Page 65 of Turning the Tide

Hanna laughs, "Yeah, that sounds great, but I've got to take Ellie."

I don't say anything, my mind moving a mile a minute. Does she not trust me alone with her?

I don't want to overstep, but Judson says what's on my mind, "Hanna, we will be fine with the kids. You need a break too."

Ellie shoves a huge piece of waffle in her mouth before talking, "Yeah, mom, it's fine. I can ride everything with Daddy."

Her sweet voice warms my heart as I look to Hanna, hesitancy in her eyes.

"We will be fine if you are comfortable with that," I add.

Ellie's eyes shoot to Hanna, "Come on, ma!"

"Okay," she huffs, "as long as you think you can handle it."

I roll my eyes at her, "I think I can manage a five-year-old for a day alone."

I can handle her all the time. I want her all the time.

Hanna doesn't really say much else, but Blakely looks relieved. She didn't want to walk all over that park today.

We finish up breakfast, and Hanna takes Ellie into the bathroom to wash the syrup off her hands. Blakely gives me a knowing look, grinning from ear to ear as she runs her hand over her growing belly.

"I love watching you with Ellie," She laughs, "Daddy is a good look on you."

"It still doesn't feel real."

Her face twists, "What do you mean?"

"I just mean I don't deserve them, so I keep waiting to wake up from it, like a dream."

Blakely's tone becomes angry and motherly, "If I hear you say that again, I'm going to beat your ass. You deserve to be happy just like everyone else."

Hanna walks up, Ellie clinging to her mom's hand. Hanna bends down, eye level with Ellie, "Ellison James Mason, you listen to Jameson and Uncle Judson, okay? No funny business."

Hanna's use of Ellie's full name rubs me the wrong way. It never occurred to me until just now that she didn't share mine. I mean, why would she? I wasn't here. I won't lie and say it doesn't sting a little, though. It fucking hurts.

Everyone is over by the drink machine refilling their cups while Hanna lingers in front of me, "If you need anything, just call me, and I'll be straight there."

She hands me a small backpack, "Anything she could possibly need is in there. Don't forget the sunscreen! Oh, and sometimes when—"

Judson interrupts her, placing his hand on my shoulder, "Jameson is fine, Han. I promise Ellie will be fine."

She sighs, "I know, I just… I've always done everything, I don't know how to give up control."

A laugh escapes, and she tosses me a hateful glare, "Shut up."

"I didn't even say anything!"

She places her hand on her hip, "You didn't have to."

Ellie's soft voice fills the air, grabbing my hand, her little arm looking so dainty against my much larger inked ones.

"I'll be good, mama, I promise."

She pulls me by the hand, "Let's go, dad."

We walk away hand in hand, making our way to the bus to ride over to Animal Kingdom. Hanna doesn't waver as she stands there watching us walk away. I turn back only once to give her a reassuring glance, but the tears puddled in her eyes nearly rip my heart out.

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