Second Chance
Chapter Four
“You can sit next to me” Danny led Jacob into the kitchen holding his hand. Jacob just smiled at him. I wondered if Jacob had figured it out yet, that Danny was his. Everyone got their food and that’s when the questions started.
“You play hockey right?” “Yes I’m the goalie for the Panthers; didn’t ya see me save all those pucks?” The Pucks head perked up at the mention of the word puck.
“Why’d ya pick the number 25?” “I just liked the number.”
“How tall are you?” “30 feet tall” Danny’s eyes got really big when he said that. I just laughed while Jacob stifled a smile.
“You like TMNT?” “Who doesn’t? Raphael and I are buds.”
“How about Ironman?” “He’s a pretty cool guy.”
“Will you be my friend?” “Of course.”
“Will you teach me how to skate?” “If your mama will let me.” Soon there were two sets of the same blue eyes giving me the look. “Fine. But I need to be there.”
“How do you know Mama?” “Old friends.”
“Do you like my Mama?” “She’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
My face turned bright red as I grabbed dishes to start cleaning up.
“Danny why don’t you go watch Spiderman?” Danny ran off and Jacob started to help clean up.
“You can go play with your new best friend if you’d like. I’ve got this. “
“I’d rather help you right now.” He came up behind me but I carefully twirled out of his space.
“I’m sorry about Danny he can be so nosey and obnoxious but I love him.” Jacob just shot me that killer smile and I melted right by the sink.
“Can I get you a beer?” I asked Jacob as we had just finished the dishes and were now sitting at the counter in the kitchen. I went to the fridge and grabbed two beers.
“Danny’s mine isn’t he, Bridget?” My world for five years crashed with one sentence. I didn’t know whether to cry or be angry that it was that simple for him to say it.
“Yes… Yes he is, Jacob. You were the only guy I was with since I was seventeen. If you want tests I won’t fight you. I don’t expect you to pay child support.” My voice started to break as I held back the tears.
“I don’t want tests, he has my eyes, but he has your smile. What’s his last name?”
“I didn’t know your last name until I saw it on your back at the game. His full name is Daniel Gerard Brennan.” The tears were spilling down my cheeks at this point. He wiped a tear away and looked into my eyes. I didn’t see anger like I thought I would but relief. Relief that the child was his and not some other man; that he was the only man and he wouldn’t have to fight some other man.
“Go on a date with me, Bridget.” I couldn’t tell if it was a command or a question.
“Does this count?” His forwardness was somewhat alarming but at the same time attractive. I tried to calm my nerves by sipping on my Coors Light.
“No let me take you on a proper first date. I want to be a part of his life, and apart of yours. I want to try us out. You left me without a note. I wasn’t drunk that night, I really liked you. I couldn’t be with anyone else. No one could compare to the few hours I spent with you in some shitty Swedish club.”
My heart nearly stopped. I calmly put down my beer and walked up to him, completely invading his personal space. His big hands found their way to my waist. I looked into his eyes and pulled his shirt so he would be on my level. Our lips connected and maybe it was fireworks from the movie or the fireworks in my head but everything felt right. I felt complete for the first time in a long time. Puck started barking and we broke apart.
“I knew you liked each other!”
I just laughed at the small child. “Isn’t it time for a bath, Daniel? Go brush your teeth. I’ll meet you upstairs in a minute babe.” The eaves dropper ran off.
“Mama duty calls.” I smiled at the six foot six giant.
“Seven on Saturday, dress warm.” I simply smiled as Jacob made his way out into the backyard. Why didn’t that man just use the front door?
I picked up my phone and called the only person I could think of:
“Emergency sleepover at your house on Saturday? Please I have a date with the goalie from the hockey team. I’ll explain tomorrow. Please say yes.” I begged Michelle.
“Girl you got it. I’ll talk to you at work tomorrow.”
I went upstairs and got Danny bathed and in bed. I curled up on the couch with a box of oreos watching Criminal Minds when my phone buzzed.
*I believe you never gave me a kiss goodbye…*
*Guess your screwed until Saturday.*
*Don’t you mean lack there of?*
*Goodnight Markstrom*
*Goodnight beautiful.*
“You play hockey right?” “Yes I’m the goalie for the Panthers; didn’t ya see me save all those pucks?” The Pucks head perked up at the mention of the word puck.
“Why’d ya pick the number 25?” “I just liked the number.”
“How tall are you?” “30 feet tall” Danny’s eyes got really big when he said that. I just laughed while Jacob stifled a smile.
“You like TMNT?” “Who doesn’t? Raphael and I are buds.”
“How about Ironman?” “He’s a pretty cool guy.”
“Will you be my friend?” “Of course.”
“Will you teach me how to skate?” “If your mama will let me.” Soon there were two sets of the same blue eyes giving me the look. “Fine. But I need to be there.”
“How do you know Mama?” “Old friends.”
“Do you like my Mama?” “She’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
My face turned bright red as I grabbed dishes to start cleaning up.
“Danny why don’t you go watch Spiderman?” Danny ran off and Jacob started to help clean up.
“You can go play with your new best friend if you’d like. I’ve got this. “
“I’d rather help you right now.” He came up behind me but I carefully twirled out of his space.
“I’m sorry about Danny he can be so nosey and obnoxious but I love him.” Jacob just shot me that killer smile and I melted right by the sink.
“Can I get you a beer?” I asked Jacob as we had just finished the dishes and were now sitting at the counter in the kitchen. I went to the fridge and grabbed two beers.
“Danny’s mine isn’t he, Bridget?” My world for five years crashed with one sentence. I didn’t know whether to cry or be angry that it was that simple for him to say it.
“Yes… Yes he is, Jacob. You were the only guy I was with since I was seventeen. If you want tests I won’t fight you. I don’t expect you to pay child support.” My voice started to break as I held back the tears.
“I don’t want tests, he has my eyes, but he has your smile. What’s his last name?”
“I didn’t know your last name until I saw it on your back at the game. His full name is Daniel Gerard Brennan.” The tears were spilling down my cheeks at this point. He wiped a tear away and looked into my eyes. I didn’t see anger like I thought I would but relief. Relief that the child was his and not some other man; that he was the only man and he wouldn’t have to fight some other man.
“Go on a date with me, Bridget.” I couldn’t tell if it was a command or a question.
“Does this count?” His forwardness was somewhat alarming but at the same time attractive. I tried to calm my nerves by sipping on my Coors Light.
“No let me take you on a proper first date. I want to be a part of his life, and apart of yours. I want to try us out. You left me without a note. I wasn’t drunk that night, I really liked you. I couldn’t be with anyone else. No one could compare to the few hours I spent with you in some shitty Swedish club.”
My heart nearly stopped. I calmly put down my beer and walked up to him, completely invading his personal space. His big hands found their way to my waist. I looked into his eyes and pulled his shirt so he would be on my level. Our lips connected and maybe it was fireworks from the movie or the fireworks in my head but everything felt right. I felt complete for the first time in a long time. Puck started barking and we broke apart.
“I knew you liked each other!”
I just laughed at the small child. “Isn’t it time for a bath, Daniel? Go brush your teeth. I’ll meet you upstairs in a minute babe.” The eaves dropper ran off.
“Mama duty calls.” I smiled at the six foot six giant.
“Seven on Saturday, dress warm.” I simply smiled as Jacob made his way out into the backyard. Why didn’t that man just use the front door?
I picked up my phone and called the only person I could think of:
“Emergency sleepover at your house on Saturday? Please I have a date with the goalie from the hockey team. I’ll explain tomorrow. Please say yes.” I begged Michelle.
“Girl you got it. I’ll talk to you at work tomorrow.”
I went upstairs and got Danny bathed and in bed. I curled up on the couch with a box of oreos watching Criminal Minds when my phone buzzed.
*I believe you never gave me a kiss goodbye…*
*Guess your screwed until Saturday.*
*Don’t you mean lack there of?*
*Goodnight Markstrom*
*Goodnight beautiful.*
Notes
I couldn't help it! Please comment and tell me what you think of it.
This is so cute I love it!
3/11/14