Always With You - Part Two(11)

Today was all about them-them getting to know each other better, them spending time together outside the club and for more than a few stolen minutes-and it was a joy to behold. Isabella is a bright and beautiful little girl. She's cute and full of life, polite and sweet. It's a shocker really, considering who her mother is and how she's raised her. But, against all odds, Isabella seems to be turning out well.

And then there's Cash. I always suspected that he would be a good father, but watching him in action … and with a child he isn't even certain is his … it makes my ovaries cry out to give him our own baby to dote on and play with, to laugh with and cuddle. When I think back on it, it's bittersweet-but at the time, it just felt sweet.

Isabella did great when the young lady collected her sample for the paternity test. She's such a little trooper. I thought Sophie looked a little green, though. And not because of sympathy for her daughter and what she must be going through with this whole ordeal. No, I think Sophie knows something that we don't. Or maybe that we suspected.

Part of me will be shocked if Isabella is Cash's. That same part might be disappointed on some level, too. He's working so hard to forge a bond with her. What he doesn't realize is that it's practically effortless. They are clicking as though they've known each other for the last nine years. Not so long ago, the thought of Cash having a child that I didn't give him hurt me. It hurt me bad. But now, after seeing him with Isabella, I know that I have nothing to fear. Cash has plenty of love for our children, too. I should never have doubted him. And I should never have let my own insecurities and failures as a woman influence my feelings toward this little girl.

Not that I was ever really resentful or wished bad things for her. It's not Isabella's fault that her mother is a devious witch. I guess her presence just exasperated things I was already feeling.

Sophie confounded us all before we left the DCSS (the Division of Child Support Services) for the testing. She'd managed to latch onto the only young male within sight and throw her every charm in his direction. It was embarrassing as hell. I'm not sure what she was trying to prove, or to whom she was trying to prove it. All she proved to me is that she's as trashy and classless as I suspected.

Afterward, we had an early dinner at Chuck E. Cheese, where Cash showed Isabella just how much of his inner child he'd managed to retain over the years. Quite a bit, as it turns out. I think he had more fun than she did. And she had a lot.

Following that, we made our way outside where Cash announced that it was time to get back to Dual. Isabella was visibly disappointed.

"Will you come and see me later tonight?" Isabella asked shyly when Cash opened the car door for her.

He squatted down in front of her, taking a long blonde strand of hair between his fingers and gently tugging on it. "Nothing in the world could stop me," he assured her with a sweet smile.



       
         
       
        

She smiled back at him and they simply stared at each other for a few seconds, like each was hesitant to bring an end to the poignant moment they were sharing. I could see why. I was moved by their interaction, too.

Sophie, however, hadn't had any such reservations about interrupting. "Come on, Izz. Get in the car so we can get back. Mommy's not feeling well."

I threw a withering look over at Sophie, who didn't look too happy with the way things were going. She was all smiles when we left the testing center, but her mood had soured progressively throughout supper. I'm sure my presence threw a wrench in her diabolical plan. And the fact that I was participating with Cash and Isabella more than she was seemed to be going over like a lead balloon, which only made my disposition that much brighter.

The ride back consisted of Isabella, who I'd insisted sit in the front seat with Cash, changing radio stations and Cash chiming in with made-up words to whatever song she happened to land on. I found myself laughing at him along with her on several occasions while Sophie sat morosely to my right, staring out the window.

Numerous times, I'd looked up to find Cash watching me in the rearview mirror, his black eyes flashing happily. It warmed me through and through to see him this way. It also reinforced my determination to try at every possible opportunity to make a baby with him. He was meant to be a husband and father. That much was plain to see.

Back at Dual, the four of us make our way through the front doors. Cash and I have both taken to using the front entrance since Sophie and Isabella are in residence at the back.

We walk in to find that Gavin has already arrived. He's on the phone, but he greets us each with a nod as we file past him. He gestures for Cash to wait, so when Cash turns to me, I give him a preemptive wave and tell him, "Take your time. I'm going to go call Dad. See if he needs anything as I come home."