“She does exist, ladies and gentlemen,” Dani’s father said as she walked into the tent. He was standing proudly on the stage with the band behind him.
“I do,” she called back before giving Rome’s hand a squeeze and heading up on stage. “I’m sorry I was late.”
“Fashionably as always,” her father said into the microphone. “Well, before you arrived we were talking about you.”
“Of course you were.” Dani gave her father a nervous smile. At this point, she didn’t know which dad would be up there, the public world killer or the man who’d raised her.
“All good,” he assured and put his arm around her shoulders. “I told them that earlier today my daughter proved to me she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She had not only grown up, but grown into so much more than I could have ever hoped for. Danika has earned a degree as you all know by the small gathering my beautiful wife Bonnie put together.”
Laughter rolled through the crowd of what Dani could only estimate was getting close to a thousand people. A typical Bonnie Albright soiree. Dani found her brother smirking at her for releasing the Kraken.
“There’s a stereotype when it comes to middle children,” her father continued and took his arm from around her shoulders. “They are the forgotten, abandoned, and otherwise overlooked. Dani wishes that was the case I’m sure. I pushed her the only way I knew how. I’m the toss the kid in the water to make them swim type of guy. I just never knew she wouldn’t swim back to shore. Instead, Danika wanted to see what was on the other side of the lake. In the audience right now are probably twenty fortune five-hundred CEOs itching to get you in an executive seat.”
Dani felt the heat flushing to her face. “Dad.”
“It’s true. Lord knows she’d be a great addition to any business. Any chance you’d come to work for me?” he asked and Dani could hear the sincerity.
“I…um… I never…”
“This is what happens when you toss them in, they learn to swim. Sometimes better than you. Don’t worry, I’m sure a few of your classmates would be happy to take that position. I’m getting sappy now and well, I can’t have that. I just wanted my daughter to know whatever she does will be a success and your mother and I have a little present for you.”
Her father passed her an envelope. When she opened it, on the very top of the page was a note that said tell everyone I got you a new car. “I guess my dad really wants to get rid of me, he bought me a new car that can go farther than into the city and back.” The crowd cheered and laughed again. “Thank you all for coming, and please enjoy the party.”
Dani walked to the edge of the stage still reading the full note.
Danika, I always knew you would accomplish everything you set out to do. The obstacles I placed in your way were to let you know no matter what happened you could always make a way. Money is fleeting, drive is internal. Do not tell your brother because he hasn’t passed the test yet. You have a trust, you all do. Dani looked up and saw her sister smirking at her. There is more than enough for a few lifetimes. Don’t be like me. Live the life you want, how you want, and with whom you want. I’ll always be proud of you and your accomplishments speak for themselves. Love always, Dad.
Wiping away a tear, Dani stepped down off the stage and found Rome in the far corner beaming at her. He was hers, a hundred percent. The rest would work itself out. No longer was she going to let her personal life be slaved to a spreadsheet. She would live it and live it well with Jerome, DeMonte, and whoever else would come into their lives. Together they could do anything. They were a team and this was just the first snap.
Three Months Later...
“As we kick off the regular season, Jim, how do you see the Grizzlies fairing against the Marauders?” Pat Tubman asked his co-anchor.
Dani walked out of the living room to get more game day treats. The house was full with DeMonte the center of attention. For having to skip the first three years, her mother seemed okay with the grandkid she’d inherited after Rome asked Dani to marry him at the Fourth of July blow out at their home. She still wanted one she could snuggle with as a baby, but she was happy to wait a little bit longer. Besides, she had a wedding to plan. It wouldn’t be until February, but thanks to Dani’s mother, planning wasn’t a distraction for Rome.
“Can you help me carry these platters?” Dani asked Candace. Dani still wasn’t comfortable with her in the house, but as long as her mother was here and she was medicated, they seemed to be fine for a few hours. It meant so much to DeMonte, who had started calling Dani mommy, just not during Candace’s scheduled visitation time.
Candace reached for the meat and cheese tray and Dani could see the unease in her face. “Thank you for having me over,” she said and Dani placed her hand over Candi’s. “And for getting DeMonte into that school. My mom said it is really good.”
“He’s a smart kid and it’s only half days right now.”
“I’m sorry for the trouble I caused.” Candi walked toward the living room with Dani beside her carrying a tray of veggie wraps. “It wasn’t Rome I was after or at least I don’t think it was.”
“Really?” Dani questioned. The motives seemed pretty clear to her.
“I loved him once, I remember that.” Candace sat in a chair and Dani took a spot next to her on the couch.
DeMonte was laying on his belly with a pillow under him and his feet kicked lazily in the air. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to copy his father or not, but DeMonte rarely watched any other player but Rome.
“It’s hard to know what I was thinking,” Candace said and Dani came away from her own thoughts. “Sifting through stuff, I only cared about DeMonte. How has he been?”
“Great,” Dani fibbed a bit. He still would wander into their bedroom a few times a week. Rome would let him crawl between the two of them, but usually snuck him back into his own room when he’d passed back out. Then they would have to be quiet as snuggling led to making love. “DeMonte is a special child. I feel blessed having him in my life.”
“Do you really?” the tone Candace used had her mother stiffening next to Dani. “I’m sorry. I didn’t… You’re not trying to steal him.” This time Dani wasn’t sure she was actually talking to her because it was spoken softly. Candi’s fingers tapped her thumb in order from index to pinky and back again. “Three…two…one. I need to leave.”
Dani wanted to tell her it was okay, but when Mrs. Powell got up there was no question this was Candace taking ownership of her disease. Rome had spoken of it. When she got overwhelmed or had crossed wires telling her different things, she took a step back. Dani envied the strength of self Candi had. If she didn’t have the disease destroying her mind, she would have been a force in this world.
DeMonte looked over his shoulder and saw his mother was leaving so he got up and gave her a quick hug before going back to the pillow. Mrs. Powell may come back after she returned Candace to the group home. Either way, Dani could see the excitement in her own mother’s face because she could spend the afternoon wedding planning.
“When will Daddy be home?” DeMonte asked after the game was over. He had cuddled up on Dani’s lap. “Minnesota isn’t that far away. He’s gotta shower because he is really stinky right now.”
DeMonte let out a loud laugh.
“Then they have to go to the airport.”
“Is he on the Grizzly plane?” DeMonte asked with his eyes wide.
“Yes he is,” Dani said. “We could have been on a plane too you know.”
DeMonte wasn’t ready to travel. It brought back his anxiety. Going to the school had been a nightmare for the first week until he trusted Dani or Rome would be there to pick him up every day. They hoped by the first home game next Sunday he’d be willing to travel into the city further. Unlike at her parents’ home, Danika didn’t feel trapped snuggling in each evening and her clients enjoyed meeting on the third floor of the home with her.
“I like watching on TV because they show Daddy over and over.”
“Replays are pretty cool,” Dani said. “Now, what are we going to do until Daddy gets home?”
“More football.”
Rome made it home right after DeMonte finished his bath. He was putting on his pajamas when Rome came through the front door. Dani smiled down at him from the top of the staircase. “Story time, Daddy,” she said.
“You make that sound dirty.” Exhaustion faded from his face with each step he took until he took her in his arms and gave her the kiss she’d been missing since he’d been on lockdown on Thursday. She didn’t know how the wives did it and probably wouldn’t learn anytime soon. Her priority would have to be home right now. “I missed you.”
She’d tell him about the day later. Now she turned him toward DeMonte’s room and she headed to theirs. She heard a howl of excitement from DeMonte and she knew she had a good ten minutes to get ready for Rome. Letting her hair down, she climbed into the shower. The warmth of the water washed over her and soon she had strong arms wrapped around her. Rome swept her hair free from her neck as he began to nibble. His firm body melded to hers and they stood under the spray with nothing between the two of them. Even the water flowed over, but never between.
“You sure you don’t want to elope?” Rome asked as he nibbled on her ear.
“Sure, you break the news to my mother.”
“Never mind.” He let out a little sigh.
“Why the sudden rush?” she asked and turned in his arms to enjoy the view as well as the feel of his hard body.
“You’re mom’s not the only one with a clock ticking.”
“Isn’t she now?” Dani smiled, turned off the water and got a towel. She stepped out of the shower and slowly toweled herself off. “In that case, Speed, if you can catch me, my body’s yours for the night.”