Wrecked

SIX

Steve met Jody talking to Dr John Paul outside Tory's room.
"I'm here to take my daughter home." He said without preamble.
"Of course, she's ready to leave."
He stepped into the room and smiled when he saw Tory sitting calmly on the bed.
"Hello Princess. Daddy missed you lot. Did you miss Daddy too?"
She nodded with a sad expression.
"Princess,  Daddy is sorry you were hurt. Will you forgive Daddy and give him a smile?"
She nodded but didn't smile. He almost sighed.  "Daddy loves you more than anything else, you know that, right?"
She nodded again.
Was there something Dr John Paul wasn't telling him?
"Princess,  Daddy will be with you shortly. He needs to talk to the doctor."
He kissed her forehead gently and left to see Dr John Paul still talking to Jody.
"Is there a reason my daughter is not talking?" He asked trying not to raise his voice.
Dr John Paul was unfazed at his question. "Of course, she can speak. She just spoke to her mother."
Steve snorted. What had Jody said to his daughter? "Just what I needed." He growled and turned to look at the same woman who had once been his life and the one who had wrecked his life beyond repair. "Now what on earth did you say to my daughter?"
Jody looked a bit surprised. "I will remind you that she's my daughter too and that even though there would be so many bad things I could tell Tory about you, I'm not as twisted and cold hearted like you."
"Really? You are going to fault me for protecting my daughter from a harlot? What were you going to teach her? How to sell her..."
He was interrupted by the slap on his face.
Jody's face was red with anger, her palm in a fist. "I will not allow you to insult me, especially with my daughter close by and if you think I care about what you say,  you are mistaken."
Steve was shocked. He swallowed, refusing to say anything more he would regret. He turned and went back into the room. He gave Tory a fake smile."Come on, sweetheart. We have to leave now and take you back to your castle."
He saw tears fill her eyes but ignored it and carried her in his arms careful not to hurt her arm that was presently on a sling and then picked up her school bag.
  Steve felt the her tears drop on his shirt and swallowed, wondering what was wrong now. He wanted to ask but he had to make sure his daughter was safe from that woman first.
"Say goodbye to Dr John Paul." The doctor said.
"Bye." Tory said but her voice broke. "Mommy."
"Princess. I will see you later, okay?" Steve stiffened ad Jody came close and wiped Tory's tears.
Tory however had other thoughts. She jumped off his arm suddenly and clung to Jody like a life support that could save her from drowning.
"Bye Daddy."
Shock couldn't describe what he felt that moment. "What? Princess... We have to go home.  Daddy bought you ice cream and candy. Don't you want them anymore?"
She shook her head vehemently.
That was not possible! Tory liked candies and ice creams. A lot. That he had to start hiding the key to the refrigerator to avoid her taking more sweets and junks than was good for her.
  Jody's voice startled his out of his thoughts. "I know you don't mean that, Princess. What did I say about lying the other time?"
"Just wanna go with you."
"How about I come see you on Saturday like always."
Tory began to cry. "Please don't send me away again. I will be good. I-I w-will wash 'n' clean and all that. Just please. I'm not a bad girl."
Steve was speechless.
Why was this happening to him?
He could have sworn Tory wanted very happy living with him.
What did Jody have that he didn't have?
"Sweetheart you have to go to your father's house. That's where you should be. Mommy will come see you on Saturday." Jody placed her on the floor.
Good.  Steve thought. At least she had the conscience to admit she wasn't good enough to take care to Tory.
Jody pulled her fingers that Tory clung to out of her miniscule hands and straightened.
"No!!" She shrieked, tears rolling uncontrollably down her now pale cheeks. "Please don't leave me!" She threw her hands up and ran up to Jody clutching her legs. Steve made to grab her into his arms but she pulled away. "Mommy! Please I will be good for you. Try and like me this one time!"
People were gathering.
"Please don't leave me. I'll try and be pretty like you!"
Tory's whole body was shaking with hysterics
"Are you going to pick that child up, Jody or do I have to hit you hard before you do?"
Steve knew that voice.
His mother.
Jody immediately wiped her tears that he just noticed and picked Tory up with a quick glance at him.
"Mommy loves you sweetie. She loves you,  she loves you,  she loves you. You are Mommy's favorite person." Jody was spreading kisses all over her face and Tory's loud crying reduced to sobbing. "Guess what, Princess? You are going to be seeing Mommy everyday."
"R-really?" Tory squeaked, her body still shaking from the sobs.
"Yes. Because mommy has loved you were a tiny little baby in her belly. Mommy loves you more than Prince Charming loves Cinderella."
Tory lifted her head and stared at her mother in wonder and childish surprise. "Really? 'Cause Ms Bryant said its the bestest love ever!"
Some people chuckled at Tory's comment and then walked off.
Jody smiled. "Mommy is happy because you are the best baby girl ever."
"Yay! Take me home, mommy." She smiled at him. "Bye daddy. I will call you. I love you Daddy."
"I know. Come,  I will take you home."
"Steve please-"
"I'm going with mommy!" Tory cut her off.
Steve suddenly realized that Dr John Paul was right. He glanced at the man who stood, legs spread out and arms folded, his eye brow lifted and watching him intensely. Dr John Paul caught his glance and shrugged.
Steve heard the silent 'It's your choice'
So Steve decided.
Even though he would never trust Jody again
Even though she had ruined their marriage.
Even though he knew she was not good for his daughter.
He said the words he knew he had to say if he didn't want to lose his daughter.
"That's what I said, Princess." He forced a smile. "Your mommy and daddy will take you home now."