The After of Us (Judge Me Not #4)(23)

He followed his heart and found his way.

Maybe I should take a page from my brother’s book and do the same.





Will



When we return to the house, I lay a still-sleeping Lily down in her bed in Sarah’s room. I then head to the bedroom I’ve been staying in.

I really need to think things over.

Easing down into a chair by the window, my suit still on, and the blinds closed on the sunny day outside, I place my head in my hands and mull over my options.

But then I realize there’s no mulling to be done. My fate was sealed the moment Lily came into my life. I just couldn’t see it clearly until today.

I can’t leave Lily, not this soon. We’re only just now getting to know one another. And sure, she’ll be with me again once I set up child care for her in New York, but it won’t be like this. I’ll be working all the time. We need more time, so that when I do leave, it won’t be so traumatic for her.

With Emma’s concerns still banging around in my head, I conclude that staying with Lily, for now, even if it’s only for a few more days, is the best thing to do.

Decision made, I contact the service scheduled to drive my car to New York this week. I inform them that there’s been a change in plans, and promptly ask, “Can you drop my car off in Ohio, instead?”

I learn that, for a price, everything can be adjusted.

“For a small up-charge, your BMW can be in Harmony Creek by Wednesday night,” I am told.

“Great,” I reply as I approve the extra fee.

I then call the corporate recruiter who hired me, so I can tell him I can’t start the new job tomorrow. He’s not happy, but he makes a few calls and gets back to me within the hour.

“The best I could do is a one-week reprieve,” he tells me. “But, you absolutely must be in New York City, ready to start work, next Monday. Another delay like this, Will, and you’ll lose this opportunity.”

“Okay, got it.”

My head is back in my hands. I hope I’m not f*cking things up too badly.

I head downstairs and inform Chase and Kay of my plans to stay an extra week. They are thrilled. And then I go tell Lily her daddy isn’t leaving tonight, after all. To say she is over-the-moon happy would be a severe understatement.

“It’s only for a few extra days,” I carefully add, to prepare her for my imminent departure. “We will have to be apart for a short while after that.”

“Why?” Sad green eyes implore me.

“Lil, I’m still going to need to get things ready for you up in New York,” I explain. “It shouldn’t take long, though, I promise.”

Lily loses interest in explanations quickly, and this time is no exception.

Wrapping her little arms around me, she tells me, “Okay, Daddy. But when you go, you come back fast as you can, okay? You’re more fun than Mommy.”

I’m taken aback. This is the first Lily has mentioned her mother since day one. I’ve come to the conclusion, though, that Cassie was more like a big sister to Lily. She was always pushing her off on other people, like her daughter was a bother. In addition, Lily’s easy acceptance of staying with me leads me to conclude that Cassie spent very little time overall with our daughter.

Well, I won’t abandon Lily. I plan to be a great father to her.

Still, I decide to stick with the Tuesday and Thursday morning daycare plan, knowing it’ll be good for Lily to grow accustomed to a structured environment. That’ll be her life in New York, after all. Plus, like I told Chase and Kay, she’ll have a chance to interact with kids other than Jack and Sarah. Those three get along well, but there are occasional scuffles.

An added advantage to the daycare plan is it gives me an excuse to see Emma again.

What can I say? The girl has me intrigued, and I really want to kiss her, at least once, before I go.

On Tuesday morning, when I take Lily to daycare, I have my first opportunity to take steps toward making that elusive kiss happen. I purposely leave early and reach the school before any other parents or kids arrive.

A light rain is falling, and since I forgot to bring umbrellas, Lily and I have no choice but to make a run for the school.

“This is fun,” Lily tells me as she jumps in all the puddles on the way to the entrance.

“I’m glad I remembered your boots.” I say, nodding to her bright yellow galoshes.

“Good call, Daddy,” she says, making me laugh.

Lily heard Chase use that exact phrase last night, but it sounds so funny coming out of her mouth.

As we near the entrance, we spy Emma unlocking the school doors. She appears fully focused on her task, and mischievous Lily whispers to me, “She don’t see us, Daddy. Let’s sneak up on her.”

“Okay,” I agree, knowing that when Emma sees me she’s really going to be surprised. “This should be fun,” I add.

Lily and I go into ninja-mode, moving stealthily. We reach the protective overhang unnoticed, and then sneak up behind Emma, who remains oblivious.

Oblivious, that is, till Lily screeches out an enthusiastic, “Boo!”

Startled, Emma spins around till she’s facing me and Lily.

“Lily,” she breathes out, hand on her heart. “And…wait. Will?”

“We scare you,” Lily says, giggling.