The Baydale Babies mother and toddler play area was teeming with children all with one volume—loud, and set to squealing. Takira’s jaw hurt from fighting back a grimace at just how loud a group of toddlers could be.
Beside her, Juliet laughed at her discomfort. “Believe me, you get used to the noise. You’ll learn how to differentiate the ‘I’m happy and expressing it’ screams from the ‘I’ve fallen and think I’m dying’ ones.”
Takira glanced around the playground where the “baby wranglers,” as Juliet called them, were keeping the youngsters corralled. To Takira it looked as easy a job as herding cats.
“I can’t believe you actually chose to have a child and subject yourself to this madness.”
Juliet bumped her shoulder into Takira’s and directed her attention to where Harley was playing. “Just look at her. She’s the best thing I have ever done, that and falling for Trent.”
“I get it. She’s cute and all, and watching Trent melt around her is sweet to see, but all of this,” Takira gestured around her, “this was never on any of my to-do lists.” She knew the responsibility of Finn’s welfare rested on her shoulders, but it didn’t fit well there at all. “I know I’m going to have to get used to this, but I was never cut out to be mommy material.”
“He doesn’t need you to be his mommy. For now he needs you to be the aunt you’ve always been.”
Takira watched as Harley broke out into a spirited run for no reason. Then she stopped, turned around, and realized Finn wasn’t with her. She ran back to his side, took his hand, and tugged him along. “Your baby daughter handles him better than I can.”
“I told you they’d get on.”
“She thinks he’s a character from Star Wars.”
“He shares a name with one of the heroes from the latest trilogy. Of course she thinks he’s super cool. She just hasn’t worked out why he’s her size yet.”
“She’ll be disappointed when she finds out he doesn’t have one of those light sword things.”
Juliet grinned. “She already has a lightsaber of her own at home. Uncle Elton bought it for her so they could duel.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“It was all fun and games until Harley channeled her inner Sith Lord and sabered Elton right in the baby maker. He fell to the ground quicker than Obi-Wan did in his death scene.”
Takira laughed. “What did Trent say?”
“Something along the lines of he should be thankful it hadn’t been a real one seeing as Vader had cut Luke’s hand off with his.” Juliet’s gaze never wandered far from the children as they played. “You’ve got this, Takira, and you have all of us to help you too.”
“That’s exactly what Dante said, and she’s known me for less time than you have.” Takira shook her head. “I never expected that when you all came into my restaurant that I’d gain such a colorful array of people in my life. Even now, with the advent of Dante just walking through my door.”
“The gamers, the goths.” Juliet paused deliberately. “Bryce.”
“Yes, she is oddly normal to everyone else. I just love how she looks at Scarlet though when Scarlet is decked out in all her finery and those crazy high heels.”
“Like she won the girlfriend lottery,” Juliet said. “I’ve seen that same lovestruck look on Scarlet’s face too so it evens out.”
“Scarlet’s photography really helped me with my marketing.” She conceded a nod to Juliet’s smug look. “I know, I know. You told me so. You do realize you could be making a fortune if you had your own big business going instead of helping others run theirs?”
“I probably could, but I’d rather spend time with Harley as she grows and with Trent when work allows. I’ve got my part in the landscaping business with Monica and my bookkeeping. That’s more than enough to keep me busy.”
“The mural Scarlet painted in the restaurant was money well spent too. I can’t believe it’s only been two years since I got the place up and running. It feels like I’ve been working there forever. I moved in and Harley was just a tiny babe in arms. Mostly Trent’s arms.”
“That’s because she can control her better when she’s out in public.” Juliet nodded over to where Harley was showing Finn how to do something and patting him on the back when he did it. “Look at her. She’s got Trent’s people skills. She’ll be running this group before long.”
Takira could see Finn following Harley’s lead, his little face too serious for his age. “He’s so damn quiet.”
“He’s been through a lot. He’ll start getting more confident once he’s settled. And he’ll be with Harley. She’ll help him see he can be a happy little boy now.”
“God, it’s so much for me to have to live up to.” Takira felt the pressure weigh down on her once more. She smiled weakly at Juliet’s reassuring hand on her arm.
Juliet’s head lifted. She looked around and smiled. Takira knew that look. She turned to see who Juliet was beaming at. She didn’t need to say anything. Harley’s loud squeal broke through the excited chatter of all the other children.
“Mama!”
Trent wandered into the play area not far from where Takira and Juliet were standing. She didn’t get a chance to see them before she sank to her knees to catch Harley as she ran and flung herself into Trent’s arms.
“Mama! You here!”
“I told you I would be.” Trent kissed Harley’s smiling face. “Are you having fun?”
Harley nodded enthusiastically. “I gots a new friend.” She shifted onto Trent’s lap and pointed at Finn who had followed at a more leisurely pace.
“Who’s this then?”
“Is Finn, Mama, like Rey’s Finn. But he doesn’t have BB-8 yet and he’s little like me.”
Trent managed to keep a straight face. “Hi, Finn.”
Finn stared at her, then looked at Harley, then back at Trent again. Takira could see his little mind working overtime.
“Harley’s daddy?” he asked.
Takira cringed.
Harley shook her head at him. “Is my mama, not a daddy,” she told him.
Finn stayed silent and just stared at Trent a little more. “Not a daddy?”
“I know I look like a daddy, but I’m a mama. I’m Harley’s mama.”
Finn digested this and then looked over at Juliet. “Harley’s mommy there.”
Trent caught Juliet’s eye and winked at her. “Yes. Harley has two mommies,” Trent explained. “A mommy and a mama.”
Finn’s quiet contemplation of this made Takira nervous. Her sister hadn’t been the most welcoming to Takira’s coming out when she’d been a teenager. She’d made a comment about being thankful she hadn’t been the twin with the queer gene. Takira hoped Latitia’s barely disguised bigotry hadn’t rubbed off on Finn. Takira had never had a girlfriend around him for him to see her in a partnership like the one Trent and Juliet shared. How Trent looked, though, had to give Finn something else to consider. Takira wondered if he’d start to realize that Dante was the same too.
“Not a daddy,” Finn said finally.
“Is my mama,” Harley said and beckoned him over. “Mama, Finn fell down.” She motioned for him to roll his pant leg up which he did dutifully without a word. A large Star Wars Band-Aid was stuck haphazardly across his knee.
“Did you give Finn one of your special Band-Aids, baby?” Trent asked.
Harley nodded. “He only bleeded a little, but it’s an owie and Finn feels all better now.”
Trent squeezed her. “Good girl. You always look after your friends.”
Finn edged closer to Harley, bringing him nearer to Trent. Tentatively, he got closer still and leaned ever so slightly against Trent’s leg.
“I swear that wife of yours is a child magnet,” Takira muttered loud enough for Juliet to hear.
“Finn’s my friend now. He come feed the ducks with us?” Harley laid a hand on Finn’s shoulder, and they both looked at Trent expectantly.
Trent looked over at Takira and Juliet and gave them a hopeful look. “How about we ask Finn’s auntie if they can join us?”
“And he can have ice cream,” Harley stated.
“Have you asked him if he likes ice cream?” Trent asked. Finn was already nodding his head firmly.
“See, he likes ice cream, Mama. It’s okay.”
“Then I think once you’re all played out here and it’s time to go we’ll all go feed the ducks and get a treat.” Trent gently put Harley back down. “Go finish playing, Harley. You too, Finn. You’ve got five minutes left so make the most of them.” Trent shooed them off and got up to join Takira and Juliet. Trent gave Juliet a swift kiss and she smiled at Takira. “Hey, you two. Takira, he’s gorgeous.”
“He looks just like his mother which must mean he looks like me too. It’s both comforting and upsetting all at the same time.”
“Well, Harley isn’t going to let him be lonely. He’s going to have to find his voice soon though because Harley will talk enough for the both of them if he’s not careful.”
“She’s surrounded by adults unless we visit with Elton’s family,” Juliet said. “She’s used to being with bigger kids. It will help her to have someone her own age to hang out with.”
“How did Finn get hurt?” Trent asked.
Juliet answered. “He got caught in a mass toddler pile and a smaller boy knocked him over by accident. He wasn’t really hurt, but Harley got her Band-Aids out because he’d been startled and looked like he was about to cry. He didn’t though because your daughter fussed over him and made him feel better. Especially after she’d turned to the kid who’d bumped into Finn and told him to ‘play fair’!”
Trent had the grace to look chagrined.
“Oh, there has to be a story behind that,” Takira said.
“That’s what Trent always tells Elton off with when they are playing online and he’s haranguing his cousin to put him off his game. Since she was a baby, Harley has sat in her mama’s lap watching her play and has obviously picked up on that particular phrase.”
“We’re going to be in so much trouble the bigger she gets,” Trent said.
“I’m her mother and probably biased, but I think she’s going to be awesome.” Juliet’s eyes softened as she shared a loving look with Trent. “Just like her mama.”
“Who’s not a daddy,” Trent added. “Takira, can you face another hour or so to take the terrible twosome for a quick visit to the park next door and to the ice cream truck?”
Takira was fretting about the time she’d already lost from the restaurant, but she nodded. “I can. I warned Dante they’d probably have to do the brunch crowd without me today.”
“So how’s Dante working out for you?” Trent stuffed her hands in her pockets and rocked on her heels, looking immensely proud of herself.
“She’s doing better than I expected for someone who just walked in off the street and wowed me with her stellar references. And had you to sing her praises as well.”
“Fate is a curious thing, Takira. You never know what it’s going to bring to your door when you need something so bad.”
A bell rang and the children either ran to their mothers or were complaining about having to leave the sandpit. Harley tore across the grass with a wicked gleam in her eye.
“Incoming!” Juliet said as Harley jumped. Trent caught her effortlessly and swung her around. Harley settled herself on Trent’s hip, talking a mile a minute.
Finn ambled up to stop by Takira’s side. He looked up at Trent.
Takira remembered what Dante had said about Finn always waiting for acknowledgement before he did anything. She was at a loss what to do for him.
“Hey, Finn, do you want a ride too? I’ve got room for another one up here with Harley.” Trent held her arm out.
“Up, Finn! Up!” Harley called, looking down at him.
Finn stepped forward slowly then held his arms up. Trent picked him up and settled him on her hip.
“Okay, kids, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to feed the ducks and to make sure they don’t peck at Mommy like they tried to do the last time.”
Finn looked over Trent’s shoulder at Juliet.
“I held onto the bag of seed too long,” Juliet explained. “They took that as a sign I was holding out on them. I don’t know which was worse, my backing up nervously under the onslaught of a multitude of duck beaks or the fact I had to be rescued by Harley who ran through them, arms swinging, yelling at the top of her lungs with her newly acquired warrior cry.”
Takira laughed at Juliet’s embarrassment. She was watching Finn who had made himself at home in Trent’s hold. His head was bobbing back and forth between listening to whatever Harley was babbling about and looking down at how far from the ground he was. He leaned into Trent and she instinctively kissed him on his head like she usually did with Harley. He didn’t shy away but instead leaned in closer.
Takira’s sigh caught Juliet’s attention. “What’s wrong?”
“Your Trent is a natural with children. How does she make it look so easy?”
Juliet shrugged. “Damned if I know. She’s a baby whisperer.”
“Dante’s really good with him too. She talks to him as if she’s known him since birth. And he follows her around like a little duckling.”
“Something tells me Dante is made of the same unflappable stuff Trent is. I think those three are ready to skip school and get out of here. Stop thinking about how much you’re missing work and instead think of the quality time you’re going to have watching the children, including the big one I married, play.”
“I heard that,” Trent called without turning around.
Takira let Juliet lead the way as they left the play group and headed toward the park. It seemed so natural and easy and…Takira’s thoughts ground to a halt. This wasn’t her dream though. She wanted a chain of restaurants, to build up a brand and make a name for herself. It came before everything, before family, before lovers, before herself.
“I’m going to have to devise a new schedule with him included,” she said.
“That’s a good idea. A routine that works for you both. Kayleigh will help you with all that as soon as school is finished. I wouldn’t say the offer of food from your restaurant swayed her decision, but I think it helped. She’s fantastic with Harley so Finn will be no problem.”
“You’ve got such a supportive family. My sister was a pain in my ass from the moment we stepped out of the womb.”
“I didn’t spend as much time as I should with Kayleigh when she was growing up, but she’s becoming a wonderful young woman. I love being with her now.”
“And it’s obvious she worships Trent.”
Juliet grinned. “Who doesn’t? She’s a total babe. Besides, she and Kayleigh are two peas from the same pod. It’s all about the games when those two get together.”
Takira envied Juliet her life. She was successful in her chosen career, head over heels in love, and had the family she’d dreamed of. Takira had no idea what she needed to do now. Her sister’s death had derailed all her carefully laid out plans.
“When will the feeling go away that I’m just babysitting him and that someone will be coming to take him back?” she asked quietly.
Juliet wrapped an arm around Takira’s shoulders and pulled her in close. “When you’ve had more time together. Things like this can’t be rushed, Takira. It’s not all going to sort itself out in a few days and your life will go back to what it was. He’s yours now and he needs you. But remember, you built your own restaurant from scratch. There isn’t anything you can’t do once you put your heart in it.”
“Thank you for being here for me.” Takira leaned in and rested her head against Juliet’s.
Juliet pressed a kiss to her temple. “That’s what friends are for.”
* * *
Dante had dressed to impress. She didn’t subscribe to dressing casual for work and she was firmly of the belief a manager should look professional at all times. She’d pressed a pale blue shirt and teamed it with a dark blue vest. A chain hung across the vest’s front attached to a pocket watch left to her by her grandfather which now sat snuggly in her pocket. She had a dark pair of chinos on and a comfortable pair of black Doc Martens that she’d polished to perfection.
She opened the front doors for her first time to let in the diners. Some of them stared at her with critical eyes, others just walked right by, and some greeted her and congratulated her on her new job on spotting her name tag. Dante was courteous to all. She found tables for them, called on the waiting staff, and then went behind the bar to help sort out teas and coffees. This was the part she enjoyed the most, mixing with the diners and getting conversation flowing and food served.
Dante checked the time on her watch. She wondered how Takira was getting on with Finn’s first day at the toddler group and if Finn and Harley had hit it off. She knew getting invested in their lives was foolhardy, but she cared about them. She couldn’t explain why, but from the second she’d met Takira she’d felt something tangible. It was a feeling she couldn’t explain and one she berated herself for because, for all she found Takira fascinating, Dante wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her working relationship with her. And that meant no matter how much she’d like to get to know Takira on a more personal level, it couldn’t happen. Dante’s last partner had always put her job first, and Dante didn’t want that kind of relationship again. Keeping it strictly business was the key. And her own crippling anxiety about being with someone again only increased the need to keep it friendly, nothing more.
She spent the rest of the morning dealing with customers, talking with the staff, and trying not to keep checking the time when she knew the toddler group was over and Takira still wasn’t back. Dante was getting anxious until, finally, Takira came through the doors with Finn sprawled out fast asleep in her arms.
“Who knew a mother and toddler group could be so exhausting?” Takira spoke quietly above a softly snoring Finn. “Harley wore him out. He barely lasted past his ice cream in the park before he was sitting in my lap and drooling on my shirt.”
“This little dude parties hard. Did he at least cut loose a little?”
“Trent and Harley were making him laugh. It was wonderful to hear. And Harley was full of questions for him that he couldn’t just answer with a nod or shake of his head so I actually got to hear him say more than a few words. I think going out with other children is going to help him tremendously.”
“Excellent. Are you going to let him nap while you take your place in the kitchen? I’m told you’re cooking something special today.”
“I’ll go get him settled, grab the baby monitor, and then come and get back to work. After all, it’s my name over the door. I need to keep it that way.” She took a step but then turned back, her eyes lingering over Dante’s attire. “God, you look good. I wish Eric had taken lessons from you in how to look professional. I got tired of telling him that however hot it was, sandals were not proper foot attire in the kitchen. One slip of a carving knife and he’d have been minus a few toes.”
“He wears shoes now.”
“Yes, there was an incident with a can of tomatoes. To this day I can’t work out if Zenya did it deliberately or not. Eric had a bruised foot for ages and learned the hard way to listen to his boss.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that too.” Dante felt like her heart skipped a beat at the smile Takira gave her before carrying Finn upstairs. Dante rushed ahead of her, opening the door to the apartment so Takira didn’t have to juggle for her keys.
“Are you sure what I’m wearing isn’t too much?”
Takira looked her over with a small smile. “I love how you dress, Dante. It’s professional and very you. Don’t ever think you can’t be yourself here. I hired you.”
“I’ve had comments before about not exactly helping myself with how I look.” Chloe had led that charge after a few years of them being together. Dante was at a loss as to when it suddenly became abhorrent.
“People come here for the food. If they have a problem with you being yourself, me being black, my servers being out and proud, or the fact my head chef is a drag queen on his nights off and sometimes can be heard belting out show tunes from the kitchen, then they can take their business elsewhere. I think you look fantastic. Don’t change just to fit in, Dante. You are a perfect fit here already.”
Dante smoothed a hand down her vest, adjusting its fit. She felt more at ease and confident than she had in ages. She couldn’t change who or what she was. It was nice to be told she didn’t have to.
“Before you head back to the restaurant, we’ve been invited to a ‘welcome home’ party Trent and her friends are holding in honor of your return.”
“They don’t have to do anything special for me.”
“Well, there’s a barbecue being set up and, take it from me, I have eaten from it before and it’s to die for. I have considered everything short of sleeping with Zoe’s dad to get him to part with the recipe for his barbecue sauce. I’m joking, but the food is really amazing so it’s worth going for that alone. I think they’re going to combine it with a baby shower thing for Monica so the spotlight won’t all be on you.”
“Thank God for small mercies,” Dante muttered.
Takira settled Finn on his bed and removed his shoes without disturbing him. She turned on the baby cam and pulled the door ajar. “Okay, he’s set. I just need the monitor now and I’m good to go.” She carried it across the room to Dante. “So, seeing as you are sorting the scheduling out now, I need you to make sure both of us are free and clear for your party on Saturday evening.”
“Isn’t that an abuse of my power?” Dante asked.
“If anyone questions it tell them the boss agreed to it because I am not missing out on trying to work out what that man puts in his hot sauce. I’m so close to cracking his recipe.”
“It will be nice to see Trent again, and Elton, I hope.”
“He’ll be there. Those two are very close.”
“They always were.” Dante held out a hand for the tablet. “I’m due for a break soon. Let me keep an eye on the monitor while you get to work in the kitchen. Someone ate all the coconut cakes last night. I think you should be aware of this discrepancy and, as the new manager of this establishment, I’d recommend you rectify it.”
Takira laughed at her. “Now that’s definitely an abuse of your power.”
“Which part? The requesting of coconut cakes to be made or the fact I’m the one who ate the last of them?”
“I’ve never had my coconut cakes praised so highly.”
“Well, I’ve heard rumors that you also make a mean blackberry cheesecake that melts on your tongue.”
“Have you been talking to Zenya again? Don’t think I don’t see you two colluding every chance you get.”
“I love blackberries, and I love cheesecake. Almost as much as I love coconut cakes. As your new manager—”
Takira clasped her hand over Dante’s mouth. “I’m going to cordon off the dessert area in the kitchen so you can’t set foot in it without alarm bells ringing.”
Dante grinned at her when she finally moved her hand away. “I have access to all areas, and I get to order the inventory. I’m seeing blackberries arriving in your future, Ms. Lathan. Mark my words.”
Dante was still grinning at the sound of Takira’s laughter as she headed to the restaurant with Dante trailing behind. She could still feel the touch of Takira’s hand where it had touched her lips. She tried not to dwell on it and forced herself to go back to work and do the job she was here for. Not to lose herself in the delicate fragrance of apples she could detect in Takira’s shampoo or the softness of her skin that her lips were so close to being able to kiss.
Do your job, Dante, she berated herself. That’s what she was being paid to do. Not fantasizing for the first time in years about a woman she could never have.