Vegas Baby

“That I will,” I answered. “I figure we’ll get some breakfast, then go to Trevor’s, sign some paperwork, and then -after seven months of running around- we’ll finally have this entire Vegas situation behind us. Totally clean slate.”

“Yeah… a clean slate.” She feigned a yawn and Kireina followed right in her suit. “Alright, I think it’s time for bed on this side of the phone. Say goodnight, Daddy.” She picked up Kiriena’s hand again and waved it, affecting a higher pitched voice as she spoke. “Goodnight Daddy.”

“Goodnight, baby girl. Goodnight mama.”

She hung up the call and then I was alone in my penthouse again, the luxury and space that I had once been so proud of seeming so empty now.

Sighing, I looked up at the ceiling and willed myself to try to get at least a little shut eye. Tomorrow was a big day for all of us and was probably going to change our lives forever.

***

Being a business man had long since taught me how to keep my cards close to my chest and not to give away my emotions, but I could hardly stop shaking as I pulled up to Nicole’s apartment. Today was the big day. The final result of me coming to St. Louis, the wrapping up of a chunk of my life that I never could have predicted.

I had texted Nicole when I was just a few minutes out, and sure enough she was coming out of the front door right as I arrived. God, she looked as beautiful as ever, dressed in a simple knit dress and what I guessed were wooden leggings considering how close we were to winter and how much Nicole liked being toasty.

She was carrying Kireina’s baby carrier with her, a small blanket over the top, but I even just the sight of her holder was enough to make my heart swell.

God, I loved this little kid. Which was stupid. All she did was cry and coo and pee and poon, yet she had my heart wrapped around her little finger for all eternity. I never thought of myself as one of those doting fathers, but there was no doubt in my mind that I would have to fight spoiling her as we both grew older.

Nicole opened the back, setting up Kireina and buckling her in with surprising expertise. I guessed that she probably had been driving around a lot on her own considering her mother and I were out of town, and had gotten plenty of practice in.

She slid into the car next to me and shot me one of her bright smiles. “Hey there handsome, long time no see.”

“You’re telling me,” I said, offering her a short laugh as I put in the address for Trevor’s office.

“You know, I think this is the first time we’ve ever gone to his office on a weekday.” Nicole mused as we pulled out.

“I think you’re right,” I said, flashing back to the other two times we had been there. “That’s so funny, isn’t it?”

“Well, I don’t know about funny. Then again, my humor has been so warped by children shows, I don’t know how to laugh unless something has been said by some sort of talking animal.”

“Sounds like a rough life.”

“You have no idea. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

“Good, because you’re kind of stuck with her for the next eighteen years at minimum.”

“Yeah, but I kinda like that. I’ve had too many terrible people stuck to me for most of my life. It’s nice to have a good one.”

I fell quiet at that and just nodded. We hadn’t heard a peep from Jason or his ex since one of my lawyer’s minions had served them, and I’d like for it to stay that way. She was right, she had too many awful people in her life. I was glad for the change.

I just had to hope it stayed that way.

We arrived at Trevor’s place in good time and walked into his office with one more person than usual. The same receptionist was there, as usual, but her entire face brightened the moment she saw our carrier.

“Is that your baby?” She asked, standing up from her desk so quickly I was worried she might pass out.

“Yes, it is!” Nicole answered, glowing brightly as she did. If motherhood had ever been meant for someone, it was for the woman beside me. She looked so beautiful and full of life, even if she probably was tired and maybe not eating the best while she was on her own. “Would you like to see?”

“Of course, I would like to see!”

She practically ran around the desk and soon the two women were cooing over Kireina. I stepped back, letting them have their moment, and for once we were still standing in the lobby when Trevor came in with his ever-present briefcase.