Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
I didn’t even try to deny it. “Well, I can’t pine over someone who’s determined not to be with me—and rightfully so. I agree with his stance, all things considered. It wouldn’t be fair to Taylor.”
My mother offered a sympathetic smile. “I don’t mean to antagonize you. Please never stop being honest with me. I so appreciate that you talk to me. And in return, I’ll always give you my honest opinion. I want what’s best for you. You were just getting your life back on track when this came about.”
“None of this changes me finishing nursing school. If anything, I’ll have more help with Nicholas now that he has another parent in the picture.” I paused. “Tate also wants to help financially. He’s insistent on it.”
“Well, financial help should be a given.”
“I told him I didn’t need his money.”
“Why not?” She glared. “Of course you do.”
“I really don’t. We get by just fine.”
“You’ve been living off your savings, Blair. You should start putting money away for Nicholas’s college now, and most definitely his father should be contributing.”
Once again, she was right. I suppose I’d been in denial about my finances.
“Do you think Nicholas senses anything about Tate?” she asked.
“I don’t know. He really likes him. But that’s because Tate’s been bending over backward to spoil him.”
“Well, that gets old fast. It remains to be seen what kind of a father he will be.”
I knew Tate had learned from his past mistakes and would be the best father to Nicholas. But it wasn’t going to be easy to convince my mom. Time would just have to prove it.
“Well…” she added. “I’m glad Taylor chose to get married when he did. Because this situation would only be more complicated ten years down the line.”
I nodded. “That’s for damn sure. As things stand, I think Nicholas is the winner in all this. That’s why I’m okay with how things have played out. If it was a choice between dealing with this situation or Nicholas never knowing his dad, I’d choose this over the alternative.”
“He’s not only gained a dad but a brother,” she pointed out.
Chills ran through me. “As long as Taylor can accept the situation.” I frowned.
“Well, he already loves Nicholas,” she said. “That can only help.”
“That’s gonna be another thing I have to explain to my son someday. How Uncle Taylor is suddenly his brother.”
“Taylor has one other sibling, right?”
“His mom and stepdad have a daughter. So a half-sister, Katy.”
My mother leaned over to hug me. Even if she was a bit critical of Tate, talking to her had made me feel better. “I think the important thing to remember here is that no one did anything wrong,” she said. “And while Taylor is going to be distraught for a while after he finds out, it’s not the same as you knowingly getting involved with his father. If he chooses never to speak to you again or to disown Tate, the punishment certainly won’t fit the crime.”
***
Ironically, that afternoon Taylor stopped by as he sometimes did on his way home from work. It rattled me a little this time.
“This is a surprise,” I said as I let him in.
“Actually, don’t get too excited. I have to take a piss so bad, and I know your bathroom is cleaner than the gas station.”
“I feel honored.”
Taylor was wearing his work clothes, a collared shirt and khakis, and he carried a small bag.
“But I haven’t seen Nicholas in a while…” he added. “I got him a little something from the trip and wanted to give it to him in person. Be right back, though,” he said, placing the bag on an end table and escaping to the bathroom.
I could hear him tinkling behind the door.
Nicholas had been playing in his room, and I went to get him.
“Nicholas, Uncle Taylor is here!” I announced, desperate for the distraction of my son. I feared Taylor might sense that something was wrong. This was the first time he’d come by since the wedding.
My son’s eyes brightened, and he ran out of his room just as Taylor exited the bathroom.
“Hey, buddy!” Taylor opened his arms.
“Hi, Uncle Taylor,” Nicholas said in his cute little voice.
“I missed you.” Taylor knelt and hugged him. “I have a surprise.” Taylor reached for the bag and took out a rubber iguana “I got this when I went to Aruba. I saw it, and all I could think was how much you would like it. There are lots of these iguanas there.” He handed it to Nicholas.
My son took it into his palm, looking down at it intently.
“What do you say, Nicholas?” I smiled.
“Thank you, Uncle Taylor.”
“You’re very welcome. And know what the best part is?” Taylor took it back for a moment and squeezed the iguana, prompting a rubber tongue to pop out. “Check out that tongue.”