Forever My Baby

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “I just want to make things clear,” she stated. “You really think living in the same house is the best option? My business is on Edisto Island. Amya attends school on the island. You want us to commute back and forth?”

  “Do you have any other solution?” he asked. “Would you rather Kai and I move in with you?”

  Garland thought for a moment. Her house was perfect for her and Amya, but she was sure Ryker wouldn’t be happy there for long. It was probably more of a vacation-type home for him compared to this 4,500-square-foot house he currently lived in. “Not really.”

  “We get along fine, don’t you think?”

  She stirred uneasily in her chair. “Ryker, I’m not sure about this. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a few days just to think it over.”

  “That’s fine. It’s only a suggestion, Garland. If you have another idea, I want to hear it.” Ryker doubted that she would be able to come up with another option. He knew that if she decided not to move to Charleston, then he and Kai would have to relocate to the island. He was willing to do whatever he could to keep his family together.

  * * *

  “Wow, this festival is really something,” Ryker exclaimed. “The girls are going to have a ball.”

  “Good,” Garland murmured. “My team and I have spent the past year preparing for this, so I want them to have a great time. We have more than a hundred creative and interactive activities, storytelling, arts and crafts, costumed characters and more.”

  He secured balloons for the girls, who squealed in delight.

  “Bloon, Mommy,” Amya shouted.

  Kai pointed upward. “Look it, Mama.”

  Garland’s eyes filled with tears. “She called me Mama.”

  Ryker gave her a tender smile. “Yes, she did.”

  Garland would have liked nothing more than to spend her day with them, but she had work to do. She divided her time between making sure everything was running as it should and checking on Ryker and the girls.

  “Hey, why don’t you take a minute and have lunch with us?” he suggested. “You’ve been all over the place, but I bet you haven’t eaten anything. Sweetheart, you need to eat something.”

  Breathless, Garland checked her watch. “Sure, we can have lunch if you’re ready to eat now.” She looked closely at him.

  Garland’s heart skipped a beat at the worry she saw there. It had been a long time since anyone had been concerned over her. “I’m pacing myself, Ryker.”

  “This is a huge undertaking,” he responded. “You did a great job. It’s well put together.”

  “I’ve been doing it for four years now,” she said as Ryker carried a tray of plates to a nearby table. Garland had Amya and Kai by the hand.

  They made small talk while they ate.

  “The girls are getting restless to see the puppet show,” Ryker said. “I’d better take them over.”

  “I’ll try to meet you there,” Garland said. In the late July heat, her T-shirt clung to her, the hem on the sleeves heavy on her arms. Her shorts were not comfortable anymore, making her regret that she had not chosen to wear jeans.

  The humidity during this part of the summer was not uncommon, but despite the temperature, people had come out in large numbers to attend the festival. Garland considered purchasing one of the sugary and slushy drinks that practically every child and teen had been buying all afternoon. She knew the festival would be ending soon, though.

  Soon enough, three o’clock hit and the festival was over. Garland was exhausted but pleased with the success of the event. Ryker and the girls had left right after the puppet show. After taking care of housekeeping duties, she was soon on her way to his house.

  The first thing Garland wanted to do was take a bath.

  Ryker met her at the door. “I know you’re tired,” he said, embracing her. “As soon as I heard you pull into the driveway, I started a bath for you. Take your time and I’ll order dinner for us.”

  She gave him a grateful smile.

  Ryker was such a sweetheart. He was very thoughtful, which was one of the qualities she loved about him.

  Garland took her bath but never made it downstairs.

  When Ryker came up to check on her, he found her lying in the middle of the bed, fast asleep.

  * * *

  The next morning, Ryker awoke to the delicious aroma of bacon frying. He quickly showered and dressed before going downstairs.

  “Good morning,” Garland greeted. “The girls are still sleeping. I’ll get them up after I finish cooking breakfast. I hope you don’t mind that I hijacked your kitchen.”

  “I don’t mind at all. Need any help?”

  She smiled at him. “No, thanks. I’m almost done.”

  “Kai loves pancakes.”

  “How does she feel about scrambled eggs?”

  “She likes them with cheese.”

  Garland chuckled. “That’s the way I eat them. When I was pregnant, I couldn’t eat enough of them.”

  “She is definitely your daughter.” Ryker stole a peek out of a nearby window. “The sun is shining,” he observed. “It’s a good day to visit the children’s museum.”

  “Sounds good,” Garland said. She turned off the stove after the last stack of pancakes was ready. “This should be more than enough for all of us.”

  Ryker picked up a strip of bacon and nibbled on it. “Being a parent seems to come natural to you.”

  Garland met his gaze. “Why do you say that?”

  “I am always worried that I’m messing up with Kai. I worry about how I’m going to explain girl stuff to her. You always seem at ease.”

  “Now you won’t have to do it alone, Ryker,” she told him. “Just so you know, parenting is an absorbed skill. I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I learn and move on.”

  “Good advice.”

  “Ryker, I’m sorry about falling asleep so early yesterday,” Garland said. “I was so tired.”

  “It’s fine. The girls and I watched a couple of Disney movies until they got sleepy.”

  “I’ve been thinking about your invitation to move in here.”

  “And?” Ryker prompted. “What did you decide?”

  “I love my house and it’s very comfortable, but there’s not a lot of extra space to work with,” Garland stated. “On the other hand, your house is huge but in Charleston.”

  “You don’t want to commute...” he interjected.

  “Actually, I don’t mind the commuting,” she told him. “After a lot of thought, I think Amya and I should move in with you and Kai. I really want to raise the girls together, and right now, I don’t see any other solution.”

  He exhaled a long sigh of contentment. “You have no idea how much this means to me, Garland.”

  She smiled. “I think I do.”

  “This is the beginning of a new life for us.”

  Garland gloried briefly in the shared moment between them.

  * * *

  “Why are you in such a good mood?” Rochelle asked as she entered Ryker’s office early Monday morning.

  “Amya’s coming home,” he told her. “I asked Garland to move into the house. Now the girls can really bond and go to the same school. It’s a—”

  “What are you thinking, Ryker? How could you move that woman into your house? You don’t know her,” Rochelle interjected.

  His voice hardened ruthlessly. “That’s where you’re wrong. I do know Garland. I’ve known her for years.”

  “No, you knew her brother, Parker. You have no idea what type of woman she has become. Don’t get me wrong—I’m glad Amya will be with you and Kai, but...”

  “But nothing,” he stated. “Garland is Amya and Kai’s mother. I am not going to cut her out of their lives. It’s wrong and you
know it.”

  “I don’t want you trapped by a woman who’s all wrong for you, son.” Her tone was coolly disapproving.

  He shrugged off her words. “I’m a grown man. You seem to keep forgetting that.”

  “I haven’t forgotten,” Rochelle uttered. “You bring it up every chance that you get.”

  “I love you, Mom. I just do not like the way you keep interfering in my life.” There was an edge to his voice. “You and Dad raised me well, so why can’t you trust me to do right by my own children?”

  “Son, I do trust you. It’s Garland I’m not so sure about. Forgive me for being so protective of you and your sister, but there are so many manipulative people in the world.”

  “Aubry and I are intelligent people, Mom. We can take care of ourselves.”

  “I’m going to remind you of this situation a few years from now when the girls are older,” Rochelle warned as she headed to the door. “I’m not happy with your decision, but it’s your house and your life. I will tell you this, I won’t stand by and let those girls get hurt, Ryker. Regardless of how you may feel about me.”

  Chapter 13

  “I’m moving in with Ryker,” Garland announced when she met with Trina. “We want to raise the girls together and we believe this is the best solution.”

  “Are you serious?” Trina asked. “You are actually going to move in with that man?”

  She gave a slight nod. “It’s the only way we can have what we want. I love both Amya and Kai. I don’t want to give up either of them—neither does Ryker.”

  “So this is just a platonic kind of thing then?”

  “Of course,” Garland replied. “This is just about the girls.”

  Trina looked skeptical.

  Garland folded her arms across her chest. “What exactly are you thinking right now?”

  “I’m going to be honest with you because I love you. I’m not so sure this is a good idea. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  She had not expected this response from her friend. “Trina, what do you suggest we do then?”

  “Switch the girls, but continue to have a relationship with Ryker and his daughter.”

  “Trina, I am the only parent Amya has ever known,” Garland argued. “I won’t take that from her. The same goes for Ryker and Kai. Frankly, I’m surprised you would say that since you are her godmother. I thought you would understand why we want to raise them together.”

  “I love Amya and I will always be her godmother,” Trina responded. “You asked my opinion and I gave it to you. But I’ll support you in whatever you decide, Garland. You know that. I’m just worried you will get hurt.”

  “Why would I get hurt?”

  “I know that you have feelings for Ryker.”

  “I have my emotions under control, Trina,” Garland stated. “I don’t have any illusions about Ryker. He is clearly very much in love with his late wife. He still wears his wedding ring.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah,” she responded. “I’m not going to place myself in a position to get my heart broken.”

  * * *

  “The girls are finally asleep,” Garland announced. She and Amya had arrived behind the moving truck earlier in the day. Jordin had come over to entertain the girls while Ryker had helped Garland settle in.

  Ryker handed her a cup of hot tea. “It feels perfect having them both here.”

  She nodded. “I hate to admit it, but you’re right.”

  “I can help you with the rest of the unpacking,” he offered.

  Garland shook her head. “I can handle it.”

  A photo on the mantel over the fireplace caught her attention. It showed a much younger version of him with his arms slung around her and Parker. Garland smiled, remembering when they were college students and how much Ryker had made her laugh. It had been the most carefree time of her life.

  “I wasn’t really sure about this arrangement,” Garland confessed. “I didn’t know how or if we would get along under one roof.”

  “That’s why we’re going to take this one day at a time,” he responded. “I’m sure we will have some disagreements, but I’m all for communication. We will just have to talk things out.”

  She took a sip of her tea. “Thanks for doing this, Ryker.”

  “I didn’t just do it for the girls. I did it for us, as well.”

  Garland broke into a smile. “When we were in college, I always figured that you’d turn out to be some spoiled rich playboy. I’m glad that I was wrong.”

  “Did you really think that about me?”

  She nodded. “I did, but you have turned into a great father. I’m sure you were a great husband, as well.”

  “I tried.”

  Garland thanked him for the tea, then went to her bedroom to finish the last of her unpacking. She was thankful that the day had ended. She had never liked moving. By the end of the night, Garland was exhausted, but all of her personal items were organized in the huge walk-in closet and dresser in her new bedroom. My first apartment was the size of this closet, she thought with a chuckle.

  Ryker had not checked on her and she was fine with that. He was a temptation she could not afford, so it was better if he didn’t see her in such a weakened state.

  Garland sat up, reached for the bottled water and took a long sip.

  * * *

  It seemed the entire DuGrandpre family showed up to welcome Garland and Amya to the family.

  “Well, look who’s coming up in the world,” Trina said in a low whisper.

  “Don’t say things like that,” Garland responded. “This is Ryker’s home—not mine.”

  “I was kidding with you, but don’t bother denying it. This is now your home, too.”

  “This house is huge,” she whispered to Trina. “I’ve gotten lost twice already.”

  They laughed.

  “Trina, there’s a floor-to-ceiling library that’s unbelievable. I have so many books, but they don’t even come close to filling up that room. Ryker’s books are mostly law related so he has them in his office. The girls even have bookshelves stuffed with reading material in their playroom.”

  “I can’t wait to see it.”

  “In a little while I’ll give you the grand tour.”

  “Go see to your other guests. I’m going to sit over there with your mother.”

  Just then Ryker’s aunt and uncle arrived and he gestured for Garland to join him. “I want to introduce you to my uncle Etienne DuGrandpre and my aunt Patricia.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, dear,” Patricia DuGrandpre said. Her husband was a lot more reserved, though he gave her a brief hug.

  While they waited for Aubry to serve the food, Ryker and Garland continued to tend to their guests.

  Garland noted that a bit of tension accompanied the conversations going on through the room. And she could sense Rochelle’s eyes following her every movement. But she did her best to brush off any negativity.

  Forty-five minutes later, everyone was seated at tables around the pool. Garland deliberately sat far from Rochelle. She had no idea why the woman did not like her, but she’d decided not to let her ruin her day.

  After dinner, Garland and her mother excused themselves to grab slices of apple pie from the buffet in the kitchen. Ryker had warned her that his sister’s homemade flaky crust and spicy apples were not only delicious but also addictive. The dessert was still warm and she could not wait to sample it.

  In one corner of the family room, she and Elaine could see Amya and Kai squeal happily as they played together. Jordin then turned on some music and began dancing. The girls joined her before collapsing into laughter when Ryker, who’d just come in, decided to show off his moves.

  “They are both darling,” Elaine whisp
ered as she picked up a plastic bowl. “And very happy.”

  Garland handed her the serving spoon. “They get along so well. They’ve bonded as sisters.”

  “Kai looks just like you did when you were her age.”

  “Mama, I’m so glad that you’re here with us.”

  “Me, too.”

  They sat down at the kitchen table to eat.

  “This is so delicious,” her mother said. “Ryker’s sister made it?”

  Garland nodded. “She has her own restaurant. Remember, I told you about that.”

  “I think you did mention it.” Her mother glanced across the room. “Who is that lady staring at Amya? Is she the nanny?”

  “We don’t have a nanny, Mama. That woman is Amya’s grandmother. She’s Angela’s mother.”

  “I don’t like the way she and her husband are looking at Amya.”

  “It’s fine, Mama,” Garland assured her. “This is the first time they are meeting her.”

  “I’m going to sit over there in case they try to snatch my baby. I’m not letting that happen.”

  “None of the DuGrandpres will let her take Amya or Kai.”

  “I hope you’re right. Anyway, you look so happy, hon. I’m so glad you and Ryker found each other.”

  Garland smiled. “I am very happy, Mama.” She really was content, she realized with astonishment. Garland liked being here with Ryker and she was amazingly comfortable with him.

  Feeling at home was foreign to Garland. Because she’d been a foster child, she had never really felt she had a home, even with Parker. She knew his mother loved her like her own daughter, but the truth was that she was not Elaine’s daughter.

  As if her mother could read her thoughts, she said, “I’m sorry, Garland. I should have adopted you like your dad and I planned. I want you to know that I don’t need any papers—you are my darling daughter. I love you more than my own life.”

  She reached over and took Elaine’s hand. “I know that, Mama. I love you, too.”

  “Speaking of mothers, that Rochelle DuGrandpre is still as uppity as she’s always been,” Elaine uttered.