Chapter Sixty One
Celeste’s POV
+25 BONUS
Keeping my eyes on the road as I drove felt like climbing mount Everest. I kept glancing at the rearview mirror for reassurance that this was real and my daughter was, in fact sitting in my backseat.
Molly gazed at the cars out of the window, content. But Bonnie was consumed with picking at her nails, chewing on the cuticles and leaving her nail beds a torn mess.
For someone who spent exuberant amounts of time and money on manicuring her nails, Vanessa had done a poor job of correcting this bad habit.
“Hey girls, who wants to listen to some music?” I asked with a smile, hoping to distract Bonnie.
Molly bounced in her seat. “Yes, please Auntie Celeste!”
My smile faltered as Bonnie shrugged and looked away. At a red traffic light, I quickly found one of her favorite songs and hit play.
“Yay! It’s Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!” Molly smiled.
“This was one of Bonnie’s favorite songs when she was little.” I said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. “That song is lame now.” Bonnie grumbled and continued picking at her nails.
I itched to correct the habit, but I wanted to avoid another blow out with Bonnie. Then a lightbulb turned on.
“I have a wonderful idea.” I spoke with conspiratorial excitement. “What if you make stars with your hands with the music?”
Molly giggled, singing along happily and making little star bursts with her fingers. Bonnie watched her through the side of her eye, slowly mumbling to the words.
I fought the smile that tugged at my lips as Bonnie tentatively began dancing with Molly, the two girls‘ sweet voices filling the car in a warm harmony.
“This is where Mommy works.” I said to Bonnie as I parked the car in the parking garage.
When I opened the studio door, Molly bounded inside.
“Uncle Ry–Ry! Guess what?” She said as she catapulted into his legs.
Ryan hunched over the workbench, crates and packaging strewn across the surface as he organized the mokume- gane he’d just picked up. He let out a hearty laugh as he turned around.
“Hey Mols. What’s the big surprise?” He asked, sweeping her into his arms.
Then his jaw hit the floor.
“Bonnie?” He said, eyes darting between us before settling on our joined hands.
“Ta–da!” Molly giggled, then wriggled in Ryan’s grip. “I wanna give Bonnie a tour of the studio.”
The inoment her feet hit the floor she dashed towards Bonnie, and took her hand, an angelic smile across her face. She guided her through the building, explaining what everything was with enthusiasm.
“This feels like a dream.” I said, watching Bonnie move about the same space I’d spent so much time pining for her in.
+25 BONUS
Chapter Sixty One
Ryan spoke from beside my ear. “Oh, it’s real, Celeste.”
I yelped, pulse racing, as he pinched my cheek. He stood grinning behind me and I couldn’t believe I was so engrossed I hadn’t noticed him.
“This was only possible because you asked me to fetch Molly.” My emotions flooded my chest and spilled from my eyes. “So thank you, Ryan.”
He smiled softly, wiping the tears from my face.
“I’m just happy you’re happy.” He whispered.
I nodded, sniffing, as I stepped away. I was grateful to Ryan but I couldn’t become used to leaning on him when things got hard.
That just wasn’t in his job description.
“God, this is a good thing–I shouldn’t be crying.” I shook my head and dried my face. “Let’s check on the girls.”
I glanced up to find Bonnie watching us intently. She darted her gaze to the display case Molly was showing her as I approached them.
“This is the best designer trophy I made for Auntie Celeste Molly said proudly. “Isn’t it amazing?”
Bonnie frowned. “I can make a better trophy.”
But Molly didn’t seem upset.
“That sounds like fun! We should draw together!”
Bonnie’s frown lightened, and she nodded tentatively.
“What’s this?” Molly gasped and peered into the display. “It’s the prettiest necklace ever.”
Recognition flashed over my daughter’s face before it turned stone cold.
“No.” She spat. “It’s ugly and I hate it.”
I bit the inside of my lip. Bonnie’s words and disdain still stabbed at my heart.
“Baby steps.” Ryan whispered as he handed me a glass of apple juice.
He was right–I couldn’t expect her to be perfect straight away. Reversing the damage Damien and Vanessa had done would take enormous amounts of time, effort, and patience.
I gazed up at him as I gratefully accepted the glass and the gentle reminder.
“Thanks, Ryan.” I smiled, shaking my head. “You somehow always know just what I need.”
“I’ve been told I’m a keeper.” He gave me a cheeky wink.
I raised an eyebrow. “Humble as ever I see.”
Ryan was laughing as I sipped my apple juice when Molly’s concerned voice drew our attention.
“What’s wrong Bonnie?” She asked, gently tugging on her arm.
Bonnie stood with her fists bunched and her shoulders tense, eyes shooting daggers at Ryan.
“Are you dating my Mommy?” She asked with a glare.
+25 BONUS
Chapter Sixty One
Ryan spoke from beside my ear. “Oh, it’s real, Celeste.”
I yelped, pulse racing, as he pinched my cheek. He stood grinning behind me and I couldn’t believe I was so engrossed I hadn’t noticed him.
“This was only possible because you asked me to fetch Molly.” My emotions flooded my chest and spilled from my eyes. “So thank you, Ryan.”
He smiled softly, wiping the tears from my face.
“I’m just happy you’re happy.” He whispered.
I nodded, sniffing, as I stepped away. I was grateful to Ryan but I couldn’t become used to leaning on him when things got hard.
That just wasn’t in his job description.
“God, this is a good thing–I shouldn’t be crying.” I shook my head and dried my face. “Let’s check on the girls.”
I glanced up to find Bonnie watching us intently. She darted her gaze to the display case Molly was showing her as I approached them.
“This is the best designer trophy I made for Auntie Celeste Molly said proudly. “Isn’t it amazing?”
Bonnie frowned. “I can make a better trophy.”
But Molly didn’t seem upset.
“That sounds like fun! We should draw together!”
Bonnie’s frown lightened, and she nodded tentatively.
“What’s this?” Molly gasped and peered into the display. “It’s the prettiest necklace ever.”
Recognition flashed over my daughter’s face before it turned stone cold.
“No.” She spat. “It’s ugly and I hate it.”
I bit the inside of my lip. Bonnie’s words and disdain still stabbed at my heart.
“Baby steps.” Ryan whispered as he handed me a glass of apple juice.
He was right–I couldn’t expect her to be perfect straight away. Reversing the damage Damien and Vanessa had done would take enormous amounts of time, effort, and patience.
I gazed up at him as I gratefully accepted the glass and the gentle reminder.
“Thanks, Ryan.” I smiled, shaking my head. “You somehow always know just what I need.”
“I’ve been told I’m a keeper.” He gave me a cheeky wink.
I raised an eyebrow. “Humble as ever I see.”
Ryan was laughing as I sipped my apple juice when Molly’s concerned voice drew our attention.
“What’s wrong Bonnie?” She asked, gently tugging on her arm.
Bonnie stood with her fists bunched and her shoulders tense, eyes shooting daggers at Ryan.
“Are you dating my Mommy?” She asked with a glare.
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