My Baby Girl

Together At Last

Two weeks later
*Ashley's POV*

After much consideration, blood, sweat, and tears, I decided to give Ryan a second chance. I'm not sure why I did it, or what I was thinking, but for some reason, I felt obligated to. It all started two weeks ago,

I picked up the phone and called him after Everleigh was in bed. I had this crazy dream that I will never forget, that really made me think about the situation from Everleigh's perspective. I'm not doing any of this for me. In fact I could care less if I never saw Ryan again, but Everleigh needs this. She needs to be able to meet her father, that's why I did it. We talked for probably two hours at least, Ryan seemed so happy, so relieved, we even laughed!  It made me feel so much more confident about my decision to let him back into our lives. Now here we are, two weeks and three days later, the day that Everleigh is going to meet her daddy, for the very first time, and I am having many doubts about my decision.

"Everleigh, did you pick up your toys like I asked? I call into the other room.

"Yeah!" she yells back. "I want it to be nice and qwean when my daddy comes!" I sigh. It honestly bothers me to hear those words. I don't want this whole day to be a disaster. Well actually, a little part of me does want it to end in a disaster so we can move on with our lives and forget this whole thing ever happened. But then I think of Everleigh. I think of how excited she's been all week to meet her daddy. I want it to go good for her, because if Ryan breaks her little heart, I swear to god he won't live to see another day.

I swept the floors, dusted the wooden surfaces, and polished the countertops until they sparkled, before Everleigh reappeared.

"What are you doing babe?" I ask. Everleigh grins excitedly.

"Nuffing, I jwust can't wait to meet my daddy!" She says.

"About that," I say, setting down my rag. "Can we talk Ev?" Everleigh nods and follows me into the living room. I plop down on the sofa, and she climbs onto my lap.

"Listen baby, I know you're excited to meet Ryan-"

"You mean my daddy!" Everleigh corrects.

"Mhmm," I nod and keep talking. "I know you're excited to meet him today, but remember, you don't have to call him daddy, or give him a hug, or a kiss or even talk to him. All you need to do is smile and be polite. You can even run off and play by yourself once you say hi!" I encourage. Everleigh shakes her head violently.

"No mommy! I want to see my daddy! I want to hug him and kiss him and talk to him! I want to show him all my toys, and my bedroom and show him how I write my name and sing let it go!" She says stubbornly. I close my eyes, count to three, and take a long slow breath.

"If that's what you really want, then fine." I say, standing up and retreating to the kitchen, while Everleigh squeals excitedly.

It worries me that she's so excited about this. I don't want her to be excited because I don't want to let Ryan back into our lives permanently. I also don't want him to let her down... again

***
ding dong

The doorbell rings, and I freeze in place. Maybe I should just pretend I'm not home and say I forgot about today and have to reschedule! I think to myself, not wanting to answer the door. But to my dismay, Everleigh fumbles down the stairs two at a time and races to the front door.

"Mommy! My daddy is here! Open the door!" She calls. I pull myself together. You can do this. I tell myself. I wipe my sweaty palms against the silky fabric of my skirt, and reluctantly open the door.

Ryan stands there with his hands in his pockets, looking off into the distance.

"Um, hello." He says, clearing his voice.