Danny
The following day, I rose to a glorious, peaceful morning. When I checked next to me, I discovered that Gigi had somehow woken up before me. For a few minutes, I wondered why.
I sluggishly got up, and when I heard no noise whatsoever, I took a few steps and stood in front of the large window, gazing out as I watched the trees dance to the gentle morning breeze.
Opening the window, I inhaled deeply, welcoming the clean air as it filled my lungs.
For no reason, I grinned.
As I made it to the foot of the staircase, I saw Gigi placing down the last plate on the dining table. She had made coffee and prepared a killer breakfast.
Our eyes met, and she gave me the most beautiful smile.
“Mornin’, beautiful.” I walked over and kissed her, my hand running down the silky fabric of her ivory robe that sensationally draped, accentuating the curve of her hips. “Where is everyone?”
“Mom and Dad are at the cottage; they won’t be joining us,” she shrugged sweetly. “And Billy’s brushing his teeth.”
“Good morning, Daddy.” The boy’s adorable voice prompted me to turn in his direction, picking him up as I chuckled.
“Good morning, my man.” I kissed his cheek, then the cast on his arm. “How’s the arm doin’?”
“Mommy let me draw on it, look!” He raised it for me to see the three little smiley faces he had scribbled.
“Wow,” I tittered, “what a masterpiece. Who are they?”
“That’s you, me, and Mommy.”
“Oh, sorry.” I put him down. “Didn’t recognize myself without the hat.”
“I couldn’t find my brown marker.” He pensively looked around as if still searching for it.
“Aww,” Gigi giggled. “C’mon, food’s getting cold.”
“When did you make all this?” I admired the feast as I took my seat.
She casually shrugged. “Took less than an hour, really.” She sat next to me.
“Thank you.” I gave her an appreciative gaze since I knew how much she loved sleeping in.
“How’s your day looking?” She pulled the breadbasket closer to me.
“Uh, I have a meeting in an hour. The rest is business as usual.”
“Mommy said we can have a picnic,” Billy eagerly grinned.
“I said, we can check with Daddy if he has time for a picnic.”
“Can we? Please?” he begged, his big, sapphire eyes pleading with me.
I snickered, shaking my head. How could I say no to those eyes? “We can, Champ.”
“Seriously, we can do it alone if your day’s hectic.” She was being her understanding self as usual, and my heart melted.
“I wanna do it,” I smiled.
After enjoying the best, most tranquil meal in ages, I headed upstairs and changed into my work clothes. When I left the house, Gigi and Billy were carrying two boxes and headed for his room.
“Billy agreed to give away the toys he no longer needs to charity,” she declared, her eyes gleaming with pride.
“Really?” I scooted down, examining his face. “Are you sure, little man? You know you don’t have to.”
He nodded. “I know. But Mommy told me that many kids break their arm, too, and they don’t have toys to play with.”
“Oh?” I looked up at her.
“Yeah, we’ll take them to the children’s hospital downtown.”
I turned back to him. “Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes. I have a lot; some are for babies. I’m not a baby anymore; I rode a pony!”
Looking into his innocent eyes, my heart swelled. I remembered Gigi’s statement when he was born, “I want him to grow up exactly like you.”
Smiling, I leaned forward and took him in my arms, hugging him as I sniffed his hair, filling my lungs, and being with the purity that radiated from his little soul.
“You’re such a good boy,” I whispered before quickly letting go as I stood up. “Well, I don’t wanna be late.” Looking away, I didn’t know exactly why I didn’t want either one to see how touched I was.
“See you at lunch?” she hollered, her voice following me as I quickly marched toward the door.
“You bet.”
After running my morning round, I retired to my office and headed for the liquor cabinet. Unable to put my finger on why Billy’s gesture affected me the way I did, I reached for the whiskey and poured myself a glass.
Grateful that the client who was coming in happened to enjoy a drink or two himself, I sat back behind my desk and sipped slowly. As my eyes wandered out through the window, I soaked up the picturesque view I never seemed to get tired of.
For a moment, life felt good. If Rita steered clear of us all day, I could easily call it perfect. I loved my land, worshipped my wife, and adored our little Billy.
Gigi was clearly trying hard to pass onto him the best qualities she saw in me. And even though he wasn’t my own flesh and blood, it seemed to be working.
But would I ever have another child? One who was really mine?
Human beings truly were insatiable. Here I was, with a flawless family, yet I still wanted more.
Lowering my gaze, I slightly shook my head, smiling at my own greediness.
A knock on the door pulled me back to the moment. My guest had clearly arrived.
After the meeting was concluded, I delegated the rest of my tasks to Mike, instructing him to let Pete assist, and headed back home. I honked twice upon arrival, and in a couple of minutes, Gigi and Billy emerged with a wicker basket and a bottle of wine.
My stunning wife was wearing a long, flowing sundress in a lilac fabric with a fine print of little green leaves. I didn’t think I’d ever seen it before.
She took my breath away, and in a heartbeat, I remembered our first picnic by the lake. After all this time, she still looked as spectacular as she did on the first day I met her.
How was that even possible?
Or was my love for her behind this?
They got into the car, and I drove off.
“Can we go to the lake?” Billy enthusiastically fidgeted in the backseat.
“Sure thing,” I smiled, holding Gigi’s hand up to my lips and kissing it.
As I pulled over at our destination, a butterfly fluttered in front of the windshield. Billy squealed at the sight of it before giggling, “I want a butterfly.”
“Honey, they’re not meant to live inside a house.” Gigi apologetically smiled.
“Why not?”
“Because they need to fly, and a house has a ceiling.”
“And why can’t we fly?”
“Because we don’t have wings.”
“Why not?”
Helplessly, she looked at me and shook her head.
“We have big legs to run, ride horses, and drive cars,” I chuckled. “Butterflies can’t do any o’ that now, can they?”
Seemingly convinced, he nodded as his eyes examined the environment outside. When his eyes caught the butterfly again, he hurriedly opened the door and—without waiting for my help—escaped the confinement of the car and scampered, chasing after the little colorful creature.
“Careful, please!” Gigi hollered through the window before opening the door to get out.
His delightful laughter filled the warm air as he ran around, halting here and there in futile attempts to capture the butterfly.
“I wonder what he’d do if he actually caught it,” Gigi tittered, laying down a light blanket.
I shrugged, pulling the bottle of wine out of the basket. “He’s a good kid. He probably just wants to look at it up close.”
“Yeah.” Her look was meditative. “He is good, isn’t he?”
She sat down under the canopy, and I joined her, keeping close as I laid my hand on her thigh.
“How’d you think he’d be as a big brother?” The words just flowed.
She scoffed, “Eh, right now? He’d be asking a million questions.”
I turned to her, and our gazes locked. “Do you mind?”
“I guess he’s bound to ask them anyway.”
My heart skipped a beat.
I quickly glanced to make sure that Billy was still busy with his quest before shifting to look her deep in the eyes.
“Baby, I—” I took her hand in mine, pressing gently as I smiled. “I want another child with you.”
Her soft smile grew wider, and her eyes sparkled. “I’d like that.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded, biting her lower lip. “Nothing would make me happier.”
“Gosh, you’re beautiful.” I leaned in and kissed her lips, flushed and warm, they softly melted into mine.
“What are you doing?” Billy’s voice made us both flinch, pulling back as swiftly as we could.
Gigi giggled as she placed the back of her hand over her lips, while I playfully pulled him toward me, tugging so that he dropped onto my lap before I started to tickle him. “Grown-up stuff.” I mimicked a cartoonish evil laugh while he cackled and squirmed.
She said yes.
I was over the moon.
A minute later, Billy got distracted once again when he spotted a ladybug on the moist grass. He went off to examine it, and I turned once again to her.
“Look, I’m really excited, but I’d love it if we could keep this between us for now.”
She tilted her head as she poured us some wine.
“Y’know…Rita won’t exactly be too keen on being away from two grandkids.”
“Oh.” she tittered, handing me my glass. “Yeah, don’t worry about it. I won’t tell her.” She took a sip. “Besides, she won’t be far away; I really hope she can understand that. The town is so close by.”
“Well, you know her.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” she sighed, looking down at her fingernails. “I do.”
For the rest of the day, I didn’t see Rita at all. And quite honestly, it was marvelous.
As day turned into night, and the sun made its appearance for another glorious dawn, I woke up hoping that the day would be as calm as the one before it.
Unfortunately, Rita’s shrill voice snuck to my ears as I went downstairs. She was in the kitchen, trying to make herself useful while Gigi prepared our meal.
“I gotta go into town in a bit.” She forced a solemn heaviness into her tone. “Need anything from there?”
Oh, the dutiful mother.
“Thanks, Mom, Pete ran a shopping round for me yesterday.”
“Right, Pete,” she sighed. “Sounds like you don’t need your mother anymore.”
“Mom, really?” Helpless Gigi’s desperation was evident. “You think I need you for errands?”
“Well, you clearly don’t need me here at all.”
“Uh—”
“Good morning.” Announcing my appearance, I tried to save my poor wife. After I kissed her, I glanced in Rita’s direction. “Good morning, Rita.”
She moped as she picked up a jug of orange juice, walking out toward the dining table. “Good morning.”
Was that audible exhale meant to upset me?
I was still on cloud nine by effect of our little secret. Even Rita couldn’t ruin my mood.
As I walked out, I was met with Billy’s enthusiastic morning energy and Russ’s respectable greetings. We gathered around the table and proceeded to eat.
“Gigi, what did you say your friend’s name was? The realtor?”
“Mandy? Mandy Dawson.”
“Right. Well, I’ll check her office when I get to town. I’ll also keep an eye out for any suitable houses with a for sale sign.” She shot a nasty grimace my way. “I don’t think I can stand this any longer.”
Gigi visibly bit her lip in anger, quietly looking at her father and I respectively before tossing a piece of bread into her mouth. She clearly didn’t want to get into another argument in front of Billy.
As soon as she noticed that he was done eating, she whispered, “Sweetie, you can go wash your hands and play in your room now.”
“Okay,” he smiled, hopping off his chair and disappearing up the stairs.
She then turned to Rita. “I’d really appreciate it if you try and think about the things you say in front of Billy from now on. He’s not a baby anymore, and he understands what you’re saying.”
“Oh?” She aggressively raised her eyebrows. “So he’s old enough to comprehend what I say, but too young to be influenced by him?” Without looking, she pointed in my direction.
“Hey, if you got something to say to me, why don’t you say it to my face?” I roared.
Abruptly pushing herself up, her movement quaked the entire table. “Oh, I’ll say it, Cowboy.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not good enough for my daughter,” she hissed. “You are so beneath her, so much, it baffles me.”
“Oh,” I tittered while I kept my cool, sitting back as I rested both my hands on the table.
She continued, leisurely enunciating every syllable. “You are ill-mannered, uncivilized, and uneducated. The best you could do for a living is cohabitating with cow shit and manure—”
“You’re out of line!” Gigi fiercely shoved her chair backward as she soared up.
“No, no.” I steadily raised a hand. “I want her to get it off her chest.” I then turned back to Rita. “She clearly had better aspirations than this.” With both hands, I gestured around.
“How dare you?” she seethed. “We’re outta here as soon as we find a house away from you.”
“And why force it?” I shrugged, still seated as I maintained my stance. “I’ll pay for you and Russell to stay at the Mexborough hotel until you find the perfect house,” I smiled provocatively.
Her face lost all color, and for a moment there, I could swear that she hadn’t seen that coming.
Not only were we offering to add to whatever money they had for a new house, but I was now extending the bargain to a stay in a hotel she could only assume was luxurious.
Her eyes hesitated for a second as they examined Russ’s face. He didn’t seem to mind, but he wasn’t jumping on the opportunity either.
“Very well.” She tried to keep her stare grave as she addressed me. “I’ll pack everything, and we’ll be out of your hair in an hour.”
As she marched out of the house, Gigi scampered behind, whispering, “I’ll go help her.”
I slowly stood up, lifting my plate.
Russ awkwardly cleared his throat as he pushed himself up. “Will you let me assist?”
“Wouldn’t you rather be with Rita?”
He scoffed, and I understood exactly what he meant. I tittered, “I’ll wash; you dry.”
The following hour went by peaceably, with Russell and I bonding over dishes and tales of his wife’s lifelong temper.
“To tell you the truth, I’m quite relieved,” he chuckled.
“You don’t like it here?”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. You’ve done very well for yourself, Son. But even before we came, I knew this was a mistake. Rita can’t handle not being the boss.” He tilted his head as he wiped a glass dry. “I learned to swim with the current for my peace of mind. But Gigi…you…this ain’t a life for an independent couple.”
“Yeah, I guess I should’ve figured.”
“You live, you learn, eh?” he snickered.
“You know what?” I handed him the last plate. “Some coffee will do us both good right now.”
“Don’t you wanna go check on Gigi?”
“You raised a strong woman, Russell,” I smiled. “She can handle it.”
“No work?”
“It can wait.” I opened the pantry and pulled out two mugs. “The porch will be nice. I’ll join you in a minute.”
I watched him limp out for a moment before turning back to the coffee maker. The rich aroma floated into my nostrils, and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt such a release.
Finally, Rita was going to be kept at an appropriate distance. I never wanted to deprive Gigi of her parents, and the settlement we had reached was the best I could hope for.
Taking the coffee outside, I found Russell settled on the corner of the bench, quietly admiring the view.
“Y’know,” he too his cup, “there are parts of town that overlook some breathtaking views like this one.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Now that’s a compromise I won’t be willing to make,” he chuckled before taking a sip.
“Oh yeah?”
He nodded. “She can pick a pink house with a clown for an attic for all I care, so long as it has green I can look at.”
“That can easily be arranged. Mandy is very resourceful.”
For a few moments, our palates silently enjoyed the coffee while our eyes appreciated the land.
“Gigi will never grow up to be her mother, I hope you know that.” He looked down at his half-full mug.
“Of course, I wasn’t thinkin’ that at all.”
“Yeah?”
I tittered, knowing that I was about to make a clichéd confession. “I see more of you in her than I see of Rita.”
He suddenly laughed, throwing his head back as his shoulders shook.
“What’s so funny?” I smiled.
“Guess the poor girl spent her life trying so hard not to become her mother, that she accidentally became her father.”
I watched his elated expression with a snort. “Is that a bad thing?”
He cheekily shrugged. “Depends where you’re standing.”
We both chuckled, and I realized that his self-deprecating humor was one of the things I enjoyed most about his character.
The man knew his strengths and weaknesses and wasn’t ashamed of laughing at himself. I wondered if I had a father like that, how would my life have turned out?
Shaking away thoughts of should-haves and could-haves, I settled for accepting him as my father-in-law. Wholeheartedly grateful that he was who he was, I reveled in the few moments of bonding we got to enjoy.
I also celebrated the fact that I was finally going to get my life with Gigi back.