Page 51 of Smooth As Whiskey

It was the very next day when I came in from riding four-wheelers when I pulled out my phone and saw that I had a voicemail.

After I hit the button and brought the phone to my ear, my breath hitched at his ragged tone.

‘I love you, Sutton. Fuck. But I love you. Me and Maisie are here waiting for you. And if you never want to come here, then me and Maisie will come to you. I’ll work as a janitor, as a fry cook, I don’t give a fuck. Not as long as I have you. And you have me. I want my family. Me, you, and Maisie, so take your time, alright. We aren’t going anywhere.’

Irish

Seeing the sadness on my baby girl’s face all but did me in. Today was her birthday. And she had let me know right quick that she wasn’t having a party if Sutton couldn’t be here.

So, I didn’t order the cake.

I didn’t hang the decorations in the house that Sutton had bought.

I curled up with my daughter; her soft snores were hilarious, but I just couldn’t smile.

I haven’t smiled since I smiled at Sutton when I tried to get her to forgive me.

Maisie had just snored again when there was a timid knock at my door.

Sutton

I stood there, waiting, and when the door opened, I stared up at him.

Has he been eating?

My word.

Even his eyes looked sunken in.

He had dark circles around his eyes, too.

And the usual vibrant gray eyes were dull. Oh. No.

But then I saw a small spark in them when his eyes looked me up and down, and he whispered, one broken word, “Baby?”

At his tone, I simply asked, “Did you mean it?”

“Meant every fucking word.” He growled at me.

Just then, I heard, “Mommy?”

Stepping around him, I stepped into the house, and then the moment Maisie saw me, I watched as excitement rippled across her face before she jumped off the couch, bringing my heart in my throat and then running full tilt towards me.

I dropped to my knees, and the moment she made it to me, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in as close as I could.

Her face went into my neck while I inhaled her scent. It was all Maisie.

I stood up with her as she wrapped her legs around my waist, clinging to me like a freaking spider monkey.

Then I looked at Irish. “You're done with her. Right?”

He nodded. “Totally done with her. Never again, baby. You're it for me.”

I looked into his eyes, looked deep, and saw it there.

Truth. Honesty. And the newest emotion... love.

I smiled.

---