Page 61 of Big Island Summer
“But Daaad,” Daisy whined.
“We’ve gotta eat the chicken while it’s hot and crispy!”
“Okay,” she said, dragging the word out.
Hugh winked at Nell over the kids’ heads, and she knew that his insistence on an early dinner was more driven by feeding her than by any concern for the food he had made.
Whatever barriers were left between them didn’t stand a chance if he kept this up.
They all made quick work of the fried chicken and white rice that Hugh had prepared, and then they played the new board game three times through. Everett passed out in his high chair, and by the time Nell had gone to put him down and come back, the girls were settled in front of a movie with a bowl of popcorn.
Hugh put an arm around her waist and pulled her into the hallway. When she turned to face him, he took her face in both hands and kissed her.
“I have big news,” he said when they came up for air.
“Hmm?” Nell’s head was spinning. She ran her thumb along the stubble on his jaw, still lost in the kiss.
“Daisy’s mom is moving to the mainland. She got a new job in Washington state.”
The news woke Nell up as quick as a splash of ice water.
What does that mean for us?The question felt too selfish to voice.
“What does that mean for Daisy?” she asked instead.
“Amy wants me to fly her there at the start of the school year, but I said no. I offered to fly her out for a visit as soon as they’re settled, but then I’m bringing her back here. She can go to Pualena Playschool full time, with you and Cassie.”
“That would be amazing. But the custody agreement…?”
“Her mother moving states opens the door for the custody arrangement to change.”
“What does Daisy want?”
“She wants to stay.”
“You’ve already talked to her about it?”
“I did. As soon as her mom told me she was moving. She’s always wanted to go to Pualena Playschool full time; there just wasn’t anything I could do to change the agreement.
“And now?”
“Now we’ve got a shot. I think I can do it.”
“Will her mother agree?”
“She’s pushing back, but maybe. Underneath it all, she wants what’s best for Daisy, and she was miserable in Honolulu, and Seattle would be even worse.”
“She’s an island girl.”
“Exactly. I’m not letting them take her away from the sunshine. She belongs here, with us.”
“Do you think a judge will agree?”
Hugh frowned. “I’ll take it to court if I have to, but I’m hopeful that we can reach an agreement without getting a judge involved. Technically Daisy will be homeschooled, so she can visit her mom as long and as often as necessary to get her to agree. But she won’t have to endure winters up there or be stuck inside a public school classroom all day. Her mom will be working sixty hours a week at this new job, so she’s already halfway agreed. The details are a bit tangled, but we’ll get there. I told you, Nell. I’m not going anywhere.”
He leaned in and kissed her again.
“Life could be like this all the time,” he said, resting his forehead on hers. “All of us under one roof.”
