Page 131 of My Mistake To Make

And as I watch her walk her sassy ass into my mom’s house, I realize I’ll never know peace a day in my life with these women, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

‘So, honey, you see, we um, well, Cara and me…’ I struggle to level with the big brown eyes staring up at me from the blanket on the lawn. I was so clear that I wanted Bowie to know what was happening, but now that we’re here, I’m lost for words.

Cara’s hand lands on my wrist, and I turn to see her smile softly before taking the lead.

‘You know how Belle didn’t like the beast because he was just so grumpy all the time?’ Little sneak. I shake my head as Bowie nods, understanding perfectly. ‘But the beast thought Belle was just so beautiful and perfect—’ Jesus.

‘Uh huh.’ Bowie agrees, and I turn to see Cara’s lips pressed into a smile.

‘Well, the more time they spent together, and got to know each other, Belle and the beast fell in love, remember?’ Bo nods, ‘Well, that’s like your dad and me.’

I watch the moment my little girl realizes what Cara is saying, and it’s not what I expected. She blinks up at us for a moment, her attention drifting between the two of us as she processes it all. Then tears fill her eyes, and my heart races with panic.

‘Baby, what’s wrong?’ I ask, opening my arms to her, and she leaps into my embrace, wrapping her arms around my neck and starting to cry.

I look at Cara, finding her worried eyes staring back at me.

Bowie gasps for breath between huge sobs before bringing her little hands up to wipe away her tears.

‘You,’ gasp, ‘love,’ gasp, ‘Cara.’ She says, and I nod, yes. ‘Do you,’ gasp, ‘still,’ gasp, ‘love me?’

Oh, my god.

I clutch her to my chest and hold her tight.

‘Bowie, you’re my whole world. Of course, I love you.’

‘Bo,’ Cara says softly and holds out her hands for Bowie’s. My baby girl reaches out her hands, and Cara takes them. ‘Your daddy and I love each other in a different way than how he loves you, and you and I are still friends too, but if you’re not comfortable with any of that, you can tell us, okay?’

My god, the way she talks to her, understanding and respecting my little girl; I love this woman.

‘You’re not going to take Daddy away?’ Bo asks so sweetly that my heart breaks.

‘Bowie.’ Cara opens her arms, and Bowie moves into her lap, so I sit back and watch. ‘I could never take your daddy away, and I would never try. He loves you so much. You two are still going to have lots of adventures together, just the two of you,’

‘And Harley.’

She smiles. ‘Of course, Harley too. And maybe sometimes, the three of us can have fun together. We can have movie nights and picnics, and sometimes, just you and I can have some girl time, too. I’m not taking your daddy away, sweet girl. I promise you.’

‘So you love him?’

‘Very much.’

‘And you love her?’ she directs to me, and I nod.

‘Yes, I do.’

‘Are you going to live in the big house?’

I shake my head. ‘No, honey. Cara will still live there. We won’t.’

She turns back to Cara.

‘Will you be sad on your own?’

‘No, I’ll be okay. You and your dad can come and see me whenever you want, and your aunties will come and see me too.’

‘Merida,’

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