First Comes Love

  Although I find you prettiest in nothing at all,

  I thought you would look stunning in this.

  Love you,

  Ty.

  “Aren’t you just the sweetest?” she whispered, admiring the clothes.

  “Who’s the sweetest, Momma? Me?”

  She grinned at her daughter, thinking this was shaping up to be the most incredible birthday she’d ever celebrated. “Yes. You’re one of the sweetest.”

  “Tyson picked that out,” Mia informed. “He said you look pretty in skirts.”

  Sighing, and unable to erase the smile from her face, she shut her eyes and simply savored the moment, knowing she’d never forget it.

  Once she was dressed in her new outfit and had Mia cleaned up from the pumpkin patch, Tyson returned. Her relaxed state ebbed, the closer they drew to her childhood home. Tyson must have noticed her tension, because he took her hand and whispered, “Everything will be fine.”

  When they arrived, her father greeted them. “Well, here’s the birthday girl!” He kissed her on the cheek, hugged Mia, and shook Tyson’s hand.

  When they entered the parlor she braced herself. Vivian sat on the settee holding a cocktail, her back ramrod straight. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Katherine.” Her tightlipped greeting made her feel anything but welcomed.

  “Hi, Grandma,” Mia called, and Vivian’s posture relaxed ever so slightly.

  “Mia, darling. I’ve missed you.”

  Tyson approached. “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. D’Angelo.”

  She sniffed and turned away. “Mr. Adams.”

  “How about some drinks?” Her father announced. “I know one little girl who probably wants a Shirley Temple.”

  When the cook announced dinner was served, they moved to the dining room. Vivian’s lips were pursed so tightly she looked like she was holding her teeth in place. Kat wondered if her father slipped something into her mother’s drink.

  Her father was very friendly to Tyson. He treated him as a welcomed guest and talked to him about business, politics, family, and the economy. Tyson’s voice filled with affection whenever he mentioned Mia and Kat, and her father’s eyes gentled.

  As they finished the main course and waited for the ultimate white chocolate mousse to be delivered, Vivian delicately cleared her throat. “Tell me, Mr. Adams, do you find it amusing to play the affluent role or do you prefer more urban settings?”

  Kat’s attention jerked to the foot of the table, knowing her mother’s silence couldn’t last forever and dreading the cutting comments that might come erupting out of her now that she’d finished her cocktail.

  Tyson tipped his head. “I interact with some very wealthy clients, but I also enjoy being involved in the construction aspects of each project, so I guess you could say I enjoy wearing many hats, Mrs. D’Angelo.”

  “Tyson’s recently finished a big project in Washington for one of the women who donated to your Independent Women’s Foundation, Mother.” Kat helpfully added, pushing for normalcy. “Jones, I think her name was.”

  Vivian ignored her comment. “And no doubt, your parents are impressed by your success. What do they do for a living?”

  “My father works for a company that manufactures kitchen appliances and my mother hasn’t worked for the past four years. When she did work, it was as a waitress.”

  “And why has your mother given up working? She isn’t one of those people milking the government with false claims of incompetence, I hope.”

  “Mother,” Kat hissed, but Tyson gave her a quelling look.

  “Not at all,” he calmly said. “My mother worked since she was nine years old. Four years ago, when I built them a new home free and clear, she expressed her wishes to remain home and give her days to her grandchildren. She often baby-sits for my sister Gloria’s boys and I believe she’s also watching my newest cousin, Malcolm.”

  “No doubt your family believes in unlimited breeding.”

  Kat’s shoulders tensed.

  “I’m not sure I follow,” Tyson slowly replied.

  “Well, people of our status believe in limiting a family’s offspring to no more than two children in order to keep the economy balanced, but I imagine your culture supports overindulgence, rather than proven studies. I believe it’s referred to as zero population growth. I’m sure you learned about it in school.”

  Tyson briefly glanced at her, aware that he had been dealt an insult. “Yes, I am aware of the theory. However, I believe my culture, as you put it, believes in having as many children as one can love and support, while also placing a strong value in family history and heritage.”

  She sniffed, unimpressed. “And do you have any offspring, Mr. Adams?”

  “Vivian,” her father whispered her mother’s name in warning.

  “I do not,” Tyson said. “But I do wish to marry one day and, hopefully, have a large family.” He glanced affectionately at her and, despite the cooling climate of the room, her face heated.

  “Well, surely you’d prefer to marry within your own. No one wants to burden an innocent child with unnecessary challenges in life.”

  “Vivian, that’s enough,” her father said through clenched teeth.

  Drawing back, Ty blinked. The audacity of her mother left her speechless.

  Collecting himself, he said, “Every child faces challenges in this day and age. I hope to be a good enough father that my children always know they can come to me and I’ll support them through any difficult time. Whether my children are black, white, mixed, Christian, Muslim, gay or heterosexual, I plan to love them all the same. And no challenge or mistake would ever lessen my affection for them.”

  “But surely you would prefer to father children of your own race, in order to sustain your culture,” Vivian continued.

  Kat gaped at her. “Are you drunk?”

  “I’m only asking what other’s silently assume.”

  “Vivian, I said that’s enough,” her father ordered.

  Her mother looked at him as if he was without consequence and returned her attention to Tyson. “Sometimes, Mr. Adams, the people we love most in this world disappoint us more than anyone else. And their selfishness is unforgivable. I would proceed with caution if I were you. I mean, if you truly cared about someone, you wouldn’t sentence them to a life of ostracism and cruelty. Believe me, I know what that’s like.”

  “Vivian that is enough!” her father stormed, his palm coming down on the table hard enough that the ice rattled in the crystal glasses. He turned to Mia and said in a softer voice, “Sweetheart, there’s some candy on my desk in the study. Why don’t you go see if you can find it?” Mia left the room and he turned to her mother. “You will apologize to our guest.”

  “I will not! This is my home and I’m free to express my opinions here.”

  “This is our home!” he thundered. “And Mr. Adams is our guest and a friend of Katherine’s. I will not have you insulting him or behaving like a self-important bigot. But most of all, I will not sit here and watch you hurt our daughter! My God, Vivian, she’s our child. Will you ever be satisfied? I’ve stood idly by for years and watched you drive a wedge in this family with your relentless cruelty. If you continue, we’ll lose Mia as well. Take them away from me and I guarantee this house of glass you stand in will shatter,” he growled in a tone Kat had never heard him use before. “Now apologize!”

  Never in her life had she heard him speak with such vehemence. Vivian sat, scowling venomously. Finally she tossed her linen napkin on her table and stood, storming out of the room.

  Her father cleared his throat. “My apologies to both of you. Vivian seems to have been spoiled by having her way for too long and I’ve neglected to remind her of her place.” He smiled sadly at her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should’ve never allowed her such authority. Please, let’s forget about her for now and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

  Tyson nodded and the dessert was served. However, the rich, feathery mousse had los
t its flavor and now tasted like sand in her mouth.

  They didn’t see her mother for the remainder of the night. Once Mia started to get tired they gathered their belongings. At the door, her father kissed her and held her back as Tyson carried Mia to the car.

  “Katherine,” he said with a pained look in his eyes. “I owe you an apology. I let your mother decide what was right for this family for too long. I want you to know…” He paused as if searching for the right words. “I want you to know how proud I am of you. You’re a wonderful mother and a good daughter. I love you.”

  Her entire body shivered as his words struck deep. For so long she’d waited to hear such praise, know she’d earned his approval. No matter how many times she told herself it wasn’t necessary, her soul seemed to recognize the arrival of such desired praise. She blinked back tears and rasped, “I love you too, Daddy.”

  He hugged her and when he pulled away, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “This Tyson fellow seems like a good guy. So long as he continues to make you happy, he’s all right by me.”

  Smiling, a tear slipped from her lashes. “Thank you.”

  Something intangible had shifted in her life. It was impossible to place, but it came as if it had always been. The need to continuously justify her choices drifted away and, for the first time in her adult life, Kat was surrounded by a sense of validation. This was her life and she was doing just fine. The fact that she’d questioned herself for so long seemed absurd, now that this new found confidence surrounded her.

  Taking what she wanted felt good, not because it was her due, but because there was no legitimate reason for her to deny herself. As if the walls that contained her for so many years had finally come down, her future was filled with endless possibility. Though there were plenty of people obstructing her journey toward a happy life, she would no longer be one of them.

  The first indulgence, she decided, would be welcoming her relationship with Tyson into her home without veils. The night of her birthday she invited him to stay. Waking up beside the man she loved was a pleasure she cherished, not because it gave them time alone, but because it gave her a reason to smile before she even opened her eyes.

  His scent blanketed her pillows. His warmth heated her skin. It was a comfort she longed for and found it impossible to live without.

  After her father had confessed how he felt, a sense of closure came and she could finally understand that her mother’s issues were not his, nor were they hers to bear, and she finally put down that cross.

  Tyson was a fundamental part of her life and Jeremy was becoming a fundamental part of Mia’s. The joy Kat took from watching them together was immeasurable. Everything seemed to be fitting together as if it were destined to be this way.

  Jeremy had his father’s house demolished and contracted Tyson to develop plans for his new home. The two were quickly becoming friends. Sometimes, he even stopped by Tyson’s for manly business, such as game watching, beer drinking, and ball scratching. It worked out perfectly, because even on the days Mia wasn’t scheduled to be with her father, she still was able to see him.

  Kat’s father started coming to dinner on Mondays and sometimes they ate at Tyson’s. Jeremy took Mia on Wednesdays, which became date night—something she never imagined in her schedule. And on Sundays, like today, Mia was anxious to see one of the men who had quickly become a prominent part of her life.

  “Do my hair pretty, Momma.” She always insisted on looking the best for her daddy.

  Jade made a point to pop in on the days Jeremy visited. The girl was on a mission. Jeremy was resisting her not so subtle invitations that they should hang out, and according to Ty, it was costing him dearly. It didn’t take a specialist to see the signs. Sometimes he’d blush at the most innocent words, like “underwear”, when purred from Jade’s mouth.

  As Kat brushed Mia’s hair, Jade applied a fresh layer of gloss. “Do you like this color?” she asked, rubbing a finger over her teeth.

  “I want some!” Mia yelled, and Jade smudged a dab across her lips.

  “I think it’s fine,” Kat comment, pulling Mia back to her lap to add a bow to her ponytail.

  Tyson chuckled at the stove. “You don’t give up easily, do you, Jade.”

  Jade tossed the gloss back in her purse and scooped up her coffee. “Until you look me in the eye and tell me he’s not interested, I see no reason to back down.” She arched a brow at Ty and he shook his head. “See? You can’t say it, so that leads me to believe I’m hot on his trail.”

  “What are you, a detective?” Kat joked.

  “Yes, and I spy a hot guy…”

  Kat shook her head.

  “Order up,” Ty said, sliding a plate of bunny pancakes in front of Mia.

  Kat slid her off her lap and stood just as a knock sounded from the door. Jade straightened her posture and smiled. Kat rolled her eyes. “You’re relentless.” Turning, she opened the door and stilled. “Mom.”

  The kitchen silenced.

  “Katherine.” Vivian clutched her purse to her chest. “I came to see my granddaughter.”

  “Grandma!” Mia broke the silence.

  Shifting so her daughter could come to the door, Kat stepped back as Vivian entered. When she caught sight of Tyson in his pajama pants and no shirt, she froze.

  “She’s going to her father’s today.”

  Her mother stiffly nodded. “I see.” Her gaze returned to Tyson.

  “Good morning, Mrs. D’Angelo.”

  “Look Grandma! Tyson made bunny pancakes.”

  Apparent disapproval reflected in her mother’s eyes. “I’ve missed you, Mia,” she muttered, as though wishing her audience would disappear.

  The door opened and Jeremy stepped in. “Daddy!” Mia sprung into his arms, completely forgetting her grandmother’s presence.

  Jeremy hugged her. “Hey, princess. You ready for an adventure today?”

  “Yeah! Where are we going?”

  He grinned and kissed her pudgy cheek. “It just so happens I have two tickets to the aquarium.”

  Mia cheered. Vivian intensely observed the byplay.

  “I’ll get Mia’s coat,” Kat announced, escaping to the hall closet to catch her breath. Not until that moment did she realize how little she missed the chronic tension her mother’s judgment triggered.

  Ty appeared at the closet door. “You okay?” he whispered, his fingers softly massaging her shoulder.

  “Yeah. Maybe once we get Mia on her way she’ll leave.”

  They returned to the kitchen and Kat helped Mia with her coat. Vivian requested a hug and Mia then followed suit without further prompting—hugging Kat, Jade, and lastly, Tyson.

  Ty kissed her hair as his arms wrapped around her little body. “I love you, Mia. Have a good day.”

  “I love you too,” she said and kissed him on the lips.

  Vivian paled.

  “Ready?” Jeremy asked with a grin.

  Jade followed the two out of the house and Tyson stood to clear the plates. Kat awkwardly shifted, wondering how long her mother would linger. He disappeared for a minute then returned, wearing a sweatshirt and shoes. “I’m going to let Trixie out. I’ll see you later, Mrs. D’Angelo.”

  As he opened the door her mother said, “Mr. Adams, wait.”

  He paused with his hand on the knob.

  “I seem to owe you an apology,” Vivian said, staring in his general direction, but not making eye contact. “My behavior the other night was uncouth and undeserved. I was hoping that we could, perhaps, start again.”

  “I think that would be a good idea, Mrs. D’Angelo.”

  “Being that you seem to be important to Mia and my daughter, I would like it if we could remove any animosity between us.”

  He shifted, but took a moment to consider the truce. “I love your daughter and Mia very much, Vivian. I’d never do anything to hurt them, but I also won’t allow them to be hurt by others.”

  Comprehending the warning, she nodded j
aggedly.

  Kat held her breath as he leaned close, kissed her ear, and whispered, “I’ll be back in five. Don’t take any shit.”

  The door closed and her mother exhaled. “It seems my advice means nothing these days.”

  Kat turned and carried the last of the dishes to the sink.

  “Mia seems to be adjusting well to Jeremy’s return. How does he feel about Tyson spending so much time with you?”

  She turned and braced her weight on the counter. “How’s he supposed to feel, Mom?”

  “Well, I’m just saying, you two have a history.”

  “What we have is a child together. Don’t pretend our relationship was more meaningful than it was. I’m not one of your friends. I know the reality of my situation and I don’t need it sugarcoated.”

  “But it would be nice for Mia—”

  “Mia’s perfectly happy with the way things are. We all are.”

  She pursed her lips. “Why do you always argue with me, Katherine? If I say up, you say down.”

  “You need to stop trying to make me into a woman I’m never going to be.” She held out her hands, encompassing her home. “This is me. I’m not rich. I’m not fancy. I don’t care about impressing people who will never approve of the life I lead. I’m done apologizing for being exactly who I am. And you need to either accept that this is the life I chose or…” Butt out. “You need to accept it.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “Try harder. If not for me, then for Mia.”

  Glancing down, she gripped her purse.

  Kat looked at the time. Ty would be back any minute. “Listen, if you’d like to start seeing Mia again, that’s fine. I know she’d enjoy that. But Jeremy has a schedule with her and that comes first. Maybe you can have the Sundays he doesn’t take her.”

  “You would have to let me know which dates,” she said, as if that minor complication was the end of the world.

  “That’s fine.” Taking a deep breath, she offered an olive branch. “Also, I’m planning a surprise party for Tyson at the end of the month. I mentioned it to Daddy and he said he’d see if he could make it. Ty’s parents will be there and I thought it would be nice for them to meet you. You’re welcome to come too, but Mom, these people are important to me.”