Page 15 of Daddy Detectives: Episode 2
“Everything’s fine,” I say as I pat her knee. “Besides, Miguel would never let anyone hurt you.”
She looks my way, her pretty blue eyes wide, and nods. Nervously, she tucks her red hair behind her ear. Her pale cheeks are a bit flushed, making her freckles stand out. “I’m okay.”
“Thanks for coming over today,” I say. “I haven’t seen you two in ages.”
Ruby doesn’t leave their apartment often. The fact that she did so today, for me and the babies, says a lot.
She smiles down at Lizzie in her arms. “I wanted to see the babies.”
“I guess you got more than you bargained for, didn’t you?”
“I suppose so. But Miguel’s here. I’m not worried. Really.”
“Remind me to tell you about the time Miguel saved my life.”
The front door opens again, and a moment later, Tyler and Miguel walk into the living room, followed by Jerry.
I rise to my feet, Will cradled in my arms as he sucks on his bottle. I notice something tucked underneath Tyler’s arm. “What’s that?”
He sets it down on the coffee table. “Later.”
Then he walks right up to me, takes Will from me, and hands the baby and his bottle to Miguel. When he pulls me into his arms, my breath rushes out of me, and I forget about everyone else in the room. His strong arms bring me in close, his blue-green eyes gazing into mine for the longest time. There’s so much emotion in his eyes, so much he’s trying to tell me, but we’re not alone, and maybe now isn’t the time.
“Did you find out who—”
“Yes,” he says.
“Is it my birth mother?”
“No.”
The rush of relief I feel at the news is so powerful my knees almost give out. Tyler grips my elbows to hold me steady.
My birth mother betrayed me, and hurt me, scarring me for life. I’ve tried to put it behind me and move on, but I’ve only been partially successful. If I found that she was still betraying me, years later, I don’t think I could take it. “Then who?” I ask.
“Her boyfriend. And I’m taking care of it.”
“I think we should go and let you guys talk,” Miguel says.
There’s a flurry of activity then, as Lizzie and Will, who are both well into their sleepy milk comas, are tucked into their bassinettes. Jerry gives Tyler a quiet update, and then everyone leaves.
The house is silent now, with the babies asleep and Tyler quietly observing me.
His entire focus ison me. “I saw the photos, Ian.”
I’m wondering if it’s my imagination that his voice cracked a bit as he said those words.
He nods at the photo album he laid on the table. “I took it for safe keeping until this is sorted out.”
I stare at it, half expecting it to strike out and bite me, or maybe explode.
“Do you want to look at the pictures?” he asks. His voice is hesitant, as if he’s cautioning me to think that through before I answer.
“I’m not sure.” I don’t know if I can face seeing visual reminders of the years of torment I lived through.
“I suggest you don’t,” he says, his voice low and gentle. “At least not yet.”
I nod. “Okay.” My gaze returns to his. “You saw them?”
