Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

“Hey, baby girl!” I gush, and Celeste squeals happily, opening and closing her palms at me. I throw my stuff in the house and take her from Aviva, but not before giving Aviva a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“No problem. Believe me, Jaylin did all the work.”

My heart skips a beat as I wrap my arms around my girl, kissing her all over her face, much to her excitement. She laughs happily, holding my cheeks before she nuzzles her nose into mine. “How was your week? Did you have fun with Jean and Jaylin and Auntie Aviva?”

She babbles something, and I grin as we head inside. I thought Aviva and Nico were behind me, but they wave me off from the driveway.

“It’s been a week without my girl. See ya,” Nico calls, and I laugh as I shut the door. I hold Celeste close as I carry my things to my room, dropping them off. Jean keeps the house so clean; I can’t even tell that a baby lives here. Everything is arranged so perfectly, and even the kitchen is spotless. I try to keep up with her, but she’s a beast when it comes to cleaning. Hell, who am I kidding? She’s a beast at everything, which is why I can’t ever let her go. I’ll figure it out until she gets her dad feeling better. I need her. Celeste needs her.

I head to the living room after grabbing Celeste and myself some snacks. She’s cuddled deep in my chest, and I love how much she loves me. How much she missed me. It’s such a wonderful feeling. When I reach the couch, I sit down, and she burrows deeper in my chest. Her arms are around my neck, holding me tightly as I gush and love all over her. “You look bigger. Are you bigger?”

She giggles, mocking me as I nod. God, I love her. I hold her close, our cheeks pressed together, before snapping a picture and sending it to Jaylin. She responds right away.

Jaylin: Stop. I can’t handle all that cuteness! I can’t wait to kiss you!

I grin as I type back. Me: Same. Hurry over.

Jaylin: Trying! Stressful day.

My grin grows since I know when she gets the roses, her day will get better. I go to put my phone down, but it starts to ring. It’s Willa.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“Hey. Are you home yet?”

“I am. Just arrived.”

“Can you chat for a bit?”

I’d rather not talk about Lilly, but I know I need to. “Yeah, just hanging with my baby girl.”

“Okay. Listen, her lawyer is saying she isn’t coming on Friday. Nor has she signed the papers. But I’m not entirely sure if the witness reports, emails, texts, and everything else we have will be able to resolve this. According to her lawyer, she is wanting to push this back until after Christmas.”

My stomach drops. “What? Why?”

“I don’t know. I am going to fight it. If we can’t get it settled Friday, then I’ll make the next court date sooner. I just wanted to give you an update.”

“Okay,” I say through my teeth. Fuck, I hate Lilly.

“Let me know if you hear from her. Though, I doubt you will. Have you tried calling or texting lately?”

“Not since you told me not to.”

“All right. Maybe send her a text, saying you’ll see her Friday, and see what she says. But in no way fight with her or call her names or allow her to get under your skin. We have to stay smart about this, but maybe you can urge her to sign the papers or show up.”

“I can do that.”

“Great. Keep me in the loop.”

“Will do,” I agree, and then we hang up. I am so annoyed, and I don’t understand what the hell Lilly is thinking right now. She wants to push this to December? For what? What will happen in a couple months that she’ll be ready to give up her rights? She gave them up the moment she dropped Celeste off and decided she wanted to go to Italy instead of being a mother. I know she can be a piece of shit most of the time, but this is downright ridiculous.

Against my better judgment, I dial her number. To my surprise, and maybe by the grace of God, someone answers.

“Hello?” It’s a male voice. I assume, her boyfriend.

“Hey, is Lilly there?”

“Who’s this?”

“Kirby Litman. Her daughter’s father.”

“Ah, yeah. Hold on, man.”

I wait a moment. I hear her say something along the lines of “Why did you answer?” but then she comes on the line. “Kirby, it’s late.”

“Okay, I apologize. But what the hell, Lilly? Why are you dragging ass with this? You said you didn’t want Celeste. Why are you putting me through this and wasting my money?”

“Because I’m not ready to give up my rights.”