Page 20 of Choosing My Happiness
“I think we’ll try tricking your teachers another day, D2 and Stels. We’ll do the corn rows tonight,” Janie was saying.
Both girls had a sad look on their faces.
Bull lifted D2 up into his lap with one arm, so she sat beside Manny who was drinking from his bottle, cosseted in the other arm.
“Hey, think of it this way…today we get to plan it all and get things ready. Tomorrow, you two will be absolutely identical. Same clothes and everything.” He winked.
“Thanks, Dad.” She giggled as he kissed her head, and then he reached over and cradled Stel’s chin.
“And today, you get to be a beautiful Puerto Rican princess, like your Momma was.”
Stels smiled sweetly at Bull. “Thanks, Dad,”
“Hey Miz Daiz! Do you want a seat for breakfast?” Trey yelled, noticing me.
“Thanks Trey, but I came to offer my help.” I smiled.
“Oh sit yourself down,” Granny admonished kindly, looking a bit wonky on her feet.
“How about you take my place at the table, and I take your place at the stove,” I told her. “Eric can tell me what to do.”
I saw Bull give a sharp nod, then Eric and Trey both guided Granny to the chair. Bull handed Manny to her for cuddles, with the ulterior motive of pinning her down.
I loved the atmosphere, the noise, and the chaos. It all combined into the making of a family. Eric and I finished cooking and I took the plates to the table, where everyone dug in and ate.
Then Bull took Trey and Eric to school, and Stels and D2 to child care. Granny announced she was taking Manny for a walk,and plonked him in the stroller. She left with a knowing glance at Janie and me.
“You two enjoy your chat.”
“We won’t be long Granny. I’ve got to go back to the hospital,” I replied.
She nodded and walked out.
“She’ll head to Joker’s place. Kimmy isn’t doing too well with morning sickness,” Janie told me.
I had no idea who Kimmy was.
“She’s from Australia. Came for a holiday, and somehow managed to stay. Joker is crazy about her.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Wow, I’m impressed; he was in the running for man-whore when I left. Although, I think Blaze was beating all of them.”
Janie looked uncomfortable.
“I saw him last night,” I told her.
“I heard you blew him off.”
I nodded, then shook my head. “I can’t believe I was that stupid for so long. So many broken promises. He was never going to be a decent man like Tinker. Ironic that he took after my father instead of his own.”
Janie took a deep breath and spoke diplomatically, “We live and learn.”
I nodded then blurted, “I need another favor…I need to find a divorce lawyer.”
“Yes!” Janie almost jumped for joy. “I knew you were smart. When did you decide?”
“It’s been building for a while, but last night I looked at him, and I just saw a waste of time, a mistake I’m done making,” I admitted.
Janie gave me a quick hug. “I’ll see what I can find out for you,” she said.
