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Living up in the mountains wasn’t like living in town. We didn’t report our dead, and we buried our people on their plots of land the way it was done hundreds of years ago.
Once I finished high school, Jimmy had earned enough money to get us to Los Angeles and we never looked back.
“Still, I shouldn’t have stopped you from talking about it. That was selfish.”
“I don’t regret what you did. I hope you don’t.”
His head whips in my direction. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat to save you from that monster. The things he did to you…”
“Enough.” I wave him off, standing. “I only brought up the past to answer your question.”
“Thank you. At least now I understand. I don’t agree with what you did. You could have come to me right away. I wish you would have believed I’d figure something out. But thank you for your honesty. I feel like I can finally move forward.”
Right. I nod. Move forward with marrying Adelaide. I swallow down my sorrow and inhale a cleansing breath.
“What happened between you and Bernie after I left?” I was always curious, since I never saw it play out in the press.
He shrugs. “Nothing. I wouldn’t give that piece of shit the satisfaction of confronting him about it. I fulfilled my contractual obligations for the film, and I haven’t spoken to him since. I’ll never work for his studio again.”
I nod. “He must have taken care of your mom then, I guess.”
“I guess. She hasn’t reached out to me since. Thank God.” He stands from the rocking chair and joins me against the railing. “I realized something today.”
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow.
“As angry as I am at you for keeping Monica from me, I have to put it aside for her sake. I don’t want her growing up with two parents at each other’s throats.”
I nod. It’s not exactly forgiveness, but I’ll take it. We look out at my front yard, shoulder to shoulder.
“Let’s agree to put everything that’s happened in the past behind us and start fresh. For our daughter’s sake.”
I sigh. “That’s a lot of stuff to try to forget.”
“It is. But we have a little girl in there who deserves all our energy to do so.”
Sorrow and regret spread through me like creeping vines. Winding and winding, growing tighter around every inch. If I hadn’t messed everything up, this man would be mine and we’d be a real family. I screwed up the chances of my daughter having her parents in love and living as a family. There’s no way to undo the damage I’ve already caused, but I’ll do everything in my power to give her the best life I can.
“I agree. We need to discuss how we’re moving forward.” Anticipation of his answer coils every muscle in my body.
“I think we continue on with what we’re doing right now. I don’t have any projects on the horizon. I’ll spend the week in Malibu with Adelaide, getting ready for the wedding, and the weekends here with Monica, getting to know her better. We can see when it feels right to tell her I’m her dad.”
“And after that?” I whisper. Where Jimmy can take things with ease at a steady path, I need to know what the future looks like. Where does he see us in a year?
He swivels to face me and grips my shoulders. “I’m not going to take her from you. You don’t have to worry about that. We’ll figure out whatever is best for her, okay?” He dips his head so we’re eye level, waiting until I nod. “The press is something we have to discuss though.”
I step back and wrap my arms around my chest. “I’m worried.”
He pushes a hand through his hair. “The vultures will be camped outside of your house the second they catch wind of Monica.”
“I can’t let that happen. She would freak out.” My mama bear roars to life when I picture the paparazzi hounding my little girl.
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll talk to my team. Maybe we’ll hide you out in a gated community far from here until the madness lessens.”
“Jimmy, I have a job. A life here. Monica has school.” Sure, it’s not much of a life. I don’t really have any girlfriends since they usually come with questions about Monica’s dad and my own past. But I’m not ripping Monica away from the only town and home she’s ever known. The introduction of Jimmy being her father is enough.
“I realize it’s not ideal, but my first concern is protecting the two of you. It will require some sacrifices on all our parts.”
The fact that he included me in his quest for protection doesn’t sneak past me, and it very well could be he doesn’t realize he did it. I’ve stolen enough time with Monica from him, so I’ll compromise.
