Burt looked at Gracie then at Heather. He never did like her sister they both equally hated one another but being that Heather married him they were forced to be civil. Her sister tried every way to talk Heather out of marrying him but for reasons even he didn't understand she refused and they were married.
Once married her sister continued to harass Heather to leave him and Heather wouldn't have any of it. A part of him always expected her sister to be behind her leaving him.
"What do you mean?"
"When I went to stay with Allison she was thrilled...when she found out I was pregnant...not so much...at first she said I should have an abortion then get a divorce but...I couldn't...I wanted to come back to you and she talked me out of it...said you would expect the same thing" He winced and Heather glanced over her shoulder again to make sure Grace was asleep before continuing.
"She said I could stay and then put the baby up for adoption and I agreed. I stayed until I had only a month to go...the family who wanted Gracie came to finalize the papers and I couldn't do it. I loved her and no matter what the circumstance was she was our child. Lauren threw me out that day when we got home but before I left she warned me that by now you had probably moved on and since you hadn't even followed me I assumed she was right"
"I found an apartment and I had a little bit of money left over from selling the gun so I used that to pay for it...I had Grace and Allison didn't even come see us...I managed to find a job working at home so I could work and take care of her. Two months ago I was fired and we had no money and nowhere to go...I'm sorry Burt...You're the only one who can help us"
"So if your sister had helped you I probably wouldn't even know I had a daughter?"
"I am sorry I should have told you. I regret so much but Grace needs to know her father and I don't like keeping her from you"
"Have you seen Allison since you had Gracie?" Heather nodded but looked ready to cry.
"We went to see her when Grace was three I wanted her to know her two cousins...Allison had twin boys the year before...Allison wasn't happy...She said that I shouldn't have a baby and I should let her take Gracie while there was still a chance for her to be normal...she said you were a monster and I was a lunatic and that we shouldn't be allowed to have children...she called Gracie an abomination"
Burt was furious but he shook his head. It was one thing that Allison hated him but it was another thing to insult his little girl. Who was she to say he couldn't have children and be a father? It made him want a whole mess of kids just to prove he could do it.
"I need some air...I'll get breakfast while I'm out is she allergic to anything?" He started for the door and Heather shook her head.
Heather had just finished getting cleaned up for the morning and brushing her hair when Gracie woke up. She instantly wanted to know where Burt was.
"He's coming back I promise" Heather opened the curtains and was making the bed when Gracie rushed to the window.
"Look mommy!" Heather turned to look at where Gracie was pointing across the street. There was a large building that boasted of an indoor playground it was a twenty four hour daycare.
"Can we go? Please mommy please?" Heather smiled.
"We'll see but Gracie you don't need a daycare I'm not going anywhere" She ruffled her daughters hair.
Burt came in juggling about twenty bags and Heather turned to look at him while Gracie rushed across the room lauching herself at his knees nearly knocking him down.
"Grace...don't do that" Heather scolded as she helped Burt with his bags he smiled picking up Gracie.
"She's fine..." He told Heather as he sat Gracie down on the bed.
"What did you buy?Did you get me anything?" Grace beamed and Heather looked at her.
"Gracelynn...you know better" Burt laughed.
"Actually I did. I brought some snacks and juice and I brought you some clothes since yours were at my place...Heather I hope I remembered your size right" She stood where she was speechless.
"You really didn't have to do that" She told him and he waited until Gracie rushed off with a new pair of clothes into the bathroom before he spoke.
"She's my daughter and you are still my wife I can afford to take care of you and that is my responsibility"
"I'll pay you back I promise" She told him and he shook his head about to speak when the bathroom door opened and Gracie rushed out.
"Mommy mommy look at my new clothes" She smiled.
She had camouflage cargo pants and a dark green t-shirt the clothes were obviously boys and Heather smiled.
"I got boots too" Gracie announced holding up a pair of boots identical to Burts.
"I see that sweetie you look adorable" Grace went over and bounced onto the bed proceeding to pull her left boot onto her right foot.
Burt smiled and went over taking the boot off and putting it on the correct foot before lacing it.
"While I was out I saw a flier for a kids movie night over at that daycare across the street. I thought that might be something we could take Gracie too so she wouldn't be board" Burt mentioned and Heather nodded.
"When is it?"
"Tonight at six...if that's alright with you?" Heather hesitated and Grace instantly perked up.
"Please mommy...I really wanna go please...please..." She smiled at Gracie.
"I suppose it's alright"
At five thirty Burt, Heather and Grace walked into the daycare. It was very large and there were toys everywhere. The carpet was actually a mat of foam so they wouldn't get hurt. There were coloring stations and a huge indoor play set with tubes and slides in multiple colors. Tiny colored chairs were set up off to the side and a large television was there as well as a small popcorn stand and drink stand for the kids. Kids were running everywhere.
A young blonde girl around her early twenties came over and smiled at them.
"Hello, I'm Ariel I run this daycare...Are you here for the movie night?"
"Yes, I'm Heather and this is Grace..."Gracie smiled and Ariel knelt down to her level.
"Hello Gracie, Are you ready for some fun?" Gracie nodded and Ariel took her hand.
"Tell you what Mommy, Daddy why don't you two come back in say two hours?" Ariel smiled and Gracie giggled.
"That's not my daddy...that's my mommys friend" Ariel smiled.
"Oh, I'm sorry..."Gracie scampered off and Burt mumbled something about meeting Heather outside.
"I just need you too sign a few forms..."Ariel motioned Heather over to a desk before sliding her the forms.
"It's just standard stuff...her name, Your name any known allergies or medical conditions" Heather nodded and began signing the forms.
"So...is that man her father?" Ariel asked and Heather sighed.
"Yes, She just doesn't know it yet...it's complicated"
"But he knows right?" Heather nodded and Ariel hesitated a second.
"Does he know you're in love with him too?" Heather froze with her name half signed and Ariel shrugged.
"I...uh...it's"
"Complicated..."Ariel finished for her and smiled.
"Yeah to say the least...we are uhm...kind of married but we've been separated for six years now...I just haven't bothered to..."
"Get over him" Ariel interrupted and Heather finished signing the papers.
"I'll pick Gracie up in two hours"