Page 6 of Mommy Calls Me Princess

“Meltdown as in?”

How much do I share without crossing a line? Or had we already sailed past that point?

I leaned back against the counter and took a swig of wine. Not a proper sip but a full-on mouthful. “Honestly, it’s as much my fault as it was Darcy’s. Neither of us used our words but instead of talking she acted out at Seatac. A guy on the plane flirted with me and if looks could kill she’d have burned a hole straightthrough his skull.” Jack laughed. “As we were walking through the terminal she lost it. Anxiety attack with tears, sobbing about not wanting this to be over.”

“Oh no. Hadn’t you already talked about wanting more?”

“No. We had a fantastic week at camp and my dumbass just assumed all was well and had fallen into place famously. I don’t know much about her past but what little I do know has me fuming.” Darcy obviously had deep-rooted issues coupled with separation anxiety and working through that was non-negotiable. My girls’ mental and physical well-being was number one and I’d pay for whatever help she required.

“Well, what do you want to know?” Sarah’s voice startled me. I’d not heard her come in. “Her mother is a selfish piece of shit. Claims she worked two jobs but never came home, never left anything more than a couple microwave meals for the girl to eat. Now she has the audacity to come to Darcy for money. Poor child still craves her acceptance and gives it to her.”

That confirmed my worst fears. “I’m tempted to get whatever she has left at that apartment and move her into my place.”

“I got one question for you,” my brow rose at Sarah’s question, fearing what she may ask. The woman clearly had no filter. “Do you love her.”

“With all my heart.”

“I’ll show you where they live and I’ll go with you and play referee. Let’s get her out of there once and for all.”

“Sarah, I don’t know you very well, but I already love you.”

“You take good care of my girl, and we’ll have no problems.”

“I can promise you that. Will this require a moving truck?” Phone in hand, I was ready to put in a few calls to get the ball rolling. “I’d like to have it done before Darcy boards the ship on Saturday.”

Three very long months apart.

“No, she didn’t have much. What’s there may not be worth the drama to get now that I think about it. That mother of hers isn’t right, never has been. Darcy pretty much lives out of suitcases. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised to find her piece of shit mother had moved and not left a forwarding address.” Sarah shook her head. “Some people should’ve been struck with the do not pro-create button at birth.” Words escaped me. How could anyone be so cruel?

“Yes, but then we wouldn’t have Darcy.”

“True. Well, whatever you and Darcy come up with your family will be here to support you.” Sarah’s words nearly drew me to tears.

“Let me talk to Darcy tonight. If there is anything to get I’ll let you both know. Thank you for being there for her, Sarah.” Was it fast moving her in with me? Yes, but given this information and Darcy’s anxiety attack, my gut told me she’d be ecstatic.

Sarah nodded. “Got any more wine, son?”

Goddess, I loved this woman and from what I saw so did Jack.

“You know you can count Vale and I in for whatever you two need, V.” Jack filled our glasses then pulled the marinating steaks out. “Let’s get the grill going. Vale and Darcy are probably hungry.”

Linda came in and she and Sarah got the side dishes together while Jack and Jackson manned the grill. My mind wandered to renovating the loft while Darcy was at sea. Now that I was in a relationship, the openness of my place felt less personal, not as private though I rarely entertained. My life truly had revolved around the club and not much else.

My princess deserved a playroom befitting of a princess, and I intended to give her that and so much more.

A second bathroom with a tub would be great. Two thousand square feet of open space was all it was now. It was time to finally make it into a home, and not just a place to lay my head.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Darcy snuck up on me and I pulled her onto my lap.

“Absolutely nothing.” I rubbed my nose along her neck.

“That tickles, Mommy.” She giggled and wiggled around, but didn’t pull away.

“I know, that’s why I did it. Are you having fun with Vale?”

“Mmm, hmm,” her head bobbed up and down. “He has the coolest toys.”

“I bet he does. His daddy spoils him rotten.” Vale was the perfect boy for Jack. They adored each other and Vale wasn’t a naughty monkey though he was a barrel of energy. Truly a sweet boy and my dear friend was beyond smitten with him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t put a ring on it soon.

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