Blemish Love

Blemished Love – Episode 24

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 24

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They knocked and waited for an answer.

‘Am I going to see mommy this dawn.’ She picked up her book when they walked in,side.

‘Sweetheart, it’s late and besides I’m not so happy with this your new behavior.’

‘I want to go and live with Grissel.’ She folded her hands across her small chest.

‘Dani, I’m your only parent. You can’t chose me over that woman.’

‘Dad?’ She called and frowned.

‘Yes my dear.’

‘She’s mom or Grissel, not that woman.’ She said and turned to her story book.

Dane opened his mouth and closed it.

Dani has been the most important thing in his life since her brother died, he wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt her.

Melisa, held his hands as they were fumbling. She gestured him when she realized he was finding it difficult to give in to his daughter. She smiled at him and nodded her head indicating it was okay for him to grant her wish.

‘Okay, I will think about your offer.’ Dane said and glanced at Lisa who smiled.

‘You don’t need to think. You see my bag there,’ she pointed to her pink traveling back, ‘it has already been packed waiting for my plane ticket.’

Dane’s eyes suddenly shot with rage and his blood boiled instantly.

Melisa drew him closer to herself as she knew the next thing on his mind. ‘She’s just a kid, you don’t want to smack her.’ She whispered quietly into his ears.

‘What if I do Lisa?’ He said probably referring to smacking her.

‘Then you lose her and I’m sure you don’t want to lose another child.’

He glanced at her and walked closer to her daughter who was pretending not to be in the room with them.

‘I will arrange that for the two of us next weekend.’

Lisa couldn’t help but smile and when Dane was fuming with anger she looked away.

‘No, you will block my chances. I’m going with Lisa in the morning.’ Dani was being serious and had a straight face on.

Dane glanced at Lisa again but she raised her shoulders indicating she doesn’t mind.

‘Okay, anything for my princess.’ He said and walked towards the door.

‘One more thing please, I need some money for a gift for mom.’

‘That’s enough Dani.’ He yelled now.

She dropped her book and sat on the bed.

‘I just want to meet my mom. I can’t believe she was this close and you lied to me.’

Dane swallowed hærd controlling his anger. ‘You will but my money is certainly not buying anything.’

‘Fine, can I have my money that Grandpa gave to me last month?’ Dani demanded innocently.

Dane shook his head and walked out without answering her. Melisa followed in a bit after tucking Dani in to bed. He was very furious and his eyes were red when she joined him outside.

‘You are doing the right thing Dane.’

‘You think allowing my daughter near that woman is the right thing to do.’

‘Don’t worry, I will be around all the time besides the Grissel I know now maybe different from the one you knew eight years ago.’

‘Is that supposed to make me feel better? What if she falls sick?’

‘Don’t you trust me?’ She asked smooching him on the back.

‘I do trust you but Dan….’

‘No buts. Trust your ex-wife has turned her life around.’

He scoffed. ‘She’s probably pretending to you and the family.’

‘She’s not Dane and give her some credit for giving you a beautiful princess.’

‘Dani is mine alone.’ He was beginning to flare up again.

It’s okay, let’s go to the room. You need to book a flight before morning.’

‘You are right but I wished you could stay for a few more days.’

‘That’s not happening. You get to see me when you dismiss that case in court.’

‘That’s not happening either.’ He replied and tickled her.

They both laughed and walked hand in hand to their room.

***

True to his words, Lisa and Dani were on the next flight to Seattle.

She didn’t want to inform anyone of their coming because she knows how Grissel might react.

Once they landed at the airport, she got into the next cab with their luggage.

Dani had packed a lot of stuff, which she had to repack. Before they left, she insisted on buying a card for Grissel which Dane made clear his money won’t buy.

She asked to borrow money from Melisa who gladly gave out.

Dani bought a drawing paper and made her own card.

Melisa has told her a lot about Grissel and Tom.

She was so excited to meet them and was also ready not to be accepted by her mom.

The cab driver dropped them in front of the house and they dragged their luggage in,side.

Tom who comes home early these days, was having a conversation with Grissel’s mom when their bell rang.

They both looked at each other, because they didn’t hear the gate open.

‘It must be Grissel. Thank God, I’m starving.’ He sighed and left to open the door.

Grissel’s mom had wanted to cook but Tom insisted his wife would do it once she gets back.

Grissel was on her way home when her mom asked for an ice cream. Since she was in the mood for an ice cream herself she turned around to go get her some hence her delay in coming home.

Tom opened the door and was going to ask what she wanted when Dani appeared in front of him.

‘Hello, you must be my new daddy.’

‘Emmm, I’m no…..’

‘Tom, this is Shirley.’

He paused and kept looking at her.

‘Is my mom around?’ She jerked him out of his thoughts.

‘Hey, how are you. You must be tired.’

He led them in and introduced her to Gina.

He wasn’t surprised they got along too quickly.

Tom dragged Melisa from there while Shirley and her grandmother bonded.

‘What do you think you are doing?’

‘Fixing your wife, I guess.’

‘You think bringing Shirley here would fix anything.’

‘It would besides I didn’t want to but she was so adamant on coming.’

‘And her dad, let her go?’

‘Not easily but trust me, Shirley can be persistent and she might just be the key to getting that forever after you want with Grissel.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘Dane won’t let the bigamy case go but Shirley is one thing he won’t let go either.’

‘I’m not a lawyer but are you suggesting what I think you are trying to say.’

‘Yes, and that’s the only way out.’

‘We can’t use that little girl and I’m not sure how my wife would react to you bringing her here.’

‘I don’t care how she reacts but any good lawyer would understand what I’m saying.’

‘I don’t like this but next time let me know before you do any such thing.’

‘Thank you Tom.’

‘Dani must be hungry and Grissel isn’t back yet.’

‘Dani or you?’ Melisa teased.

‘I’m hungry too but since you are here let me ask Grissel if you can use her kitchen. You know how sensitive she can be sometimes.’

‘Let me call her myself.’

‘Okay, and wait for her to come home first before you tell her about Shirley.’

Tom walked out while she dialed Grissel’s number.

‘Hello, I’m in your house and was told you are yet to come home.’

‘You are back?’

‘Yeah, I just got here, we can talk when you get back.’

‘Okay I’m almost home, just getting some ice-cream for my mom.’

‘Do you mind if I start cooking. Your husband is hungry so is everyone in this house.’

‘I’m really sorry, you can use the sauce from the freezer. That’s way faster and I have yam and potatoes.’

‘Thank you, drive safe.’

She ended the call and Dani was standing at the entrance.

‘Was that my mom?’

‘Yes, and she’s on her way home.’

‘But you didn’t tell her about me.’

‘It’s a surprise Dani.’

‘What if she doesn’t like me?’

‘Don’t be silly, who wouldn’t like a pretty you. Come and help me cook.’

Melisa said with confusion registered on her face but she managed to smile and reached out for her hands.

‘I’m scared Lisa.’ Dani complained.

‘You will make her like you.’ Melisa encouraged.

‘Yaay.’ She jubilated.

***

‘Melisa and Dani were still in the kitchen when they heard Grissel driving in. She thought the little girls mind wasn’t there as she didn’t make any attempt to go out even when the front door opened.

Grissel who entered found Tom helping Gina with sorting out her phone. She greeted them and dropped herself on the couch obviously exhausted.

‘Where’s Lisa?’

‘Kitchen.’ Tom answered scrutinizing her face before he could tell her about Dani.

‘Tom you are staring at me.’

‘I need to tell you something.’

‘Okay, I’m listening.’ She adjusted herself ready to listen.

‘Not here.’ He signaled towards Gina who was so engrossed with her phone.

‘Tom I’m really not in the mood this evening.’

‘Why don’t you go with your husband, you two are distracting me.’ Gina intentionally ch¡pped in.

She looked at her mom and wanted to say something but stood up with her bag.

Tom led the way as she followed.

‘Let me check on your sist….’

‘No, come with me.’ Tom said and dragged her suspiciously.

‘What’s goi….’

She was saying when she s₱0tted Dani at the entrance of the kitchen door.

Grissel stared at her daughter and froze at that s₱0t.

Tom walked over and shook her out of her trance.

Dani who was tired of standing were walked to where she stood.

‘You must be my mommy.’ She said with a smile.

Grissel heard her tiny voice ringing in her ears.

‘You have to say something.’ Tom whispered.

She quickly regained her composure sounding teary.

‘And you must be my d….aughter.’ She stuttered at the end unhappily.

She drew her closer and carried her with an expression no one could read.

The next thing they knew she walked to Gina and dropped Dani there.

‘Wait here.’ She touched her cheeks and feigned a smile.

‘Okay mommy.’

Grissel turned around at the mention of mommy and that was when Tom dragged her towards the kitchen before she could say anything.

‘Lisa, do you know whose daughter you brought here.’

‘Relax, we got permission.’

‘Permission from who?’ Grissel wasn’t finding it so funny at all.

‘Her dad.’ She examined her sister in laws face and saw the anger written all over. ‘Listen she wanted to come and I couldn’t say no.’

‘You could have left.’

‘It was an impossible situation and I had no other choice than to bring her here.’

‘You had a choice Lisa.’ What if Tom had asked you two to leave?’

‘Okay that’s enough you two.’ Tom admonished. ‘She’s here already so can we act matured for a while.’

‘Tom are you in support of this. You know I’m not cut out for the wh0le motherhood thing right now and you are certainly not ready.’’

‘I know but she’s your daughter, we can’t exactly throw her out.’

Grissel sighed and held her head firmly.

‘Mommy are you okay.’ Came Dani’s voice again.’

‘I’m fine,’ she said with all her strength. ‘Wait for us at the table for your dinner.’

‘Thank you, I’m starving.’ She muttered and run off.

Grissel glared at Tom and then Lisa.

‘Feed her. I’m out of here.’

She shove her bag out of Tom’s hands angrily and walked out straight to her room, little did she know Dani had followed after a few minutes.

She knocked gently and heard come in.

Grissel assuming it was Tom turned around to see her standing at the entrance. He usually knocks when they get into an argument.

‘Won’t you come out for dinner?’ She asked stylishly walking closer. ‘Everyone is waiting for you.’

She took another look at her and sat up on the bed this time calmly.

Tears from nowhere begun to flow.

‘Are you crying because of my brother?’

Her words stung her as she sat closer to her giving her a warm hug.

‘I forgive you even if Daddy doesn’t want to. Lisa told me it wasn’t your fault that Shane went to heaven.’

‘I’m sorry Dani.’ Grissel quietly said still sobbing.

‘Call me Shirley.’

She brought her tiny self out of her mom’s arms and wiped her face with her small hands.

‘It’s going to be alright mommy.’

Grissel nodded easing up.

‘I made a drawing for you and it’s in my bag.’

‘Thank you. We will have a look at it later.’ She sounded at ease now.

‘You are pretty just like me.’ Dani said knowing everyone always told her she looked like her Dad.

‘And you are the prettiest Shirley.’ Grissel smiled for the first time during that moment.

‘Can we take lots of pictures with my dad’s camera so I can tell everyone at school my mom is not in heaven after all.’

Grissel was looking at her daughters mouth go up and down.

‘Pictures are my favorite.’

‘Me too.’ Dani said excitedly when her stomach grumble.

‘Let’s go and have our meal before Lisa finishes everything.’ Grissel made a joke while her daughter laughed.

She located her flip flops and carried Dani off the bed down the stairs.

***

‘Daddy doesn’t do it that way.’

Grissel who was putting her daughter to bed felt disappointed as she thought she could be good at least at tucking in bed when earlier Dani couldn’t stop blabbing about how her dad goes about her night time before bed as anything Grissel did that evening was not how Dane does it.

Tom who was standing by the entrance knew if he didn’t intervene his wife will break down.

‘So why don’t you show mommy how it’s done.’ He muttered and walked over.

‘Okay, mommy watch.’ She got out of bed and took the duvet with her. Dani gave the duvet to her mom and smiled.

‘I will lie down now and you c…..’

‘So you lie down first and we cover you with the duvet. Tom interrupted.

‘No, let me show you how daddy tucks in her little girl.’

She laid on the bed pulled the duvet over and rolled to all the sides and tucked in which Grissel had to help with at the last minute.

‘Ahuh, we get your way of tucking in now.’ Tom whispered gently.

‘Yes, this way I don’t sneak out of bed. She smiled to her mom.’ ‘Daddy said I’m too sneaky and snoopy.’

‘I’m sure you can’t get out of this tuck in.’ Grissel acknowledged just to get her attention off how Dane does it.

Dani grinned and made a metal note.

‘Alright goodnight. I will turn off the light on my way out.’ She stood up holding on to Tom.

‘But I haven’t had my milk and my bed time story yet.’

Grissel and Tom’s face turned pale.

‘It’s okay if there’s no milk but stories are important for me.’ She sat up ruining the tuck in. ‘I want to become a lawyer like you.’

‘I’m sure you will make a fine lawyer.’ She said hurriedly so she could get out of there. She was so tired after she had to spend about an hour washing her down her Dad’s way.

‘I have a book on that,’ she jumped out of the duvet. ‘Let me get it.’

Tom glanced at her and saw the frustration in her eyes and gave her a wink and a reassuring smile.

‘Wait, why don’t we just talk tonight?’ Grissel got into the duvet. ‘I’m sure you heard some scary things about me and I would want to clarify that.’ She had no idea where that energy came from.

‘That will be so cool.’ She jumped up covering her face and smiling all the time.

‘Great.’ Grissel responded.

Tom managed a smile and said goodnight.

‘Alright, don’t wait up for me.’ Grissel said when he got to the door.

Tom turned abruptly and frowned.

‘Uncle Tom, you will see mommy tomorrow.’ She smiled sheepishly.

He feigned a smile and waved them closing the door behind him when he came facing Melisa.

Melisa decided to stay out of their bedtime struggles.

‘This was all your fault.’ He admonished.

‘Come on. Do you have to sleep with your wife every day?’

‘This is not about sleeping but company.’

‘Just one night Tom.’

‘What if it continues tomorrow?’ He asked naively.

‘I’m surprised you are jealous of a little girl.’ Melisa laughed.

‘I’m not and you should have seen how Grissel pushed me away with her eyes.’

‘Just give her time to bond, it took her eight years and to me a day without her by your side doesn’t mean she loves you any less.’

‘I hear you counselor.’ He smiled and walked further away from her while she stared at him go.

‘Hey be careful around Stella.’ She paused after a while.

Tom gave her a look that suggests he wasn’t doing anything wrong.

‘I know you want to Tom and besides the way she was looking at you the other day tells me you must have already started.’

‘I’m not that person anymore.’ He scratched his head. ‘I’m in love with my wife.’

‘Okay, that alone should mean something to you anytime you are out there with her late at night.’

‘And you suddenly seem to care about me Lisa.’

‘I always did but you just didn’t notice.’

He saw the pain in her eyes and signaled her to come sit with her on the stairs.

‘I know I was so difficult to deal with from the beginning and I messed up with Amy.’

‘Let’s forget about that girl for a minute. I was never going to settle down with her.’

‘Good to know.’ She smiled with her hands supporting her cheeks. ‘So Stella.’

‘Stella what?’

‘You know what I’m talking about Tom.’

‘She’s a friend to both my wife and I.’

‘Does she know you have feelings for her friend?’

‘Bring your voice down Lisa.’

Melisa glared at him in silence.

‘Talk, I have all night.’

‘There’s nothing going on between us.’ He smirked. ‘But I must admit I do like her to a point.’

‘I knew it.’ She literally jumped up.

‘I love Grissel and nothing can take that away.’ He sounded so sure. ‘She’s always going to be the one for me.’

‘But you are worried about something.’ She poked him. ‘I’m still your big sister you know.’

‘I do worry all the time Lisa. Tom’s face went blank. ‘What happens if she decides to break it off?’

‘You think her ex-husband is back so she may want to go back to him.’

He nodded. ‘I see that happening soon. No offence to you by the way.’

She stared at him. ‘Come on that guy hurt her a lot.’

‘I know it’s impossible but I can’t help it especially when she seems distance in her actions since I found out.’

‘Trust me, she wouldn’t do that.’

‘What about your relationsh¡p with him?’

‘For now my family comes first, Dane is the least of my problems now.’

‘This might sound selfish but I don’t want him for you.’

‘I knew you would say that.’ She smacked him playfully but in her mind she was hurting.

‘I’m serious Lisa, I’ve got a lot of friends who are still single.’

‘Those one’s your wife doesn’t like.’

He laughed quietly. ‘She likes Austin.’

‘Yeah, he seems like a good one.’ Melisa said with a painful heart. She can’t imagine leaving without Dane but she had to put her family first.

They both sat on the steps while Tom hoped Grissel would come out and Lisa kept checking her phone probably expecting a call from Dane.

To be continued

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