Angel

Chapter 7:

Mattie

Much to Trish's displeasure, Corey did give me a small office next to Lydia. It wasn't grand, just a locking file cabinet, desk, small sofa, and lamp, but it got me away from her. He'd given me copies of all the files and I'd been making notes as I tried to find a way to sink the merger. When it became clear that wasn't going to work, I turned my focus to the contract with Meadows LLC. I'm fairly certain either Brandon or Corey wrote the contract because it was solid, or at least on the surface. I'd sent Corey a few ideas I had before leaving on Wednesday evening, but today was Thursday and I was just a mama going to the aquarium with her daughter today - no work.

"Mama, come look," Violet squealed as she pressed her nose to the glass. She giggled as penguins dove beneath the surface doing spins and twists in the cold water. Her giggles filled the area and I noticed a few people looking at her with smiles. Violet was a truly happy child, always laughing and hugging. Personally, I think I'm the luckiest mama in the world, but then again, I'm a bit biased.

She tugged my hand as she led me to the rest of her class. They were all kneeling down around shallow pools that were filled with sea creatures. "Can I touch them, Mama?"

I looked around and noticed a man with an aquarium shirt on. "Excuse me, sir, can she touch them?"

He turned around and I think my heart stopped. His soft green eyes met mine and he smiled, "Sure thing. She can touch anything in these small pools, just don't pick them up, okay princess?"

She giggled and whispered (well little kid whispered, which isn't all that quiet), "Mama, he called me a princess?"

"Yes, Bebe, he did," I laughed as he grinned, then knelt down to help her reach a starfish. She giggled and squealed as she felt the different shells and creatures.

"Can we pet the stingrays, Mama?"

I looked around to see where they were and heard him say, "I'd be happy to show you the way."

"Oh, thank you," I said, "I haven't been here since I was little and it's changed so much."

He grinned and looked at Violet, "Want a piggyback ride, princess?" She clapped her hands and agreed. "Is that okay with you, Mama?" I nodded and giggled when he picked her up and she clung to his black ponytail. She pulled a bit too hard once and he grimaced but didn't say anything.

I frowned when he walked past the stingray pools, "Um, sir, aren't those the pools?"

He chuckled, "Yeah, that's a few of them, but I know a better spot - VIP access." I followed him closely. I hope he's not some weirdo trying to kidnap my child. When he walked through the employee door and held it for me I gaped at the tanks before me. "Here we go, princess." He gently placed Violet on the ground and held her hand as he led her to a tank with two giant stingrays. "Now, you can't splash the surface or it will scare them. Hold your hand still just below the surface and wait." He held her firm as they put their hands in the water. "Come on, Mama, you try too." He grinned at me as I knelt beside them. After a few moments, the gentle creatures began to glide closer and closer to us until they skimmed under our hands. Violet giggled but didn't splash as they made another round under her little fingers.

In typical small-child fashion, she became bored after ten or so minutes and wanted to see something new. "Thank you so much," I told the man, "That was an amazing experience for her and me."

"It was my pleasure, she's a great kid and cute as hell," he said, "Beautiful eyes."

"Thank you, I'm rather proud of her," I smirked.

"As you should be Mama."

I blushed, "Please call me Mattie," I said, holding out my hand to shake his.