her statically; I wasn't a huge fan of stranger interaction.
I checked her name tag.
It read 'Grace'.
She looked like she was ready to retire.
"Who's this little lady?" She asked my daughter.
She shied and hid her face with her hands.
The lady laughed.
"She your sister?" She asked, touching my baby's hand.
"My daughter." I told her.
Her smile didn't falter.
"The locket?" She asked.
"She doesn't take it off."
"Good to know."
She turned to my daughter.
"Hey there, lovely lady. I've got some novelty items around the store. You want to look around?" She asked, stroking Mia's arm.
"What's novelty items?" She asked with her head cocked to the side.
"They're old unique items that only very few people have." She explained.
With that, Mia was already sucked in.
"Can I?" She asked.
I decided to toy with her a bit.
"You can," I said. "But may you?"
She grumbled.
"May I?" She stressed the first word.
I almost laughed.
"Just kidding, bug. Go nuts."
I put her down.
She walked with Grace, but I kept a close eye on her.
I don't want a repeat performance of the week before.
Too scary.
Even for me.
I saw Grace introducing the Russian nesting dolls to her.
Only now did I notice that Mia was already up to my thigh.
Almost to my waist.
Gulp.
Maybe there's an anti-grow elixir that they sell here.
I'm willing to pay.
We had lunch at a little café thirty minutes away from our first destination.
Mia was playing with her nesting dolls.
She bought them.
No help from me.
Turns out, mom gave her money.
Also, Mia became fast friends with Grace from the shop.
She now calls her 'Nonna Gracie'.
I ordered pasta.
I ordered her a chicken Panini.
"Where's daddy?" Mia asked as she took a bite.
Still can't get over the fact that she calls him that now.
I guess I'm adding 'daddy' to the list of nicknames.
"I don't know. You want to talk to him?"
She nods her head.
I fished my phone out from my bag and dialed his number.
It answered after two rings.
"Hey Jade." I heard him on the other line. "What's up?"
I pressed the speaker button.
"Hey, Mia wants to talk to you. You're on speaker." I told him, passing the phone to Mia.
"Hi daddy." Mia said to the phone, plastering the Cheshire grin.
Learn and apply what Grace taught Mia a while ago.
Beck's her novelty item.
"Hey there, big girl. Happy birthday! Where are you now?" The smile in his voice was evident.
"Café something. We're having lunch here and then we're gonna go somewhere else I think but mommy isn't telling me where."
She pouted at me.
I flashed a sardonic smile.
"I know you'll like it. Hey, I've got a surprise for you as well."
Her eyes twinkled.
"What, what, what!" She asked giddily.
That shit-eating grin got impossibly bigger.
"You're going to have to wait until tonight, baby girl."
The smile's gone.
The crease between her brows formed.
"But, daddy!" She whined.
When and where did she learn that?
I bet that'll kill him.
I just know it.
"Just wait, baby girl. Daddy won't disappoint. Can you pass the phone back to mommy?"
With an indignant huff, she returned my phone.
I turned off the loud speaker.
"Affected much." I told him, teasing him a bit.
"Can't deny that. I was this close to telling her."
"What do you have planned later? There better not be a party." I warned him.
Growled, even.
"Hey, are you all dressed up today?" He asked out of the blue.
"No, I'm outside naked. I felt like giving everyone a free show." I deadpanned.
"Good to know." He laughed. "Just be back by around five thirty to six. I want to give Mia my present."
"Got any clues for me?"
"Well, it doesn't breathe, that's for sure."
"Excellent."
"Alright, see both of you later. Love you."
"You too."
I ended the call.
"You done with your food, baby?" I asked.
She nods her head.
I eyed her plate; it's wiped clean.
I paid for the bill and we were back on the road.
I brought her to the beach.
Not to swim, though.
There's this secluded tall rock hill overlooking the ocean.
It's extremely relaxing.
What makes it better was that no one's ever been there except for me.
I hid there right after the third grade field trip.
"Why are we here?" She asked as I picked her up.
I'm carrying her as I climb up the hill.
"I'm going to show you something."
I had half a mind to go Rafiki and raise her up, but I decided otherwise.
Once we got there, I sat us down on a grass patch.
I set her on my lap, wrapping my arms around her.
Breathe in.
Glorious.
"I love you, you know that?" I whispered in her hair.
The ocean serves as dramatic background music.
"I love you, too." She smiled, playing with my fingers.
I'm not exactly the most vocal person when it comes to . . . feelings.
But then again, I know I'd do anything when it comes to making her feel loved.
"You know how much?" I asked.
I didn't wait for her to respond.
"Do you see the end of the ocean?" I asked, pointing towards the distance.
"No. I see a line, but it mixes with the sky." She says thoughtfully.
I had no idea that there was a poet inside her.
"It doesn't end." I told her. "I won't ever stop loving you, baby girl. Remember that."
She hugged me tight.
I knew what that meant.
She understood.
Mia, though the events from our little trip were simple, was almost ready to take a bath and go to sleep.
But she's still curious about Beck's gift.
Hell, so was I.
Once I parked the car by the driveway, I saw Beck's car in front of our house.
As well as other cars in which I do not give a fuck about.
I entered the house with a nearly asleep Mia in my arms.
Turning on the lights, I saw Beck in a stupid pink party hat.
And Cat, Andre, Robbie and Tori were also there.
Tori had a camera.
Trina wasn't there.
Good.
"Happy birthday, Mia!" They said in chorus, making Mia smile hugely through glazed eyes.
"Thank you," She grinned. She set herself straight in my arms before reaching out for Beck.
He took her with no problem.
"I got you something you might like." Beck said, sitting down on the couch with her on his lap.
"Hey, I've heard about Mia. She's a pretty cool kid." Andre told me.
Wait.
Hold on.
"You know about her?" I asked him. "You all do?"
"No worries, Jade. We won't say a word." They group mumbled.
I rolled my eyes.
They better keep their word.
I was pulled out from my thoughts when I heard Mia scream.
Right in front of her was a deluxe junior art set.
Easel, crayons, paints, markers.
The whole shebang.
She's always been an artist.
Or a colorer, as I called her.
"Daddy, thank you!" She squealed, hugging the life out of him before toying with her new set.
"Daddy?" Tori and Cat asked at the same time.
"Long story." I told them before sitting beside Beck.
He wrapped his arm around me.
I couldn't deny how picturesque this moment was.
"How'd you even afford that? That's like a hundred dollars."
I wanted to thump his forehead.
"I pulled some strings."
"You're a goof."
"Can't wear it out."
"Hey, guys, do you mind letting me take your picture? It's just for all of us, don't worry." Tori said.
I nodded apprehensively.
"Mia, would you come here for a second?"
She immediately obliged, situating herself in between me and Beck.
"Smile!" Tori said, readying the camera.
At that moment, Beck decided that it was a good idea to tickle Mia.
Making me laugh along as well.
Flash.
"How about we sing happy birthday to the birthday girl," Robbie said, bringing out a candle-lit cake.
The group's rendition of happy birthday was gorgeous, if I do say so myself.
But then again, we go to a performing arts school.
Can't expect anything less.
"Make a wish, baby girl." I whispered in her ear.
She closed her eyes for moment before blowing her candles.
Everyone clapped.
I leaned in to kiss her on her cheek, and beck decided to do the same, sandwiching her face in the middle.
Flash.
I eyed Tori, and in a flash, she turned off her camera.
I sighed before giving her a small smile.
"Print me a copy, will you?"
Hey guys. Sorry for not being able to update last week. I got stuck and I had no idea what to write, so I really do apologize if this chapter feels too rushed or something.
And thank you all for letting me reach over 600 reviews. That is mind-blowing! You guys are just wonderful.
Please do tell me what you think. Wishing you all the best!