A/N: Julie, thank you. So so grateful for all you do.
And to all the readers, sorry about the wait. :)
I just realized this chapter could be called "... And now everyone else."
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A Change In Me
Chapter Nine
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After Joe left, I decided that I better call Mary Lou. Apparently, the Morellis were going to find out about Sophia before the weekend, and my best friend would probably have a complete conniption fit if I didn't tell her before the Burg did.
"Well hello, Mrs. Orr," she answered the phone with her full-on Jersey attitude.
Damn. I didn't tell her about that either. "Will you forgive me if I answer five questions about the biggest piece of gossip to hit the Burg in years?"
I could hear her swift inhale. "Meet me at Pino's in an hour."
"Too many people."
She made another gasp. "Come over here. I'll get rid of Lenny." I could hear a muffled 'hey' in the background. "Oh shut up, Lenny. It's not like you were gonna make mad passionate love to me. Go home. Steph's coming over."
I giggled into my fist. Mary Lou quickly muffled the phone. I could still tell that he was complaining from the tone of voice he was using, but then she murmured something in a low, sexy tone and he acquiesced pretty quickly. She obviously offered him something sexual. I tried not to think about it, but I did sometimes wonder if Mary Lou gave the best blowjobs in Jersey. I hoped that Lenny really did love her and that getting his mom's approval was his sole motivation for not consummating their relationship. Regardless, I didn't understand them.
"Steph," she sighed. "Give me fifteen minutes."
"To leave here or to get there?"
"Oh, to get here," she said matter-of-factly. "See you soon."
I quickly left a note for Dad and Sophia that I was at Mary Lou's before running upstairs to change clothes. And maybe one more coat of mascara. I didn't really need to change, but dressing up a little always gave me a boost of confidence. I had a feeling I might need it.
Fifteen minutes later I passed a very satisfied-looking Lenny on his way out of the Molnar's house. He nodded and grunted a hello before I faced Mary Lou, standing with jutted hip and lip.
"Let me see the ring," she demanded.
I obediently held my hand out, and she grabbed it roughly. I kept my eyes down, letting her have her moment of yanking my hand back and forth, looking at the ring at different angles.
She dropped my hand and gave me a stern look. "Has Val seen it yet?"
"Nope. But Mom called her and told her."
"So she doesn't know it's bigger than hers?" she asked with a smirk.
"Mom noticed that too!"
"Really?" She laughed and welcomed me into the house. I guess I was forgiven for the lack of engagement announcement.
Once we were seated on her bed, door locked shut just in case someone came home, she lifted her brows in question. I knew she was dying to know what I had to reveal. Mary Lou was definitely a Burg girl.
"First let me say that I didn't call you immediately about the engagement because it happened so fast and there's been a lot going on."
"Well, spill. Then I get my five questions."
I grimaced about that. What had I been thinking? "Okay, um … well … uh …" She glared at me. "I slept with Joe Morelli."
Her eyes bugged out of her head. "Wait! You're marrying Dickie, right?"
"Of course I am! No, I slept with Joe about four years and nine and half months ago."
"Holy shit! You slut! I can't believe you never told me!" She jumped up from her bed and then immediately fell back down on it. "Oh my God, Stephanie." She stared at me, completely in shock. "Sophia?"
"Yep."
"This is not one of my questions." She lifted a brow to challenge any argument from me.
"Okay."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't tell anyone. And it was easier to believe that she was from that one-night stand if I never had to talk about Joe. Trust me, it didn't stop me from thinking about him."
"So … you didn't turn him down in front of his friends at that party?"
"No. I didn't speak to him at that party." I frowned. "Okay, that was another freebie. The five start now."
She glared at me again, but then closed her eyes to think. After a few minutes, she smiled at me. "One: why didn't you tell Joe?"
"I thought I loved him." She reached out and took my hand. "And he was at that party… with his girlfriend."
"Oh, Steph, I'm sorry."
"We had just slept together a few days before. And I should have confronted him. But instead I got drunk and … you know the rest."
"Damn. No wonder you hit him with the car." She looked down in thought again. "I'm just going to think out loud. You hit him with your car because he broke your heart. And ... you used the graffiti as your excuse. So you're going to continue to let everyone think that she is from the one-night stand, and Joe will never know?"
She was fishing, but I wasn't biting.
"Fine," she snapped at me playfully before giving me a sympathetic smile. "I am sorry he hurt you. I wish I could have been there for you."
"Mare, you have been the best friend ever. You were there for me. You just didn't know all the details."
"Thanks. So - compound question." She smiled while I rolled my eyes. "Are you or have you told him, and if so, what does Joe think about Sophia?"
"I told him a few days ago. He loves her. Oh, Mare, you should have seen them together. I cried almost the whole time the night they met. When he told her that he was her daddy, she completely broke down in tears. She was so happy. And they just are … they just adore each other."
She smiled at that. "I know she's been asking about her daddy. Is that what prompted this?" She scrunched up her face in frustration. "Damn. That wasn't supposed to be one."
I smiled at her smugly. "Yes and no. I always knew that I would have to tell him, but since he was gone, I just waited. I regret it now. I should have told him right away. I was just so hurt, and I didn't think he would want her anyway. I was so wrong." I sighed heavily. "And how could I keep her from knowing him? She deserved to meet him too. But I let him know first, in case he didn't want her. She has Dickie, and I knew that we would be fine without Joe. But of course, he wanted to meet her immediately."
"Is he mad at you for not telling him?"
"Yes. He yelled a lot at first. He's still mad, but he wants us to try to be friends again. I'm not sure if I can be his friend, but for Sophia I will do whatever I need to do to make this work."
She flopped back onto her bed. "I can see him in her now that I think about it." She laughed. "I can't believe Joe is her father. Wow."
I crawled up on the bed and lay next to her. "I know. I really thought he wouldn't care. Especially since he knows I'm getting married."
"Hmmm."
"What's that mean?"
"I have one more question left. But this is about Dickie, not Joe, so it doesn't count."
"Okay."
"You really want to marry him? You said it happened fast."
"Well, it wasn't some grand gesture or anything. It was in his car." I frowned a little. "But he took me home and made love to me all night. And he wines and dines me all the time. I didn't really need a production."
She nodded slowly, but she still looked skeptical. "Are you sure you're ready for marriage?"
"Are you?" I shot right back to her.
She turned to me and glared. "Fine. You're ready."
"I love Dickie. And I know he loves me and Sophia. He's going to give us a good life, a stable life. He's everything we need. And Joe is … Joe is … Joe is a mystery. He's not the guy I had thought he was – then or now. I'm still not sure he will stick around for the long haul. That's why I am so glad we have Dickie. Like I said, she will be fine even without Joe."
"And Dickie is okay with Joe being around? Again about Dickie so not counting!"
"He's not thrilled. But he proposed so obviously it didn't change how he feels about me."
"Hmmm."
"Just ask your stupid questions about Dickie," I grumbled as I elbowed her playfully.
"You think he asked you to keep you away from Joe?"
"No. Why would he do that?"
"Because you already told me you loved Joe. Even though you should have told me that years ago, but I forgive you. Anyway, does Dickie know that you loved Joe?"
"He knows that he broke my heart. He knows that I am not interested in any kind of relationship with Joe other than as parents. Aaand, he already had the ring."
"Okay. Good. Men are stupid when they think there's competition." She sat up. "Maybe I need to get Lenny some competition."
I pulled her back down. "Lenny would probably just give up if you did that. I don't think he's the Alpha male type."
"Yeah. Who knew? I always thought he was more of a leader in high school. Oh well, I like that he takes direction."
We both giggled at that.
"Okay. Last question about Joe. How was it?" She wriggled her brows.
"Seriously?"
"Uh, yeah! Come on. I want details. I had to listen to you whine about him for years. And you finally get him and then you never even told me."
"It wasn't like that. It was … we were friends. And I think maybe somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that our relationship was secret. At least it appeared to be that way. I think I was afraid that if I told you, it would stop."
"Steph, that's messed up. Why would you settle for being someone's secret?"
"I don't know. Have you seen him lately? Do you not remember how much I wanted him?"
"Yeah, I saw him at the gas station one day. He looks even better now."
We both sighed.
"It happened right before he was leaving for the Navy. We had only kissed. And that had only happened one time. Well not one kiss, but one pretty hot make-out session behind the Tasty Pastry."
"So he did write that stuff?"
"Is this your new question?"
"Absolutely not. Tell me about the sex. Come on, you know I'm not getting any. And it was years ago. It's not like I am asking you about Dickie."
"Because you already asked me about Dickie!"
"You called me to tell me you slept with him. Did you want me to just say, 'Oh that's nice.' Please, Stephanie. You know I love this shit. Tell Lenny to give it up if you want me to stop asking you about your love life."
I placed a hand over my eyes. "It was really, really good. Okay?"
"Not even close."
I huffed loudly. "I was a virgin so the first time was a little painful."
"First time! Well, no wonder you ended up pregnant. How many times did you do it?"
"Twice. And yes, no condoms. God, we were stupid." I turned to her. "I don't regret it. I have Sophia."
"I know. Go on!"
"He was so sweet that first time. I made him hold still forever. And he actually did. And then the next time was … it was better than I could have ever imagined. It took me a long, long time to not fantasize about that night."
"And?"
"And what? I'm not telling you anything else."
"One more thing! Please!" She gave me a salacious grin. "Is he as big as Terry liked to say?"
"Oh my goodness," I sighed, placing my hands over my face. "Yes."
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OoOoO
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I was just pulling into the drive, returning from Mary Lou's, when Val honked at me from behind.
"Get in my car! I'm sneaking some Cluck In A Bucket while Steve is working late. And I heard you have news!"
I rolled my eyes at her and looked to the door where I could see Sophia waving at me. I made my way towards the house when Val honked again.
"My child is waiting for me!" I yelled at her.
"Well mine is hungry!" She honked again.
I ignored her and went to the door. "Hey, bug. You look like you're ready for bed."
"Grammy told me I could skip my bath tonight." I gave her a strange look, wondering if Grandma Mazur had worn out Mom tonight.
Sophia hopped up and down from one foot to the other, clutching her hands together and clearly wanting something. "Can I call Daddy?"
"You just saw Daddy a few hours ago."
"So?"
Val honked again.
"Okay. Let's call Daddy and then I'm going to go with Auntie Val." I leaned out the door and yelled, "Come in and have some lemon bars while I see my daughter for a few minutes."
"Steve is going to be home in an hour, Steph."
"Whatever, Val. I'm going inside."
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After saying a quick hello to my parents, I scooped up my happy girl and carried her up the stairs. I noticed the sound of a car door slamming, and I hoped Dad hadn't finished those bars that morning.
Sophia sat on my lap, punching each number as I pointed to it. She looked up me with a big grin when the phone started ringing.
"Hello?"
"Daddy!"
"Hi, baby. How are you?"
"I'm so happy!" She looked up at me again and smiled even wider.
"Did you have fun with Grampy getting some ice cream?"
"Uh-huh. I got strawberry!"
"That's my favorite."
"Mine too." I think that was the first time I recalled her ever not choosing mint chocolate chip, but I wasn't about to point that out. And I vaguely recalled ice cream being a topic of discussion the night before at dinner. Of course.
"Sophia, I would love to have lunch with you tomorrow. Can you ask Mommy if that is okay?"
"Mommy, can I –"
"I heard, bug." I took the phone from her. "That's fine, Joe. I will make sure Mom knows to expect you. You should probably call her when you are on your way."
"Okay. I can do that. … Um, are you going to be around?"
"Well, no. I will be at work."
"Oh. Okay … maybe I should just bring her some lunch."
"That's fine too." Sophia nodded her head. She could care less what they did, as long as she got to see Joe again.
"That'll probably be easier."
"Okay, well, I'm going to hand her back over."
"Daddy!"
I could hear him chuckle. "Yes, Sophia."
"Did you miss me?"
"Today?"
"No. Now!"
"On the phone?" he asked, obviously amused.
"Uh-huh."
He laughed again. "Yes, I missed you."
"I missed you too! Come over and tuck me in."
"Um …"
I leaned down so Joe could easily hear me. "Sophia, Mommy has to go out, remember? So Grammy or Grampy can tuck you in tonight."
"No, Mommy. Daddy can come over."
"Sophia," Joe cut in. "Daddy has some work stuff to do tonight. Maybe I can tuck you in another night soon, okay?"
I could tell that he was just saying that to make me happy. He probably would have already hung up and headed over if I had agreed. But I just wasn't ready for that to happen. Not so soon.
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Once Sophia was finished with her call, I yelled for Val, who met me at the bottom of the stairs with traces of powdered sugar on her cheek.
"Did I hear her say 'daddy'?" she asked with wide eyes.
"You missed a spot," I said dryly and pointed to her face.
She rolled her eyes and wiped the wrong cheek. I smiled as if she got it and then headed out the door.
"Maybe you should drive too so I can go straight home."
"Steve knows you're pregnant. He's not going to be mad."
"But he's already worried that I've gained too much."
I stopped walking and turned to face her, looking her up and down. "Val, you look great. You haven't gained that much at all. And you're only like six weeks from your due date. You're supposed to start gaining more now." I only half-lied. She had been packing it on the last couple of weeks, but I also knew she had barely gained any weight the first six months.
"Okay." She smiled gratefully. "But please call Steve and tell him that."
I gave her a curious look, but she squealed something about chicken and made her way to her car. I followed her and hopped into the passenger seat.
"I want to hear all about Dickie, but I need food first." She flashed me a smile and peeled out of the driveway.
Once Val had eaten - or rather, devoured - her super-sized meal and part of mine, she burped loudly, blushed, and then cleaned her hands on the small wet-wipe. "Okay, tell me all about it."
I shook my head at her. "I'm engaged," I said all girly and placed my hand in her face.
"I know that!" She took my hand and appraised the diamond like she was a jeweler. "He's got such great taste."
"Thanks," I said smugly.
"I meant the ring. This is at least a G grade if not an F and … " She pulled it closer to her eyes. " Probably VS1. And great scintillation. Just look at the crown and how it glows." She let go of my hand and sighed wistfully. "Plus, it's two carats. Mine is only one and a half."
I smirked at her as I held it up in the light. "And it's a square," I said simply, just waiting for her to correct me.
"Oh my God, Steph. Do you even know what I just told you?"
"Not really." I shrugged. "I thought F grades were the worst. Who knew you could get a G?"
She rolled her eyes and then took the last bit of my biscuit. "You don't even deserve that diamond."
"Probably. But I got it and it's better than your–ors!" I sang to her annoyingly.
"Whatever. So Sophia is calling him daddy already?"
"Oh. Um … well, that's some – wait, Mom didn't tell you about this?"
"About what?"
"So she blabs about the engagement but not this?"
"This what?" she asked, her eyes growing wide.
"I can't believe it. I wonder if she even told Grandma and Grandpa tonight. I thought she would."
"What?" she practically screamed.
"Joe Morelli is Sophia's father." I smiled brightly as I tilted my head.
"Wait, what?"
"He didn't know, Val. I never told him until this week. And well, he's actually being kind of amazing. Sophia is completely in love with him."
She blinked at me, took a deep breath, and then slumped back into her seat. "I knew he was going to hurt you."
"You didn't know anything."
"Yes, I did. I knew you liked him, and I knew he noticed you. I just … I thought he left before you were brave enough to talk to him."
"Well, obviously not."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry? You would prefer Sophia was from some nameless one-night-stand?"
"Yes. That way Dickie could really be her father. Now you're going to have to deal with two daddies. I don't think this is going to be that easy."
I frowned at her and crossed my arms. "I know. But it's not like I can or would undo it."
"Of course not," she said as she rubbed her belly. "Sophia is the best thing to ever happen to you."
"Definitely."
"So you think Joe is going to really stick around? He is a Morelli."
"For Sophia's sake, I hope so." And I did. But Val was right. It was not going to be easy to juggle Dickie and Joe in my life.
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OoOoO
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The next Saturday, I was supposed to bring Sophia over to Mrs. Morelli's house for a family dinner. Mom had kept Grandma and Grandpa Mazur out of the loop so that Grandma wouldn't blab the news to all her friends at the salon. That way, Mrs. Morelli could find out from Joe first. According to Joe, his mom was shocked and a little angry with both of us. But she wanted to know "her baby's baby." In fact, she threatened to show up on my parents' doorstep with the entire Morelli clan if I didn't agree to bring Sophia to her. The thought of Joe's Grandma Bella in my house scared me enough to agree.
Sophia was bouncing all around the house Saturday in anticipation of meeting her daddy's family. I noticed Mom was really quiet anytime Sophia talked about meeting her new Grammy. I felt bad for her, but at the same time, I felt happy for my daughter. It sucked being in the middle of them like this. Mom caught me watching her and promptly left to go check on the cake she was baking.
Joe insisted that he pick us up, even though we could have easily walked to his mother's house. It was still really nice out, and Sophia and I often walked when we could to save on gas. Joe pulled up in his car and walked slowly up to the porch, his leg now in a walking boot. I tried not to notice how his jeans clung to his long muscular legs. And I definitely didn't remember how it felt to have those legs entwined with mine. Nope. Not at all.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Sophia flung herself off the porch, making my heart stop as she flew into Joe's strong arms. "I love you, Daddy!" She kissed his cheek. I wondered how long this kind of enthusiasm was going to last. It was getting a little hurtful how much she professed her love to Joe.
"I love you, princess," he responded.
He had been trying out some pet names for her. She loved that one. She even told me that I could start calling her that as well. Instead of bug! Again, I was more than ready for the honeymoon to be over. Geesh, I could be selfish! It had only been five days!
"You know we could all just walk from here," I offered.
He bounced Sophia on his hip, his smile almost blinding. "I have something in the car I wanted to show my princess."
She giggled and then wrapped her arms more tightly around his neck. I rolled my eyes as they turned away from me and headed out to his car.
"Steph? If it's not the right kind, just let me know, and I'll take it back," he said as I joined them.
I peered into the back of his car and saw the new car seat. "It looks great, Joe." I stroked Sophia's curls away from her face. "Daddy got you a car seat, bug! Now you can ride with him whenever he comes over. You don't have to wait for Mommy." I sighed.
Joe caught my arm with his free hand. "You okay?"
I smiled. "Fine. I'm just not used to sharing her."
"Mommy, you said sharing is caring." She leaned her head back against his shoulder.
"I did. You're so smart, Sophia." Why did I teach her these things again?
Joe attempted to get her in the seat, and Sophia giggled the whole time. I noticed that he was enjoying her laughter enough to not get frustrated with the contraptions on the seat. I went ahead and sat in the car so he could deal with things on his own. And who was I to point out that she was more than capable of strapping herself into the seat? He was going to have to learn to be on his own with her eventually. Ugh! I wasn't ready for that.
We pulled up to Mrs. Morelli's house to see a giant banner saying, Sophia Grace Morelli! Welcome home! I turned to Joe, angry as hell at the name and the implication that she had not had a home.
"What's going on, Joe?" I demanded.
He looked past me and gaped at the banner. "I had no idea. I told her that her name was Plum."
"For now. And then it's going to be Orr." I actually wasn't sure of this anymore, but I was so angry. And my petty jealousy reared its ugly head. "You need to let them know. I refuse to do it."
"What? We will be discussing this later, Stephanie. Her name will either be Plum or Morelli. I am not allowing my daughter to take another man's name!"
"And I want my daughter to have my name! This isn't about you, Joe. This is about Sophia. Her name will be Sophia Orr!"
"Or what, Mommy?" Sophia asked in her scared voice, looking at us nervously. She had never seen us argue.
Joe started laughing. "Or nothing, princess. Mommy and Daddy were confused." He winked at her and she giggled. What's even funny about that?
He jumped out of the car and pulled her from her seat, hoisting her up on his shoulders. She was squealing in delight. And I was still fuming in the car.
Joe tapped on the window. I slowly peered up at him.
"You coming, Mommy?" he asked with a smile. "We might be a little nervous about meeting so many people."
Well, I had to go now. What kind of mother would the Morelli's tell the Burg I was if I refused to support my little girl? "Coming, dear," I said snarkily, earning an eye roll from Joe.
I followed Joe, with Sophia still on his shoulders, into the house. I couldn't really see around him, but I could hear the large number of people shouting their hellos. Sophia immediately twisted around to see me.
"I'm right here, bug. It's okay."
Joe placed her down on the floor and kept his hands on her shoulders. "Everyone, this is my beautiful little girl Sophia. Princess, this is my family. And yours too." He crouched down next to her and kissed her cheek.
Mrs. Morelli was in the front of the group, crying into a delicate handkerchief. "Oh, Joseph. Bring her to me."
"That's my mommy. That makes her your grandma."
"I know, Daddy! She's my other grammy!"
Joe nudged her towards his mother, but he kept one hand firmly around hers. Sophia smiled her sweet and shy smile, and everyone commented about how adorable she was. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Mrs. Morelli hugged Sophia and cried over how much she looked like Joe and how on earth she could have missed it she didn't know. She only briefly acknowledged me with a quick frown while she was lamenting over the time she had missed.
Joe tapped my toe with his to get my attention. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. "I told her that I was really awful to you. She's really just mad at me. She knows it's my fault you never told them."
I turned to look at him, expecting him to straighten up, but he didn't. Our lips were almost touching, and I took in a quick breath. "It's fine," I murmured back, trying desperately to ignore the soft waves of his breath.
Then, a bony elbow moved me over and I looked down to see Joe's scary grandmother. I shuddered as she stared at me. I quickly stepped back and into Joe. He chuckled as he grabbed my shoulders to steady me. And probably to keep me in place.
"Hi, Grandma. You know Stephanie?"
She smiled. "I have seen you." She squinted her dark eyes. "You're a good girl. You have been raising Joseph's daughter in church."
I smiled, relieved that she was not angry with me. "Yes. Father O'Riley has been very kind to me and Sophia."
She nodded and then turned around to meet Sophia. Or so I thought.
"Secret Grandma!" Sophia shrieked. She then clamped her hands over her mouth. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
Joe released my shoulders and crouched down next to her. "Sophia? What did you just say?"
She shook her head no, hands still firmly in place.
I gave her the face. She hugged Joe and hid in his arms from me. I placed my hands on my hips and commanded, "Sophia Grace Plum." Yeah, I knew what I was doing.
"Yes, Mommy."
"Answer your father." Wow. I never thought I'd say those words.
Bella laughed loudly. And everyone else who was crowded into the living room went silent in shock.
She patted Sophia on the head. "You can tell them, Piccolina."
"That's my secret grandma," she said excitedly. "I met her at church."
I blinked at her and looked over at Mrs. Morelli. She looked confused, but her rapidly blinking eyes stilled as they narrowed in anger. She turned to her mother-in-law. "You knew?"
"No one believes an old woman. No one believes I can see things others cannot. Why would I bother telling you?"
After that, everyone broke out into loud chatter again. I could see that the family was torn between believing in Bella's visions and thinking she was loony. I wasn't sure what to make of her. Soon enough, Sophia was passed around the room, meeting all her new aunts and uncles, and much to her delight, her many cousins. Of course, she asked them all which daddy put them into which mommy.
Oh, Valerie, the things I am going to teach your children.
We were about halfway through the picnic dinner when Joe's brother Tony pulled me aside. "Did you know that your daughter is telling the kids that Joey didn't want her until he met her?"
I almost choked on my bite of lasagna. "What? I did not tell her that. I didn't tell her anything other than he was gone."
He gave me a pointed look. "Well, someone did."
I didn't know what to say to Tony. And I didn't know if I should ask Sophia about it either. She was four and her imagination was often very vivid. But I didn't want her to continue to believe that her father hadn't wanted her before now. I also knew that Joe would be crushed if he heard about it at all. I decided to wait until the next afternoon to broach the subject of Joe not wanting Sophia.
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OoOoO
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Once again, we attended Sunday morning Mass since Sophia wanted to go with her new family. Grandma Mazur was waiting in the parking lot, ready to pounce the moment I got out of the car.
"Stephanie! Do you like my hair?" she asked with a wicked gleam in her eye.
"Yes?" It was a lovely shade of orange.
"It's persimmon."
"Oh, that's nice." Sophia tugged on my arm. "What, bug? Say hi to Nana."
"Hi, Naaanaaaaaa," she practically sang. "Let's go, Mommy!" She pulled again.
Grandma smiled sweetly at Sophia and then turned to me. "I imagine she wants to get in there and see that hot hunk of a daddy of hers." She arched a penciled-in, matching orange brow.
"Oh, yeah. About that … " I shrugged.
Grandma leaned in really close. "I just saw him enter the church a few minutes ago. And … " She wriggled her brows. "Way to go, Steph."
I rolled my eyes at her in amusement.
"And just think," she continued excitedly, "you get first dibs on him now that he's back."
"Grandma!" I whisper-yelled. "I am marrying Dickie."
"Oh, that's right. Well, he's cute too - nothing like Joseph. But hey, at least you got to try him out for a ride." She winked at me.
"I am ignoring that. So does Grandpa know yet?"
"Of course he knows. I don't keep things from him, you know that."
"And?"
"And he thinks that Joseph is turning into a nice young man, and he is glad that Sophia will have him in her life."
"He really thinks so?"
"Yes." She hugged me lightly before turning back to a dancing Sophia, who was twisting my arm back and forth as she tried to spin and twirl. "Sophia, you want to introduce me to your daddy now?"
"Yes! Oh, Nana! He's so pretty. I love him."
"He's definitely pretty," she said with a smirk and took my happy daughter on into the church.
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Of course, Mrs. Morelli practically announced to the congregation the news of Joe's daughter. Not that the entire Burg hadn't figured it out with the giant banner in her yard. I think Father O'Riley was not amused at the amount of time it took for the chatter to die down. I had hoped that Dickie would join us, but he said he didn't want to interfere with the Morellis having their moment. And it was probably for the better since I wasn't quite ready for Dickie to meet Joe. Or maybe it was for Joe to meet Dickie. All of it was overwhelming to me. I just knew that I was ready to get away from the chaos that had become my life over the last few days.
Sophia was clinging to Joe in the church parking lot after church. I had let her talk with him as long as I could before we would be late for lunch. I was also very much over having to smile and make polite conversation with all the nosy Burg residents who kept stopping by and not-so-subtly digging for information about Joe and me. It wasn't like I could just tell them the truth. So I smiled and nodded and let them all think that Joe and I had been really good friends that had never planned on being together after he left. They could fill in the blanks however they wanted.
"Sophie, we need to get home to eat with Grammy and Grampy," I said as cheerfully as possible.
"No! I don't wanna go. I wanna go with Daddy. He's gotta car seat for me. I wanna go with him." She buried her head against his chest.
I started to pull her from him, but then I caught the slight look of pride in Joe's eyes. I stepped back and glared at him. "We are going home. Dickie is coming over to see you this afternoon, bug. Don't you want to see him?"
"Why can't Daddy come too?"
"Because Daddy doesn't live with us. And because –"
"Daddy, come live with me and Mommy!"
Joe frowned. "Princess, I have to go to my house. I promise I will see you soon."
"No!" she cried. "Don't go!"
I placed my hand against my forehead. I could already feel the headache coming. "Daddy's not going to leave you."
Joe's eyes went wide in understanding. "Oh, Sophia, I am never leaving you. I promise you." He kissed her head. "Go home and have lunch with your mommy and grandparents and I will call you tonight. Promise."
He gently placed her in my arms, and she wrapped her legs around me. She was still crying softly, and I was barely keeping it together. We needed to leave. I hurriedly brushed past Joe and didn't respond to his goodbyes. Sophia called out to him once more, but I quickly shut the door once she was in the car. I felt the slightest twinge of guilt about that, but I was done playing second to Saint Joe. Sophia would have always known him if he hadn't broken my heart. And I was tired of acting like everything was just perfect between the two of us simply because I did the right thing and let him into our lives.
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I was so relieved to see Dickie's car in front of my house. Could it really have been only days since we were engaged? I jumped out of the car and ran straight up to him as he came out onto the porch. He embraced me tightly and stroked my hair.
"What's going on, Steph? Where's Sophia?"
"She's in the car. Shit! Just a minute." I ran back over to the car and opened the back door. Sophia gave me a bewildered look and then she started crying again. "Mommy's so sorry, baby. I didn't lock you in. You could have gotten out. I thought you knew that."
"You said not to get out by myself," she cried angrily.
Dickie came over and lifted her out of the car. He kissed her cheek. "There's my favorite girl! I was worried you weren't here."
She smiled shyly at him. "Mommy forgot me," she pouted.
I would have rolled my eyes at her except that she was right.
Dickie kissed her cheek again. "Well, I didn't forget you. I'm so glad to see you again. Did you have a good morning?"
"Uh-huh. I went to church with my daddy and wi-" She stopped suddenly and blinked at Dickie. "Are you still going to be my new daddy?"
"Definitely." He smiled at both of us and started carrying her towards the house. "Is that okay with you?"
She looked back at me over his shoulder. "Do I get two daddies?"
I laughed as I caught up with them. "Yep. You get to have two daddies."
She squealed in delight, causing Dickie to flinch. "Do I get to call you daddy too?"
He stopped and faced me. "I don't know. Mommy, what should Sophia call me?" he asked innocently, but I could see that he was very serious.
"Um…" I swallowed. Calling them both 'daddy' would be confusing and probably not go over very well with Joe. "How about you call him …" I paused, thinking frantically of another term. Nothing was left. Papa was already taken. Father was horribly formal. "How about DD?"
They both frowned.
"For Daddy Dickie. That's two D's."
Sophia mouthed 'Daddy Dickie' and then smiled. "DD!" She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him.
Dickie smiled at her, but I couldn't tell if he was really okay with that.
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Please review! I really do listen to what you have to say. That little scene with Grandma Mazur was prompted from a comment in a review last chapter! (Thanks, jwil625!)
