When Denara asked me to fetch Rhys from school, I wasn't expecting it, but I'm excited, nonetheless. This is the first time that I'm spending time with Rhys without being monitored and having another being in the room.
I'm feeling grateful and I know Denara has a lot of options but this is her way of saying ' I trust you'. I know she has a lot on her plate and after she took leave to look after Rhys, I can imagine the whirlwind of crazy she must be experiencing going back to work.
Which is how we ended at the restaurant that I sometimes frequent at and take shifts at. At this rate, I've become an all rounder and don't want to go back to the job Denara offered because it would be a pity case offer. I want to provide for my daughter with my doings and not a hand-me-down.
Watching Rhys stuff her face with cheesecake, getting the cream all over face and some on her nose. Her eyes lightening up with glee, devouring her food. For a kid that goes to those fancy, rich and pretentious schools, she has an appetite. Nothing elegant with the way she eats or, mildly, anything close to her mother when she eats. The sight is almost baffling.
My lips pull into a smirk and the corners of my lips pulling upwards. Denara said to make sure she eats and have a proper meal but the way she stuffed that cheesecake and some pancakes with ice cream down, I doubt she will eat anything healthy.
"Pinky promise that you won't tell your mom."
Rhys reaches over the table and wraps her tiny pinky around my own larger one. If her mother finds out, she might never let me be alone with Rhys. I order Rhys a plate of chicken nuggets, best shot I got at real food and Rhys has the biggest smile ever seen. If its this easy to please her, food might be the solution to all my problems with her and easy way to pacify her.
"Promise."
There's a certain type of warmth that fills me when her open wide like saucers and she lets out a quick 'Thank you'. I can't help but raffle her hair affectionately, much to her annoyance.
"Mommy, let me eat takeout." She mumbles quietly, face still concentrated on the chicken. That immediately tells me that if Denara finds out, Ill be in the doggy box.
"If you have to keep this a secret, bud. If you do, I might take you out to get more."
Bargaining with my daughter to keep secrets. The conversation is light and after we finished eat. I help Rhys with homework, figuring Denara would be too tired. My mind concentrated on some maths problems that I don't even hear Rhys speak.
"Daddy, are you listening?!"
Every time she calls me dad, it feels like my heart stops for a minute and I'm imagining it. I feel like it's a fluke and that at any moment she will stop and acknowledge Danny as her father. It's a constant fear of mine. Her tiny hand gripping and tugging onto the fabric of my coat, captured my attention. She has a pout on her lips but her expression is serious, arms folded angrily. Now this reminds me of her mother.
"You're not going to leave us, right? Mommy is happy with you around and she doesn't cry anymore."
Her statement catches me off guard and realize what this is about. Denara may think Rhys is a naïve little girl, but with the way she's standing right now, I think she's trying to intimate me. Protective of her mother. Also, she's scared that I might up and leave.
I gather her in my arms and sitting her on my lap. I try to reassure her and be soothing. This is scary new boundaries for all of us. She's our focus.
"Listen sunshine, I promise I would never leave you and your mother. I love you both a lot, but you need to know that you have many people who love and support you, like Aunt Jamie and my brothers. Dano too. Dano is still your father and now you have two dads. Only angels have so many guardians." I say gently.
I hug her close to my chest and whisper my promise to her. I know Denara had to go through a lot because of her mother and she ended up being unhappy. I may dislike Danny and whether I like him or not, I'm grateful for his presence in their lives.
I know his and Denara's relationship can get complicated when it comes to Rhys, but he still stood by them. Not a ton of guys would raise someone else's child and still treat them like their own. I see the sunset and think it's time that I get Rhys home.
Making my way back to Denara's place, Rhys running off somewhere, probably to put her school bag down in her room or something. This has got to be the first time that I've been here alone with Rhys and with no one else.
Feels weird.
"Daddy, I want to show you something."
She scurries away, her tiny feet pattering around as I follow her. Rushing to whatever she wants to show me and the thought warms my heart. My eyes wondering about the various family photos, certificates, and pictures I'm assuming Rhys drew. They adorn the walls and are a contrast to the rest of the house that doesn't show any personal items.
I finally make my way to the room Rhys wanted me to see. Her eyes widen with excitement when I arrive. My eyes sweep over the piano in the center of the room. It's an antique, but still in excellent condition. Rhys sits on the piano chair and grins at me. She puts on the open space next to her by the piano bench and I obediently follow.
"Daddy, listen to me play."
Her demand is cute, and she doesn't give time to respond. She concentrates hard and gently touches the keys. Her back straightens, and she bites her lips in contempt. Denara has the same habit when she's contemplating something. She moves her fingers along the keys and a melodic rhythm plays and fills the room.
The notes are not complex, but definitely more advanced for someone of her age. The more I learn about Rhys, the more awestruck she leaves me. She has quite the caliber on her. She effortlessly plays and there's a light that shines in her eyes when she does. It's easy to see the excitement.
The more I listen to the song, the notes seem similar. It has a certain familiarity to it and I can't place where I heard it. The melody is soft and brings comfort. There's a jovial tune behind it, almost sentimental.
"Where'd you learn this?" I ask because no amount of brain-racking is answering my question. The beautiful sound is entrapping and I couldn't be any prouder of my baby.
"Grandpa thought me."
The answer surprising me and not one I was expecting. My father thought her that and then it hits me. The answer that I couldn't find and I had long forgotten. This was my mother's song. She was my inspiration for music and that's how my parents met. She was playing at a bar and he was there. Music was her life and when she could, she would teach me how to play.
"He thought it to me when I was younger, when he used to visit."
She shrugs like it's not a big deal, but she doesn't know the power it holds over me. I can never express my gratitude to my old man and know this piece will live on in her memory. Rhys, as if sensing my emotional turmoil, turns to me when the song ends and her words shock me.
"Grandpa said that it was grandma's. He wanted me to know and keep it special. He gave me some of her sheets and thought me some."
On cue, she walks away and opens the drawer and pulls out a few music sheets. I thought my dad threw away all of my mother's things. After she passed, he removed all of her things from the house and her remembrance was gone. I'm happy that she has a piece of her grandma.
"How about I show you something, kiddo?" I suggest, enthralled to show my daughter some more notes and have this bonding experience.
I reach over, lifting her up so that she can sit on my lap. I play the song my mother taught me and a twist to it. Her eyes widen and watches my finger movements. She's curious by the various keys being hit and twists her body in a wiggly dance. She enjoys the sound, and a giggle escapes her mouth.
Little gasps leaving her lips when an unexpected key in the melody plays. Have to keep things interesting. She tries to mimic the keys and puts her hands on mine to learn the keys whilst I play.
"Teach me!"
"You guys having?" We hear someone say. Rhys and I were so engrossed in our activity that we didn't even hear Denara walk in. Her heels clicked. She smiles widely at both of us.
"Mommy, you're home!"
I didn't even hear the keys being thrown in the bowl or her heel clicking as she walks in the house. Rhys runs over to hug her mother and the music session is forgotten.
"Did you have fun with your dad?" she asks and Rhys nods her head vigorously.
"What you guys get up to? Did you eat?" she asks, and it's comforting to fill the air with small talk with the other. We're still figuring out the footing of our relationship. My primary goal is still Rhys, Denara, and my relationship, still finding footing.
"We actually went out to eat," I answer.
"Mommy, can Daddy stay tonight?" She asks and subtly adds.
"Or forever."
I don't think either of us expected that. Silence fills the air, and we try to absorb her question. I mean, our relationship was still on the testing water stages. Sure, it meant being able to hold Denara's hand, kiss her and have hold of her when he wanted to. Actually, the more I list things, the more it seems to win. I still don't want to make her uncomfortable. It's an enormous step, after all.
"That up to your dad?" Denara says, recovering faster than me. I look up to see Denara looking at me with hopeful eyes. I hope this isn't a joke. I hope this isn't a fluke.
"Jamie is moving out soon and I could use all the help I can get. Danny travels a lot. It takes a village to raise a child, and this village needs the help. It's up to you and don't feel pressured to do anything you're not comfortable with." she says hurriedly when I say nothing.
"I would love that, actually, and it's close to work. I can pick up and drop Rhys. "I say with a smile.
"Yeah, Daddy is going to live with us!" Rhys screams excitedly and runs to hug me. I know that is a gigantic step for Denara and me. This is where everything begins and we can live like a family. It's a bonus because everything is nearby and I can spend time with my two favorite girls.