Page 58 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
“The honking was unnecessary, Janice, I have a baby inside for goodness’ sake.” I call out, my tone and expression showing just how unimpressed I am with her actions.
She covers her mouth with one hand when she realizes. “I’m so sorry, Jakey. I just assumed she was over at Sherry’s.”
“Hello, Naomi.” I greet her, pulling the door open so she can step out. “Drop the ‘Jakey’ from now on and I will consider forgiving you.” I tell Janice.
“And if I don’t?” she demands impishly.
“Then I ban you from my household.” I reply deadpan.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Jake.” She apologizes with both hands clasped together. “Is that better?” she asks.
“Very much so.” I answer, closing the door after Naomi is all the way out. I pause for a moment, then look at Janice. “Want to come in and take a peek at the princess, too?”
“Why yes, I’d love that,” she declares with a flourish.
I make my way into the apartment with Janice and Naomi on my heels. When they are in position to get a good look at Maddie, Janice rushes over to pick a very awake Maddie up.
“Hello, Maddie. I’m really glad to see you again,” Naomi says, giving her a soft handshake and gently gripping her little hand. After casting a mischievous look at Janice, Naomi’s tone turns conspiratorial. “I’m also sorry about Janice. She’s much too loud, I know.” This meeting is very different from the last. Maddie smiles at Naomi, then starts babbling incoherently.
“She’s got a pretty smile, just like her dad,” she declares as she lets go of Maddie’s hand.
I still feel that same painful pull in my heart when someone calls Maddie my daughter, but it’s less upsetting now—more like a five than a ten. I just say thank you, and she smiles like she knows what that cost me.
Janice and Maddie start playing, and pretty soon, Maddie is oblivious to the rest of us; her attention completely monopolized by our red-haired visitor.
“Reckon we can get a chance to talk, now?” Naomi asks.
I glance back at Maddie, and like I expected, she is almost entranced by the faces Janice is making at her and chuckling at the more strange ones. “I think we are in the clear, plus I’m pretty sure Maddie is not getting bored anytime soon.”
We take a short walk to the balcony where we sit next to each other. We sit in companionable silence until I break it when I ask a question. “What’s the plan Naomi? Where are you going now?”
She raises a dainty hand to wrestle a wayward lock of hair back under control and I am flushed with memories of when I used to be the one doing that for her.
Different times. Different times indeed.
The bout of nostalgia that follows is pretty easy to break through when I think about the person I want to be doing this for, the person who is probably planning on going away soonbecause I pushed her to. There is a sharp sting in my chest and I recognize it as my heart aching for her.
Who would have thought it?
A couple of months ago I would have been completely assured that anyone complaining of actual physical pain as a result of being romantically heartbroken was being dramatic, but that was then. Now I know it is a completely normal occurrence when your heart is aching for someone and I can’t help wondering if she is feeling the same way.
Wondering or hoping?
I ask myself because even though causing her pain is the last thing on my mind, I can’t help but hope that she feels the same way about me as I feel about her. Enough to be hurting just like I am.
“California. I have a job offer there and it’s a pretty interesting one, too. There are a lot of benefits and bonuses involved and with no reason to stay here… I choose that.” A slight shrug of her shoulder punctuates her sentence. “Besides, I love the beach. So what is there not to love about it?”
“I’m glad you have something great for you, Naomi. Really.”
“Thank you, Jake.”
I just nod in response to her thanks as I contemplate if I should talk to her about Allison or not. The hesitancy must be clearly showing on my face because she addresses it. “You know you can ask me anything. No matter what it is.” She bumps her shoulders against mine as she queries me.
“It’s about Allison...” I start, unsure if that’s a topic I can actually discuss with her.
“Spill.”
Her tone brooks no contention and so I give in, hoping that talking about it will help with this heavy lump in my chest.
