Jase by Fields, J. (ebook reader browser TXT) 📕

“I thought that would be enough but there is this one hole in here,” he held his hand to his chest, “something still missing.”

“What’s her name,” he smiled, “Your daughter, what’s her name?”

“Bella, which means beautiful. We had picked it together. Apparently her father didn’t know that or he would probably have named her something else.”

“Where is she?”

“My house, her grandmothers are both there. She fell asleep in my arms at seven thirty. I put her in her little bed. Her eyes opened and she said, I love you Daddy,” Jase’s eyes widened, “Crazy shit, huh?”

“Does she live with you?”

“She and her Nana are both here now, both living with me as of today. Best Christmas ever,” Jase looked happy, truly happy.

“A happy ending,” I whispered.

“Yeah,” Jase looked up and smiled quickly, “My new place is pretty nice. Charlotte took the money I sent every week for the past five and a half years and put it into an account. When Lee died, she called Mom. She and I met, first discussed six years’ worth of pain. She told me she was sorry. I get it you know, they lost Charlee. He blamed me, she stuck by her husband,” he looked up. “Bella knew about me through stories Charlotte told her that Lee didn’t know about. The money I sent, well… Lee didn’t know about that either. So I was gifted the money back. Enough to put a very big down payment down on a house in a very good school district. As we speak, I am suing for custody, without her contesting. She’ll live with me for as long as she wants to, for Bella and her. So I have almost everything I have ever wanted.”

“I am so happy for you, Jase.” I really was, “But you’re an idiot for not telling me this before.”

“When would have been a good time, before I left for the airport?”

“Well it seems to be working now, we are on our way to the airport and you …I’m happy for you Jase.”

He smiled, “Thanks. Stay. Meet her.”

I felt my heart beating against my chest, “Jase I can’t. I have to go.”

He looked stunned, “Alright, then.”

He turned on the SUV and pulled onto the road. He drove a little faster than he had been. He didn’t look at me, he didn’t speak again.

“Jase, are you okay?” I couldn’t stand it anymore the silence was killing me.

“Yes, I’m fine,” his tone was clipped.

“Obviously, you aren’t,” I whispered under my breath and of course he heard me.

He drove a little faster and eventually he pulled into the airport and parked.

“Jase you have so much to deal with right now. You have a little girl. Do you have a picture?” He looked at me funny, “I’d like to see her picture.”

“Why?” he looked away.

“Because Jase, she is important to you and,” he interrupted me with a laugh, “please can I see her?”

Jase reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone. He handed me the phone and I smiled. She was absolutely beautiful. “She looks like you, except her eyes, they must be her Momma’s.”

“What time does your flight leave?”

“You trying to get rid of me?” I smiled trying to lighten whatever dark path I just pushed Jase down.

“I’m really not sure.”

“Okay, so you just had a six year old dream come true right?” He looked at me expressionless, “Play along will you?”

“Yes, Carly.”

“And you want me to meet her already? Jase, I’ve met a lot of women who have popped in and out of my Dad’s life. You don’t want that for her. Look at her, she is the most beautiful thing in your world.”

Jase started to tap his foot, “You don’t have to sell her to me Carly, okay? I know what she is.”

“That’s not what I am saying, Jase look…”

“No, I get it,” he opened the door and walked around the vehicle and opened my door. He reached in and grabbed my bag.

“I don’t know what just happened.”

“Nothing, just forget about it.” Jase stood waiting for me to get out.

“Jase I can’t do that to you or her okay?”

“I get it Carly,” Jase looked up at me.

“Well I don’t,” I said as I got out.

“You don’t want to be tied down, the exact reason I didn’t tell you in the first place. No big deal,” Jase started walking towards the airport doors.

“You really need to figure out what the fuck you want,” I grabbed my bag out of his hand and walked quickly into the airport.

He grabbed my arm, “What the fuck is that supposed to mean Carly?”

I pulled my arm away and smiled at a couple watching us, “Promise you’ll finish school, meet my daughter, fucking head trip Jase, that’s what I am talking about.”

“You’re one to talk about head trips,” he smiled and nodded to the same elderly couple and then scowled at me.

“Go fuck yourself. Oh and don’t introduce her to every bimbo you bring in and out of your life,” I moved ahead in line.

“I have only wanted to introduce her to one fucking bimbo, and a crazy one at that,” Jase snatched my bag out of my hand and held it as he stood next to me in line.

“I’m crazy? Good Jase, that’s just …” I took a step forward and bumped into the man in front of me and fell back.

He caught me, “Oh, and she has the fucking grace of a ballerina.”

“Screw you.”

“You had your chance,” he sneered.

Someone tapped me on my shoulder and I turned around, “How long have the two of you been married?”

“We aren’t,” Jase and I answered at the same time.

The women looked at her husband and they both smiled at each other.

After a few awkward moments I looked at Jase. He had his eyes closed and his jaw clenched tightly: he must have felt me starring. He opened his eyes and looked at me and shook his head. Then he grabbed my hand and held it. I heard the lady behind me giggle