"I know this isn't how we planned it."I took her hands in mine."But I agree with Archer.We need to get it done sooner rather than later."
She was quiet for a long moment, her gaze drifting back to Mia.When she looked at me again, there was resolve in her expression.
"What do we tell Mia?"she asked quietly.“I considered leaving her out of it altogether but that would look so suspicious if my daughter isn’t there.Especially when the committee goes to review things.”
"We tell her…that we're going to sign some important papers."I squeezed her hands."We don't have to make it into a big thing.Just...a paperwork errand.Or something."
Clara bit her lip, and I could see the wheels turning.Finally, she nodded.
"Okay," she said." But we keep it simple.Low key.I'll tell Mia we're going to an important appointment."
Relief flooded through me."Thank you.I'll call the city clerk's office first thing tomorrow.I’ll see how soon we can get an appointment.Maybe we’ll be married by Friday."
"Married by Friday," Clara repeated, like she was testing the concept.“Who all should be there besides you, me, and Mia?"
"Well, Archer, of course."I started sifting through the potential guest list in my mind.“I’d like my mom to be there.Is there anyone from your side that you want there?”
Sadness creased her face for the briefest of moments.“Just Zoey.My mom passed years ago.She would have been the only one I’d invite.I’m not close with my stepfather or any of his family.No grandparents anymore.And my father passed when I was really young.He was the youngest of his family so most of my aunts and uncles from that side have already passed as well.”
I squeezed her hand, feeling the sadness radiating from her.I knew it, because I had it inside me too.
“It’ll be intimate.Just the most important people there.That seems best.”
“You don’t have anyone else you’d invite?No other family?”she asked.
I shook my head.“I never knew my father.I don’t have a stepdad.Got a few aunts and uncles but none that I plan on inviting to something like this.I like the idea of it being small.”
Her brows furrowed.“Did your father pass or…?”
"No, he didn't.Well, maybe he did by now.The truth is, I never met him.According to my mom, he was the type of guy who would come through on business trips, turn her world into magic for a day or two, and then disappear.He'd only reach out when he came back to the city.But he stopped coming around once he found out she’d had us, and then he disconnected his phone number."
"So she had no way to find him?"Clara asked.
"None.We tried tracking him down when Archer and I got older.But the name he gave her was fake.The phone number she’d always used was probably a burner he used for his flings.My mom thinks maybe he was married, covering his tracks the whole time.Absolute scum."
Clara's face creased with sadness."That's awful.I'm so sorry."
"If nothing else, I know something of what Mia is going through."I circled my arms around Clara, kissing the top of her head.God, this felt good.I never wanted to let her go."And I want to do whatever I can to take away some of that pain."
Clara propped her chin on my chest, smiling up at me."You are wonderful.You know that?What you went through shaped you into someone who shows up for people.Who protects them."Her eyes shimmered slightly."Mia's lucky to have you in her corner.Just like the Queens community.And me, too."
I stroked her hair, getting lost in her pretty eyes.Warmth spread through me, but it was edged with something.A skittish feeling, a small voice that warned me of danger.Clara felt so safe.Sogood.But that scared the fuck out of me, too.
She headed back to the table, gathering her materials with a sigh."I should get Mia home.It's getting late."
I wanted to protest, to launch another case for them staying the night and waking up with Clara in my arms.But now didn’t seem like the time to go there.
I helped them gather their things, carried Mia's coloring books and the small bag of toys down to the car.Mia chattered the whole way about the castle we'd colored, oblivious to the seismic shifts in the adult world around her.
At the car, Clara finally met my eyes."Let me know what you hear tomorrow?"
"I'll text you the details once I confirm the appointment."
"Okay."She looked like she wanted to say something else, but Mia was already asking about snacks, so Clara just gave me a small smile and got into the car.
I watched them drive away, the taillights disappearing into Manhattan traffic.
We were getting married soon.Which meant I’d let my soon-to-be wife drive away from me.Something hot and protective pulsed behind my ribs, making my hands curl into fists.As I headed back up to the penthouse, I realized everything felt strange inside without them here.
