The Red Headed Stepdad. Avery Rylan

Come on… he is still the father of my child,” Lisa protested as she slipped the notepad into her shoulder bag and pulled out her purse, glancing through to ensure that her cards were intact and that her cash would be sufficient for the day’s purchases.

      Julia frowned as she stared at the display shelves behind the counter that were usually filled with pastries. She twirled the stool so she could face the larger display stands placed at different spots around the booths and tables and chairs which made up the dining area of the bakery. They too were empty. She turned back to her friend and rolled brown eyes, “Oh please, Lisa. You and I know that he is a douche. And you know that the only reason you both are still in each other’s lives after the wedding cancellation is because you discovered you were pregnant. Else, you both should have gone your separate ways.”

      Lisa looked at her friend but she did not say anything. She pulled out her phone and her fingers started flying across the screen as she typed out a message.

      “Ignore me all you want but you know I’m right. You know what I’m always glad for? It’s the fact that you found out about the pregnancy after the wedding was called off else…”

      “I would have gotten married for the sake of my child and that would have been an utter mistake,” Lisa completed and she rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know, Julia. You’ve told me exactly that more times than I can remember.”

      “I’m just saying,” Julia said as she lifted her hands, palms facing forward in a gesture of surrender. “Be happy, Lisa, you deserve to be. Not everyone finds that person that makes them light up and feel so happy, like what you and Derek have. You both are lucky. He lost his wife and he found you, even though it took a while. And you, you left that coward Hank and you found him.”

      Lisa laughed heartily, throwing her head back, “You’re crazy, Julia.”

      “You know I’m right,” Julia winked.

      Lisa smiled softly, “Thanks Julia.” She looked around the shop and she turned to her friend as she said, “Come on, we’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got a shitload of shopping to do.”

      “I won’t be coming with you, you know that right?” Julia asked as he friend shooed her out.

      “But if it were to get the latest rad winter boots, you would be all over the place and pulling me along with you,” Lisa said in an amused tone.

      “That is very true,” Julia nodded in agreement, “But this is no leather boots. Your list consists of baking stuff and this and that that I have no business with.”

      “But you can dip those teeth of yours into a chocolate filled croissant and grin sheepishly as the chocolate drips, right?”

      “Exactly. There are different kinds of people in this world, dear friend. Our dynamo is this, you are the baker, and I am the eater. It makes so much sense.”

      “I hear you,” Lisa said, unable to suppress an eye roll.

      *

       Three months later

      Lisa looked over the table at her daughter as she speared a piece of pie with her fork. She stuck it in her mouth, the frown still on her face. Lisa’s eyes flitted over to Derek who was seated across the table from her. He was eating his meal quietly but she noticed that he like her was also stealing glances at the little girl who was giving both of them the silent treatment. It was just the three of them having dinner because the twins were off at Tech Camp while Derek’s eldest son, Kurt was off starting his freshman year in the university.

      “Honey, would you like some more juice?” Lisa asked. Jacqueline looked at her, her hazel eyes flashed with unshed tears. She shook her head and turned back to her meal. Lisa sighed and as she looked at Derek, their gazes locked. Lisa had no idea what she would do but the smile that he gave her in that moment eased her worries and made her feel so much better.

      “Can I be excused?” the four year old asked after less than five minutes of silence. The adults looked at her plate which was devoid of food and Lisa said,

      “Sure.”

      Jacqueline jumped off the chair and hurried out of the kitchen.

      Lisa sighed and she stood up to clear the dishes away. Derek helped her out and when they were done clearing the table, she ran her hand down her face and she said, “I’m really sorry about Jackie’s behavior, Derek. You don’t deserve this.”

      “It’s fine, love. I do understand her. She’s getting used to a new and larger home, having another adult around, having siblings even. I mean, we’ve been married for little less than a month. She is still adjusting,” Derek smiled as he loaded up the dishwasher with the dirty dishes.

      “But she already knows you. She wasn’t like this when we were dating. She seemed to like you,” Lisa groaned as she scooped leftover food into Tupperware.

      “Well, then, I was a friend of her mother. Now, I am a husband. You really shouldn’t let it bother you.”

      “Of course I will, Derek. I heard what she told you this morning. She said she has a dad and she doesn’t need another and...” Lisa was saying when Derek walked closer to her and wrapped his hands around her waist.

      “So what if she said that? Fine, she doesn’t want me to be her dad, but I want her to be my daughter. I love you, I love her. Nothing will change that. Even if she doesn’t want to be my daughter, I’ll continue seeing her as one and keep being her dad.”

      “I’m sorry, Derek. I don’t know if she’ll ever love you back as much as you love her and I feel guilty about that.”

      “That’s nonsense, Lisa. Look, I know she has a dad who loves her and she loves him too and I’m happy about that. The fact that she might not love me as much as that or that she might probably never consider me a dad doesn’t stop me from loving her. One can never have too much love, right? I’ll show the little one enough love for her and me. And yes… I know it’s going to be difficult, she can be a cranky one,” At that, Lisa chuckled and he smiled, “But I can’t help it, love. I really care about your little girl. As time goes by, she keeps tying her string tighter around my heart. Frankly, I’m helpless.”

      This time, Lisa threw her head back, “You are so sweet, Derek Powers. You know I love you so very much right?”

      “And I absolutely love you, Lisa Holstein Powers,” he said and kissed her.

      When they separated, she said, “We have a long ride ahead of us.”

      “Oh, I am prepared, I won’t have it any other way.”