Raising Bethany

Chapter ten

"I miss daddy." Bethany sighs, sprawled out on the couch with her head hanging off the end.

It had been day two of Ethan leaving the state and Beth was already a mess. She hadn't let me take down her fort ever since he put it up.

"I know babe. He'll be back really soon though." I assure.

I had hoped he'd be back really soon. Honestly I wasn't too sure when he'd be back. Finding out that his mom was back seemed to really bother him and it wasn't like I could fully trust he'd come back this time. I won't lie, I was extremely worried. On the bright side, Ethan had been calling every night before Beth went to sleep. I guess that was a good sign.

"So Ethan's "daddy" now?" I ask with hesitation in my voice.

She looks up at me. "Is that okay?" She has a worried expression on her face.

I relax mine. "Sweetie of course that's okay, as long as you're comfortable with that."

She smiles. "He's really nice and always makes me laugh. I'm glad I have a dad now."

I just really hoped it stayed that way.

"Knock knock. I came to save the day." Lilly shouts as she lets herself in through the front door.

"Aunt Lilly, uncle Zack!" Bethany jumps off the couch and runs toward them.

"How ya feeling kiddo?" Zack asks while bringing the two in a group hug.

"Better now. I get to go back to daycare tomorrow since momma has to go back to work. I'll get to see all my friends again." She says excitedly.

"That's exciting." Lilly says. She shoots Zack a quick look before Zack speaks.

"Hey Beth, what do you say we head outside and make mud pies?"

Bethany's eyes widen and she runs towards the back door.

"Mud pies? Really babe?" Lilly questions.

He shrugs and runs after Beth.

"So what's up? Where's Ethan? Why do you look like you wanna jump off a bridge?" Lilly throws me multiple questions.

"He had to go back to North Carolina. Something came up with his job I guess."

"Thank God." Lilly sighs.

I look at her unamused.

"Sorry! I'm just teasing. You know I li- you know I li- I lik- You know I tolerate Ethan for Bethany's sake." She finishes.

I roll my eyes.

"Geez Megan, you're so tense right now. What else is going on?"

Lilly sits down on the couch and pats the area next to her, motioning for me to sit down.

I sigh and take a seat. "I'm just really worried he might not come back. Beth is already calling him dad and she just loves being around him."

"Well has he given you any reason to not believe he'll come back?" She questions.

"What aside from not coming back the first time around?" I ask sarcastically.

"Well there's that."

"His mom randomly showed up." I say quietly.

Lilly's brows furrow. "What do you mean she showed up? She went to his home?"

"No. I was with Paul at the farmers market and she just showed up. You should've seen Paul, he was so furious. Thank God Mckayla wasn't there but I have no clue what she wants. I talked to Ethan about it and he left shortly after."