Page 36 of Everything I Promise

“Why did you call Colton Dad earlier?”

Oliver stops swinging his legs and looks at Lacey. “Because he is my Daddy. He does fun things with me, but sometimes he still says no, even if I want him to say yes. He picks me up at school and helps me with my letters and numbers work. He reads me stories and teaches me how to build stuff. Like a Dad does.”

My heart just melts. I will let this boy call me whatever he wants.

Lacey doesn’t look like she feels the same though. “Oliver, you know Colton isn’t your Daddy, right?”

“Yeah. But my real dad didn’t want me anymore. And when my friend at school lost his daddy, he got a new daddy. CanColton be my new daddy, please?” He looks so worried that we might say no.

I speak up this time. “Listen, bud, I love you. And I care about you so much. But your friend has a new daddy because he married your friend’s mommy. Your Mommy and I aren’t married so I can be your friend for now. How about that?” I hope I didn’t just crush the poor kid.

“Um, sure. But one day when you marry my mommy do I get to call you my daddy?” He looks at me hopefully.

“Buddy, we don’t know if we’re going to get married. But if we do, yes you can.” Lacey shrugs at me. Clearly neither of us really know how to navigate this situation and it seems to be a losing battle.

“Ok. But there is a breakfast at school soon for kids and dads. Moms can’t come. Can Colton be my daddy for just that day?”

I jump in before Lacey gets to answer. I can’t let this kid suffer without a dad at a special school event. I did that too many times to count, including the special mom events, since my own mother passed away when I was a baby. “Absolutely, bud. I’ll be there, you just have your mom tell me when it is.”

Oliver jumps up and throws his arms around my neck. “Thanks, Colton! It’ll be so fun!”

Now that that is over I feel so much better. I was really worried how Lacey would react to it. I don’t want her to pull back and not let me see them as much. I love getting to spend time with both of them as much as I love getting to see Lace alone. And Lacey alone has quickly become one of my favorite times.

Being with Lacey has shown me that what I had with Elizabeth was nothing that a marriage should be. That the person I was in that marriage wasn’t the real me. Not that I was raised with any kind of shining examples regarding relationships, but now that I see my brother with Scarlett, and have Lace in my life, I knowthat what I want is what I deserve and that I have so much to give to someone else.

Lacey and I have talked a lot about our marriages and how we’ve learned what we don’t want. Especially after Elizabeth showed up at Preston’s. She was really worried about me and how I would react to that, but honestly it just showed me that I have nothing left in me for Elizabeth. Of course I was worried about her seeing her like that, and I hope she is getting the help she needs, but that’s it.

Inspection days always make me nervous. Today we have the inspections for Lacey’s salon. I know it will pass but that doesn’t stop me from worrying. Especially because it's Lacey. She is beyond excited to open and start working again. That is one thing I love about her. Elizabeth was more than happy to stay home and live off my money. Not that I couldn’t afford it, but it’s nice that Lacey’s work ethic matches mine. Just another example for me of how different these two relationships are. I often find myself wondering what would have happened if we had met earlier in life.

I have really loved getting to see her come to life with her salon opening coming closer each day. She already has the full two weeks before Christmas booked up. Whether it's people being nosey about Lacey’s new life in New Hampshire, or people excited about having a salon in town, she is fully booked, and not complaining about the reasons why.

“Hey, Colton!” I jump at her voice. Lost in my thoughts I totally miss Lacey coming in the front door.

“Hey, sweetheart, you excited for today?” I pull her in close for a kiss.

“I’m excited for today to be over so I can start work. I need to work or I’m going to go crazy. Mom’s house has never been so clean and that’s hard to achieve because she is a clean freak to start.” She laughs.

Before long, the inspector comes in to the salon. He introduces himself and begins walking about making notes on his clipboard. He is inspecting almost everything that I know for a fact isn't on that report. He's extremely thorough. I know I do quality work so I'm not worried but he is making me worried.

I’m glad that I know now how thorough this guy is so I can be prepared to let my crews know on homes we build in the area.

Lacey and I stay close by in case he has any questions. I hold her hand as we wait.

She squeezes my hand, and whispers to me, "I'm so nervous. Does it usually take this long?"

I look at her but before I can answer the inspector comes back into the main space from the office.

"Well, I have to say, I'm impressed by the quality of this work. You are all set to open." He hands her to inspection report for her records.

The smile on her face can't be contained but I know she's holding back. "Thank you so much! I really appreciate you coming out. I know you must be busy with the holidays coming."

They shake hands and she walks him to the front door.

When it closes she turns to me and squeals with excitement, "We did it! I can finally open!"

She runs to me and jumps into my arms. I hold her tight and kiss her before setting her back down.

“Alright, sweetheart, the space is all yours now. I’ll be focusing on the apartment. I’ll try to get the loud stuff done before or after your hours. But if I can’t avoid it I’ll just give you a heads up.”

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