Unexpected Family

“Tell us about your daughter.” Claire’s smile was encouraging.

Tom stretched his neck to one side, then the other. He might as well get the basics out of the way. “She’s four. Looks just like me. She’s smart, too. Maybe even a genius.”

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Claire said.

“Since no one else is willing to state the obvious, I will.” Libby jutted her chin out. “Why now? Why did Stephanie decide to tell you today? After all this time? I’ll tell you why. Money. Or babysitting. She’s going to start calling you nonstop, wanting you to watch the kid for her. And then she’ll want you back.”

Libby was wrong. Whatever Stephanie wanted wasn’t free babysitting or child support. But Libby did raise a good point. What were Stephanie’s expectations for him as a father? He wanted to spend time getting to know his daughter—gradually. His training schedule didn’t leave much room. After Christmas, he’d really have to kick it in gear with swimming at the Y and adding miles to his runs each week.

What was he thinking? No race was worth more than his daughter.

Slipping back into mediocrity already.

Not fair. Who said he couldn’t be a dad and have a life? He’d find a way to get to know Macy and train for the race.

“Stephanie wasn’t an ogre, Libby.” Claire steepled her fingers, keeping her tone even. “She made mistakes. We all do.”

“But her mistakes hurt Tommy.” Libby crossed her arms over her chest.

Tom held his hands up. “I don’t know why she finally told me.” The words weren’t easier to say this time. “The accident shook her up. It’s no secret we weren’t right for each other.” Or, rather, he wasn’t right for her. How many times had he replayed their relationship in his mind, trying to figure out how he could have done it all differently?

“That’s a bunch of baloney.” Libby shook her head. “Half the women in this county would rob the Snack-N-Go to have a shot at marrying you. She blew it.”

“I blew it, too, Libs.” It was the first time he’d admitted it out loud. Over the years, he’d accepted his responsibility in their divorce, but he’d never told anyone. Stephanie’s confession gave him the courage to make his own. “She wasn’t the only one to blame. You know the saying ‘It takes two’? In our case, it’s true.”

The breeze made a shushing noise in the trees, and Bryan moved to stand beside him. “What are you going to do now?”

Tom lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know.”

“You fighting for custody?” Bryan asked.

“I’m not going to walk away, if that’s what you’re asking. But I...don’t know.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Claire said. “You’ll be a terrific dad.”

“You know what this means,” Sam said. “You’ll be in Stephanie’s life again.”

Tom fought a wave of helplessness, the same feeling that kept gushing up when he thought about spending time with Macy. Sam was right. He wouldn’t be able to avoid Stephanie. Was he ready to be a part of her life again? Especially not as her husband? What if she was dating someone? He had limits, and being a bystander to his ex-wife’s love life went way beyond them. Seeing her again, being near her...messed with his resolve to protect his heart.

“Hey.” Claire placed her hand on his sleeve. “Don’t worry. I’m going to pray hard for you. I’m upset you’re finding out about Macy now, but you’re a dad. That’s good! I can’t wait to meet this little girl. I know she’ll be fabulous. She has our genes, right?”

He straightened, not knowing what to say. Dusk blanketed them, and lights across the lake popped on, reflecting thin beams zigzagging on the water. Each of his siblings’ faces turned to him with varying expressions. Claire, tender and concerned. Sam, indifferent. Libby, skeptical, and Bryan, fierce.

“Whatever you need,” Claire said. “We’re here for you.”

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the number. Didn’t recognize it. “Hello?”

“Tom?” Stephanie’s voice rang through. “Do you think you could come over tomorrow?”

* * *

Tom pressed the intercom and shifted the enormous white stuffed rabbit complete with pink bow to his other arm. The old apartment complex a mile from campus didn’t exactly look seedy, but brown paint peeled from the exterior, bare spots riddled the patches of grass and potholes and cracks dismembered the pavement. He shifted his jaw. College students didn’t mill about—a relief—but the junky cars had him questioning the neighbors. Was his daughter safe living here? Was Stephanie?

The door buzzed, and he stepped inside. Soiled, worn indoor/outdoor carpet greeted him. A half flight of stairs stood at his right, a hallway with closed doors to his left. The scent of laundry detergent mingled with spices—foreign, curry? He climbed the stairs, turned, jogged up another set and landed on the third floor.

Stephanie ushered him inside. “Thanks for coming.” She dead-bolted the door behind him and nodded at the stuffed animal. “Macy will love this. Why don’t you have a seat?”

She waved to the small living room to his right. White walls, an old forest green couch, an upholstered rocking chair covered with a quilt and a bin of toys furnished the room. Lamps glowed, and the end tables held neat stacks of children’s books. Sheer curtains flanked a glass door leading to a balcony. Not luxurious but welcoming enough.

“Can I get you something to drink?” She flitted to the tiny kitchen and opened the fridge. Her jeans and slouchy lavender sweater made her appear younger, more beautiful than he remembered. Or was it her expression? The Stephanie who’d walked out on him rarely smiled, always nibbled on the corner of her lip and had a nervous air. This woman reminded him of the Steph he fell in love with.

Don’t go there. Focus on now. On Macy.

“Water would be good.” He set the bunny on the floor and lowered his tall frame onto the couch. “Where’s Macy?”

She returned with two glasses of ice water and set one on a coaster next to him before sitting in the rocking chair and tucking one foot under her body. “She’s still at day care. I wanted to talk to you in private.”

Warmth pooled through his core. She wanted to talk to him? In private? He straightened and shifted forward. “What about?”

A crease grew in her forehead. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Libby’s words sang in his mind, She’s going to start calling you nonstop. She’ll want you back. The thought wasn’t as unwelcome as it should be.

“I guess I thought...” She blinked twice. Enticing brown eyes. “You acted like you wanted to get to know Macy.”

His jaw relaxed. Dummy. Stephanie didn’t want him—still didn’t want him. “I do.”

“Of course.”

Was she disappointed? If yes, why had she invited him over?

She stood next to the balcony door, staring outside. “I don’t want Macy to be caught in our problems the way I was with Mom and her husbands.”

“Well, I’m not like them.”

“True.” She tapped her chin with her finger. “From my experience, though, lots of adults don’t think about their kids in these situations. They give in to their petty dramas, not caring who they hurt. I’d move mountains to protect Macy.”

“So I didn’t even get a chance?”

“We’ve been over this. Your parting words, the whiplash speed of the divorce papers and my own experience in a split home forced me to make a decision. The wrong one, obviously.”

Tom stared at a stain in the carpet. The night she left rushed back. He could still feel the blood churning in his veins. Tears streaked her face as she told him there was nothing between her and that guy, that she wasn’t cheating and would never cheat on him. But his vision had blurred and all he could see was her holding hands with the jerk. He’d lost all trust in her. Refused marriage counseling. Rushed to the lawyer for a divorce.

Hotheaded. Since then he’d worked hard to tame his impulsive side.

She picked at her sleeve. “I know what it’s like to be neglected by a parent who doesn’t want you.”

“You think I would neglect my own child?” he asked quietly.