That's My Girl

It was an abnormally warm November Saturday and it had been a while since Chloe and I had a beach day.
“Now Chlo-” I start.
“Mommy, I know! Don’t talk to strangers! You don’t have to worry!” Chloe says, not looking up from her picture book. I laugh. I do a little out of control when it’s Chloe’s safety.
I helped her get out of the car as we found a nice place on the beach. I lathered Chloe in sunscreen before doing the same to myself. Just as we finished setting up our little area, one of Chloe’s friends and her mom came towards us.
“Hey, April! Thanks for coming!” I say. I invited her for some well deserved girl time.
“Thanks for inviting us!” She got settled with her daughter, Sophia and Chloe and Sophia ran to the ocean together.
“Be careful!” I yell to them.
“You worry too much.” April rolled her eyes. “So how are you doing with the whole Tyler thing?” She asked, turning serious.
“Better. A lot better. I mean that first time I saw him here in Dallas I was kinda freaking out but after a few more times, I’ve gotten used to it, you know? Maybe we can make this work. And Chloe seems to really like him.” I say, speaking the truth. I didn’t want to admit it before but Tyler was taking this really well.
April nods. “That’s good.” We watch the kids for a while and start to gossip about the other moms at school.
“Speaking of Tyler, isn’t that him over there?” April points to an area to our left. I look over and sure enough it’s him and Ali.
“Yeah, it is.” I start to stand up. “Tyler! Ali! Over here!” I yell in their direction.
April tugs me down. “What are you doing?” She looks at me like I’m crazy.
“What?” I ask but she can’t reply because Ali and Tyler have made their way over to us. “Hey! Do you guys wanna join us for lunch?” I ask, politely. Ali looks at Tyler, unsure, but he just nods.
“Sure.” He says, sitting down with us.
“Chloe! Sophia! Lunch time!” I yell, signalling the two kids to come over.
“Tyler! Ali!” Chloe exclaims excitedly when she makes out who the newcomers were. She jumps on both of them.
“Guys, this is Sophia and her mom April. April, this is, well, you know them.” I introduce them to each other.
April helps me bring the food from my car to the beach while Chloe and Sophia are pre-occupied by Tyler and Ali.
“Why did you invite them over?” April asks me.
“I don’t know, actually. I saw them and I had the instinct to invite them over.” I reply, not really knowing why I invited them over.
“Yeah, it’s not gonna be awkward at all…” She said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at me.
“Whatever.”
We walk back as the four of them are playing hot potato with a beach ball. We all eat, joking around and there was no awkwardness at all. It seemed natural which was surprising to me. I mean what’s more awkward than eating lunch with your kid’s dad and his girlfriend with my best friend and her kid here too?
After we all eat, we play another round of hot potato before we all decide to head to the water.
“Hey, can I talk to you?”
I nod and follow him back to our towels.
“So how’s Mark?” He asks right after we sit down.
“He’s ok. He woke up after a few days and he’s on his way to recovery though he can’t leave the hospital yet.” I say, sadly.
He doesn’t say anything. “I want to thank you for taking care of Chloe that day.”
He smiles. “She’s a bundle of happiness. It was fun and Ali enjoyed it too.”
I smile, too. “I like Ali. She’s good for you.” I say, honestly.
“I like her, too. She’s been taking this Chloe thing really well and always asking about her.”
“You’ve been taking it well, too. I’m surprised, actually. Maybe I was wrong. You’ve grown up.” It feels good to be honest with him.
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” He pauses. “I want to spend more time with Chloe. I want to be a part of her life. Not just as her neighbour but as a dad. I know Ali really wants to, too.”
I hesitate for a moment, taking in what he just asked. I take a deep breath. “Ok.”
“Ok? You’re just going to give in like that?” He says, like he’s surprised.
“Yup.”
“But you always think things through.” He looks at me like I’m crazy.
“Yeah, I’m trying this new thing where I try not to be a control freak.” I grin. He laughs. “We’ll tell her together. Now let’s go enjoy the beach.” He nods and we head over to the rest of the group. It’s like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I actually feel comfortable around Tyler now, which I didn’t think was possible since the breakup. I smile. I haven’t felt this happy in so long. Tyler Seguin can make me or break me.
***
I knocked on Tyler’s door and was greeted by Ali’s face.
“Oh, hey Ali! Is Tyler there?” I ask.
“Yeah.” She looks over her shoulder and yells. “Tyler! Liz is here!”
He comes over in khaki shorts and a white t-shirt. “Oh hey Liz. Is something wrong?”
“Oh no. I just wanted to tell you that I’m ready to tell Chloe. I’m going to pick her up from school and I was going to ask if you wanted to come but if you and Ali are busy we can do it again some other time.”
“We’re not busy. Can Ali come with us?” He asks and I’m surprised.
“Uh sure! I’ll call Mark so we can do this altogether.” I say.
We all head to my car and drive the short drive to Chloe’s school. My hands fidget on the wheel, nervous to tell Chloe. When we get there, Ali and Tyler get out and I sit in my seat, trying to calm myself down. The passenger seat door opens and I look up to see Ali.
“Hey. It’s okay. We’re going through this together.” She held my hand and looked at me, assuringly.
“I’m glad you and Tyler have each other.” I sniffle.
“And we’re praying for Mark to be ok.” She says.
Tyler and Chloe come back into the car and I compose myself. We drive to the hospital and once there, we all get comfortable in Mark’s room.
I sit next to Chloe on the bed. “Hey, Chloe. We need to talk.” I say, the tears already starting to well up in my eyes.
“Am I in trouble?” She asks, scared.
I laugh. “No, no.” I pause. “You know how all your friends have mommy’s and daddy’s?” She nods. “And remember what I told you about your daddy?”
“Yeah. You said he was too busy with work so he couldn’t be with us.” She looks up, wide-eyed at me.
“Yes and I told you that Mark was going to be your step-dad.” She nods. “Well now your real dad isn’t busy with work anymore.” Her eyes light up. “Chloe, your dad.” I take a breath. “It’s Tyler over here.” She looks up at Tyler who stands in the corner with Ali.
She looks back at me. “Really?!” She runs over to him and hugs him. “You’re here to stay?” He nods.
“Yes, Chloe. We’re going to have so much fun together!” He says in her ear.
My eyes sting and the tears fall. She’s all grown up. Five years have gone by so fast. Mark grabs my hand and pulls me to him. We hug and he whispers to me, “You did the right thing. I know this will make her so happy.” He lifts my chin and presses his lips to mine, a quick peck.
We say our goodbyes to Mark and head home, the smile never leaving Chloe’s face as she interacted with Ali and Tyler in the back seat. Once we get back, I offer to make dinner and we have our first ‘family’ dinner.
“Mommy can I stay with daddy tonight?” She asks.
I force a smile. “Sure, sweetie.”
I take a bag and fill it with clothes and tell Ali instructions. I watch as their door closes and I’m left alone. Maybe telling her was a bad idea. It was only a few hours and she was already saying goodbye, forgetting about me, leaving me.

Notes

here ya go!! probably won't have time to update any time soon due to exams. sorry guys :(