New York, Actually (From Manhattan with Love 4)

Marsha picked up the cue. “Shall we take a look together?”

While Kristy opened the door and peered inside, Daniel turned to Marsha and spoke in a low voice. “If they don’t find the doll, call the store and have them send another one over.”

She nodded, and Daniel reflected that one of the many reasons he loved working with Marsha was that nothing threw her. Leaving the problem in her capable hands, he walked into his office and left the door slightly ajar. “Kristy will be fine with Marsha.”

“You’re brilliant.” Elisa blew her nose. “There are days when I wish I was married to you. You’re better with my kids than Henry.”

Daniel kept his expression neutral. “If you need to talk to a therapist, Elisa, then Marsha can—”

“It’s not that. I know you’re not here to listen to my problems, but sometimes it’s not so easy to detach the emotional stuff from the practical stuff. I don’t know what to do, Mr. Knight. He yelled at Kristy this morning. That’s why I bought her the doll. I can’t believe I’m turning into that person who thinks buying stuff compensates for bad parenting.” Her eyes filled again and she took a deep breath. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you hold Oliver while I go to the bathroom? I’ve been trying to stay calm because when I’m tense it makes his asthma worse—”

Daniel took the wriggling toddler and held him firmly. The child grabbed a handful of his hair and stared at him, intrigued.

Elisa’s tears spilled over. “You see? He’d rather be with you, a stranger, than with me. He knows I’m tense. I’m a terrible mother.”

“You’re a great mother.” Daniel spoke gently. “Sit down.” He handed her the box of tissues and she took a handful and plopped down as if she was too tired to do anything else.

“Sorry. Henry keeps telling me I should pull myself together.”

Daniel refrained from voicing his opinion on Henry. “You have two young children. Even without marital tension, that’s enough to put pressure on you.”

Elisa blew her nose hard. “I’m trying to do what’s best for them, but I don’t even know what that is anymore. One minute I think they’d be better off growing up in a two-parent family, but then Henry snaps at Kristy and Oliver’s asthma is getting worse daily, as are his tantrums. Henry takes it personally, and he accuses me of poisoning the kids against him.” Taking a deep breath, she stood up. “Right. I’m pulling myself together right now. Back in a moment.” She left the room and Marsha popped her head around the door, her eyebrows lifting as she saw Daniel pointing out various New York landmarks to a fascinated Oliver.

“Do you want me to take him? At least turn him the other way. He might freak when he sees the crowds in Times Square.”

“Good point.” Daniel shifted so that the toddler could see the Empire State Building. His eyes widened with wonder and he stretched out a chubby finger to the glass. Daniel smiled. “He’s pretty cute.”

Marsha leaned against the door. “Keep your voice down. If all those people who call you the Dark Knight and the Rottweiler could see you now, you’d be in trouble.”

“Then it’s a good thing they can’t. And just so we’re clear, if this little guy deposits body fluids of any kind on my suit we’ll be charging double.”

She folded her arms and tilted her head to one side. “You know, Daniel, the tough-guy act doesn’t quite work when you’re cuddling a toddler. I had no idea you were so good with children.”

“I had two little sisters. Plenty of practice.”

When Elisa came back she’d brushed her hair and applied more lipstick. She took the little boy back and Daniel settled himself on the edge of his desk.

“What happened?”

“Two days.” Elisa settled Oliver on her lap. “That was how long he lasted. He moved back in and then I caught him calling her two days later. Can you believe that? When he said we should get back together, I thought he meant it. I thought he was committed to doing this for the children, but it was all lies. Apparently I’m the one supposed to make sacrifices for the children, but not him. I can’t live like this but he tells me it will be bad for the kids if we split up.” Elisa’s eyes filled again. “Aggie said—”

“What do you think? Not Henry and not Aggie,” Daniel kept his tone neutral, but he was starting to think that if he heard that name again he’d break something.

“Honestly? I think it sounds like a life sentence. Not because I don’t love him, but because I do. Can you imagine how it would feel to spend your life with someone who doesn’t feel the same way about you as you do about them?”

Daniel was careful to listen and remain neutral.

Molly might think that not falling in love was a problem, but from where he was sitting falling in love with the wrong person didn’t look so great either.

Elisa sniffed. “I don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t love me. But he told me if I leave, he’ll stop me from seeing the kids.”

Daniel felt a pressure in his chest.

In his head he heard another voice, another time. Another woman sobbing.

If I leave, he’ll take the three of you. He told me he’d make sure I never see you again. It’s hard, but I have to stay. I won’t lose my babies.

“Mr. Knight?” Elisa’s voice cut through the memories, tentative. Unsure. “That’s why I’m here. I know you told me only to come to you for the legal stuff, but now I’m really scared that if I go through with the divorce he will stop me from seeing my kids. He said if I want to keep the kids, I have to stay.”