I pull into the yard and hop off and Toby pulls up on the street right in front of the house. “I went by the trailer park and you weren’t there.” He states as he gets out, I walk over smiling “Nope been here since we brought her home. Rome wouldn’t let me raise her there.” He shakes his head like he understands “Sounds like I owe him a lot, he took care of my girls. I stop dead I my tracks “I am not your girl. Saige is… but she is his girl to and you need to remember that.” He scowls but when I raise my eyebrows at him about to say something else, he smiles and starts to walk. I open the door “we’re here, hellooo” I hear the pitter patter of tiny toes coming my way “Mommy you took forever.” She squeals as she jumps into my arms wrapping around me. I laugh and hug her tight. I peek up at Toby and he is smiling like a fat kid who just got free roam over the candy buffet. “Daddy said you were bringing my dad to see me.” She says as she looks up and locks eyes with Toby. “Hi I know you, are you my dad?” I set her down and she steps towards him, he bends down to her level “Yep that’s me DAD.” He smiles up at me with tears in his eyes. She hugs him but only briefly before she is running from him screaming “Daddy he is here, My Dad is here.” He laughs a strangled laugh. “She calls Rome daddy?” I shake my head yes “has for a few years, the kids at daycare have daddy’s and she started and just does. I told her about you Toby, that’s why she is so open. She knew who you were. We’ve never lied to her.” We both look up when Rome walks into the kitchen, I giggle when I see what they have on. Rome has a shirt that says “I’m with the short chick” and hers says “The tall guy is my daddy.” With arrows pointing at each other, shaking my head I walk to him and go on my tip toes to kiss his cheek but he doesn’t have that. He takes his free hand my scoops me up and deep throat his tongue, I return it but push back and give him the classic ‘Omg’ look and laugh. Saige lets his hand go as he releases me. “Can I talk to him?” pointing at Toby. “Yes sweet girl, let’s get some snacks and go sit in the living room. Maybe you could show him your bedroom?” jumping up and down screaming in delight they took off while I fixed drinks and grabbed chips. I even grabbed Toby a Capri sun because I am almost sure he still drinks them. “Pissing contest much?” I say without looking at Rome. I turn with all my stuff in my hands and he is smiling at me “Sorry, that obvious?” I smile in return to show him I am not mad. “It would’ve been less obvious had you just peed on us.”
After a few hours of talking and listening to Saige go on and on about her stuff with Toby we were all tired. We filled him in on her life and talked about visits, deciding to try to do it without the legal hassle. Toby’s a busy person, going pro and all he can’t do regular visit every other weekend. His job will place him states away. In the end we are working it out as we go. He will be here all summer and take that time to get to know her. “Can I help put her to bed?” he asks and the next thing I know they are headed off to put her to bed together. Maybe this sharing won’t be so bad. Toby knows he messed up. No way around it, he messed up by driving off all those years ago and never listening to me. I never cheated and now he understands that, I think. I get all the cups and chips put up and while loading the dishwasher they come in talking. I laugh because when I open the dishwasher I pull out the cutest little Disney panties “Looks like Saige wanted to do her own laundry!” the guys busted out laughing while Rome was getting them both a beer. “If it weren’t so late I’d call Clay and Ashley to come over and play cards.” We both notice Toby’s face at the same time. Rome reached his hand out to steady him “Man your white as a ghost.” Taking a seat “yea I’m ok I just need to deal with Ashley now. I had to get to Saige I forgot about talking with her.” I sit down beside him and place my hand on his knee, he looks up at me sadly “Toby she’s ok. And she knows you never knew anything. She doesn’t hate you either.” Blinking rapidly “Wait you know? Both of you?” in sync we both confirm it to him. “GOD my parents are something else! No I swear it I never knew, I mean I asked her about it and she said it was wrong. I believed her and went on. I am so stupid.” I hugged him I couldn’t help it, he was hurting. “You’re not stupid Toby, your parents are just mean, weirdly over protective and vindictive. You are not, and you are righting their wrongs. It’s all going to be ok.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
Life is well… life! Toby’s been around and been a blessing. He helps with Saige but never pushing anything. They seem to hit it off as well. I always knew they would, had he just been given the chance. Mando is finally home, She bout busted face when she realized she was a few days late on the whole chaos! In true Mando form, she adds flair and fakes it like she was there. My heart is whole. She too, is done with school. I missed her graduation because well it was across country and someone had to run The Diner while her parents were gone. It’s open mic night again and I smile as I sit around the booth looking at my family. We know take up the 2 biggest half circle booths here. “I’m up! You sure you don’t want to do it with me?” I plant myself solid in the booth. “NO, I’m good, you rehearsed it alone, I want to enjoy it from here.” He stands and walk to the make shift stage and grabs his guitar. He is so at ease, I love him so much.
“Hi Everyone! You all know me so I am just going to get down to business. This song is for my girls.” He looks over at the table really fast and then down, his fingers work over the strings. The room fills with a beautiful tune and his voice is the icing on the cake. I could die right now a happy girl. Everyone in the booth is either listening to him sing or huddled close together chatting. Regardless of their actions they are all smiling and happy.
Epilogue
I look around smiling. It seems to be all I do now days. “I cannot believe we are here.” I laugh out. “You say that every time we come, it’s been 3 years now Rory. SHUT UP!” I cut my eyes at Mando and stick my tongue out at her. “Well it’s so I don’t know, lavish!” I say all properly. “It’s just a skybox bitch, not the white house.” Lord she’s cranky today. maybe I should leave her alone. NAH! “Mando, Clay will never pop the question if you don’t stop being so ,mean!” she throws her head back burst of laughter filling the entire room “He won’t ask because he can’t afford the rock I want!” she says it so matter of fact I almost believe her, but I know she wouldn’t care about the ring. Just him, and I happen to know he has THE RING in his pocket. I hear the kids coming in, and I look over my shoulder at them, running through the door. Rio and Denver have grown into handsome young boys standing almost as tall as Rome now at 11 & 15 years old. They are good boys, they were raised right ;) “Hey Mrs. Tate, You doing ok?” he kisses my ear and I smile. “Yes Mr. Tate, I am fine. Could we go back to Princess? I know you love saying it, but I actually miss hearing Princess.” He grins ear to ear “Of course Princess Tate” and walks off. “Hey where are you going? I ask as he heads to the door again. “Nowhere, just holding the door open so Ashley can hustle those two bad boys of theirs in here. They are a hand full. Toby needs to hire them a nanny.” He is right. Ashley needs serious help with those two, they are wild, and her being 3 months pregnant again she is just too tired. “Where’s Thax?” I ask as I see the twins round the corner. It’s weird they look so much like Toby, that minus the eyes they are spitting images of Saige. I look around making sure I didn’t miss him sitting somewhere. “Princes stop worrying; he had to finish his paper. He can’t play this week if he doesn’t get it turned in. He isn’t going to miss Toby’s first game of the year. He will be here just wait.”I still can’t believe my baby brother is playing college football this year. I settle into my chair and try to get comfortable, which is impossible with my belly being the size of a freaking beach ball. Just one more month and I am free to tuck my legs under my non pregnant ass! I hear the announcer and look down at the field the boys are all huddled along the side. Toby steps out a little, he is very handsome in his red and black jersey. He waves up and Saige goes ballistic “That’s my dad! Hey dad, hey up here!” he sees her somehow and smiles. The door opens again and Thax walks in
. Turning back around to watch the game, My cell rings and I reach for it and groan when I see The Diner 2 is calling. “I’ll deal with it babe, just watch the game.” I smile as I hand Mando the phone “Thanks.” It’s nice when she is town. I love running my own restaurant, I love knowing the Raiz’s trusted me enough to open it so we could be closer to Toby. Saige was so attached to him by the end of their first summer together, I knew I could never stay states away. The offer to open one in Atlanta and have me and Rome run it was a great idea. It’s done wonderful and the only time Saige can’t see her dad is when he plays on the road, and he has been known to take her a few times. Before we know it the games over and Saige is gone. I would look for her but I already she’s safe. I look down and sure enough she is wrapped in her dad’s arms screaming. Her face lights up on the big screen and so does the locket hanging around her neck. That locket is the same one Toby gave me years ago. Now it holds a picture of her and Toby on one side and a picture of her and Rome on the other. She loves them both equally. I couldn’t ask for more in this life. A girl’s confidence is a direct reflection of the guy in her life’s attitude. And Saige is the happiest most content 7 year old girl ever. She knows she is the star in both of her father’s eyes.
Toby was my best mistake. He was the road that led me home. Who knew when he plowed me over all those years ago, in the hallway, it would land me right here. Not taking up space but residing in Rome! This is my life, I am home!
Did I mention? If you want to know more about Zac’s life, he gets visitation on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. ;) lol… Can we say… Don’t drop the soap?
Remember when you stop searching, hunting,
and digging for love, you FALL in love.
The End!
About the Author
I live in Mississippi, or better known as “The Sip”, were I was born and raised; except for a short time I spent wondering the beaches of Destin, Florida. I have two amazing kids who are the light in my life and married to a very patient and loving man. I work a full time job Monday – Friday, yes I know I am so domesticated! I am Mexican American, in other words I am brown! =] I enjoy singing extremely loud, dancing around for hours, and watching my kids just be kids. I am eclectic and obsessive. I’m pretty much always happy. I believe we should all have fun sometimes, then when we do something stupid we should write about it dude! If I could be anything when I grow up, yes when I grow up because I currently refuse to, I would want to be a full time superhero. Wear awesome boots, have long full flowing hair, wear my panties on the outside of my clothes (and have it be ok), ride on a magical horse with wings, and save the world. Who wouldn’t want to do that? Happy Reading =]
IF YOU WRITE IT, Somone WILL READ! ??? Maybe =]
You can find me on facebook www.facebook.com/write.about.it.dude
Twitter/ instagram/ snapchat @tacosparkle
Amazon & Goodreads I am under “Delia Steele”
I want to take this time to thank a few people who helped make this happen. In no special order I want to thank Stephanie White with www.stephscoverdesign.com for making the most fabulous book cover known to indie books/ self pub books EVERYWHERE. I want to thank Caitlin Tackitt for being my Rory… I’m sure by now you all have to adore her just as much as I do, and Caitlin helped bring her to life. I want to thank my superman, ROB he is my life, and his faith in me makes it easy for me to write and not be afraid of criticism. He is seriously the best husband in the world. (He cooks a mean supper to!) My friend April for always boosting my ego, haha, She’s like a never-ending fountain of “make Delia feel good” and never gets mad when I tell her I want to pop her head like a pimple, lol. She refuses to let me quit! Andrea your awesome, even if it takes you a hot minute to proof read my mess=] (always showing up with starbucks, when I need it most) <3 you long time. And to my friends Amanda, Amanda, and Mandolyn who I kind of sort of mashed all together and created the ever amazing Amandolette. She is a sassy, loud mouth, ride or die, KOOKY, but always real kind of chick and she is my trio. I love all these people in such different ways but all the same… if that makes sense. If not it’s ok you don’t have to understand it as long as they feel it =] THEY ARE MY FAB FIVE!!!! With a side of hubby!
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