Page 104 of One Last Time
Because he’s an idiot who thinks with the wronghead.
“He just does. Sometimes we love people for noreason.”
Lord knows I can’t seem to find a redeeming quality inher.
Aubrey twirls my hair. “She said you’re not Daddy’s wifeanymore.”
This shit is going to stop. I’m tired of the kids coming home and telling me the things she tells them. It’s clear she doesn’t like my children, so she should stop talking to them and me. Scott is going to get an earful. I won’t hesitate in taking him back to court and getting full custody. I bet he’ll love having to pay more money for childsupport.
My kids are not going to be poisoned or made to feel uncomfortable because he’s moving on. I’m doing the same thing with Noah, only I’m not shoving him down their damnthroats.
I touch the side of Aubrey’s face. “I’m not. But I’m still your mommy and he’s still yourdaddy.”
“That’s good.” She smiles. “You’re a goodmommy.”
“I’m glad you think so.” I tickle herside.
“Is Noah coming back still?” Finnasks.
“I think he’ll be back tomorrow,why?”
I tread carefully because Finn is one of those kids that can take words and twist them. He’s going through a lot, and I don’t need to walk into atrap.
“There’s a Harry Potter marathon on.” He scratches his head and looksaway.
My chest lightens, and I suppress the smile trying to work its way onto my lips. My son is thinking of Noah. Last night I was on FaceTime with him, and Finn talked to him for a few minutes. It was so cute how the two of them chatted about Hollywood. Finn is fascinated by everything related to film. Noah is more than happy to tell him aboutit.
I sat there and watched my son’s face light up when Noah told him he had dinner with his favoriteactor.
I laughed when Noah seemed miffed that he wasn’t hisfavorite.
“I’m sure if Noah’s back he’ll watch. If that’s okay that he comesover. . .”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Finn looksconfused.
“I don’t know, you don’t seem to like Jillian around, I wasn’t sure how you felt aboutNoah.”
Aubrey hops off my lap and spins in the middle of the room. “Noah has to come over.” She giggles. “He’s myzookeeper.”
Yes, that is the most important thing to my daughter—her fake zoo and the stuffed animals that residethere.
“Noah isn’t likeJillian.” He sneers her name, and I don’t disagree onebit.
“He’s nice,” Aubrey says and starts spinningagain.
They have no idea how good that makes me feel. Noah is important to me, but we’re taking things slow with the kids. We both want them to be comfortable with him before we throw things in their face. That’s the one thing about Scott I don’t understand. Why rush? Why does he have to marry her? If they love each other so much, why not wait even if there is a baby involved? It’s not the fifties where you need to get married if you’repregnant.
I love Noah. I love him for more than just today. I’ll love him tomorrow and the next day. That’s why neither of us feels the need to push things quicker than they’regoing.
“Besides, I heard them yelling because Dad said he wants to wait,” Finnsnickers.
I’m not above a little gossip. “Wait?”
“Yup,” Finn responds while watching his phone. “He doesn’t want to marry her. I heard them fighting. Something about me and being okay withit.”
That’s interesting. Scott has been trying with Finn since their fight. They’ve been talking more often, which makes me happy. That’s his son, and I want them to all get along. I don’t have to love him, but I want my kids to think he’s the best man there is. Every child needs the love of theirparents.
“Are you happy about that?” Iask.
