26
Nova
I felt terrible.
I couldn’t believe the childcare center was so damn negligent. Of all the dumb shit they could do, they had to dothis, and it had to be with Dakota. I stood in front of Don’s door, covered in embarrassment and ready for whatever attitude he wanted to throw my way. In all honesty, I had no business recommending anything since I didn’t have any children. But I assumed it was a great establishment since so many people I knew took their kids there.
I guess that’ll teach my ass.
Finally, Don swung the door open. “Damn, I thought you were Aunie,” he said, a flash of disappointment resting on his face.
“Sorry.” I shrugged before stepping inside. “Have you talked to her?”
“Only by text, and that was just a damn sentence. As usual, she’s being an asshole. I can’t believe she did this shit.”
“I’m so sorry, Don. I never expected something like this to happen. I’ve always heard great things about that center.”
“It’s not your fault, baby,” he said before pulling me into a hug and planting a kiss on my forehead.
I had to admit, I was a little surprised by his response. I expected him to be livid with me. “Um…okay.”
“You good?”
“No, I’m not. I feel really bad. This is the one time I recommended something so important, and it turned out to be a horrible experience. I feel like this is a sign.”
He paused for a moment, and then looked me over. “What do you mean?”
“I think it’s a sign that I shouldn’t have children. Shit, that’s probably why I never had any. Jayson and I definitely tried.”
“Nah, the reason you didn’t have a kid was because God knew better than to let you have a kid with someone you had no business being with. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. I don’t doubt that you would be a great mother.”
I shook my head. “After this, I doubt it.”
He chuckled. “Trust me, you’ll be amazing. You’ll see.”
“I’ll see?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you saying you want to have kids with me?”
“Come on now, Nova, you know this.”
“I mean, I don’t like to assume anything.”
Shaking his head, he said, “Well, if you just need to hear me say it, then yes, when the time is right, I want the marriage, the house, the kids…I want it all and I want it with you.”
He lowered his gaze while making our foreheads touch. I couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard something like this. When Jayson and I were together, he told me a lot of the same things, but this time it felt different. Maybe it was because it was coming from someone that I wanted to hear it from. My heart swelled, happy to be in a place that made me feel strong and so connected.
A tear fell down my cheek, which he gently wiped away with his thumb. Giggling, I said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make this about me.”
“It’s okay. You took my mind off of all the anger that I had before you walked through the door. You have no idea how much I needed that,” he said.
I could feel a sense of relief wash over him.
“Yeah, I could tell you were ready to give Aunie the business.”
“Most definitely. But now, I just want my daughter. I’m going to say what I have to say as cool as I can and send her on her damn way.”
