Lucas lay awake. His listless eyes looked at the light squeaking past the blinds. All night long he tossed and turned thinking about Sarah in the room across the hallway. She was so close yet so far. Somehow he had to talk to her. He had so many questions. But he didn’t want to bombard her or make her feel like she was being interrogated.
If this was strictly business he wouldn’t even give it a second thought. Closing million dollar deals was child’s play compared to what he was attempting to do. How did one talk to their wife…let alone convince her to give him a second chance after all the mistakes he made? He was so far out of his depth.
And then there was Zoe. He didn’t have a clue how to be a dad. His own wasn’t particularly attentive and passed away when he was young. Apparently his father had been so upset when his grandmother refused to turn the company over to him he abandoned his family to seek his fortune and prove himself. According to his grandmother his father died penniless. It probably was just as well he had no memories of the man.
Zoe deserved better. But it left him in a quandary. Who did he know who was a good father? Two names immediately came to mind: Julius DaLair and Silas Prescott. Both were adored by their children and seemed complete naturals despite the years they were separated from them. Julius’s children were five years old before he even met them and a full ten years separated Silas from his.
If they could do it, certainly he could…maybe.
He wished he could talk to them. After Sarah left DaLair and Prescott severed all business ties with Stanton and its associates. Naturally several companies abandoned Stanton in favor of doing business with DaLair and Prescott but there were still plenty of others willing to work with him. Lucas had to do some reshuffling and reorganize his business’s projects but he made it work.
There was no denying Stanton Inc had fallen behind a few steps but it was nothing they couldn’t make up eventually. Now though he was hesitant to contact either Julius or Silas. He doubted they would be happy to hear from him. Would they even be willing to listen to him after…everything?
With a sigh he sat up. Stepping into the bathroom he splashed water on his face trying to marshal the depressing thoughts that swirled in his mind. Still groggy he dressed in simple trousers and a t-shirt before heading down stairs for coffee.
As he descended the smells of breakfast drifted upward to greet him: eggs, bacon, and salsa. Reaching the kitchen he saw Ulima at the stove happily humming as she made huevos rancheros. At the table Zoe sat coloring alongside Alan who chuckled at her antics.
“How long have you been here?” Lucas demanded.
“An hour,” Alan shrugged.
“And you didn’t wake me?”
“She’s much better company,” Alan smirked giving Zoe a wink as she giggled.
“Morning daddy!” Zoe smiled.
Lucas froze mid-step. Whatever he was about to say was forgotten. Those two simple words sent his mind spinning and he trembled with a longing to hear it again.
“Psst…you can say hi back, dad,” Alan said noticing his frozen state causing Zoe to snicker again.
She gazed at him with shining greenish eyes and a smile just as bright as she said, “You’re silly daddy.”
Lucas finally stirred approaching the table. Patting Zoe on the head he leaned down to kiss her forehead, “Morning, sweet pea.”
Zoe giggled.
“What? No morning kiss for me?” Alan asked.
“She’s cuter,” Lucas scowled at him which made Zoe giggle more.
“Señor,” Ulima gave Lucas his morning coffee.
He sipped it with a grimace. Zoe wrinkled her nose as she watched him. After a moment she said, “Daddy, coffee is bad for you. You should drink tea. Mommy says it’s healthier.”
“Your mommy really likes tea, doesn’t she?” Alan asked.
“Ah-huh,” Zoe nodded. “Mommy drinks tea every day. In the morning and afternoon and evening. She even has special teas. Teas for colds and aches and upset tummies.”
Alan raised an eyebrow glancing at Lucas in as much to say now was a good time to get information as any other. The gesture and intention was not lost on him. If anyone knew Sarah it would certainly be her daughter.
“Your mommy is special, isn’t she?” Alan asked.
“Mommy is the most special! We’re both miracles!”
“Oh yeah? How do you figure that?”
“Because we almost died,” Zoe said to the shock of her listeners.
“…Right. That’s just a figure of speech, I suppose,” Alan cleared his throat.
“No. It’s true. Mommy said I was born too early and had to be in an incu-thing until I was finished growing,” Zoe said matter-of-factly. “And mommy had comp—compli…”
“Complications?” Alan supplied.
“Ah-huh. She had a lot of bleeding and the doctors had a hard time stopping it,” Zoe nodded. “So you see…we are real miracles! Grandma Ya-Ya said so.”
Ulima quietly set the plate with tortillas covered in eggs sunny-side up with mild salsa and bacon in front of Zoe with a strained smile. Zoe happily picked up her fork to eat perfectly happy with an ethnic-style breakfast. Ulima gave her a gentle pat and a warm smile even as her eyes shined with tears though she said nothing.
Alan grimaced and looked at Lucas. Lucas stood staring at Zoe with his forgotten coffee still in hand. He had gone pale as a ghost his hands trembling. It couldn’t be…There had to be a mistake.
But if it were true…
He could have lost both Sarah and Zoe in one instant and never known. Just the thought of what might have been sent his mind into overdrive. If Zoe hadn’t survived scenes like yesterday at the zoo would never have happened. How would Sarah have coped with the loss alone? Without comfort or anyone to share the burden and pain?
And Sarah…what if she hadn’t survived? It was unlikely anyone would have told him. He would have gone on searching never knowing it was futile. What would have happened to Zoe then? Would Ruth have taken her in? Maybe the Grandma Ya-Ya she mentioned? Tailor? Would he even have been given a chance to meet his daughter and mourn Sarah’s loss?
God! He was such an idiot!
Unaware of his inner turmoil Zoe happily hummed as she ate. Under her chair Daisy waited for any morsels she might drop. Despite her difficult entry into the world Zoe was full of energy. One would never guess she had been premature and struggled to survive.
Alan cleared his throat with a loud A-hem! Somehow it stirred Lucas from his thoughts. His gaze went again to the little girl happily eating her breakfast. He was struck with the desire to keep her within sight at all times. Whether it was fatherly instincts to protect his family or just desperation not to lose them again he didn’t know but he was determined to keep both safe.
“Morning Señora,” Ulima smiled as Sarah came down the stairs.
Lucas tore his gaze from Zoe to marvel at the new vision. Her attire was simple and functional: jeans, denim jacket and an orange, gold and red striped shirt. The colors popped against the faded blue denim. Yet despite the simplicity, Lucas was memorized studying her every curve tantalizingly hinted by the way the jeans and shirt hugged her. Did he really think her plain? How had he been so blind?
Though she tried to ignore him her gaze briefly met his before she looked away. A pink tinge came to her cheeks. Lucas wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed by his brazen stare or if she had noticed his own toned form stretching the fabric of his t-shirt. He hoped it was the latter.
From a young age his grandmother instilled the need to be physically fit and healthy so he had always maintained a strict workout schedule though yesterday was a reminder he neglected cardio in favor of strength training. A situation he would rectify to ensure he could keep up with Zoe. If he planned to keep her in sight he couldn’t let her run circles around him.
“Here, you are,” Ulima smiled handing Sarah a steaming cup.
Sarah accepted with a stiff smile aware she was still being watched. Bringing it close to her lips she hesitated sniffing it before taking a sip. Suddenly her stiff expression eased and she smiled genuinely.
“You remembered!”
“Of course I did,” Ulima was indignant that anyone thought she would fail her duties because she would forget something so simple. “You always liked to start your day with honey-lemon tea because you liked to begin with something sweet and refreshing.”
Sarah blushed but her expression remained soft and pleased. It seemed she and Ulima really had gotten along which made the fact Sarah let the housekeeper go even more bizarre. But it also highlighted again how little Lucas actually knew. They knew she liked tea based on the amount she stored in the kitchen but he hadn’t realized she preferred certain ones depending on the time of day.
“Mommy, Ulima made breakfast!” Zoe excitedly exclaimed. “She made eggs!”
Trying her best to ignore the men in the room who kept staring at her Sarah sat next to Zoe saying, “Oh huevos rancheros. It looks delicious.”
“Moment, señora,” Ulima announced.
Before Sarah could protest Ulima delivered a plate and set it in front of her. Ulima smiled enjoying the amazed and somewhat resigned look Sarah gave her. Without a word the housekeeper set a bottle of Tabasco in front of her knowing full well Sarah was partial to spicy foods. Shaking her head Sarah nonetheless sprinkled the sauce on her breakfast happy to once again enjoy Ulima’s cooking.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” Zoe asked looking at Alan then Lucas.
“Oh,” Alan hesitated. “We don’t really eat in the morning.”
“Mommy says breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” Zoe said. “You should always have one with plenty of protein and vitamins.”
“Your mommy’s a smart woman,” Ulima said setting a plate in front of Alan and another on the table with a pointed look at Lucas.
He hesitated but he didn’t want to set a bad example for his daughter. Lucas sat down glancing at Sarah who was back to ignoring him.
Baby steps.
With a sigh Lucas picked up the Tabasco and sprinkled it on his eggs and salsa.
“Mommy! Daddy likes spicy food just like you!” Zoe exclaimed.
“That’s why I never steal food from his plate,” Alan said with a shiver. “And why I always keep breath mints handy for after.”
Zoe giggled while Lucas glared at him with a silent promise to pay him back. The threat was mild as Sarah quietly chuckled. Lucas glanced in her direction feeling his cheeks warm. Normally he hated embarrassing situations but hearing her laugh in his presence he found he didn’t actually mind all that much. Sarah glanced at him and seeing he was watching her quickly looked away again.
Baby steps.
“So…you have plans today?” Alan asked trying to keep the mood light.
“Statue of Liberty!” Zoe bounced in her seat.
Sarah smiled, “I bought our reservations online this morning so as soon as we’re done eating we can drive out to the Battery. We can look at the memorials before we get on the ferry.”
“Yeah!” Zoe cheered.
“Ferry?” Lucas repeated his mind filling with images of rough seas and boats struggling to stay afloat. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I’m sorry?” Sarah looked at him startled. “It’s an island so the only way to get there is by ferry.”
“Boats are dangerous. What about rough seas? They could sink.”
Sarah blinked not sure if he was being serious before saying, “I think we’ll be fine.”
“If you’re worried we can go too,” Alan said. “I’ve never been to the Statue of Liberty.”
“Really?” Zoe asked.
“That’s not necessary. I’m sure you have work to do.”
“It’s Sunday. I think I’m entitled to a day off,” Lucas said ignoring Alan’s smirk.
In truth he usually worked seven days a week. Sunday only had a skeleton crew of sorts so the office was quiet and made a good environment to catch up but right now nothing was further from his mind.
Sarah chewed her lip. Her eyes vacillated from uncertainty to surprise to worry. It seemed she was still unsure about his motivation and torn between wanting to keep her distance and honoring their agreement.
“Will we get to climb all the way to the top?” Zoe asked.
“Umm…no baby.” Sarah shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
“Aww. Why not?”
“Well, you’re not big enough. You have to be at least forty-two inches tall. Remember the fair last year? You wanted to get on some of the rides but they wouldn’t let you?”
Zoe pouted, “I wish I was bigger.”
“You’ll grow up soon,” Sarah smiled. “I don’t want you to grow up too soon. I like having my baby little.”
“Mommy I won’t be little forever.”
“True but you’ll always be my baby.”
“So when are your reservations?” Alan asked looking at his phone.
Sarah hesitated then answered, “Ten-thirty.”
Nodding Alan and went back to his phone. A few moments later he looked at Lucas and nodded. Lucas breathed easier. He would be able to go with them.
* * *
After breakfast they piled into Sarah’s SUV with Lucas once again riding shot gun and Alan in the backseat with Zoe. Much to her disappointment Daisy had to stay behind but Ulima promised to take good care of the pup. Sarah’s phone chimed with directions to the paid parking area where they disembarked.
Since they were early they took a little time to look around Battery Park stopping to take pictures at some of the monuments including the East Coast Memorial of a giant bronze eagle commemorating servicemen lost on the Atlantic during WWII as well as the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Immigrants’ Memorial. Zoe was still a little young to understand all the history but she dutifully listened and maintained a contemplative look throughout.
Reaching the Castle they picked up their tickets and headed to the security checkpoint. They were still early enough that they got through rather quickly and boarded their ferry heading up to the third deck where they would have the best view of the Statue as they approached. Zoe bounced on her heels wanting to run along the deck even as it quickly filled. Fearful of losing sight of her in the growing crowd Lucas scooped her up. After yesterday he was rapidly beginning to understand his daughter was a disappearing expert.
Surprisingly she didn’t try to get away. Instead the higher perspective gave Zoe a better view of the ocean and the island that was their goal. Sarah snapped pictures giving Zoe plenty to show when she told everyone about their trip.
Reaching Liberty Island they disembarked and they headed for the Visitor’s Center. After a brief discussion they elected not to join a guided tour but checked out a phone so they could listen to the audio tour as they wandered on their own. Though they couldn’t climb to the Crown Sarah had purchased tickets that granted them access to the Pedestal allowing them several scenic views. Naturally Zoe wanted several souvenirs from the gift shop before they returned to the ferry to take it to Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum. Though informative the museum was not quite as interesting to the three-year-old she happily held onto her parents’ hands giggling all the while.
On the ferry back Sarah’s phone buzzed. Taking it out she found it was a text from Ava. She smiled, “Zoe, look Auntie Ava wants us to come over for dinner tonight.”
“Really?”
“Yep. The boys are looking forward to playing with you and Daisy and…” Sarah frowned looking at Lucas. “She says you’re invited too.”
Lucas blinked in surprise. Even when he was on good terms with Julius and Silas they never invited him to their homes. He was rather nervous what Silas would say but as he was officially invited it should be fine…right?
Oblivious to his internal debate Zoe happily bounced in his arms excited about dinner and playing with her cousins she only knew from stories.