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“Get your ass in the kitchen,” I commanded. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that you need to put him to rest like you did your mother. Babe, it’s going to be fine.” He wrapped his arms around me.
“You better step in if he gets out of line,” I said.
“I will. You know I always have your back.” He kissed me, and we walked out to the front of the bakery. “I love you, and I love you, my sweet Rebecca.” He kissed my belly.
“We are not naming our daughter Rebecca!” I said as he left the bakery.
“You two crack me up.” Riley laughed. “You still never told him the name, did you?”
“Nope. He may have impregnated me, but I’m the one carrying this bowling ball inside me, and I’m the one who has to endure all the pain and push it out of my vagina. When he has to push a human being out of his penis, he can name the child anything he wants.”
Riley laughed as she held up her hand for a high-five.
CHAPTER 39
Zoey
I pulled into the driveway at precisely five p.m., took a deep breath, and stepped inside the house.
“There she is. Hey, babe.” Carter smiled as he walked over and kissed me.
“Hi, Zoey.” My dad smiled.
“Hi, Dad.” I set my purse down.
“Dinner is ready, babe. Go sit down.”
I sat next to Carter, and my father sat across from us.
“So, Dad. Care to explain why it took two years for you to call me?” I cocked my head at him.
“I was in a bad place, Zoe. I started drinking more than ever and almost died. My PTSD really got the best of me. I couldn’t let you see me like that, so I stayed away. I slipped up a couple of times, but I’ve been sober now for 369 days. I run an alcoholics anonymous group back in Florida, and I’ve been seeking therapy for my PTSD.”
“That’s good, Dad. I’m happy you’re getting the help you needed.”
“I’ve met someone very special, and we had a kid.”
“What?” My brows furrowed. “I have a half-sibling?”
“Yeah. Her name is Quinn, and she’s three months old. Her mother and I met one day when her dog got loose, and I found him. We hit it off immediately.”
“Does she know everything about you?”
“Yeah. She knows. I told her everything. I told her all about you and what a shitty father I’ve been. I want to make amends, Zoey. That’s why I called you that day. I want my daughter and my granddaughter in my life. You know how badly I struggled when I got out of the service. Then all that shit with your mother. You were better off without me in your life full-time. You were such a smart little girl, and I would have ruined you. You know it, and I know it. Please, don’t try to deny it.”
“You’re right, Dad. I won’t deny it. But you could have stayed in Sacramento and got the help you needed there.”
“I felt like life was caving in on me, sweetheart.”
“You know what, Dad. I forgive you. I know how you struggled and what you went through and saw while you were in the service, but you can’t just walk back into my life and expect me to welcome you with open arms. I struggled, too, and thank God, my grandparents were there for me. I have this beautiful life with my husband and a baby on the way. Maybe one day we can reconnect, but now isn’t the time. You can’t just waltz in here and disrupt my life now that I climbed out of the destruction you and Mom caused. Not now.”
“I really want you to meet your sister and Daisy.”
“Daisy?” My brow arched.
“She’s a good person, Zoey. A really good person, and I love her.”
