28. Cord

Chapter 28

Cord

"Hey, Cord. It's good to hear from you," Micheal says as soon as he answers the phone.

"Hey, Micheal. I have some good news for you."

"Really? I didn't expect anything good to come from a call from you." He chuckles, but it's full of tension.

"Macy wants to see you," I say slowly. "She's nervous, but she's willing to hear you out."

"Cord… I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me yet. She's a tough woman to deal with more days than not. I can't promise what's going to happen when you actually meet. She might close up and refuse to talk to you, I don't know. But I'll be there the entire time, that's not negotiable."

"I have a feeling you had a lot to do with her agreeing to meet me, so I'm completely ok with that. Would meeting somewhere public be more comfortable for her? I'll go anywhere, Cord. I just want my daughter back. "

"As much as a public place might be good, I don't think we can chance it. If someone sees me, it could turn into a media circus, especially if anyone catches wind of who you are or if people sense any sort of tension."

"I understand. What do you think would be a good option?"

"I want you to come to my home. We can have dinner and get to know each other. Is there anything specific you'd like to eat?"

"Cord, I don't give a shit what we eat, I just want to see my daughter." He lets out a nervous chuckle.

"Alright." I grin. I guess that was a stupid question in this situation. "Does Friday night at six in the evening work for your schedule?"

"Even if it didn't, I'd move heaven and Earth to make it work. I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thank you, Cord. I'll see you on Friday."

"Baby, come here." I chuckle at the way Macy keeps smoothing down her skirt and checking her hair in the mirror.

"Do I look ok? Does this look too slutty?" She motions to her black and white houndstooth pencil skirt and long sleeve black sweater. Both hug her like a second skin, but she's covered up an appropriate amount for dinner with her father.

"You look beautiful. You're just nervous. "

"Obviously I'm nervous!" She throws her hands in the air and lets them fall to her side. She presses her forehead against my chest, but makes no move to wrap her arms around me. She's like a pouting child who doesn't want to hug you, but wants you to embrace her.

"Don't be. I'll be by your side the entire time." I rub a hand up and down her back, trying to soothe away some of her anxiety.

"What if I can't do it? What if I can't handle him being here?"

"Then you go to our room and shut the door. And I'll get him to leave. It's that easy, sweetheart."

Macy pulls back far enough to stare up at me. Her chin is pressed against my sternum and her eyes are wide with hesitation.

"Really?"

"Yes. You know you're the most important thing in the world to me. I'll do whatever you need."

"What if I need to not do this?"

The emotions flitting across her face breaks my heart. I can only imagine how hard this is for her and it's only going to get harder.

I wish I could take away all her pain. I'd do anything to take it on and make this a happy experience for her.

"Then I'll call him right now and cancel. This is all on your terms, babe. He knows that and he knows how lucky he is to even have a chance of talking to you. "

I press a kiss to her forehead and hold her tightly. I can't take any of this away for her, but I can make sure she feels loved and cared for. I'll make sure I'm always within arm's reach from her tonight.

The doorbell rings and Macy stiffens in my arms. She lets out a soft groan and I know even if this night goes well, she's going to be mentally exhausted by the end of it.

"It's ok. I'm pretty sure it's our dinner. Let me go check."

"No, I don't want you to let go of me." She burrows into my chest and wraps her arms around my waist.

"Fine," I chuckle. "Then come with me."

I lean down and tighten my grip right under the swell of her ass. I lift her into the air and carry her to the door with ease. Swinging open the thick wood, I come face to face with Micheal. Definitely not our dinner.

"Hey, Micheal. I thought you were our dinner. C'mon in." I motion for him to walk past me and he eyes Macy with amusement.

"Thank you for having me." He steps inside just far enough for me to shut the door and spin around to face him.

I slowly lower Macy to the ground and slip my hand into hers immediately. She can do this. She needs to do this if she wants to move past the hurt she feels towards him.

"Macy," Micheal whispers her name like a prayer. "You are beautiful, sweetheart." He takes a step closer like he wants to give her a hug, but he thinks better of it and holds out a bouquet of flowers. "I don't know if Gerber Daisies are still your favorite but I wanted to bring you some flowers."

He gives her a tight smile and my heart breaks for him. He's trying so hard and Macy's pretty much stuck in place. She hasn't even reached for the flowers.

"Babe, why don't you go put these in some water? I think there's a vase under the sink." I place a hand on her lower back and give her a little nudge. "I'll show Micheal into the living room."

This is the best way for her to take a moment for herself and give her a second to breathe.

Macy takes the flowers carefully from Micheal, making sure their hands never touch. She steps past us and scurries off. I open my mouth to explain, but the doorbell rings again.

After quickly taking our dinner from the delivery person, I place the bags on the counters and lead Micheal into the living room. I motion for him to take a seat on the recliner and I take the spot closest to him on the couch.

"I feel like I should go," he says softly, sounding so defeated.

"Give her a second. She just needs to get her game face on. She's good at hiding behind a mask, she just needs to get it together."

"I don't want her hiding from me."

"Well, I hate to say it, but most people get her fake smile. She refuses to be raw and vulnerable with most people."

"What about with you? "

"She's herself with me. She's stopped trying to hide." A smile takes over my lips as the words spill out of my mouth. I never thought I'd be able to honestly say that about Macy.

"Are you sure she's going to come back out?" He glances towards the kitchen.

"Just give her a second. She'll be back."