Warning: This is very sappy, but it's my fic so :-P
Let me know what you think!
Chapter 20
I ate my donuts, drank my coffee and did a happy dance. It was a good morning. Despite the horror of yesterday, I felt wonderful. I could still see the look in Ric's eyes when he made love to me, and I could still feel his hands gently stroking my hair to wake me up this morning. And I could still see his smile when I told him he was the best man I know.
I smiled happily and all but skipped to the shower. I meant to have a fast shower, but it turned out Ric had a much better water tank than me. So, at eight I finally dried my hair and got dressed.
I went into the living room and sat on the comfy couch. I looked at my cell and gulped, ok Steph – you can call your mom. It's no big deal. I got off the couch and started to pace. Deep breath. I was about to dial when it rang. I looked at the readout but it was an unfamiliar number. I was wary, what if it was the person who liked separating heads from shoulders? But I wasn't going to find out by looking at my cell. So I answered.
'Yo.' I said.
'Stephanie?' said a girl's voice.
'Speaking.' I replied.
'Oh hi! You sound really nice. Of course, I can't really tell that from two words but I guess I know you're nice anyway 'cos Daddy says you're nice and he doesn't lie so I guess that must mean that you're nice, huh?'
'Um…'
'Oh! I'm sorry. I'm so rude, mommy's spent years, well I've only been alive 9 years, but it seems like a lot of the time she's telling me to mind my Ps and Qs and – oh I haven't even introduced myself!' The words spilled out of her mouth so fast it was like it was all her mouth could do was to try and keep up with her excited thoughts. Wait a sec! 9 years – it couldn't be…
'Uh…' I said. Good response, Steph. Way to go.
'Oh…sorry! I'm Alysha. You're dating my Daddy.'
'Oh!' Eloquent.
'Not meaning to be rude or anything, but can you say more that two syllables? I was just wondering 'cos sometimes Daddy doesn't and maybe it's rubbed off on you? But I don't think that's right because Daddy says that you talk a lot too.'
'Does he now?'
'Uh huh, and he says you're beautiful, I've got to admit I agree, I've seen some pictures and you look really pretty. I wish my hair would go all curly like yours. It takes hours to make my hair look like that. It's naturally straight, you see, like Daddy's.'
'Yeah, I've seen a photograph of you, you're very beautiful.'
'Oh hey, thanks! See, you are nice! Daddy says you're funny too, and you're really clever. He says you were a bit upset yesterday because someone left you a severed head in your oven…'
'He told you that?!'
'Yeah, he tries not to keep things from me. I'd get freaked out if I had to deal with a severed head myself, but seeing as it happened to you, and not me, I won't freak out. But it makes sense that you would, freak out I mean. Seriously, a head – yeesh!'
'Yeah. It was pretty gross. But I'm ok now I think. So, did you want to speak to your Dad or something?'
'My Dad? Oh. You mean Daddy. Maybe I should explain. My mommy and my Daddy got married 'cos they liked each other a lot – that's what they tell me, but really it's 'cos Daddy got Mommy pregnant with me, but I pretend I don't know that. They lived in separate bedrooms after that. Anyway, when I was about two, Mommy met this lawyer guy called Jake and she really liked him so she asked Daddy for a divorce. Mommy and Daddy are actually pretty good friends so Daddy said yes and signed the papers. When I was three Jake and Mommy married and so Jake became Dad. So, Daddy's Daddy and Jake's Dad. If you marry my Daddy then Mommy will be Mommy and you'll be Mom. See?'
'I see, that makes sense.'
'You're not freaking out 'cos I mentioned marriage are you? 'Cos Daddy says he loves you very much and he wants to be with you for ever but he thinks you don't wanna get married again cos you had a really rubbish husband before. But Daddy would be a really good husband, don't you think?'
'Yeah,' I said smiling despite myself, this kid was so cute! 'Daddy would be a great husband. But it's a bit early for all of that yet.'
'It's not really that early 'cos Daddy says he's been in love with you for nearly two years. And you've known each other for ages! But anyway, you asked if I wanted to speak to Daddy? I do love to speak to Daddy but I actually phoned to speak to you if that's ok?'
'Sure sweetheart, I don't mind at all. You're very chatty aren't you?'
'My Mommy says that I stole all of Daddy's words and that's why he doesn't say that much! But the truth is, Daddy does say a lot more when he feels like it!'
'Yeah, he can be quite talkative when it matters, huh?'
'Yeah. Anyway, there was a reason why I phoned, other than to just talk to you I mean. My Mommy and Dad are going away for their wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks and Mommy's going to phone Daddy later to ask if I can come stay with him. Anyway, I just wanted to check it's ok with you, cos if it's not I'll tell Mommy not to phone and I can go stay with mis abuelos.'
'Of course it's ok if you come! You don't have to ask my permission to see your Daddy; besides, I'd really like to meet you.'
'Me too! I can't wait to see you. That's another reason why I phoned; I wanted to see if we'd get on ok. I know Daddy says you're nice, but Mommy says love makes people see things through rose tinted glasses, and so I wanted to see if you really are nice, and you are!'
'Thanks sweetheart. I'm glad you like me,' I said smiling, 'but Alysha?'
'Yeah?
'Who's Miss Abuelos?'
The little girl burst into warm laughter, just like her fathers. 'Not Miss Abuelos,' she finally gasped, 'mis abuelos! It means my grandparents in Spanish!'
'Oh.' I said, and then I started to laugh to.
We finally calmed down after a few minutes, but I couldn't get rid of the smile playing on my lips, this kid was absolutely adorable, so bubbly and happy, it was infectious.
'Stephanie?'
'Yes?'
'Can I call you Stephie?'
'Ok, but only you can call me that, no one else can!'
'Ok! You can call me Aly. Stephie?'
'Yeah?'
'Can you help me with a school assignment?'
'Sure, what's it about?'
'It's called, 'If your family were animals, what would they be?' So Mommy would be a swan, and Dad would be a fox, cos he's crafty. But what about Daddy?'
'A panther.' I said instantly.
'Why?'
Because when he's fucking me he gets this animalistic look in his eyes…shit, I couldn't say that!!!
'Um…because he's beautiful and strong and silent and very protective of those he loves?'
'Stephie, that's brilliant! Don't let him hear you call him beautiful though, it's not manly, apparently!'
Hmm, add beautiful on my list of things not to say. 'Got it.'
'Stephie?'
'Yeah sweetheart?'
'All the teachers at school feel sorry for me because I come from a 'broken home' but that really makes me mad, you know? My home isn't broken, it's great! I get even more parents than normal people, more love. Ok, so I don't get to see Daddy that much but he phones me every couple of days and he emails me everyday. I bet I'm a lot closer to my Daddy than most kids. I just hate it when they look at me pityingly. And I know they will tomorrow 'cos I'll have to explain about my bigger family.' Her words came out in a torrent, and I could tell she was upset.
'So why don't you tell your teachers that if you were an animal then you would be an alley cat? And then you say that it's because everyone pities you because you don't have a normal home, but that makes you mad, like a tough alley cat. And also, it's a play on your name – Aly cat. See?'
'Wow! Daddy's right you are clever! Thanks Stephie! This assignment is going to be so great! I should go now; I have to right it up. But Stephie?'
'Yeah Aly cat?'
'I like that,' she giggled. 'Can we not tell Daddy I phoned, not lie, just not mention it? 'Cos then, when I come to stay, we'll be all 'Hey Stephie' 'Hey Aly cat' and he'll be all 'Huh?' wouldn't that be fun?'
'Are you sure he won't get upset?'
'Course not! He'll be happy that we like each other.' Aly paused, 'You do like me right?'
'Oh sweetheart, of course I like you!' How could I not?
'I like you too! Stephie?'
'Yeah?'
'Could I phone you again sometime?'
'Anytime you want, Aly cat!'
'Really? Cool! Goodbye Stephie!'
'Bye Aly cat!'
'Stephie?'
'Yeah?'
'Thanks for loving my Daddy.'
Disconnect.
My eyes filled with tears. As much as I loved Ric, I was awed that he could produce such a wonderful child. I was in love with the Daddy, and now, after a ten-minute conversation, I was falling for the daughter.
