Chapter Seven - Darla

Last night, before we left the luau, I promised Gage that I would tell Lilah the truth about who he was. He wanted to be here when I told her. But I worried that if she didn’t take the news well, he would be hurt again. And I’d already hurt him enough for a thousand lifetimes. So, after a lot of talking, he finally agreed I should be the one to tell her.

I sigh, close my eyes, and try to mentally prepare myself for whatever happens. When I get my pulse to slow down, I open my eyes and put a smile on my face. “What’d you say? Shall we do your hair?”

Lilah grabs her neon pink hairbrush and some hair ties from the bathroom sink. “Can we use these?”

“Yes.” She sits at me feet. “Did you have fun last night, peanut?” I run a brush through her soft golden hair.

“Yes, it was a lot of fun. Can we go to the beach today?”

I weave her hair into a braid, sighing on the inside. Pretty soon she won’t need me to do her hair for her. “We sure can. But after your surprise, okay?”

“My surprise!” She squeals. “I forgot about getting a surprise today. Is it a purple snorkel?”

“It’s much better than that.”

“Okay.” She jumps to her feet. “Is Auntie Emily and Uncle Jake coming to the beach with us?”

“No, honey. They’re flying to the island of Maui today. They’re going to stay there for a few days for their honeymoon. But we’ll see them when they get back.”

“What about Uncle Jake’s friend, Mr. Harlow? Is he coming to the beach with us?”

Sweat trickles down my spine and my stomach threatens to return the yogurt I just ate. This is the moment I’ve dreaded since the day my baby girl was born. I pray she’ll forgive me…

I exhale hard. “About Mr. Harlow…”

“He’s nice. I really like him.”

“I’m glad, sweety.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “He likes you too. Come sit next to me.” I pat the mattress.

Lilah skips across the tile. “Is everything okay?”

Children are so perceptive. “I think so, peanut.” I take her hand in mine. “I want to talk to you about your father.”

“My father.” Her eyes open wide.

“Yes.” I squeeze her hand, take in a deep breath and full of nerves I blurt, “Mr. Harlow is your father.”

Lilah tips her head to the side, purses her lips then jumps off the bed and runs to the mirror hanging over the dresser. “I have his eyes.” She raises up on her toes. “And maybe his lips. I definitely have your hands and your nose, though.”

Shocked, my mouth drops open. “You’re not upset?”

“No.” She spins around. “My birthday wish has finally come true.”

“You’ve been wishing for your father?” Tears sting my eyes as my throat tightens. I had no idea.

“Every year.” She nods. “And now he’s here.” She runs over and gives me a hug. “Now I have everything I want. I have you. And now I have a daddy.” She leans back. “Can I call him daddy?”

“I think he’ll like that.” I smother her with kisses. “You are the best daughter in the entire world. I was worried you would be upset.”

“I’m not upset.” She giggles. “I’m really, really, really, happy. Now I have a whole family. Can I see him?”

“Yes, baby. He’s waiting for us downstairs.”

“Is he my surprise?”

“Nope. It’s something else. Your father wants to tell you himself.” It sounds so strange to say it out loud.

“I’m getting a surprise.” She sings. “I’ve got a daddy.”

The weight of the world lifts from my shoulders. The edges of my lips lift up in a real smile. I had absolutely no idea how this was going to go. But as I watch Lilah flit about the room bursting with happiness, I feel relieved and at peace. The hardest part is over.

Now we just have to find our new normal.

When the elevator doors open, Lilah dashes across the lobby floor with her arms open wide. “Daddy!”

Gage jumps to his feet, his eyes searching mine. I give him a nod to let him know everything is okay. Lilah leaps into the air. Gage snatches her up with relief written all over his face.

Poor guy. He’s probably been sitting down here for hours wondering what Lilah’s reaction to the news would be. When I he flashes me a big toothy grin, I see a glimpse of the boy he once was.

I hang back to give them some privacy. It’s the least I can do considering all the pain I’ve caused. My phone pings.

“I’m thinking of you. You’re doing the right thing. But I also know you, too, like the back of my hand. Stop beating yourself up! What’s done is done. Get your head out of the past! Build on the future. Look at what’s in front you. I love you, girl.”

“Sweet Emily.” I sniffle. When did she get so smart? I send her a thousand swirling heart emojis and tuck my phone away. Then I take a long, hard look at what’s in front of me.

My beautiful daughter glowing with sheer joy.

Gage. Tall, muscular and devastatingly handsome in a plain white T-shirt and turquoise board shorts. The years have been good to him.

Heat flashes across my cheeks as he shoots me a wink. Every woman in the lobby with a beating heart is gawking at him. However, he only has eyes for Lilah.

Every ounce of fear I’ve harbored for a decade, evaporates in that moment.

Gage is going to be an amazing father.

All the countless sleepless nights wondering if Gage would fight for custody, turn her against me or hate me for an eternity have all been for naught. It’s not what I see before me.

I see a man bursting from the inside out with love for his daughter.

His eyes shining with pride.

This is our new normal.

And it’s not going to be perfect, but it’s going to be alright.

“Daddy, just told me my surprise! It’s a whale watch!” Lilah shouts. “We’re going on a whale watch, mummy!”

“How fun!” I clap my hands. “Here’s her bag.” I hand it to Gage. “There’s a couple of bottles of water, some fun things for her to do, a sweater in case she gets cold and sunscreen. Don’t forget to put sunscreen on her.”

Gage takes the bag. He sets Lilah down. “See the rack of pamphlets right there?”

“Yup.” Lilah nods.

“Would you go grab the ones with whales on them for me?”

“Sure thing, daddy.” She kisses him on the cheek. “I have a daddy.” She skips and sings across the lobby.

“You’ve raised an amazing girl.” Gage hoists the backpack over his shoulder. “I was worried she wouldn’t accept me. But by the way she keeps looking at me, I worry she thinks I might walk on water.”

“She’s over the moon.” I take out my phone. “Let me give you my number. You can call or text anytime. Ask me anything.”

“Darla?” Gage takes a step forward. “I want you to come with us.”

“No.” I shake my head. “This is your time with her. I don’t want to intrude.”

“It’s not intruding if I want you there.” His soft voice gives me goosebumps. “But only if you want to. I meant what I said last night. I don’t hate you and I want us to figure this out. We’re a family. And families do things together. So, what’d you say, hotshot? You up for a whale watch on the high seas?”

Hearing him call me by the nickname he gave me in college has my chin quivering. “You remember.”

“Babe, there isn’t a thing about you that I’ve ever forgotten.” He tips my chin up. “Say yes.”

“Yes.” I breathe, feeling as though I’ve just been hit by a mac truck.

His smile is instant, huge and bright. “Excellent.” He puts his arm around my shoulders. “Now let’s go get our daughter.”