AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s really sweet that you guys reconnected and that you’re going to surprise her. That’ll mean a lot to her.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
The gate agent made an announcement that would begin the boarding of their plane.
“Let me give you my number if you need to talk to someone who gets the single-parenthood challenge,” Max said.
“Oh, that would be great.”
They exchanged numbers, and he helped her with the stroller she was checking at the gate.
“Talking to you made me feel a lot better. Thank you. Your Lexi is a lucky girl indeed.”
“Glad to help. I’ve been right where you are, well, except for the marriage-ending part, and I get it.”
“Have a great weekend with Lexi.”
“Thanks. I hope it all works out for you.”
“It will. I’ll make sure it does.”
“That’s the attitude.”
“It really helped me to talk to you and to find out my life isn’t over because this happened.”
“Far from it. Keep in touch, okay?”
“I will.”
ChapterSixteen
“Love, having no geography, knows no boundaries.”
—Truman Capote
Because she was boarding with the baby, Jamie was in the first group to get on the plane. Max waved to them as he went to his seat a few rows behind them. After he was settled in a window seat, it occurred to him that he’d become somewhat of an expert on single parenthood and that it might be fun to write about some of the things he’d learned. Maybe it would help people like Jamie who were just starting the journey and finding it overwhelming.
He certainly knew what that was like. Though he didn’t often think about the bleak days after Chloe signed away her parental rights, it didn’t take much to resurrect the feelings of shock and fear that had stayed with him for months afterward. At that time, he’d been quite certain there was no way he could raise a child on his own.
His big family had rallied around him, making it so he was never truly alone with the massive responsibility of raising a child. They had been an amazing source of support, but the reality was that for much of Caden’s life, he’d been alone with him. He’d made all the big decisions for him, nursed him through every fever and cold and kissed him better whenever he skinned a knee or elbow. Not only had they survived, but they’d thrived.
Caden was a son anyone would be proud of, and Max was exceptionally proud of him—and himself, not just for surviving the last seven years, but for enjoying them, too. At first, the task had been so daunting, he hadn’t fully wallowed in the joy of parenthood. That had come later, as Caden grew older and became his buddy as well as his son.
Max had looked forward to this break with Lexi, but after a short time away from Caden, he was already itching to get back to him. He reminded himself that he would talk to Caden on the phone while he enjoyed the time with Lexi. According to his mother, he’d earned the right to some personal happiness in addition to the parental happiness. He was still trying to convince himself that he could have both at the same time.
Caden’s reaction to Lexi was worrisome, but Max hoped that in time, his son would get past the resistance when he realized nothing between them would change if she was part of their lives. At the same time, Max needed to accept that nothing between him and Caden would change if he allowed Chloe to be part of Caden’s life.
The two-hour-and-ten-minute flight seemed to take forever, especially the part at the end when it took hours—or so it seemed—to get off the plane after it reached the gate. Being this close to her and still so far away was torturous as he made his way through the congested airport, following the signs for taxis and ride shares. Cameron had suggested he download the Uber app and use that when he got to Houston.
Twenty minutes later, he was in a car and on the way to the address Lexi’s grandmother had given him. He’d texted her to tell her he’d landed on time and would be there shortly. She’d responded with thumbs-up emojis.
He was looking forward to seeing Lexi’s parents and grandparents again, but he couldn’t wait to seeher. After having spent last weekend with her, he wondered how he’d managed to get through a whole decade without her in his life. She’d refilled the space he’d kept open for her all that time without even realizing he was doing it. And now that he’d had a refresher course on all things Lexi, he wanted much more with her.
He wanted it all with her, and he’d never wanted that with anyone else.
A short time later, the Uber pulled up to a two-story home in a Houston suburb. “Here you are.”
