“Don’t honey her. You never cared either. The only thing you did right was give birth to her. That’s it. That’s your only salvation, and the fact that I’d never lay a finger on a woman.”
“Let’s go,” Josi says, and she definitely doesn’t have to say it twice. Pivoting on a heel I carry her out of the school, students eyeing us incredulously while wisely giving me a wide berth.
“Where are you taking me?” she asks.
“Anywhere but here.”
14
Josi
“How did you find this place?” I ask, looking at the beautiful pond in front of me, ducks calmly gliding across the surface while small fish jump sporadically in the shallow water. It looks like it’s out of a movie. There’s a bit of a green mossy type substance on top of the water in part of it, and then some geese suddenly drop in for a landing. Not to mention the small, wooden rowboat resting along the shore.
“I did some asking around last night. Pays to know the right people.”
“Do we have to pay to get in? Is this a public park?”
“Not today it’s not. It’s just for us,” he says, flashing me a wink. I have no idea how he pulled this off, but I really don’t care. All I’m interested in is what he has planned next, and if that has anything to do with claiming me as his. Officially.
Goosebumps cover my entire body as his big hand engulfs mine, slowly leading me around the outskirts of the pond. There’s a trail that we follow, but after about ten minutes of walking, he breaks away.
“Don’t worry. This isn’t the part where the just released inmate takes the girl in the woods and murders her,” he jokes.
“Have I just become the girl in the story who’s too stupid to live?” I throw back his direction.
“Not at all, but I can’t live another moment without making you mine.”
In a clearing just ahead a blanket appears, and there’s a picnic basket on top.
“How did you…?”
“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is we’re here now. Together.”
Birds chirp and a few butterflies flap their wings as they move in and out of the clearing, the trees providing a canopy for the sunlight overhead. This is literally out of a dream, even better than when Noah takes Allie on the lake in The Notebook.
As we arrive at the outstretched blanket, he motions toward the basket. “It’s for you.”
Keeping my eyes on him I move my hands to the lid, carefully drawing back each side before I look inside.
“You…you read my mind. How could you have ever…?” I gasp, as I look down at the tea set, dolls, and coloring books inside.
“Because the same things you want are the same things I want for you. Ultimately all this is about one thing and one thing only…making you happy. When my little girl is happy, Daddy is happy.”
I throw my arms around him as best I can in a giant bear hug. He’s too wide for me to fully get my arms around, but I don’t mind. It only makes me feel that much more protected and safe.
“Can we play?” I ask into his chest before I jerk my head back and look up at him, batting my eyelashes.
“Today’s your day, sweetheart. You worked hard for many years, you hung in there despite all the troubles, and you graduated high school. Not only that, but Daddy wouldn’t even be here today if it wasn’t for you. In a word, you are incredible.”
“No one’s ever said that to me before.”
“Well get used to it, because I’m going to be saying it a lot,” he reiterates, kissing me on top of the head.
“Can I say something else?” I bite down on my lower lip, feeling a bolt of confidence shoot through me and I want to take advantage of it before my shyness kicks back in.
“You can say whatever you want whenever you want, princess.”
Clearing my throat I look for the words to begin. “I’m…I’m ready to be more than your princess, Daddy. I’m ready to be your queen.”