She looked up, her eyes as wide as saucers. “You’re not even a little bit angry with me? I gave birth to your son and never told you. In fact, I even hid him from you when I knew you would come and find me. What kind of person does that make me, Dean?”
I searched her sullen eyes and all I was met with was heartbreak. I should have been angry that she kept him from me, but all I could think about was how this was my fault.
Turning to her, I touched her hand. This time, she let me. “It makes you someone who’s been badly hurt by another you once trusted with all your heart. That person would have walked on hot coals once…still will, if he has to. It’s just that he was such a dumb fuck, he couldn’t see past his own nose.”
Tyler sniffled a little and nodded with a slight smile. She was so beautiful in that moment. She always was, but it seemed every time I looked at her, there was something different to marvel at. She was the most beautiful, fascinating person I had ever met.
“Are you making Mommy cry?”
Snapping our heads over to Jeremy, he stood there, arms crossed, staring at our hands. Tyler snatched hers away from mine and stood up to kneel next to him. “I’m crying because I’m happy, Jeremy.”
He frowned and I was awed by his protectiveness over Tyler. I couldn’t blame him, though. Not one single bit. I suppose the apple never falls far from the tree.
“How can you cry when you’re happy?” He looked at Tyler, then back at me. I smiled at him, but his concerned face never wavered.
“You see, Jeremy, adults cry when they’re happy. For instance, when you were born and I held you in my arms for the very first time, I cried like a baby. I was so happy that I had given birth to such an amazing, healthy, beautiful boy, I couldn’t help it.”
My heart leapt into my throat. The thought of Tyler being alone as she gave birth filled me with dread. I should have been there to hold her hand and share in that joy.
“So Dean is making you cry happy tears?” He looked into Tyler’s eyes with an eager expression.
Tyler nodded. “Dean and I haven’t seen each other in a very long time. I’m just happy to see him again.” She looked over at me and smiled. I was so grateful that she was saving me. I knew her words weren’t true, but she was saving me from my son’s wrath, making me fall in love with her all over again.
“Are you going to marry my mommy?” Tyler’s eyes mirrored mine. It completely took me aback. Didn’t you just love kids and their honesty? Sometimes it worked; other times, like this one, it couldn’t have come at a worst time. I desperately wanted to marry Tyler, but how could I divulge that to Jeremy? It just didn’t seem right.
As if sensing my desperation, Tyler looked back at Jeremy. “Jeremy, you can’t ask people that question.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Why not?”
Tyler sighed. “Because it’s not appropriate. Let’s just forget about it. Do you want some nachos?”
Jeremy stood still and looked at me. It would seem he wasn’t done just yet. “If you want to marry Mommy, you have to ask me.”
“Jeremy!” Tyler buried her head in her hands.
Me? I couldn’t stop laughing. He was just too perfect for words. Leaning forward a little, I offered him my hand with a wink. “Deal, grown-up.”
Jeremy giggled and shook my hand. “Mommy goes red a lot. I like it when she goes red.”
I smiled and looked at Tyler. “Rosey.” Despite her embarrassment, she smiled. It was the first time in a long time that I felt I truly had a piece of Tyler back.
Jeremy tugged on my sleeve. “What’s Rosey?”
I smiled at him. “It’s always been my nickname for your mum. She used to turn red when we were kids. Her cheeks would get very rosy.”
Jeremy smiled, but it wasn’t a normal smile. This one was cheeky and full of mischief. It made me wonder if he was up to something.
“Can Dean stay for dinner, Rosey?”
I laughed and Tyler rolled her eyes. “Jeremy Dean Florentino, you are the cheekiest, impish little rascal ever.”
Jeremy giggled again. “Can he?”
Tyler’s smile faded and she looked at me for a moment. I gave her a little nod so that she knew I was more than fine with staying. In fact, I never wanted to leave.
“Okay. Dean can stay for dinner if he wants.”
Jeremy looked at me. “Will you stay?”
I nodded and ruffled his hair. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
Jeremy cheered and ran back, jumping into the pool with a big splash.
Tyler and I sat there and watched him for a while before she spoke again. “He likes you.” I looked over at her with a smile before she turned back to watch Jeremy again. “But, then again, it was always destined he would instantly fall in love with his father. How could he not when his own mother did the same twenty-eight years ago?”