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“That’s all right,” Liam said, sounding officious. “She can have it. I already have another Herb Overkill. It’s a present.”
Drake smiled and ruffled Liam’s hair. “That’s very nice of you, Liam.”
“She is my sister.”
“She is,” Drake replied, his voice low and filled with emotion.
For the next few moments, the three of us adults and Liam watched while Sophie chewed on Herb Overkill. Then, she reached for Iron Man, when Liam held him out.
“No, you can’t eat Iron Man,” Liam said and pulled him gently away. “He’s too strong. He’d break your teeth.”
“Luckily, she doesn’t have any teeth yet,” I said with a smile. “We won’t let her get Iron Man all wet.”
Of course, at that pleasant moment, the front door opened and Maureen walked in, her arms full of shopping bags.
“I’m home,” she said and removed her coat. She turned to us and saw Drake on the floor with Liam. “You’re still here.”
“We should go,” I said to Drake and stood up. “Sophie needs to nurse.”
“Yes,” Drake said, his voice filled with obvious reluctance. “We should be going.” He turned to Liam. “It was nice to meet you. I hope we can get to know each other better now that you’re living in Manhattan.
“Will you bring Sophia?” Liam asked as he handed Sophie Herb Overkill once more.
“We sure will,” Drake said. “Maybe next time you could come to our house.”
“Maybe,” Maureen replied. She walked over to Liam and stood behind him, holding onto his shoulders protectively. “We’ll have to do some planning about this.”
Drake nodded. “Whatever you think is best.”
On my part, I put Sophia’s snowsuit back on and got her into the car seat while Drake pulled on his boots and coat.
Liam came over to the door, Iron Man clasped in his hand, watching while Drake tied his scarf.
“Well, Liam,” Drake said. “I’m glad I met you. I hope we can see each other again soon.” Drake glanced in Maureen’s direction. She didn’t look entirely happy, and was probably hoping to have missed the three of us.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll call you and let you know what time is good. Sorry I didn’t get back in time to visit.”
I didn’t believe her for a moment. Finally, after a brief hesitation while I dressed in my coat and boots, we went to the door. Drake turned around and waved at Liam as we left the apartment.
Brenda winked at us as she closed the door. I was glad we had her on our side.
Drake put his arm around me as we went to the elevator.
“That went well,” I said and smiled at him.
“It did. It went very well.” He didn’t say much, but I could tell from the expression on his face that he was ecstatic. Liam knew Drake was his father. It didn’t mean much at this point, for Drake was a stranger. To be a real father, Drake would have to spend time with Liam, be there for important occasions and hang out with him. They would have to build a relationship slowly, over time.
Finally, the elevator bell rang and the doors slid open. We rode it in silence, but when I glanced at Drake, he looked so happy, a smile lingering on his face. It made my heart swell with love for him.
“I got my wish,” he said to me when we walked along the street to the parking garage.
“I’m so happy for you, Drake,” I said, tears in my eyes.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice breaking. “It was all because of you that I even had the chance to see Liam.” He leaned down to kiss me. “I love you more than anything.”
“I love you more than anything,” I replied. I meant it. At that moment, I felt as if all the bad things that happened over the previous six months were forgotten, pushed back into the darkness. There was only today, and Drake, Sophie and me. Soon, Liam would be part of that small circle.
Drake kissed me and then we continued to the parking garage and drove off into the growing darkness of the Christmas Day night.
