She drove to a stop and got out of the car, handing the keys to a hovering valet. She left him with the instructions to wait — I won’t be long. She hastily made her way into the school building.
The first time she had been here — apart from being awed by the building, it's grounds and the sophisticated air of the place — she had wondered why a school needed valet parking.
Now she knew. Trinity smiled to herself, wondering if perhaps she was adjusting better than she imagined. Twenty minutes later, she exited the huge doors with a morose Miranda in tow.
She debated for a second before strapping her daughter into the back seat of the new car Michael had gifted Miranda. He’d said he wanted his daughter riding around in a car that was safe and less likely to break down in the middle of a snowstorm. She made her way to her side of the car thinking how slick her husband was to say it was a gift to Miranda and not her, he knew her pride would never have allowed her to accept such a gift.
Trinity sighed as she looked at her sulking daughter. "What's wrong, love?"
"They were mean again today.” A pout was on her lips, and Trinity felt her heart break just a little.
She had expected an adjustment period due to the change in environment, but she had not expected bullying. She decided she would go to the administrator’s office tomorrow after dropping Miranda off. She wouldn’t stand by and watch anyone take advantage or be mean to her daughter.
“I’ll talk to you principal tomorrow. Let's go home."Home.
"Is Daddy at home?" Miranda asked, her eyes shining with hope.
Trinity's heart squeezed the way it did whenever she heard Miranda refer to Michael as “daddy.” She had given up on correcting her. Michael didn’t help the situation either, and he cheered on the little girl every time she said it. Still, the words drove a reaction out of her every time, and she wondered what could have been if…I hope we can both get out of this with our hearts intact.
No time for these thoughts,she decided. She started the car, and the engine roared to life. Pulling out of the parking lot, she turned the way back home.
?MICHAEL?
Michael never had a reason to race home, and the commute between his house and the airport gave him a chance to take a good breather from the business conferences and meetings.
Still, he found himself driving with anxious nerves, for some reason, a little more than eager to get back home.
Twelve months,he reminded himself again, and barely lifted his foot off the accelerator. They would be gone in twelve months; this was just a business deal.
He remembered the tinge of relief in her eyes when he left her room that night. He really should slow down, there wasn’t any need to rush…
His foot remained on the accelerator.
When his driveway came into sight, he tore in, and leaped out of the car. He didn’t even bother to take the key out of the ignition, bounding up the steps with curious energy. Guided by some inner radar, he headed for the kitchen.
“Daddy!"
He barely braced himself before the body launched at him. He stooped to catch the girl, and lifted her into a hug, receiving one in return. He was shaken and humbled by the sudden emotion he felt — he had not expected her enthusiastic hug, the easy love that shone in her eyes, and the displays of affection.
"Michael,” Trinity called out in welcome.
She offered a shy smile, and before he could think on it, he pulled her into an embrace. At the sound of Miranda’s squeal between them, something settled in him. He didn’t understand it.
As they ate dinner, Miranda went a mile a minute with her questions about his trip and why he was away for so long.
Dinner had never been so alive and satisfying, until he asked her about school. The sound of cutlery rattling against fine bone chime prevailed for one long second. Only a fool wouldn’t notice something was amiss. His two girls — yes, his two girls! — looked at each other from across the table.
A pit formed in his stomach. “What happened?” An unfamiliar wave of protectiveness washed through him.
"They were mean, Daddy," Miranda replied finally. Her teary pout drove him just a little into rage before he fixed his eyes on Trinity
"There have been a few cases of bullying...I am going to see the principal about it tomorrow," she explained.
"I'm coming with you." His tone had no room for arguing, but she tried again.
"You have work, and one person is enough to—”
"Don't fight this, I'm coming with you,” he interrupted her. No one made his daughter cry—not yours,the insidious voice in his head came again.Twelve months, remember?
