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Page 146

by DW Cee


  Jamie walked over and hugged me. “Dani, that was a long time ago and it was more my fault than yours. I hope you haven’t been crying over spilt milk all this time.”

  “All of that might have been a long time ago for you since you’re happily married with a family, but for my mom, everything is still raw in her heart. She tries not to show it but I see it from time to time. Yesterday was really tough on her and I thought I’d come and apologize to you first, then go make things right with Mom.”

  “Wait, wait, wait…” He looked flustered. "Dani, I’m not married. Why would you think I was married?”

  “That’s what my grandma told me. Did she lie to me too? Was she trying to make me feel better when she told me you and Mom broke-up because you were getting married to your pregnant ex-girlfriend?”

  “Who told her that?” Jamie’s voice was loud enough that even with the door shut, I could see heads peaking our way.

  “I assume Mom did. A few months after we moved to Jersey, Mom went looking for you in LA and she came back crushed. I was so mad at her for going back to you I didn’t speak with her for a long while after that incident. I assume this was when she learned you were getting married.”

  “Dani. I’m so frustrated. You need to back up. So, after your mom and I separated, she came back to reconcile?”

  “Yeah. She told me she had to get back together with you. We argued and I threatened not to speak with her again but it didn’t matter. She was determined to be with you. At the time, I didn’t know why she was so insistent to the point of severing our relationship. But now I think I understand.”

  “Who told your mom that I was getting married? After your mom left me, I never saw her again till I ran into her at the park.”

  “I’m not sure about that.” Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. On the one hand, I was thrilled Jamie wasn’t married but it wasn’t my place to butt in. I hoped Mom wouldn’t be upset. I had come here just to apologize and leave but now I had the burden of figuring out what to say about Ollie.

  “So Dani, why do you think your mom insisted on getting back together with me?”

  “Huh?” Jamie startled me from my own thoughts.

  “You mentioned understanding now why she wanted to get back together with me.”

  “Well…I’m not sure I should be the one to say anything. Plus, I have no proof Ollie’s why she wanted to be a family with you.”

  “What?” He raised his voice again. “What does Ollie have to do with this?”

  Crap, that was not what I meant to say. “Never mind, I’m just babbling. Here’s our address.” I jotted it down on a notepad on his desk. “It’s Ollie’s birthday party tomorrow. Come by and talk to her. You both have a lot of catching up to do. I should get going. I’m sure you’re really busy.”

  “Wait, Dani…I was under the assumption Liv got remarried.”

  “What would make you think that? She hasn’t had a date since we left Los Angeles.”

  “She had a ring on her finger.”

  My eyes closed and my head shook. “You men are such idiots! Jamie, did you not recognize that as the ring you gave her six years ago? As far as I’m aware, it’s been crazy glued to Mom’s finger since the night you proposed. Though she tells us she wears it so men don’t hit on her, Grandma and I know she wears it because she can’t forget you.”

  “Can you give me Liv’s phone number? I need to talk to her right now.”

  “Jamie, just stop by tomorrow. She’s been having her panic attacks again since seeing you. I don’t know what happened between you two yesterday but last night was probably the worst I’ve seen her since Dad died. Why don’t you let her regain her strength? She has a lot to do today for the party.”

  “Is she okay? Are you taking care of her?” The terrified look on his face – why had I never understood how much he loved my mother? He loved her as much as my father loved my mother. Why didn’t I allow myself to see this years ago?

  “She won’t let me take care of her. She’s shut me out where you’re concerned, though she seemed better this morning. She doesn’t talk to me about these attacks. She’s suffering in her room by herself. She won’t let me share in her pain.” I started crying. It was wholly my fault that Mom hurt but couldn’t talk to me. I was unjustifiably too adamant about disliking Jamie. “I was so awful to her where you were concerned.”

  Jamie came over and consoled me with a hug. “Dani, I still love your mother. I will help her but I want to be sure…are you ready to accept me in your mother’s life now?”

  “I think my mom needs you more now than she ever did. I should have taken a good look at her life a bit sooner. These are not her words but I believe she still loves you very much, too. I hope you will make her happy. She deserves it.”

  “Thank you, Dani. I’ll come by the party as soon as I can.”

  “Bye.” I waved my hand and ran into my car. Driving to the airport, I couldn’t stop the tears. Mom and Ollie had missed out on so many years of being a family with Jamie because of me. I couldn’t imagine being separated from Ian for six years – or worse yet, raising his child and not knowing if I’d ever see Ian again. What had I done?

  Running late, Ian was waiting for me at the curb. I parked the car almost perpendicular to the curb and ran into my boyfriend’s arms. Seeing each other after a seven-month absence was better than sweet.

  “Hi,” I uttered between kisses.

  “Gorgeous, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting almost half an hour. I didn’t think you were coming.”

  “I’m sorry. My talk with Jamie went longer than expected.”

  “You saw Jamie? He’s in New York?”

  I nodded yes.

  “How’d you find him?”

  “Ollie.”

  “Ollie?” Ian was so confused. I had to laugh at the cute and puzzled look on my boyfriend’s face.

  “I have a picnic lunch for us. Let’s go hang out at Central Park and I’ll tell you the entire story.”

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so full.” Rubbing my stomach did nothing for the entire plate of fried chicken I ate so I came up with the brilliant idea of laying down instead.

  “Okay, so to recap, your mom found out she was pregnant and tried to reconcile with Jamie.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “This was also when you were a brat and stopped talking to her.”

  I slapped him on the thigh. “Must you bring that up?”

  “Babe, it’s part of the chronology of the story.”

  “Whatever…”

  “Stop interrupting. So, then she flies to Africa, has Ollie under your grandparents’ care and she stays there with them till Ollie is almost one.”

  “Yeah.”

  “She comes back, packs up everything from your LA home and moves in permanently with your grandma in Jersey.”

  Ian, too fell onto his back and laid right next to me, continuing the Kingston/Hutchison saga.

  “When you reconciled with your mom at this point, didn’t you think it was weird that Ollie looked so much like her? I mean, it’s quite random that she chose to adopt a blond-haired blue-eyed child while she was in Africa. Did you not question any of these facts? And by the way, if your mom hasn’t told you about Ollie, how’d you get all this info?”

  “Grandma. I was a bit hysterical last night in her room and she told me everything once I promised her that I’d resolve all my issues with Mom after Ollie’s party. And, as for the random act of Ollie, yeah I was skeptical, but I was so happy to be back with Mom that I didn’t care. Plus, Ollie was the sweetest little thing. You remember, don’t you?”

  “Yeah, he was really cute and funny for a little squirt.”

  “I was just plain relieved that Mom had someone else to love and focus on in her life. I could tell she wasn’t over Jamie and the guilt ate at me. Ollie was good for Mom and they both adored each other. I didn’t question it because all was good.”

  “So, fast forward a few years - your mom runs into Jami
e at the park, he meets Ollie but has no idea who he is, your mom is back to having panic attacks and Ollie is reaching out to his dad?”

  “That’s it in a nutshell.”

  “So Jamie isn’t married?”

  “He says he never married his ex. I don’t know why his mother would tell Mom he was marrying his pregnant ex if that wasn’t the case.”

  “Maybe they were going to get married but she miscarried and they decided to break up?”

  “What are you, writing a soap opera? By tomorrow, I’m sure we’ll have all the answers.”

  “Dani?” Ian got us up from the blanket and turned all serious on me.

  “Yeah?”

  “I came all the way here from England this weekend because I want to discuss my future, our future.”

  “Um, okay…”

  “I’ve decided I want to pursue a PhD in archaeology which means I’ll probably stay somewhere in Europe for at least the next ten years, studying, writing, and excavating.”

  “Okay… are you trying to break up with me?” Within a millisecond my nose flushed and tears streamed down my cheeks. After five years of loving Ian, I wasn’t ready to let go. In fact, I wasn’t thinking of letting go, ever.

  “Are you insane? Where do these idiotic ideas come from? You must be the one writing a soap opera!”

  No surprise, my boyfriend was angry with me again. I waited for him to finish his thought.

  “Our first night together, at prom, you were the most beautiful girl on the dance floor. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have you in my arms. The past five years, even apart, have been nothing but the best years of my life.”

  I nodded in agreement.

  “I love you, Danielle Lydia Kingston, and I’m done living apart from you. I’d be honored if you would be my partner, my wife, my life.”

  He produced a beautiful ring and while I fervently nodded my head in approval, he slid the ring onto my fourth finger.

  “Let’s go give your family the good news!”

  “Oh, Danielle, you’re going to make the most beautiful bride!” Mom was crying, hard. “I wish your daddy were here to walk you down the aisle.”

  “Me too, Mom. I was thinking of asking Grandpa Joe to walk me down the aisle, instead.”

  “What a brilliant idea,” Mom whispered while still in a rainfall of tears.

  “Mrs. Kingston, I’m sorry I didn’t ask you first for Dani’s hand in marriage. Dani told me you haven’t been feeling well so I didn’t want to bother you. I was originally going to get your approval today and ask Dani tomorrow, but I couldn’t wait.”

  “Oh, Ian. I fell in love with you the day you brought me a bouquet of flowers and I hoped you and Dani would find your happily ever after. Seeing you care for and love my daughter reminds me of Paul. I’ve approved of you since day one. Welcome to our family.”

  Mom cried even harder. Happiness thinking about my life and future, sadness thinking about her life and past, colored her pretty face, even when crying.

  Ian, only having two weeks at the beginning of summer to get married and to have a honeymoon, threw us all in a wedding tizzy. Mom, Grandma and I stayed up outlining what needed to be done and when. Ian eventually found the guest bedroom and fell asleep while we came up with a small guest list, possible caterers and a church.

  “I think I’m done for the night.” Grandma looked exhausted. “And to think we have Ollie’s party in a few hours. We should all get some sleep.”

  “Yeah. That’s probably smart. I have so much to do still for Ollie’s birthday.”

  While Mom cleaned up the living room I stayed behind hoping to talk to her about Ollie. Waiting patiently I planned out my speech and apology concerning Jamie, hoping for the best.

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “Can I talk to you about something?”

  “Anything, Dani.”

  “I wanted to talk about Jamie, if that’s alright with you. I’m sor…”

  Mom immediately cut me off. “Dani, it’s late and I’ve got so much to do. Can we talk more after the party?”

  I could see the panic rising in her eyes and with the way her body started slightly convulsing, this wasn’t a topic for now.

  “Sure, Mom.” Kissing her on the cheek and hugging her really hard I gave her her much needed reprieve. “Goodnight.”

  OLIVIA 2010

  Ding Dong.

  “I’ll get it.” Mother ran to the door. There were more people here than I remembered inviting.

  Six o’clock was fast approaching and I was late getting dinner on the grill. Hot dogs, hamburgers, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, condiments, pickles…where were the pickles? Frantically gathering all the ingredients I placed most of them on a large tray and looked up as the refrigerator door shut.

  “Hi Olivia.” Jamie took half a step and hugged me the best he could with a tray balancing between our embrace.

  Instantly the items on the tray dropped as he let go of me.

  “Whoa.” Jamie bent down to pick up some of the dropped condiments.

  “Mr. Big Ollie!” Oliver came running into the kitchen and hugged Jamie. “You came to my party. I knew you would come. I tried calling you a thousand times but you didn’t answer.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get any of your thousand calls.” They were still hugging each other.

  “I’m five today,” Ollie declared.

  “According to you, you turned five several times already. Here’s your present.” Jamie handed him a large box.

  “Another present? Cool. Thanks. Do you want to go in the bounce house with me?” Ollie pulled Jamie’s hand towards the screen door.

  “Ollie, can I talk to your mom for a little bit? I promise I’ll come out and play with you the rest of the time I’m here. Okay?”

  “Alwight.” Ollie ran off to play with his friends again.

  “Why don’t I take those off your hand, Livvy. I’ll start dinner.” Mom gave me an encouraging smile.

  As soon as my hands were free I walked off towards my room as the tears started rolling. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see Jamie in my kitchen, wishing his son a happy birthday. The tears were a combination of happiness for Ollie and a sad reminder for me of the five previous years we celebrated this day without him.

  “Liv!” He ran after me. “I’m sorry to barge in on your party but we need to talk. I was so glad Dani stopped by and gave me your address.”

  “Dani stopped by where?”

  “My office.”

  “Why? When? When did you see her?”

  “Yesterday. She stopped by my office and we had a nice talk. Before we get into Dani, could we talk about us? I have some questions and no matter how long it takes I will get an answer out of you,” he threatened with a smile.

  Wiping the sadness on my sleeve I responded with a nod. “I’ll do the best I can.”

  “I know this is a crazy question but my mom has called daily asking about Ollie and who his father is."

  Jamie noticed the distraught look on my face.

  “I’m sorry, Liv. I kept telling Mom that Ollie was adopted but she insists he looks just like me when I was five. Knowing your medical condition, I knew what she was saying was impossible…” He hesitated, then brought out a picture from his jacket pocket. “But then she sent me this.”

  The picture was an identical match to Ollie. Even I didn’t realize how much they would’ve looked alike at this age. Rose was right to accost me and beg me for the truth.

  “I know this is insane, and probably just wishful thinking Liv, but is there something you are not telling me about Ollie?”

  My head shook no but my eyes cried yes.

  “Liv?” he questioned gently. “Even though I’m a numbers guy, it was my mom who did the math for me. If Ollie is five now, you left me exactly five years and nine months ago. That was the last night we were together. Everything makes sense except for how you could have gotten pregnant. Please. Can y
ou solve this mystery for me? Is Ollie my son?” he once again questioned meekly and hopefully.

  “Jamie, I can’t…I don’t want to complicate your marriage. You shouldn’t be here with me. You should be with your family right now. This is not appropriate.” The truth screamed to be let out but I held back.

  “Is that what’s holding you back? I don’t understand where you got this idea that Melinda and I got married. I’m not married. Who told you this?”

  Startled, I didn’t know what to think. Had they not gotten married? “Your mom and Melinda told me that she was pregnant when I came back to see you and they said you were getting married.”

  “What? Mom said this to you? Melinda was hoping we’d get back together but we never did. And I promise, we did nothing to create a child together. She must have lied to Mom to get her on her side. Is that what’s kept you from me all these years? I haven’t married anyone…geez, I haven’t had a serious relationship since you left me. Six years is a long time to be out of a relationship, Liv. I’ve been searching for you hoping we could get back together. Child or no child, I still love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m sorry I let you go the first time. As beautiful as it was, our last days together have haunted me for years.”

  “Mr. Big Ollie! Why are you still in here?” Ollie burst into my room. “When are you going to come outside and play with me?”

  “Ollie.” I called our son towards me and picked him up. After Jamie’s revelation, it was time for my own confession. “I want you to say hello to your dad. Jamie is your daddy and he’s here to spend your birthday with you.”

  Ollie jumped from my arm and into Jamie’s arms.

  “I knew it! I knew it!” Ollie yelled. “I knew you were my daddy. Why did you come so late, Daddy? I missed you a lot.”

  I’d never seen Jamie so dumbfounded and utterly speechless. More than any other emotion, he looked to be in disbelief. He was also ecstatic as he held our son, swaying him from side to side.

 

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