Georgia takes a long sip before setting it back down. “Ice water is the only thing that hits the spot for me, too. This boy loves it,” she points down at her adorable belly in awe.
“I know your parents must be thrilled that you’re having a baby.”
“Over the moon,” Georgia laughs. “Speaking of babies, how crazy was the whole pregnancy scare situation with Cody? He told me you helped secure the test with Harper Lane.”
I nod. “Yes, I did.”
“What’s going on with you two now?” she asks, raising her brows as she sips her water.
I smile. “We're back together..."
"And why do you seem worried about that? When I saw Cody yesterday, he was practically jumping up and down excited about the two of you and your future."
My heart aches, knowing I feel the same but unsure about what his intensions are long term.
"It’s intense, Georgia. In ways, it feels like we’re kids again. It makes me feel alive, like we should have never split up in the first place. But I’m starting to get nervous. My senior publicist had planned a straightforward Instagram post in response to Harper’s pregnancy announcement, congratulating her on her baby. But Cody insisted it be changed at the last minute and what he included really makes it seem like he’s not ready to step in as a stepfather to Elsie in the future, even if he hasn’t met her yet…” My voice trails off as Georgia nods in understanding.
“My cousin can be bone-headed. I highly doubt he thought what he said would come across that way.”
“I don’t know. He seemed relieved that Harper's baby wasn't his. I’m just trying to figure out what that means for us, you know? I mean, if he’s serious about us being together again, being with me also means becoming an instant father to an almost nine-year-old little girl. I know that's a lot to take on. I haven't introduced Elsie to anyone I've ever dated because it's never been serious. It feels like we might be headed that way, but I don't know... I’ve been putting it off even though he’s asked when he can meet her, and he’s gotten the hint lately and has dropped it.”
Georgia nods. “I get it, I do.”
I sigh. Since he left for his tour, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the post and what he added at the end and what his intentions are. Is Cody really that opposed to fatherhood? Am I doing the right thing for Elsie by dating him?
Being a single mother means you’re constantly placed under scrutiny that men seem to avoid.
You work too much; you work too little.
You shouldn’t be introducing your daughter to men you’re dating.
You should be introducing your daughter to the men you’re dating.
Most days, I swear I can’t keep up or win when it comes to what other people are expecting of me which is why I’ve decided to do things my own way and go with my gut. But this situation with Cody is… different. There’s a part of me that feels like he could be a real presence in our future and that terrifies me if he doesn’t want to be a father.
The timer on the washing machine goes off, playing a jingle throughout the home. “Give me one minute, please. Elsie will be home from school soon, and I’m washing her cheerleading uniform. I need to move it to the dryer.”
Georgia waves her hand easily, her eyes roaming my home. “Take your time.”
I head towards the back of the house, switching her uniform over to the dryer and starting it. On my way back I pick up her tablet and drop it in her room then grab her trash bin to empty it. When I return to the kitchen, Georgia’s staring intently at one of the photos I've kept of Elsie on the fridge.
“That was her when she was only a couple of weeks old, right after Vance disappeared. The other photo is of her and Sienna, my best friend. That was when I left Vance and his family for the last time, for good and moved to Las Vegas.”
Her eyes squint as she stares at the photo. “This is the first timeI've seen any photos of Elsie.”
“Yeah, I don’t ever post her on social media. I want to protect her digital footprint, and with her dad’s prior reputation in the NFL and getting banned for drugs, I don’t want any scrutiny tied to her. I just want her to have a normal, sheltered life.” I chuckle. “Without controlling her like my parents did, of course.”
Georgia nods quietly as she continues to stare, then her eyes shift back to mine. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but she looks just like my Aunt Jovie did when she was a baby.”
“Cody’s mom? That’s… really random.”
Georgia continues studying the photo and something in my chest ticks. “Yeah, I mean… I guess it is…” her voice trails off.
“She’s Vance’s daughter,” I respond wondering why I even felt the need to say that.
“Show me a picture of Vance,” Georgia asks.
I pull out my phone, realizing I don’t have any photos of Vance holding Elsie. He left us when she was only a couple of weeks old, and that time had been a blur of me trying to establish breastfeeding, long night feeds while Vance went out every night to party with his new team and sleep with other women. Some days I wonder if he even remembers he had a daughter with me.
