Page 57 of After the Red Carpet
“Ella . . .”
“Please just leave me alone,” she said, rising.
“Sweetheart,” he said, taking her hand.
She let go. “Please. I need some time by myself.”
Finn stood up and gave her a peck. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong. I’m only trying to look out for you. I love you.”
“I know.”
AFTER HE LEFT THE ROOM, ELLAwandered over to her keepsake chest. She opened it and retrieved the teddy bear her father had given her the last time she saw him. She crawled into bed, holding the ragged toy close to her body and trying to breathe.
An hour later, there was a tap on the door. Ella turned to look as Finn walked in with Betty in his arms. “Someone came home and wanted to see you,” he said.
“Mommy!” Betty exclaimed.
“Come here, sweet girl,” she said.
“Let’s have a family snuggle,” Finn suggested, climbing into bed and putting Betty between them.
“Did you have fun?” Ella asked.
Betty nodded enthusiastically. “We made rainbow cookies and played dress-up. I was a princess. My dress was blue.”
“That sounds like fun,” Ella said.
“Ooh, teddy bear,” Betty said, grabbing the plush toy. “Mine.”
“Sweetheart, that’s special to your mommy,” Finn explained. “Let’s give it back to her, and after we snuggle, we can get a teddy bear from your room. Okay?”
“Okay,” Betty agreed with a little pout, releasing the toy.
Ella looked at Finn and mouthed, “Thank you.”
“ARE YOU SURE YOU DON’T WANT MEto go with you?” Finn asked.
“I’m sure,” Ella replied, slinging her handbag on her shoulder.
“If it’s because of how I reacted yesterday, then . . .”
“It’s not.”
“I’m worried about you,” Finn said.
“I can take care of myself.”
He took her hand, caressing her skin. “Baby, you haven’t seen your father in over thirty years. That would be a lot for anyone, no matter the circumstances. It has the potential to be . . .” He trailed off, as if the words alluded him.
“What?” she asked.
“Emotional. Stressful.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what, and you don’t either. How could you?”
“Finn, he’s my father and he wants to reconnect, maybe get to know me. Besides, it’s just lunch at a diner. I’ll be fine. Please stop poisoning it.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m just concerned. I’m afraid he’s going to hurt you, disappoint you. Every part of me is screaming to protect you. Ella, you’re pregnant. I’m worried that if it’s upsetting—”
“Finn, please. The baby and I will be fine,” Ella insisted. “You’re only acting this way because you’ve already made up your mind that he’s a dirtbag who doesn’t really care about me, that he’s only using me. I’m choosing to be hopeful, choosing to have an open heart. I have to go or I’ll be late.”
