A Chance Encounter

Sophia’s eyes water. Something that happens often these days. The further along in her pregnancy, the more emotional she gets. She’s due in three months and our wedding is in two. After sitting down and discussing dates, we picked the weekend after she graduates from college so we can go on a mini honeymoon—while my parents keep Kendall—since Kendall will still be in school for another couple weeks.

“Soph, go,” I say with a laugh, encircling my arms around her. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.” She takes a deep breath. “Okay, I’m going. You’re taking Riggins, right? He knows where her school is and the proce—”

“Dash, I got this. Riggins is going with you, and I’m not taking anyone. I’ll be fine.” The paparazzi have died down, so I no longer need security with me, unless we’re going to a big event. But I’m keeping Riggins on because Sophia is pregnant and Kendall is little. I’ve been doing this my entire life, so I can handle it, but I’m not taking that chance with my girls.

I can tell she wants to argue but doesn’t. “Okay. I’ll see you later.” She kisses me again, then, grabbing her purse and slinging it over her shoulder, saunters out the door.

I have an hour before I need to head out to get Kendall, so I use the time to check my emails and get some writing in. The words have been flowing lately and I’m excited to get this album going.

I’m heading out the door, when my dad shoots me a text asking if I’m coming into the studio today since I’m scheduled. Shit, I forgot. I wrote a new song I want to work on putting music to. I consider telling him I need to reschedule, but Kendall and Sophia have been to the studio with me a few times and Kendall loves it there. She spends the entire time between the sound booth and control room, messing with the equipment and singing her little heart out. The girl loves music. So, instead of canceling, I let him know I’m going to pick up Kendall and then we’ll be on our way.

I arrive at her school a few minutes before the bell is due to ring and pull around the pickup line, finding a parking spot. Sophia said she has the driver park, so she can walk up and greet her, but if I want to wait in the carline so nobody recognizes me, I can do that. Since this was last-minute and Kendall isn’t expecting me, I park and walk up. It’s an elementary school. I doubt anyone is thinking about who I am…

But the second I step onto the sidewalk where parents are allowed to wait, I realize my mistake. Apparently, based on the way the group of moms are staring at me like they want to devour me, kids, teenagers, and people in their early twenties aren’t the only ones who listen to my music.

Thankfully, the bell rings, and the school quickly becomes a madhouse. Doors swing open and kids fly out. My pulse picks up speed as my eyes dart all over looking for Kendall. There’s no way they would just let her find her own way out, right? If that’s the case, we’re going to be looking into private school.

Quickly, I notice the kids aren’t actually going anywhere they want, but are lining up along the painted lines to wait to be called. Cars drive up and teachers call out the kids’ names. I breathe easier, seeing it’s ordered chaos.

A few minutes later, another group of kids come out and I spot Kendall in the mix, looking around for her mom. The second she sees me, her face lights up and she runs over to me. She jumps into my arms and hugs me tight. “Easton, you’re here!” Her tiny hands squeeze my cheeks. “Ms. Kelly told me Mommy called and said you’re picking me up.”

“I’m here. You ready to go?”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Blackwood?” a young woman says.

“Yeah.”

“I’m just going to need to see your ID, so you can take Kendall. It’s standard procedure since you’ve never picked her up before.”

“Absolutely.” I set Kendall down, pull my wallet out, and hand her my driver’s license.

“Kendall, is that your daddy?” a little girl asks. Her mom is one of the women who were staring at me.

“No,” Kendall says softly. “He’s my baby brother’s daddy. I don’t have a daddy.”

Her words have me darting my gaze down to her. Sophia and I have confirmed with an attorney that I can legally adopt Kendall because there’s no one on her birth certificate as the dad, but we were waiting until it’s all legalized to tell her. Looks like we’re going to need to say something sooner because I can’t have her thinking like that.