Page 7 of Timeless: Encore

Mia’s way smarter than me. “When you’re surprising someone, you don’t tell them there’s going to be a surprise. That’s just a mean thing to do.”

I roll my eyes, making certain she can see me in the rearview mirror. “Yeah. I know. I’m a big, huge meanie.”

“True that.” She blinks her lids rapidly and purses her lips.

Holy hell, my kid is something else. I never want her to lose that fire. That sass. Neither does Fee. She should know. Her own mother isolated her, berated her and nearly put out her flame. We’d never do that to our child.

Our child. Wow.

Today’s the day. It’s official.

“Da-deeeeee.” Mia pouts and crosses her arms defiantly across her chest. “Tell me about the par-teeeeeee.”

I sigh dramatically. “Fine. Your Uncle Ty is getting an award for his charity. We’re throwing him a surprise party.”

“Well, that’s stupid,” she scoffs.

I can’t help but laugh, but it’s time to be a parent. “Really? You think Ty getting an award is stupid? He’s helping hundreds of kids who can’t afford to get music lessons.”

“Oh, well, I guess that’s cool.” She purses her lips, considering. “I thought it was for me, though.”

“I never said that. I told you we’re having a party, Meems. You’re adorable. Beautiful. Smart and wicked funny. Please try not to be selfish. It’s okay to celebrate someone else. In fact, it’s better.” I keep my voice stern. Dad-like.

Her blue eyes grow wide. Like she gets it. “Okay. I’m sorry.”

“You’re fine, baby girl.” I turn up the Sirius station because its playingDownfrom our Z album.

So rip the scales from my innocent eyes.

My love for you has fucked me up so deep inside.

You turned your back on me, how could you cast me out?

Down. Down. Down.

We sing at the top of our lungs all the way home. Neither Fee nor I care if Mia curses, the two of us swore like sailors at her age. Her teacher isn’t too impressed, though.

By the time we pull into the gate, Mia seems to have forgotten all about the party. We just moved into this house in West Seattle, several blocks away from Ty. It’s new construction and perfect, except we’re adding an extension so Fee can have her dream supersized chef’s kitchen.

I’ve gone from owning no homes to two giant mansions in the span of two months.

Man, I love being rich. And, surprisingly, I also love adulting.

“Wait for me, Meems.” I slide out of the driver seat and open her door, turning away and crouching down a bit. “Piggyback?”

Mia throws her arms around my neck and I make stirrups out of my hands for her feet. She grips my hair like a horse’s mane and kicks my hips. “Take me inside to the party.”

I guess she didn’t forget.

As I gallop up the walkway to the house, Fee flings open the front door wearing black jeans and my favorite magenta sweater, which makes her tits look massive. “There you two are. We couldn’t start without you.”

“We’re here now.” I give her a little smooch and sneak in a quick grope when we cross the threshold into the foyer.

I’m so proud of her for getting off the Xanax. That shit’s no joke.

With Mia’s father threatening to take her away, Fiona’s stress level was dangerous. She’d actually hallucinate from lack of sleep. A condition she developed when she was pregnant means she’s predisposed to high blood pressure. Anti-anxiety medicine—in this case Xanax—was the prescribed solution.

Knowing she was on such a strong dose stressed both of us out. Carter’s addiction fucked up our childhood. Drove our families apart. Neither of us will ever allow ourselves to go down that path.

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