“Victoria…” I didn’t expect her to react like this.
“I’m sorry, Victoria. I’m so sorry. I don’t know….”
Victoria burst into laughter and threw her arms around him and I was so relieved. Stewart started laughing.
“You got me. I almost had a heart attack.”
“I’m just happy you are OK. You think I would care about a car over you, silly,” she said kissing his face. “Come on. Let’s take you home with us.”
“You could just drop me off at my apartment,” he said.
“No, sir. You are coming with us,” I said. “And you two. The next time there is anything that has my name or my wife’s name attached to it, ensure that we are informed, or Olga is informed. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Miss Davis. We will. Definitely.”
“Good. Get back to work.”
“Thank you,” they said together and left.
“The rest of the staff is not aware of you name change but I will see to it shortly,” Olga said.
“Yes, because my wife will be offended,” I smiled. “Thanks, Olga. We will be leaving soon, but Victoria will be in tomorrow morning.”
“OK. We will get started tomorrow, Victoria. It is nice meeting you,” she said.
“You too. I will see you tomorrow.”
Olga left and I turned to look at Stewart, who seemed a lot better since he found out he was not in trouble. He got up from his chair; a little taller than I was. I looked at him and remembered how scared I was when I could not find him. He had always made me his priority and I truly appreciated him.
“Stew, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For everything,” I said and hoped that he could see just how much he meant to me. “I hope you know how much I love you.”
“I know. And I hope you know I love you more.”
I hugged him, then guided him out of the office and held on to my wife’s hand. I closed his office door and we went to mine to get our things. Victoria and Stewart were talking about the damaged car and the insurance. He said they would replace it but it would take a few days and a different color because that red was the only one there. Victoria told him a black would be fine and while they spoke I wondered what could have caused Stewart to have lost control of the car.
“Stewart, I need you to see a neurosurgeon.”
“A what? No. I’m fine.”
“Don’t fight, buddy. You will never win,” Victoria said to Stewart.
“OK. I will do whatever you want.”
“Babe, you will have to drive my car to work until yours is replaced, and you will have to stay in my office until yours is redone.”
“You trust me with your car?” she asked and I didn’t and I saw Stewart shaking his head telling her not to start that conversation because he knows it was my mother’s and my prized possession. It was sleek, personalized, and fortified. I allowed no one to touch it. “Thank you,” she said not waiting for an answer.
We drove home and I saw Stewart’s car in the driveway, a little to the right of where Victoria parked. I told her to put her car in the garage but she found it easier when she was rushing to school. Now, it became a habit. It was weird coming home and not seeing it there. As we entered the house, we washed our hands and rushed to our daughter. We had both never been away from her at the same time, but Daisy did an excellent job with her.
“So, Jill and I have narrowed the list of potential nannies to two…”
“Wait. Who told you we need a nanny?” I asked.
“No one. But you do. You need Kaci to get to know her and have a consistent person taking care of her. Besides, you are planning more children so it is better to have someone who will be around for a long time and be a part of the family. That way you will feel comfortable to go about your business and know that your children are safe. This person needs to grow with your family.”
“I agree, Stewart,” Victoria said. “Baby, I don’t want you stuck here all day. You should be able to go do whatever you want at any time, and it we have another child, you can’t manage alone.”
“Let me see their profile,” I said.
They were right. I would need help so I might as well start while Kaci was young. Victoria took Kaci from me and I noticed how much alike they looked. They were the love of my life and I had never known so much happiness. It still amazed me how I thought Rachel was my future and life just had a completely different plan. A ring of the doorbell, and my life took a completely different turn. My mother brought Stewart into my life and he remained the best gift she had given me. He saw Victoria and immediately started cementing her in my life because he knew that she was the one I needed to make my life have meaning. He saw the family I could have and he did not let me miss the opportunity. He was my employee, but most of all he was my friend.
“Victoria…”
“Baby...why are you crying? What’s wrong?”
“I'm not crying…,” I said as I caressed her face, “I just love you and Kaci so much.”
“Oh, baby. We feel it in everything you do. I am grateful every day that Kaci and I found you. You are the only reason am, and I can't imagine a second without you in my life. I see only you, I have eyes only for you, I will forever love only you. Thank you for rescuing us and loving us so much.”
“Thank you for rescuing me, Victoria,” I said and my heart was about to explode with love and pride for the family I was lucky enough to find on my doorstep. I kissed her and kissed our daughter who smiled at me.
“She loves your kisses,” Victoria laughed.
“What about you? Don't you love my kisses?”
“No...not really…”
“What?” I grabbed her.
“Lea!” She laughed. “I have Kaci! Stop!”
Suddenly the doorbell rang and I realized that Stewart was nowhere to be found. I was hoping he would have gotten it so that I didn’t have to.
“Babe, the door,” Victoria said and I rolled my eyes and went to get it.
I opened the door and a bag was on the doorstep with the cries of a baby coming from inside. I almost fainted but found the courage to scream.
“Victoriaaaaa!”
She came running with Kaci in her hand. When she heard the cries coming from the bag she froze.
“What the fuck is this?!” I was freaking out.
“Open it, Lea!”
“I am not opening it!”
“You can't just leave it there.”
The crying stopped and with shaky fingers I pulled the zipper and opened the bag. It was a fucking doll! I looked around and saw Jill and Stewart’s head popped from the side of the house laughing.
“You fucking retards! I hate you!” I stepped back inside and slammed the door. “Oh my God...those…”
I stopped when I heard Victoria laughing.
“You find this funny?”
“Yes,” she laughed.
The doorbell rang and they were calling my name. Victoria let them in despite my objection. The three of them were cracking up so I took my daughter from Victoria.
“Come on, my love,” I said and walked away from them. “You would never do that to your mommy, I know.” Kaci made a big smile and I knew she had joined the other three. “You too?”
My home was filled with laughter and, of course, it had to be at my expense. I smiled because I wouldn’t have rather it any other way.
(Also see)
● Secrets
● Watching Her
● The Love Test
● A Home for Cassidy
● Annabelle
● Three Ways
● Trapped 1
● Trapped 2
● Trapped 3
● Trapped 4
● Trapped 5
● Trapped 6
● After the Divorce
● Racist Undone 1
● Racist Undone 2
● Squirt
● The Business Trip
● Not A
llowed
● I will find you
● The Choice
● Straight...Until You (1-6)
● Trapped (The Whole Story)
● Straight...Until You (The Whole Story)
Thanks for reading.
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