“Come give me a hug.”
Maisie complied, and then ran to her room calling, “I’ll be back, Daddy.”
I walked Veronica to the door. “All I ask is that on the drive back, you put Maisie first. And if you can’t, think about what it really means to be a full-time parent. If you’re doing this to be with her, then you can’t leave her with nannies and tutors all the time so you can wine and dine and party.”
“You’ll hear from our attorney.”
“Be sure to tell him to let the judge know how little time you’ve actually spent with your daughter.” Yes, I was a dick, but where Maisie was concerned I didn’t care. I’d fight to the death for her.
“Sure, when he comes over for dinner. Leo has lots of judge friends.”
Fuck. I stared at her. “Why are you doing this? Did I do something that made you want to hurt me?”
“As you said, Dylan, this has nothing to do with you. It’s about Maisie and how she’s at an age where she needs a mother.”
I thought of Tessa, who was more of a mother to Maisie in the last year than Veronica had ever been.
“She does need a mother. She needs one who will be there, not treat her like a doll or pawn her off to nannies and tutors.”
“You pawn her off to a babysitter.”
“I don’t. I’ve never missed a school meeting or function. I’ve never missed a soccer game or dance recital. It takes a lot of time. Think about that. There’s no going out every night when you have to check homework. When she’s sick, you have to cancel everything to care for her. Can you put her needs before yours? That’s what she needs.”
“Do you really think so little of me?”
Yes, I did. “I only know that you put your needs first for the last few years.”
“I’ll be in touch.” She stormed down the walk toward the waiting car.
“Daddy?”
I turned and shut the door. “Oh, I like that one.”
“These are my jammies. I was tired of changing.”
“And what pretty jammies they are,” I said picking her up.
“Are you and Mommy mad?”
I sighed. “Mommy and I are having a discussion.”
She wrapped her arms around me. “I’m glad I’m home.”
“Oh? Did you have fun?” I carried her to the kitchen, thinking for once we could indulge in something unhealthy. I’d break out the ice cream I hid in the back of the fridge.
“Yes, but I missed you. Can you come next time?”
“How about some ice cream to celebrate your being home?” I said not wanting to answer her question.
Her eyes lit up. “I love ice cream.”
We had ice cream and then played a game. I read her books in bed, and then tucked her in to sleep. If Veronica took this away from me, I don’t know what I’d do. I couldn’t let that happen. I found it difficult to believe she’d win given her track record, but if her husband had friends in high places, that could be a problem.
The next morning, I woke early, showered, and dressed, skipping the rest of my usual morning routine. I called my lawyer, who wasn’t happy about being woken up at the crack of dawn, but seemed to understand my urgency when I told him my problem with Veronica. He referred me to a lawyer who specialized in family law.
“She says her new husband is connected,” I finished explaining my situation.
“Up here? Because they’ll need to file at the local court.”