Danielle let out a sigh and nodded. “It’s for the best, Richard. Some people just weren’t cut out to be parents.”
I started thinking about all of the things that I wanted to do with Addison, like taking her for bike rides in Central Park and introducing her to Broadway musicals. While we were in New York City, I was going to have her soak up as much culture as possible. Maybe even bring her to Chinatown, ride the subway, and visit One World Trade Center. I’d also make sure that her room in the penthouse was what she wanted.
“Well, I’m going to be the best father that I can be. That’s for sure.”
Danielle patted me on the back, and we walked outside together.
About ten minutes later, a chauffeured car pulled up. I was anxiously awaiting and wondering how Addison would respond to me being her full-time parent. The driver of the vehicle pulled out several suitcases and handed them to me. As I held them, I watched as little Addison got out of the car holding a teddy bear. She looked terrified until she saw me.
She ran toward me so fast that I dropped her suitcases on the ground, immediately scooped her up and hugged her as I cried a little bit.
“Daddy!” I could hear and feel the excitement in her voice, and I vowed to protect her for the rest of my life. “Mommy’s gone, isn’t she?”
I put her down and looked into her eyes. I knew that question was coming, but I didn’t know how to respond. All of the million-dollar business deals that I had done couldn’t have prepared me for that moment. Yet somehow, as I looked into her precious eyes, I found the courage not to lie to her.
When I was growing up and started learning about the ways of the world, my father never sugarcoated the truth. He somehow found a balance between being blatantly honest and reassuring me that life would carry on, which is the same method of parenting that I decided to use at that moment.
“Yes, sweetie, Mommy’s gone, but I’m going to take care of you now.”
“She never wanted me.” It was more of a statement than a question.
I wanted to say no, that’s not true, but I thought about how my father would have responded. Addison was mature beyond her years, and I didn’t want her to question her intuition.
“The world is full of both good and bad people,” I said, “and we can’t always control which ones come into our lives. The good news, however, is that I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
A big smile displayed across her face, and I let out an exhale before we piled into the car. It was time to head back to the penthouse, and I was relieved this whole ordeal was finally over. All I wanted to do was get Addison situated in her new home.
“Do you live in a big tower?”
I nodded.
“Yes, here in New York City, I live in a penthouse, and now you will too. It’s big and has lots of room for you to play. As soon as we get home, I’m going to call someone to help decorate your bedroom. Do you know what colors you want?”
Addison sat on my lap the whole way home, telling me about how she wanted her bedroom decorated. She also told me about her favorite restaurants in New York City, what kind of pizza she liked, and that she loved mermaids. After a while, she grew quiet, which I assumed was because she was tired, and due for a nap.
“It’s okay that Mommy never loved me,” she said to break the silence.
It pained me to hear her say those words, but I was also proud of her for being so intuitive. Once again, I didn’t know what to say, and just when I wondered how my dad would have replied, she continued talking.
“I’m not too young to understand that, Daddy. Plus, now I have you and Annie, so I don’t need her.”
I was surprised that she remembered Annie since they had only met once at the lake. Remembering that day caused me to pull out my phone and look at that picture of us. As she sat on my lap, looking out the windows, I glanced down at Annie, smiling at the camera. I would have given anything to have her in the car at that moment.
That last thing I wanted was to break her heart over yet another woman letting her down, though. That was the real reason I’d broken up with Annie. Addison deserved more than to have another mother figure in her life who would abandon her. Part of me felt that Annie would have been a wonderful mother, but it was too big of a risk for Addison.
Instead of replying to her, I just kissed her forehead to reassure her that we’d be okay.
As soon as we got back to the penthouse, I showed Addison to her room.
“This is so much bigger than my room at Michael’s,” she said while jumping on the bed.
I gave her the biggest guest bedroom in the penthouse that even had its own bathroom.
“Are these toys all for me?”
I nodded and smiled as she hugged her stuffed animals. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I ordered a bunch of different ones online. Why don’t you unpack, sweetie? I’m going to call someone to help decorate your room.”
“Thank you, Daddy!”
