Chapter 4

4

Tyrion

“ D addy… Daddy, wake up.”

I felt myself being shaken awake. My eyes fluttered open, and I rolled over to see the face of my beautiful baby girl.

“What time is it, Summer?”

“Six thirty.”

“Shit!”

“Oooo! You said a bad word.”

“I’m sorry, love. Daddy overslept.”

I sat up and tossed my legs over the side of the bed. I smiled at the fact that she’d gotten herself up and dressed. It was now two weeks into the school year, and I was proud to say she had adjusted to her new schedule. To prepare her, I’d implemented bedtime three weeks before her first day. I always made sure to set her alarm clock, just in case I slept through mine. Pulling her to me, I officially greeted her with a hug and kisses to her cheeks.

“Did you sleep good?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes. I dreamed about Mommy last night. I dreamed I finally got to meet her.”

My heart broke for her. I knew how badly she wanted to know her mother, and it killed me that I couldn’t give her more than my memories of her.

“I bet that was a great dream.”

“It was. Do you dream of her, Daddy?”

“I do. Your mommy was very special to me, Summer. I’ll never forget her.”

“Do you think she’ll ever come home?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time. What I do know is that she loved you so much. She was so excited to watch you grow up. I can guarantee she would have spoiled you with mommy and me dates.”

She giggled. “Well, maybe Ms. Iona can do that since she’s gonna be my new mommy. We already do things together.”

“Maybe.”

That reminded me that I needed to go file the divorce paperwork. I’d been dragging my feet on it for the longest. It just seemed so final. Since we couldn’t locate Evenie, I had to go through a process called divorce by publication. While she had been gone for ten years, I couldn’t simply remarry. I would have to post the divorce documents in the newspaper or at the courthouse. It was either that or have her legally declared dead, which I wasn’t ready for.

I couldn’t do that to Evenie’s parents. They still held on to every shred of hope that their daughter would come home. I understood that. She was their only child, and they couldn’t accept that she may never make it home.

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I stood from the bed. “Let’s go make you breakfast. Iona should be here to get you in a little bit.”

“She’s already here, Daddy. I ate.”

Of course she was. If Iona was nothing, it was punctual. I followed Summer Rose into the kitchen, where she was uncovering my plate. She looked up at me with a smile before floating into my arms for a kiss.

“Good morning, my love.”

“Good morning. How did you let me oversleep?”

She giggled. “You have an alarm, sir. I figured you were tired, so I let you sleep in and made sure my little friend here was situated.” She winked at Summer. “I got this, baby. I’m gonna be your wife soon, so let me do my wifely duties.” She stood on her toes and kissed me again. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I know. Now eat up so you can get ready for work. Summer, baby, what do you want for lunch?”

I took a seat and said a prayer before digging into my plate. As I ate, I watched her and Summer make my baby’s lunch and pack it into her lunchbox. It made me smile that they were so happy together. I could see us having a good life here.

The two of them never let me have a dull moment. They were always playing around and joking with each other. Summer loved to cuddle up with her on the couch while we watched movies. She loved when Iona did her hair or painted her nails. They had their girls’ days, leaving me completely out of the mix, and I was okay with that.

Iona practically lived here at times, but she wasn’t officially moving in until after our wedding. While she loved being with us, she said she still wanted to maintain her independence for a little while longer.

There were times when Summer and I spent the night at her place, but it was a very rare occasion. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a nice place. She had a beautiful townhome not too far from the school. I just felt the most comfortable in my own home, in my bed.

My thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my phone. Excusing myself from the table, I went back into the bedroom to answer. When I picked it up, I saw that it was Nina.

“What’s good, Nina?” I answered.

“Hey, Tyrion. I hate to bother you, but I need a favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Can Jersey come over after school? I have to work overtime, Jamie is on a business trip, and my mom isn’t feeling well. I can pick her up around seven.”

“You know my goddaughter is welcomed here any time. She can spend the night if you need her to.”

“I appreciate it, but I’ll come get her. She has a dentist appointment in the morning. You know how her and Summer get. They will be up giggling all damn night.”

I chuckled. “I know. They love to pretend to be sleep when you catch them.”

“Listen, they are every bit of me and Evenie. Ms. Cheryl used to fuss at us so much for being up late and struggling to wake up the next morning.”

“Fortunately, baby girl is a morning person. Hell, she woke me up this morning. Thankfully, Iona was here to make her breakfast.”

“Mmmmm.”

I sighed. “Don’t do that, Nina.”

“I’m not doing anything. I didn’t say a word.”

“It’s been years, and you still don’t like her.”

“I don’t dislike her, Tyrion.”

“She’s not your favorite person.”

“And I’m not hers. Don’t act like you don’t know this, friend. I love you, and I want you to be happy. If she makes you happy, then so be it. We’ll continue to tolerate each other because of you and Summer.”

“You two could be friends if you gave each other a chance.”

She signed. “Tyrion… it’s hard for me, okay? Evenie was my best friend way before she met you. I’m talking about the elementary school playground type of friends. You’re the only man she’s ever loved, and it’s weird seeing you love someone other than her. I know it’s silly. I know it’s selfish, but it was always supposed to be her.”

“She’s gone, Nina. She’s been gone for ten years, sis.”

“Don’t talk about her like she’s dead, Tyrion.”

I could hear the tears in her voice as she spoke. Nina was another person who refused to believe that Evenie was dead. She hadn’t given up hope of reuniting with her best friend. I could understand it being hard for her walking into this house and not seeing her or seeing another woman in her place.

The truth was nobody could replace Evenie. Iona, as great as she was, wasn’t a replacement. She was someone I fell in love with that slightly healed my broken heart.

I sighed as I spoke. “Evenie wouldn’t have wanted either of us to just stop living because she isn’t around. I’m not trying to replace her. I’m just trying to move on.”

Nina sniffled. “I know. You have every right to do that. I’m just in my feelings. I’ll be fine.”

I went to speak, but the bedroom door opened. Iona stood there with a blank look on her face.

“We’re about to head out,” she said quietly.

Her demeanor told me she heard at least part of the conversation.

“I’m coming.”

She didn’t say anything, just left the door partially open and walked away.

“I gotta go, Nina. I’ll make sure Iona knows Jersey is riding home with them.”

“On second thought, I’ll just pick her up and take her back to work with me.”

“Come on, Nina. Don’t be like that.”

“Nah, the tone of her voice tells me she heard our conversation. I’ll talk to you later, Tyrion.”

She disconnected the call on me. I sighed heavily as I pulled the phone from my ear and tossed it on the bed.

“Jesus be a fence,” I mumbled.

Standing to my feet, I left the bedroom and headed back out front. Summer was putting on her backpack as Iona stuck her feet into her heels.

“Have a good day at school, princess,” I said, pulling Summer in for a hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Daddy. Have a good day at work.”

She kissed my cheek before floating out the door to Iona’s car. I turned to my fiancée and reached for her. She was slow to come to me. When I leaned in for a kiss, she opted to give me her cheek.

“You’re upset,” I noted.

“Nope.”

“Iona.”

“What would I be upset about, Tyrion? Your wife’s best friend crying to you about how I’m trying to replace her? And don’t lie to me. Your responses told me everything.”

“It’s just hard for her—”

“It’s hard for me competing with a ghost,” she snapped. She took a step back and crossed her arms. “Maybe you aren’t ready for this.”

I frowned. “I asked you to marry me, Iona. What about that says I’m not ready?”

“Have you filed the divorce papers yet?”

I looked away. “I’m getting to it.”

“Exactly. I have to go.”

She tried to walk out the door, but I gently took her arm.

“Baby… you know I love you.”

“That’s the sad part, Tyrion. I know you do.” She snatched away from me. “I’ll drop Summer off after school. I think I should stay home tonight.”

Without another word, she made her way down the steps and to her car. I silently cursed myself, knowing somehow, I had to make her feel secure in her position in my life before I lost her too.