8
DEAN
I never figured Trish was just going to leave without a scene, but I was wrong. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong in my life.
Mark those words.
Two weeks later, the divorce papers came in the mail. Since I have nothing to hide, I had Molly open the envelope.
“She’s going through with this,” Molly tells me softly.
“Are you mad that she is? Most women would be happy that they’ve won.” I laugh lightly, showing her that it doesn’t bother me at all. I could give a fuck less about what she’s doing. I have what I want — Molly — and I’m not going to let go of it.
“No, I just thought that she was going to get mad, get over it, and come back. Then again, when she left my father, she didn’t come back, not even for me.” Molly looks forlorn as she tells me this. I swiftly pull her into my arms, locking her in as her head rests against my chest.
“Some people don’t realize what a gem others are until it’s too late. You’re my precious jewel, and I’m never going to let you go,” I assure her, giving her a gentle kiss.
She nods her head at me as she pulls back, giving a kiss back on my cheek. When she looks at me, I can see the love that she has for me.
She wants me. Needs me.
Almost as much as I need her.
For me, it was love at first sight. I don’t want to stop holding her; I don’t want to stop touching her. Ever. Every little thing about her I desire, adore. I’m far past obsessed at this point.
She lets out a giggle and pulls away. I can feel the love she has for me even if she doesn’t say it. She doesn’t need to.
“Why don’t you go put on something nice for your... daddy?” I raise an eyebrow at her, challenging her. That sexy smile of hers spreads across her face as I finish the last word.
She quickly turns to race up the stairs, and I follow behind in amusement. I love how she’s always game for what I have in mind.
She rushes into the bathroom, and I can’t remember having this much fun before. Most certainly not with Trish.
With Molly, it’s easy to let go and forget the world around me. Molly is all that exists. I find it hard to stay away from her, even at work these past few weeks. I thought that I was getting too old to find happiness again, but that’s not true. It feels exhilarating to be with her, so amazing to know that she’s not going anywhere. She’s right where she belongs, here with me.
“Are you going to put on something nice for me?” I ask her gently through the bathroom door, trying the knob and realizing that it’s locked.
“Patience! I’ll be out in a minute to join you.” I can hear the laughter in her voice loud and clear, which makes me believe that she has her face against the bathroom door.
I step away and head to my room. That’s one thing that we haven’t shared yet, a room. I can’t wait to hold her in my arms all night.
We thought that Trish would try and come back, thinking that she would want to make things work, but there’s been no sign of Trish in weeks. It’d be a waste of her time thinking there’s anything to work on.
No matter how many times I’ve told Molly that I’m not going back to her mother, she doesn’t seem to truly believe me. Even now, I can see that she has her doubts. She’s wondering if I’m just playing with her, but I’m not.
I’m not looking for this to be a game between us.
I have to find a way to show her that this is real for me, that I’m not going through some mid-life crises even though I’m in my early fifties and she’s barely getting into her twenties.
I slip out of my clothes quickly and move to the bed to lay down. As I place my hands behind my head, I close my eyes for a just a moment. I don’t think that the smile on my face has dropped since it’s been just the two of us here. I like the way life is going, two people working in harmony. A way of living that I had yet to experience until now, now that I have my Molly.
No matter what happens at work, I’m her boss there, and I’m her daddy here at home. We don’t bring work home with us, and that’s the best part of working together. As soon as we leave, the troubles are behind us until the next day — unless we want to take a few more shots for the magazine… and me.
I hear Molly in the bathroom. I’m not sure what she’s doing, but whe
n I hear the door open, I keep my eyes closed. I enjoy being surprised by her, she never fails to do so.
“Daddy?” I hear her bubbly voice, and it makes my heartbeat speed up.