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Chapter 48
48 Devil You Don't Know
(Winona)
"Winona," Jayden's voice is filled with emotion. "Thank you for today. It means a lot to me."
I look across at him, tears welling in my eyes. "It means a lot to Abby too. She deserves to know her father."
He steps closer, brushing a tear from my cheek. "I wish it could be different."
I swallow hard, the memories and emotions threaten to overwhelm me. "We need to focus on Abby now. She's what's important and your new baby is coming."
I resist the urge to press myself to his chest. "Jayden, I know we shared something that's once in a lifetime. But it was a lifetime ago. I need a peaceful existence. I can have that if you're with Ashlyn and your mother is happy."
He nods, his hand lingers on my cheek for a moment before he pulls away. "You're right."
As he walks out of the kitchen, I watch him go, my heart aching with a mix of love and loss. I know I have. to move on, but part of me will always remember the way things were, the way they could have been.
The party has wound down and Jayden and Ashlyn went to tuck Abby in. Judy has gone and just Lisa and Lance are here with me and Phillip. You know, I feel I've really turned a corner. I think Jayden and I just said goodbye for real in the kitchen earlier.
Plus, it's adult drink time and being at home makes me feel very festive. I empty the bottle of vodka and the bottle of gin into the punch bowl.
"Woo hoo! You go, girlfriend!" Lisa calls out.
"I figure now I can celebrate being home."
"I'll drink to that." Lisa laughs and fills up a plastic cup with punch.
Jayden and Ashlyn come back out. "I think she wants a final goodnight from you two." Jayden says to Phillip and me.
"I'll go Phillip, you've done enough today."
"I can still say goodnight to my daughter."
"Of course, I didn't mean it like that." I say quickly.
"But first..." He goes out to the garage and wheels in a huge plastic tub full of beer and ice. "Here's one I prepared earlier!"
Lance and Jayden both cheer.
"You are my spirit animal, Phillip," Lance jokes as he pulls a beer out of the tub and cracks the lid off.
"Go for it. We'll be back soon." Phillip laughs.
43 Devd You Don 1 know
"Don't worry, Ashlyn. I have you covered. Zero alcohol champagne. We can't have you feeling left out." I say with a smile. I'm really trying here.
To my surprise, she smiles. "That is very thoughtful, Winona. Thank you."
I pass the bottle to Lance. "Here, pop this before you are too drunk to do it."
Lance laughs and says, "I am never too drunk to pop my cork. Am I, Lisa?"
She snuggles up to him. "Never."
"Jesus, get a room, you two." I say as Phillip and I walk to Abby's room. "I didn't mean anything by saying I'd tuck her in."
"I know, I'm just on edge and you've done a great job today." Phillip smiles.
"Everyone has. Including this little mite." I kiss her forehead as I get to her bed.
"Nigh, nigh, Mommy. Nigh nigh, Uncle Flip"
"Goodnight Sweet-pea. We all love you very much. Happy birthday."
"See you tomorrow, Abby," Phillip says softly.
"I love my daddy." She whispers as her little eyes close and I stare in wonder at how long and curled her lashes are for her age. I'm not sure if Phillip heard that last part. "Okay. Let's go have a drink and relax. We'll check back in later."
"Okay people, we better wrap this up, it's almost midnight and I think some of us have had plenty."
I'm referring to Phillip, Lance and Lisa. All about three sheets to the wind. But I'm happy they are happy. Jayden has had only slightly less, so it's good Ashlyn is driving, and she is yawning. She's been pretty quiet, and I notice Lance and Lisa have kind of avoided her. Jayden was sensitive enough to keep her included.
"Oh, spoil-sport," Lisa says with a drunken grin.
"Some of us have a kid to get up to in the morning, so unless you want to swap?"
"Oh, hell no! No kids for me," Lisa over-exaggerates. "I'd rather stick hot pokers in my eyes."
"I'll call you a car. Neither of you are driving."
"Fine." Lance agrees. "I need some fresh air. Thanks for tonight. It was a lot of fun."This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
He and Lisa head off and I've ordered them a taxi on my app.
"Thanks, it was great. Very successful." Jayden says and he and Ashlyn go hand in hand out the door." See you two Monday."
Ugh. Work. Well, the board meeting and my induction week for the new job.
I'm about to shut the front door and get Phillip a strong coffee, he definitely needs it. When I turn, Phillip
40 Devil You Don't Know
is right there.
He's up close to me and the beer on his breath makes me wrinkle my nose. So not attractive. I retreat a
little.
"What's wrong, baby? Come on, we're sharing a bed tonight. Let's get things started right here."
"Ah no thanks. You can go sleep some beer off."
He grabs both my wrists and presses me to the open door with his body. "You just want that rich fucker, Jayden, don't you? I saw the looks you were giving him." "Phillip! Get off me. You're drunk."
In all these years I realized I'd never seen him drunk before.
49 Protecting Her