Nip it in the Bud (Bunch-A-Blooms 3)

“I love you, too, Daddy. I want to find Willow and Ilana and apologize.”

“Let’s get to it.” I fake a smile while I guide her back toward the eating area. This was the last straw. I maintain my cool. Neomi breaks away from me and runs toward Willow, wrapping her arms around her waist as she hugs her tight. She glances over her head at me, shocked, as she strokes Neomi’s hair.

I smile at her and mouth ‘I’ll tell you later. She’s fine.’ Things are going to start coming together now.

“Are you sure you don’t want that waffle?” I ask Neomi once I reach them.

“I think I would actually,” she says.

“Then let’s get back in line.” Willow hands me the change, and I get into the line. The air is lighter, and as we rejoin Ilana, I see with my own eyes my future. Willow is a natural, and the girls respond well to her. I enjoy the rest of our time wandering from booth to booth. When they opt to go into Churchill’s tea shop, I lag behind, telling them I’ll meet them at the car.

Pulling out my phone, I call Kathy.

“Hello?”

“Kathy, I’m calling to let you know we’ll be taking a break from you. I had a very interesting talk with Neomi, who shared all your inappropriate statements about Willow with me. I don’t appreciate your meddlesome behavior. I’ll contact you if and when we’re ready. Any attempt to bully me or my children will lead to more distance, and if necessary a court date.”

I hang up, imagining her jaw flopping open like a fish’s. The childish thrill the image brings brightens my day. This was a long time coming. I’ve taken control and restored peace. Monica can’t touch us, and if Kathy tries, my lawyer is ready. I’ve put the ghosts of my past to rest, and I’m free to move into the future.

***

Willow

“Are we ready, ladies?” I call up the stairs.

Carly shakes her head. “They’re so excited to go with you this weekend.”

“We’re going to have fun. I’m doing a girls’ weekend and reliving my slumber party days,” I say sheepishly.

Carly laughs. “They’ll love it.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask.

“Get out in my flower beds.”

“They look wonderful.”

“Thank you, honey. I have some fillers I want to place in to even out the left side; it’s looking a little sparse.” Her brow furrows, and I can see Drew. He’s been gone

for four months, and I miss him daily. The phone calls, texts, and surprise packages in the mail go a long way toward keeping us connected, but I miss his scent, the feel of his arms around me, and his presence. He breezes in for a few days here and there, but in some ways, it makes it worse. It’s just enough time to get used to him being home before he has to leave. Having the girls keeps me strong. They miss him, too, and slowly we’ve formed our own special bond.

“I’ll have them back Sunday evening, fed, homework done, and ready to start school on Monday.”

“Thank you, Willow,” Carly says with a bright grin. Knowing their family history, I’m amazed by her sunny outlook on life. I move in to hug her.

“No, thank you for trusting me with them.”

“They’ve really blossomed since you’ve been around. You can reach them in ways that I can’t.”

I smile at her careful wording. We’ve talked about hair products and skin care, and they soak up the time and attention from my family. As far as we know, Monica doesn’t know who their biological father is, or simply refuses to say, so they haven’t been exposed to the other side of their heritage. I make it a point to fill in the gaps and give them a safe space to asks questions and talk openly. They have their moments, like most children on the cusp of teen years, but Drew and his family have done such an amazing job raising them.

“We’re coming down, Lowy,” Ilana says in a sing-song voice. She appears at the top of the stairs with her black duffle bag slung across her body and Neomi trailing behind her. Neomi took a lot longer to come around, but she loves hard. Of the two, she’s the one who texts and calls me the most. She’s starved for maternal attention, and I’m happy to give it to her. I was nervous coming into this relationship. I knew I wanted to be a mother someday, but I expected to have ten years of figuring out how to do it before I got to this emotionally ramped, hormone-driven stage.

We’re figuring these things out together.

“You realize you’re only going to be with me for two days, right?” I ask.

“Yes, but you never said exactly what we’d be doing,” Neomi states with a shrug.