“CJ! I wasn’t!” There’s a pause then I hear Jax say, “I’m drawn to him. And his little girl.” It’s the last thing I hear from their table.
Shit... maybe I do have a shot with her, even with all the craziness of my life. Bonus: she likes my daughter.
I stroll into the kitchen and, abruptly, cat-calls fill the room. Motherfucker. What the hell have these shitheads been discussing?
Chapter 13
Forest
The alarm blares way too early for a Sunday. However, I can’t hit snooze and sleep a little longer. Ella and I have an important date today. Stretching, my back cracks as I try to realign everything after sleeping on the couch again. I need to pick up an air mattress and talk to the office about renting a bigger place for the two of us. Or maybe I should see what Calla’s building has available? At least then I’d have someone closer to help. And a doorman. What the fuck am I thinking? Calla has the same schedule I do.
I roll my eyes at myself. Time to shower then wake Ella. Tossing the blankets off, I sit up and arch my back a bit more then rub the sleep from my eyes. With a yawn, I push off the couch and head into my shower. Once in the shower, I clean off quickly then just stand under the hot water, letting it melt the tension in my shoulders away.
A knock has me shutting off the spray.
“Daddy?” Ella's voice carries through the door.
“Give me a sec baby girl!” I grab for a towel and dry off quickly before wrapping it around my waist and stepping out of the shower.
I open the bathroom door to find Ella standing there with tears streaming down her face, and my heart aches.
“What's wrong Sweetheart?” I kneel down to her level and pull her into my arms.
“I had a bad dream. I called for you, but you didn't answer, and I got scared,” she sobs.
“I’m sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I’m right here though, and I’m not going anywhere. Okay?” I pick her up and carry her over to the bed. “How about you tell me about this bad dream?”
She nods and wipes her eyes and nose with her nightgown before taking a deep breath then cuddles into my chest.
With a sniffle, Ella begins. “We were at Mom’s grave, and I was in the coffin with her, but I was still alive. No one could hear me screaming to get out. You just left... forgetting all about me.”
Holy fuck! The beating of my heart speeds up, and it feels like it is going to break through my chest wall.
I tighten my arms around her. “Ella, Sweetheart... now that I know about you, and know that you’re mine, I could never forget about you or leave you. At least I couldn't leave you for very long. And if I ever have to do anything where I have to go on a trip without you, I’ll make sure you are surrounded with people that love you,” I murmur into her hair as my cheek rests on top of her head.
Her arms squeeze me as best she can, and she sniffles again. Warm tears soak into my chest.
“Daddy, do you think with Jax’s help I won't be so scared?” she whispers as she pulls back.
“Have you been scared baby girl? You’ve had such a brave face on since your mom's accident, I didn't realize you were scared. I should have, and I’m so sorry for not seeing that. I’ll try to be better at knowing what you need, but I need a little help from you. Okay? Since we’re still trying to learn this new way of life, will you try to talk to me when you're feeling scared? Then we can work together to slay whatever is scaring you.” I gently wipe the tears from her face.
Ella’s lips tremble. “I’ll try Daddy. You and Jax already help. I do feel safe when I'm near both of you. Aunt Calla & Aunt Nessa too. I don't feel as safe as I used to around Aunt Piper, though. Last night when she was being a brat, I really didn't want to be near her.”
“Well that could be because she was acting like a brat, but if it keeps happening we’ll see what we can do. Aunt Piper has helped take care of you for a long time, and it's probably hard for her to share you now.”
“Daddy, how do you know so much?” The alarm I had set to wake her buzzes, and she slides off my lap.
“Nonna and Gramps, actually. They work with troubled kiddos, so when I was young they would use some of the techniques on me and your aunts when we couldn't explain what was bothering us,” I explain, getting to my feet in search of my phone.
Ella follows me into the bathroom where my phone is lying on the counter. As I turn off the alarm, she grabs her toothbrush and turns on the water.
“While you brush your teeth and hair, I’m going to get dressed for work. When you finish, meet me in the kitchen for some breakfast.” Placing a hand on her head, I bend to kiss her hair.
“Okay Daddy. Can I wear shorts today?” She sticks her toothbrush in her mouth.
“Yes, you can. You’ll have to be careful if you come into the kitchen with shorts on, though.” I head out of the bathroom and into the closet.
I quickly dress in my chef pants and a t-shirt before heading to the kitchen. I need coffee, and I need it now! On the way to the kitchen, I duck back into the bathroom to grab my phone, and I shoot off a text.
Me: Mom, Ella had a bad nightmare. Can you or Dad talk to her, or tell me who she might need to see?
Mom: Let Dad and I talk to her tomorrow after we pick her up from school. Speaking of, did you add us to the list to pick her up?
Me: Fuck! That was what I forgot to do when I requested her school work. I'll get you added in the morning.
Mom: Make sure you do. Your dad or I will pick her up on Tuesday, too.
Me: Thanks Mom.
Mom: You’re welcome. Now, I need to fix breakfast. Enjoy your Sunday. Bye.
Me: Bye.
Needing my coffee fix, I place my phone on the counter and reach for the remaining coffee I ground yesterday. The French press is next to the sink and clean, thankfully, which allows me to quickly start brewing the coffee. As my morning joe steeps, I cook some eggs and bacon for Ella and myself.
“Ella, breakfast is almost ready,” I call over my shoulder as I flip bacon.
“Daddy, can I wear this today?” Ella stands between the kitchen and the living room in a yellow dress and a pair of boots.
Smiling, I nod. “You look beautiful. Aunt Nessa is going to love the look.”
“Really? Aunt Nessa has some awesome funky clothes. I really like them. Mom and Aunt Piper weren’t always happy with my choices when it came to clothes.”
“Knowing your Aunt Piper, I’m not surprised. Don’t get me wrong. Both of your aunts have their own style. They both look good and can control a room with their presence if they choose to. Trust me when I say, now that Aunt Nessa knows about you, she will take you shopping and spoil you. Just be sure Aunt Calla goes with you guys. She’ll keep Aunt Nessa grounded when it comes to what you want to wear.”
“Thanks, Daddy. What will Nonna do when she takes me shopping?” She pulls out a bar stool and climbs up.
Chuckling, I plate her eggs and bacon before placing the the breakfast in front of her. “Nonna will make sure you have practical clothes and, most likely, things you can play in and get dirty. If you want to be more rough and tumble, Nonna’s the one to shop with. Aunt Calla has a bit of Nonna in her, which is probably why I love working with her so much.” I hand over a fork, and Ella takes a bite of her eggs.
She swallows her bite. “Daddy, have you ever dated Aunt Calla?” Ella questions, picking up a slice of bacon.
“No. Until a year ago she was engaged, and Uncle Wes is in love with her, even though he won’t tell her. Calla is one of my best friends. You know how Jax had her guy friend with her last night?” Ella nods. “Well, that’s Calla for me. She’s like... one of the guys. I can talk to her about anything, even girly stuff I don’t want to talk to Aunt Nessa about.” I lean in toward Ella as I dramatically whisper the last part.
Her bottom lip sticks out slightly in a small pout.“That’s how I felt with my friends from the team back home. I haven’t found the same since moving here.”
“You’ve
just started school here. Let's give it a month or two before you decide to hate it. Granted, we need a new place that has enough room for everything. You feel like house hunting tomorrow after school?”
She scrunches her nose. “Ugh. Do we have to?”
“How about this... while you finish your homework at Belladonna today, write down a list of all the things you want in a place to live, and when we head over to Voodoo Doughnut to see Jax, we’ll discuss it? Does that sound better?” I take a sip of my coffee before taking my first bite of eggs and bacon.
Before answering, Ella finishes the food on her plate and hops off the stool to put the plate and fork in the sink. She walks over to sit next to me.
“I can manage that. I didn’t like house hunting with Mom, but she didn’t ask me what I wanted. I wanted us to be close to you, and she picked the rental house across town,” she grumbles, placing her arms on the counter before resting her head on them.
I smoothe her hair back and finish my breakfast so we can make it to Belladonna on time.
Chapter 14
Forest
As soon as Ella and I walk into Belladonna, Nessa is glued to Ella’s side telling her how cute her outfit is, just like I said she would, and pulling her toward the bar. I’m barely able to kiss her head before Nessa has Ella out of my sight. I chuckle as I make my way into the kitchen.
“Damnit! Motherfucker! Why the hell won’t this work?” I hear Calla yell as I step through the doors.
Glancing around, I find the kitchen empty except for Calla standing at one of the stoves. The clatter of a pan tells me she’s pissed at whatever she was trying to make. She growls, and I force myself not to laugh. The woman is so fiery it’s cute.
“Breathe woman,” I tell her, and she jumps. “Sorry. What were you trying to make?” I step further into the kitchen.
“I wanted to make something special for Ella today. I know she likes grilled cheese sandwiches, but I wanted to make her something a little more. And I fucking can’t do it. Fucking asshole still controls me! Why the fuck can’t I get him out of my system?” Her hands ball into fists, and I know if we had something for her to beat, like a punching bag, she’d be using it right about now.
Maybe we should think about getting one of those for the office?
I move into her personal space and wrap my arms around her. “Right now, I think Ella’s going to be happy with anything you fix her. Hell, she’d be happy with you taking her down to see Jax, but Sweetheart, we have got to get Torrance out of your head.” She glares at me. “I know you want him out of there,” I kiss the top of her head, “but he’s not gone yet. It doesn’t help that he’s also a food critic and keeps giving you shitty reviews when he doesn’t even step one foot in our door.”
“I know. And I know I need to exorcise him. I might need a road trip to New Orleans to see a Voodoo Priestess,” she quips, glancing back at the pan.
“Maybe instead of going down to New Orleans you could go see Jax and have her make you a Voodoo Doll of Torrance. It would be cheaper.” I smirk down at her. She sucker punches me in the gut, and we both crack up laughing.
“I think I’m going to steal Ella and do just that. But first, I was thinking of making Ella mac and cheese with a sandwich. Do you think she’d eat it? At the rate that was going,” she gestures to the pan with something burnt inside of it, “I’m going to need a little help.” Calla gives me a side hug.
“Hell, I’m not sure. I really suck at this parenting thing,” I reply, raking my hand through my hair.
“No, you don’t. She’s only been in the family for a little over a week. We’re all dealing with a learning curve here. I’ll go ask her what she’d like with the mac and cheese.” Raising up on her tiptoes, Calla kisses my cheek before backing away from me and grabbing the pot once again.
I move to my station, stopping to plug my phone into the speakers. I select one of the playlists and push play. House Party by Sam Hunt fills the room, and before long, everything becomes background noise as I mix my batters and bake the bread. It’s not until Calla and Ella enter the kitchen some time later that I realize I’ve zoned out for the last hour or so.
“Daddy! Aunt Calla took me down to see Jax. I was good and didn’t even get any donuts since I know we’re going back down there after work. Aunt Calla got two Voodoo Dolls, and we’re going to stab them a few times. She also said she wants me to help make mac and cheese, if it’s okay with you? Can I please? Mac and cheese is my favorite!” Ella announces in a rush. I swear she doesn’t even take a breath when she says all of that.
“Hey! No fair! Mac and cheese is my speciality. You’re not allowed to steal it.” Wes rushes up to Ella, picking her up and tickling her until she’s laughing hard. “I think each of us should make a batch and let you taste them. Kind of like a little cook-off. Then you can decide who makes the best. We’ve been having this disagreement for years. What do you think, Munchkin?” Wes proposes. The glee that radiates off Ella is infectious, and I can’t help but grin.
“Now you’ve done it. This kitchen is going to be at war for the rest of the day.” I laugh as she rubs her tiny hands together. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was all a part of her evil plot.
Trey calls out an order and steps over to our little group, smirking.
“So Ella, what do you think? Should we add mac and cheese as a special today for brunch? Maybe add a BLT with it?” Trey messes with her hair as he questions her.
“Can we?” She’s so excited she’s squirming in Wes’s arms.
“Let’s ask Calla. You want to drag her in here?” Wes carefully puts Ella back on her feet.
“I’m right here,” Calla calls as she waltzes into the kitchen with a box of donuts. “What’s going on? Ella and I need to put a few more holes in this donut and make some mac and cheese.” Calla sets the donuts on her normal station.
“Aunt Calla, can we do a mac and cheese…. What did you call it Uncle Wes?” She turns slightly to look up at him.
“A mac and cheese cook-off.” A shit-eating grin forms on Wes’s face.
Damn, this is going to get ugly.
“Yeah that! And Uncle Trey says we can make the mac and cheese as a special today for brunch. If it’s okay with you?” my baby girl answers, her big doe eyes pleading with Calla to do this for her.
“You two fucking suck. You are total assholes for using Ella like this.” Calla points at Wes and Trey then kneels down to Ella’s level. “I think we might need to start a swear jar for you. To answer your question and request, yes, we can do a cook-off and use the different mac and cheeses as specials today. Aaaaand… I think you should name them.” Calla smiles at Ella as she jumps up and down.
Calla’s not wrong. I think we’re going to need a few swear jars. At least two here, one at our place, and probably one at Mom and Dad’s. I should probably pick them up today after we finish at Voodoo Doughnut. Hell, at the rate we’re going, we’ll all be paying for her college education!
I notice the glare Calla gives Wes and Trey when Ella isn’t looking. Calla gets to her feet, and the kitchen staff gets back to work as Calla, Wes, and Trey make their way to their stations. I cross my fingers and pray that Calla can pull this off today. Maybe this is what she needs to kick start her mojo. Hell, I can’t remember the last time she’s even wanted to try to create something special, yet, having my little girl here is giving her ideas.
“Ella? You going to help me, or do you want to hang with your dad for a bit?” Calla calls over her shoulder.
“I want to help you!” Ella replies, excitedly. “Is there something I can stand on so I’m taller?”
“Stay right here and I’ll find the stool Aunt Calla needs when she’s in the walk-in.” I move to look for the stepstool as three of my best friends start trash-talking each other. “But after you’re done helping, you need to get more homework finished. Okay?” I remind Ella.
“You going to make your boring old noodles with no flavor?” Trey ba
its Wes as he glances over at the ingredients laying out on Wes’s station.
“No flavor? At least Ella will be able to swallow mine! Yours is always so dry,” Wes counters, laughing.
Shaking my head, I find the stool and carry it over to Calla’s station. Ella follows, stepping up to the counter as soon as I have the stool in place.
“Daddy, why are they being mean to each other?” she wonders, furrowing her brows.
Calla leans down and whispers, “They’re trying to screw with each other’s head.” Then her voice raises. “They’re acting like little boys.” She winks at Ella, and I head back to my side of the kitchen where it’s safe.
The taunting goes on for a while longer. Trey and Wes even add Calla into their harassment, which shocks the hell out of me considering her lack of confidence in the kitchen as of late. Yet, the playfulness is refreshing, and I’ve missed it. As the taunts, jabs, and trash-talk proceed, the atmosphere in the kitchen changes. It’s as if a weight is finally beginning to lift from the room.
Timers sound off, and Ella hops off her step stool. Calla hands her three different spoons, as she has throughout this contest, so Ella could taste the three different roux. Now, each mac and cheese is plated differently, and all three are making my mouth water.
“Alright young lady! Time for you to choose,” Wes tells her.
Ella moves around the kitchen to each station, taking small bites of each dish. It’s like she’s a fucking pro at this. She frowns, and her bottom lip juts out slightly. Placing the last spoon on the counter, her hands go to her hips, and she huffs. Holy hell it's cute, but I know in a few years I’m going to hate that pose.
“I can’t decide. I really like all three. Can I have a bowl with them all mixed together?” she requests, and everyone laughs. “What? I really wanted to pick a winner, but I just can’t!”
“Darlin’ we know. And you did great. Have you decided what we should call the special today?” Trey steps up to her, holding out his hand for Ella to high-five him.
Donut Leave Me Page 8
