by Mary Smith
But then…
She proved she was like every other female in the world. I didn’t sleep at all last night as my thoughts were wrapped tight around my daughter and Nova.
My daughter.
There’s two words I would have never thought I would associate with myself. Not to mention how pissed off I am at Nova. I hate her. She kept...wait...what’s her name? Fuck, I don’t even know my daughter’s name. I know nothing about her, but she looks just like me.
I hate Nova.
She reminds me of my mother. My mother is pure evil and uses it to get ahead in her career. It’s how she is and Nova seems to be following the same path. I bet anything she uses my daughter for sympathy and shit. I sigh and sit down on the couch. No. Nova isn’t like her. At least, I don’t think she is. Fuck. I don’t know anything right now.
“Teo,” Nathan says my name and I lean back. “We have to go to practice.” He slaps my knee as he passes me and heads toward the door.
“Fuck.” This isn’t what I want to do right now. I need to figure out my life. I have to talk to a lawyer. I want to know my daughter’s name.
Nathan drove us to the arena, but I already planned on taking an Uber to whatever attorney I can find to see me on such short notice. As we stroll into the locker room, I’m immediately called into Coach Long’s office. This doesn’t shock me.
When I walk in Hamilton, Coach, and Oliver are all waiting for me. I shut the door because I know this is going to be bad. I’m ready to put up a fight with them. They won’t keep me from my kid.
“Teo, we want to talk.” Coach Long tries to quickly calm me down. It is written all over my face how pissed off I am.
“Are you going to try to talk me out of seeing my daughter?”
“No.” All three of them answer.
“We all told Nova to tell you the moment she found out she was pregnant,” Oliver states. “It was her choice.”
“Why am I in here? Is that what you wanted to tell me? Fine, thanks.” I scoff.
“No, smartass, it isn’t all we had to say and drop the damn attitude, Teo.” Oliver growls at me.
I cross my arms. “What do you want to tell me then?”
“We think you and Nova are both just running high on emotions right now. If you two would sit down and talk–calmly–then you can work out an arrangement for Klara.” Coach Long explains.
My heart skips. “Klara?”
“Yes. Your daughter, Klara,” Hamilton says.
“I didn’t know her name.” Had I told Nova that name meant something to me? No, there’s no way.
“It’s Klara Long.” Hamilton continues.
“She didn’t even give her my name?” I hiss. “Great.” Just another item to add to my to do list.
“Teo, you’re a good guy. I believe you both can work this out without involving lawyers and the court system.” Oliver looks directly into my eyes. I know how much Oliver is worth. I’m aware of the pull his name has and what his checkbook can do but this is my kid.
“Are we done?”
“Yes,” Coach says and I rush away from them all.
PRACTICE SUCKED. EVERYONE pretty much left me alone. I’m certain it’s because they all knew about what happened to me last night. I’m glad they left me alone but practice still sucked.
However, I remembered something during practice. David Spencer. We played together in some summer leagues in Sweden and he’s a lawyer. He’s in Concord now, practicing in a big firm. I sent him a text as I was getting cleaned up. He texted me back and said I could come to his office. I quickly ordered an Uber and bolted from the locker room without saying anything to anyone, not even Nathan.
The Uber took me home, and I jumped into my car and raced to Concord. I want to get this started as quickly as possible. My daughter is mine, and I want to be in her life. I’m her father.
“Teo.” David shakes my hand once his secretary leads me into his office. “Great to hear from you.”
“Hey, David.”
“I was surprised you called me. What’s this about?”
We sit down at a small table in his office, and I tell him everything that happened to me in the last twenty-four hours. Of course, I leave out how much I love Nova and at the moment hate the sight of her.
“Wow, Teo.” David shakes his head. “So, you want me to give you some advice?”
“Yes, please.” I lean in ready to do anything he tells me.
“Oliver Matthews is her godfather. There’s not a person in America who doesn’t know who this man is. He’s a legend in his own right. I’m not saying you don’t have rights but think of this from a judge’s point of view. You are a professional hockey player and spend the majority of your time on the road. That’s a point against you. Nova has a stable job, a staff to take care of the child and just for good measure has a billionaire godfather. The judge is going to look at her a whole lot differently than they do you.”
My heart twists in pain. I thought this wouldn’t be so hard, but now it’s being painted right in front of me. I can’t have my daughter. “What do you suggest?”
“You said Oliver and Taden want you to sit down and talk to her, I suggest you do it. If it doesn’t work, then contact me again and we’ll find someone you can hire, but at least make an effort. To me, it sounds like a huge misunderstanding and you seem to care for her.” He slaps my shoulder. “Best of luck.”
I thank him for his time and tell him to send me a bill before heading back to Manchester.
I DROVE AROUND Manchester a hundred times today. I stopped and ordered something to eat but didn’t eat anything. I went to the mall and purchased a ton of toys and clothes. I wasn’t sure what size to get, but I Googled it and I got a size larger, just to be sure.
It’s hard to knock on Nova’s door with the bags, but I manage to. I’m stunned to see Hamilton answer it.
“Hey, Teo.”
“Is Nova here?”
“Sure, come in.” He steps to the side and I maneuver through the front door. “I’ll go get her.”
He heads to the right and I assume to a dining room or kitchen. I hear giggling and my heart flutters thinking it’s Klara. It has to be her. After a few seconds, Nova comes around the corner. She’s stunning in her skinny jeans and tight t-shirt. It highlights her body, but I miss her curves. I know she lost some weight, but she doesn’t look as healthy as before.
“Hi.” Her voice is soft and cautious.
“Hi.” I understand how she feels because it’s the way I’m feeling as well.
“Um...what do you need?” She hugs herself and I can see she’s shaking. She thinks I’m here to yell at her again.
“May we talk? I also want to give this to Klara.” I hold up the bags.
Nova is unsure of what to do. “Okay. Let’s go into the living room.” She leads the way and takes a seat on the couch.
“I’m not sure if she’ll like this stuff, but I tried.” I think small talk will ease her a bit.
“She’ll love it.” Nova gives me a small smile. “It’s kind of you.”
“Well,” I clear my throat, “I’ve talked to both your uncles and Hamilton and an attorney.” Nova stiffens up. “Even though I’m still pissed you lied to me, and I’m certain I won’t be getting over it anytime soon, I have a daughter, and I want to be part of her life.”
Nova nods. “Okay.”
“First, she will carry my name. I won’t budge on that issue. I mean it, Nova.”
“I understand.” She agrees. “She carries the Long name, but I know where you’re coming from and we can change it.”
“And I will pay child support. Even if you just want to put it in an account or whatever, but I won’t have Klara thinking I’m some slug who doesn’t want to support her.”
“Okay.” Nova agrees again.
“Finally, I want to spend time with her. I know your schedule and my schedule might be a little crazy, but when I have time I’d like to spend it with her.”
“Tha
t’s very reasonable. We can work all of that out.” She shifts uncomfortably. “I have a small request.”
I listen since she listened to me.
“I don’t want you taking her to Sweden yet. I understand you’ll want to take her one day but not while she’s still so little.”
I nod. “Fine, but she is Swedish and she will learn our traditions as well.”
“You make a valid point. I’m simply saying she still takes breast milk, and it’ll be harder on her when she’s still a baby.”
I try not to look at her breasts when she mentioned them, but damn they are gorgeous. “Understand.”
“Teo, you may not believe me, but I did want to tell you. The day in the diner when you confronted me is the reason I lied. I should have been mature enough to step up to you and discuss everything with you. I’m sorry. I really am.” She gazes down at her fidgeting hands.
“I don’t want to discuss it now, Nova. I want to meet my daughter. Officially.”
“She’s in the other room. We just finished dinner.” She stands. “You can leave all of that here and we’ll come back to it.”
“Okay.” I follow her into the kitchen where I’m greeted by Hamilton, Janan, Coach Long, and Oliver. Shit. “Hey, everyone.”
“Hey, Teo.” Janan smiles. “How are you?”
“Fine.” It’s a lie, but it’s a simple, quick answer.
“Well, I think it’s time to go.” Hamilton raises from his seat and I notice Klara is in a high chair, shaking a toy.
We all say our goodbyes until it’s just Nova and me–alone. She walks over to Klara and picks her up. “She’s a little dirty from dinner. I can clean her up really fast.”
“No.” I stop her. “She looks great.” She does. Her face is shaped like mine, along with my chunky cheeks, and our eyes are a perfect match.
Nova hands her to me. I’m not sure how to hold her, but I manage and she’s staring at me. My daughter is staring at me. “Wow.” I breathe as Klara reaches out and touches my face. “She’s really mine, huh?” I ask the question to no one in particular.
“She is, Teo. If you want a DNA test—”
“No.” I cut her off. “Her eyes say it all.”
Nova smiles and leans in closer to Klara. “Yep, can’t deny those.” She smooths her hair. “Do you want to go into the living room and show her the new toys?”
I hold Klara tightly as I walk. I don’t want to drop her. She grabs the chain around my neck. I’ve always worn a gold chain. There’s no significant reason behind it–I just do. I ease it out of her grasp as I sit down with her.
“You sure bought a lot of stuff.” Nova inspects the bags.
“I wanted to show her she’s loved.” I explain, still staring at Klara. I’m mesmerized by her, and she’s looking back at me. It’s almost like she knows who I am. “She’s beautiful.” I don’t mean to say it out loud, but I do.
“She is.”
Nova is sitting close to me and still smells as amazing as I remember. I turn my focus back on my Klara. “Du är min söta flicka,” I say to her in Swedish. She is my sweet girl. She’s all mine.
“I did try to learn Swedish while I was pregnant because I wanted her to know it, but I failed miserably.” Nova softly laughs.
I smile. “It’s okay. I’ll help her along with it.”
“Teo.” Nova lowers her voice. “I am sorry. I mean it too.”
I shrug. “It’s over now, I guess. It just solidifies all women are liars and I hope Klara doesn’t turn out the same.” Am I being harsh to Nova? Nope. It’s the truth. I should have never trusted her and I sure as fuck shouldn’t have offered her a second chance.
“Why do you feel like this?”
“I’m not discussing it with you.” I glare at her. “I’m here for her, not you. I’ll be civil and such as long as you are, but that’s it.” Nova hangs her head and there’s a twist in my heart. I hurt her feelings. So what? She’s hurt me as well, and it’s time she felt the same way. Klara begins to whimper and her eyes fill with tears. “Why is she crying?” A sudden wave of panic washes over me thinking I’ve done something wrong.
“She doesn’t like to be held a lot. Typically, this is play time for her and she sits in her walker and plays.” She points over to the corner where there is an array of toys. “Here.” She gets up and brings it over to the middle of the room and tells me to sit her in it.
With Nova’s help, I’m able to get Klara’s legs positioned in the holes and she grins again.
“Show her the new toys and she’ll be in heaven.” Nova nods at the bags and then she leaves the room.
I begin to show her a few items at a time. I had read on Google to clean the items before giving them to the baby, which I did. I pull out my phone and take several pictures of Klara and a short video of her banging the rattle I got her on the table. She seems to be a very strong baby. We spend the next thirty minutes playing. Klara smiles, giggles, and drools...a lot, but it’s the best time I’ve ever spent in my life. I realize Nova never came back into the room and left me alone with my daughter. I’m not sure the reasoning behind it, nonetheless it’s nice to have a few private moments with Klara alone.
Until she starts to tear up again and I have no clue why.
“Nova,” I call out her name, picking up Klara.
“Kitchen.”
I go toward the back of the house and see Nova at the table with a large screen laptop in front of her. Obviously, she’s been working. “Um, she’s…” I turn so Nova can see Klara’s sad face.
“She needs a diaper change and it’s getting close to bedtime. You want to do it?” She comes over toward me.
“Change her blöja?” My nose turns up a bit.
“Well if that means diaper than yes.” Nova’s words are harsher than her normal tone. “You might want to learn if you want to be around her more.”
“You have made a valid point. However, I don’t know how to change one.” I admit.
“Come on and I’ll show you.” Nova strolls past me and Klara and I follow her to the other side of the house.
Klara’s room is pink. Lots and lots of pink. The only things not pink are her crib and a chair. Nova instructs me to sit Klara on the changing table and begins to walk me step by step on how to change her diaper. Klara sits with ease only kicking her legs a few times. I had an undying fear she was going to roll off the table so I made sure to be close to her.
“Do you want to put her to bed?” Nova asks as I pick up Klara. My daughter reaches for her mother.
“I think she wants you to do it.” I concede handing her over.
“What do you want her to call you?”
“Huh?”
“Well, I know dads are called pappa in Sweden. Is that what you want her to call you? Or would you prefer dad? I’ve been saying mama to her for me. It’s what I called my mother apparently. At least according to Uncle Tad anyway.”
“Wow.” I step back and suddenly I feel as if a puck slams into my mask. “I’m a father.” The reality of it all seems to be clear in front of me. “Wow.” I breathe out again.
“Scary, isn’t it? I understand what you mean. It’s amazing and scary all at the same time.” Nova kisses Klara’s forehead.
“It is.” My throat feels as if it’s going to close up. “May I come over tomorrow after practice?”
Nova nods. “Emma will be here. She’s the nanny Uncle Oliver hired. She’s very sweet and Klara loves her. I’ll let her know you’ll be by.”
“Where will you be?” I question.
“Work. Uncle Oliver has several meetings tomorrow.” She adjusts Klara on her hip, and I watch my daughter lay her head down.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
Nova walks me to the door and right before I leave I lean down and kiss Klara. She smells like baby oil and lavender. Nova gives me a small smile.
“Have a good night, Teo.”
I nod and leave feeling different. It’s hard to explain what it
is I’m feeling.
Chapter Five
Nova
I WALK INTO the office, turning the lights on as I go. Uncle Oliver isn’t here yet, but I’m not surprised. Lately, he’s been sleeping in later and later. My fear is he is sick and not telling us, but considering I set up all his appointments and such, he can’t be that sick because he doesn’t have a lot of time left in his days.
I make sure his coffee is ready as his driver alerts me he’s coming in the building. I stand by the desk with his appointments in my hand.
“Good morning.” I greet him by handing him his coffee first.
“It’s going to be a long day.” He informs me as if I don’t already know.
“Yes, it is. Is there anything you want before the first meeting begins? Are you hungry?” I ask, following him into his office.
“No, I think I’m okay. What about you? Do you need something? You have to keep your strength up for my Little Peanut.”
I try not to giggle, but I can’t help it. Here one of the wealthiest men in the United States is concerned about me and his great goddaughter. “I’m well. Now, let’s get started,” I state firmly. Even though I try to keep him in line and focused, sometimes he’s as bad as Klara and something shiny takes his attention away from the task. With her, I can shake a rattle and bring her attention back. With Uncle Oliver, it’s bourbon.
The first meeting arrives right on time, and I’m next to Uncle Oliver taking notes for him. I have to say Uncle Oliver is a brilliant businessman. Obviously, since his bank book has many zeros behind the numbers. He can read a contract just one time and know if it’s good or not. He calls it his business gut that helps him make the right decision, but I think it’s because of his business mind. It also makes me worried because someday this will be Janan and me doing it all, and I don’t know if I have the same discipline and mindset to be as successful as him. I want to be and I’m glad to be here now to learn from him.
