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Billy thoughtfully scratched his chin. "Well, considering your situation, I'd advise opting for top-of-the-line gear. You'd be staring at an extra $10,000 to $15,000 for the security setup and fencing."
My heart plummeted as the costs kept mounting. As desperate as I was to craft a secure and nurturing home for Ava, I couldn't ignore the ever-present specter of the Rosedale criminal case. The entire community knew about it, and I had to question if it was wise to raise a child in such an environment. Perhaps Ava would be better off elsewhere.
Sensing my turmoil, Billy clapped a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Mitch, I get that it's a lot to process, but we'll collaborate to find the optimal solution for your budget and your family. You don't need to decide right this second. Give it some thought, and we'll proceed from there."
Despite comprehending Billy's words, my doubts weighed on me like lead. Nevertheless, we settled on a final estimate. As he drove off, I slumped onto the front step, utterly drained, and buried my face in my hands.
Eventually, I fished out my phone and tried Amy again, yearning for her support and counsel. But once more, my call went unheeded.
With the phone still in hand, I dialed Chase, my heart heavy, praying for some good news about retrieving the grant money. As the phone rang, I steeled myself for the outcome.
"Hey, Mitch," Chase greeted, his voice strained.
"Chase, any word on the grant funding? Any developments?"
Chase sighed. "The judge rescheduled Rosedale's hearing with the State of California, so we haven't made any progress yet. I'll keep you posted as soon as I have any news," he said. "How are things going with you and Amy? Meagan is considering having everyone over for a cookout and a raucous game of cornhole."
"Don't ask. Gotta go!" My frustration was palpable as I hung up the phone. To secure funds for the remodel and attorney fees, I dialed my broker, asking for a loan against my assets.
My broker hesitated, "Hell, man. Have you been watching the news?" He warned me that now wasn't the best time to take out a loan. "Mitch, interest rates are steep and going higher!"
With no other options, I instructed him to proceed with a margin loan. It felt like the only way to ensure I had the money needed to move forward. "I'm in a personal bind. I know this isn't the best time in the world, but my life is at a turning point. Just do it!"
"Well then, you'll have a line of credit by the end of the day!"
Despite getting a loan, I couldn't shake off the anxiety caused by the additional expenses of a nanny, furniture, clothing, and healthcare for a child. My thoughts were suffocating, and I needed a way to relieve myself from the stress.
To clear my head, I changed into my running clothes and headed for the beach. As I jogged along the shoreline, the rhythm of the crashing waves and the salty breeze did little to alleviate my distress. Then in a burst of frustration, I found myself sprinting through the sand, my thoughts racing faster than my feet.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm glow on the sand, I passed children playing in the surf, their laughter a sweet reminder of my own youth. Further down the beach, a group of teenagers bobbed on their surfboards, patiently waiting for the perfect wave. I couldn't help but wonder if someday Ava would join them, her father proudly watching from the shore. But then a nagging thought surfaced: Was raising a child without a mother really fair? How was it possible for me to be both mother and father to Ava?
Before I knew it, with my gaze transfixed on Amy's apartment building, I had run approximately eight miles... passed the Surfside Cafe'.... passed the sculpted dunes where we had made love. Finally, I stood at the boardwalk entrance and stared at her building, noticing a light in her bedroom window. My breath hitched when I saw her silhouette. Wondering if she could see me standing there, I waved.
I waited, praying she would appear on the boardwalk, searching for me. But the light in her window went out, and there was no sign of Amy. Then, like a cold wave, my hope was swept away.
So, with a heavy heart and sore feet, I trudged back home, my thoughts consumed by the growing uncertainty of my future, and a silly thought struck me.
What the Hell does a guy like me wear when meeting his baby daughter for the first time?
Chapter Nine
Amy
"Mum, is the tiramisu ready?" I inquired from my room as I applied my Crimson Kiss lipstick—a memento of the unforgettable evening spent with Mitch.
"Just another minute, darling!"
When Meagan called me last night to invite us to a Rosedale cookout this afternoon, I was hesitant to accept, knowing it involved my parents and me. However, once she mentioned Mitch wouldn't be there, I felt relieved and agreed to join, offering to bring Mum's famous tiramisu for dessert. My parents were thrilled to meet Harper, Jonathan, and the twins, Lily and Liam, while I was eager to catch up with my closest friends.
Papa insisted on driving his Cadillac and carefully placed Mum's dessert basket in the trunk before we headed toward Guy's estate. En route, I filled them in on Meagan and Chase's home within Casa Palacious and how Guy initially rented the massive estate for its top-notch security before falling for Ariel and tying the knot. "And Papa, rumor has it that an Arab prince was the first owner of this huge estate, complete with a vineyard, and bought it to escape his family."
"You sure he wasn't Sicilian?" Papa's comment about our family history made Mum and I giggle. Though never discussed publicly, the Russo family's colorful connections were hardly a secret.
Papa pulled up, careful not to block the road to the vineyard, and parked. As we arrived, laughter and chatter filled the air. Meagan was bustling in the kitchen, whipping up an extravagant meal for everyone. The twins were busy with their toys, and I noticed Mum quickly joined them, even helping to feed the little ones. Watching her effortlessly care for the children warmed my heart. My mother had always longed for more kids, but it just never happened.
Papa, on the other hand, wasted no time joining the men on the back porch, grilling steaks and enjoying a cold beer. Their boisterous laughter echoed around, and it was evident that my father was in his element. Despite having a fabulous time with my friends, I couldn't shake the guilt of Mitch's absence. It nagged at me, making me wonder if his decision not to come was because my parents and I were attending. Had I inadvertently caused him to miss the Rosedale gathering?
Before long, I found myself on the floor, playing with Jonathan and his vibrant building blocks, marveling at how much he had grown. "I can't believe he has all his teeth already," I shared with Ariel, my voice laced with wonder.
