Page 80 of Love Disregarded

I wasn’t sure where this was coming from. Of course I’d like to marry her mom, but I didn’t think Piper and I should be discussing it.

“Can I come in?” I asked, figuring it was best to start with something innocuous.

Piper shook her head. “Mom said she’s not up for company.”

“Listen, Piper. You know I loved your mom very much a long time ago. That’s how we got you. Here’s the thing ... I never stopped loving her, and I really need to see her now.”

Piper crossed her arms over her chest. “She told me you chose not to be with her. She told me today, when I asked why she didn’t tell you about me.”

“It’s complicated,” I said, leaning against the door frame.

“Well, she said she needs time. She also said you need to go home and see Mar and Little A. I think so too.”

“Why do you think so?”

“When I don’t see my mom or dad, Seth, for a while, I worry. I’m sure Mar would like to see you. I don’t know about Little A, really. I don’t get Tyler most of the time.”

“Oh,” I said, taking in my daughter. “Were you always this wise?”

“Yep. Mom says I’m an old soul.”

“I’d really like to see her, just for a quick second. Maybe we could sneak-attack her? I could see her, and then go do what you recommended?” Look, I wasn’t against a little subterfuge.

“She’ll probably get mad.”

Smoothing my hand down Piper’s hair and looking into her eyes, which were so much like mine, I said, “I’ll take the blame.”

Reluctantly, she relented, moving aside to let me in. “Okay.”

“Where is she?” I whispered when I was inside the house. I knew I was pushing it, but I had to see Bexley.

“Her room,” Piper whispered back. “Hey, you didn’t say if you were going to marry her.”

Stopping, I turned back to Piper. “What do you think?”

“Well, I think you guys are getting along for me, but Mom would like to get back together.”

“What about me? What do you think I want?”

“I don’t know.” Her words came out hushed. “You have kids and a life. Maybe I can be a part of it?”

For an old soul, she didn’t know everything.

For the second time today, I pulled my teenage daughter close, this time kissing the top of her head. “Piper, you are a part of my life, and you will always be. I’m sorry I missed those years. But don’t think for a minute that I don’t want it all with your mom, ’kay?”

“Okay ...”

But our moment was interrupted.

Bexley stepped into the hall and let out a huff. “Ugh, Aston. You had to weasel your way in, didn’t you?”

Piper threw her hands up in the air. “Mom, I tried.”

“I know, baby. He’s like that.” Bexley turned her glare on me.

“I needed to see you for one quick second.”

“Piper, go hang with Tyler. We’ll eat when I’m done.”