A Tattered Love (34 page)

-Dustin

I knew what I had written was harsh, but I needed to get it out of my system. Everyone always bashed Riley when no one had ever even looked at Sabrina, the person staring them in the face holding their granddaughter. That was saying something, wasn’t it?

***

The time had come to say goodbye to this town. Molly was actually super excited to meet Riley again, and even more excited she had a baby brother on the way. In fact, she was practically begging Abby and Evan to move close to us since she loved them so much. It was practically breaking Abby’s heart saying she couldn’t move with us. She had grown so attached to them in such a short time.

The moving truck was quite large. I had Molly’s stuff, too, that I picked up from Tracy’s house. I promised I’d keep in touch with Tracy and make sure they have visits with their granddaughter. They were so distraught by what Sabrina had done, they were beyond words at that point. As we headed out on the road, I said goodbye to all the good times and bad, and all the memories that took place here. The wind from the Mustang blew in my hair, and I just pushed the petal to the metal and kissed this town’s ass goodbye. Time to start a new life with my new family.

Abby and Evan followed in the truck behind me and we made quite a few pit stops along the way. It was completely different traveling with a four-year-old than with an adult. She either had to go potty, or was hungry or thirsty, or she wanted to stretch her legs. I’ve about heard every excuse in the book from Molly. It’s ok though, because I was just happy to have her. She had learned many things along the road, as well. It was so awesome teaching your kid something that you were taught, and remembered hearing from your parents. I knew my parents loved me and wanted what they thought was best for me, but unfortunately, they also needed to control me in the process. I have to really watch out with this little angel.  She’s so intelligent. She obviously got that from me.

We arrived in Delaware about ten hours later. Molly had passed out, as we didn’t arrive until around midnight. Abby and Evan decided it would be best to just get some sleep and unpack everything in the morning. I agreed. As we pulled up, I saw Gram rushing to get in her car. Then I saw Riley hurrying out the door.

“Hey, babe, what’s going on?” I got out of the car and hurried to her.

“This baby is coming. My water broke.” Riley wrapped her arms around me and hugged me, and then kissed my cheek, “Perfect timing.”

I looked at Evan, “Evan, man, can you watch Molly? Its go time and I need to be there. Just stay here at the house with Molly until I say it’s ok to come by.”

“No problem! Go, go!” Evan ran toward the Mustang grabbing my keys.

“Riley!” Abby shouted running toward her.

“Abby! Oh I’m so glad you guys got here in time.”

“Oh my goodness, let’s get you to the hospital!” She clapped.

“Yeah, get this baby out of me!” Riley laughed.

“Trains leaving folks. Get Riley in it or move out the way!” Gram yelled.

I helped Riley into Grams’ car and followed in next to her as Abby took the front seat. I could hear her calling Galena and filling her in on everything. She sped off like a bat out of hell before in no time, we ended up at the hospital. Abby grabbed Riley’s duffle bag, and I helped Riley in the hospital door as Gram followed.

Time began to drag. Riley was in labor for 17 hours. I felt so bad for her and I wanted to help her in any way I possibly could. I went for numerous ice chips and gave plenty of back rubs. I was trying to keep her as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Galena showed up and soon we had a few people waiting in the waiting room. Finally, it really was GO time.

** CHAPTER 22 **

Riley

I sat on the hospital bed holding my beautiful, healthy baby boy, Jordan. His precious face and small tiny fingers just made my heart melt with love for him. It was really true—nobody knows what a true bond felt like until you hold your first child. I was instantly connected to Jordan and I didn’t want to put him down. Dustin had to occasionally steal him away from me, and so did Abby and Galena every chance they could. Gram just sat back and enjoyed the moment. She knew she’d get time with him. Periodically, you’d see Gram get teary eyed and emotional. I knew what her thoughts were. I knew my mom came into her mind because she was in my thoughts ever since I had been living here. Who would have thought I would want my mom here so bad to enjoy this moment.

Galena and Abby started to become close. Never as close as I was with Abby, but we all got along pretty well. They told me since I had the baby sooner than I had anticipated that I had to find time, and a babysitter, to go out for a couple hours with the girls and enjoy a girls night out. They wanted to celebrate the birth of Jordan, and my engagement to Dustin, and to start talking wedding plans. I agreed.

It was the day I was able to go home when Dustin knocked on the door of the hospital with the widest grin on his face.

“Hey, baby! Come see your son.” I smiled.

He walked in with a wee one attached to his hip. “Actually, I have someone who’d love to meet you, and Jordan, too.” His smile just lit up my world.

I sat down in the chair and lowered Jordan to Molly’s level. “Hey, Molly, it’s so nice to see you again. This is your baby brother, Jordan.” I said in a gentle voice that vibrated excitement for her.

“This is my brother?” She smiled as her fingers brushed his cheek.

“Yeah, honey, this is your little brother. He’s cute isn’t he?” Dustin asked her, then placed his arm around me and kissed my cheek. He whispered in my ear, “Our perfect family, I love you.”

“He’s adorable! I can’t wait to play with him!” Molly’s smile could have alternately sent me in a daze. She was so precious, and I couldn’t be more excited to be her step-mommy.

“Hey, hun, I need to take this phone call right quick. It’s my lawyer.” He pointed to his phone and stepped outside the door.

“Do you want to hold him, Molly?” I asked her in a calm voice.

“I can! I can!” she jumped up and down.

I told her to sit on the bed and place her arms out. I grabbed some pillows to keep her propped up and placed one under her arm so she could hold her little brother. I smiled at them both and took a ton of pictures with my phone. This was one proud mommy moment.

Dustin came back in the room with a confused look on his face.

“What’s the matter?” I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around him as I turned my body to watch Molly with Jordan.

“Just more stuff on Sabrina, that’s all.  Nothing to concern yourself with. This sure is a perfect picture of Molly and Jordan, isn’t it?” He leaned down and kissed my temple before sliding over to Molly to take a picture with the three of them. I couldn’t snap them fast enough as it was a great picture moment. The nurse came in and offered to take a picture of all of us, and I was tickled that this would be our first family picture of millions to come. I knew I would treasure this moment forever, and I would never forget this picture. It would be framed on our wall at home, and never be replaced.

A knock at the door startled us, as I wasn’t aware anyone else was supposed to come visit today since it was our day to be heading home. Molly immediately handed off Jordan, and ran to the door screaming, “Grandpa!”

My eyes shot over to Dustin, and he looked up at the doorway to see Molly hugging this man.

“Dad, what are you doing here?” Dustin looked shocked. My heart almost skipped a beat as it sank deep in my stomach somewhere.

Was this really happening? Dustin’s dad, whom I’ve never even met, was at the hospital to speak to us? About what? Was he on a mission to take away Jordan and make our lives miserable like Dustin's mom was? Is this part of Mrs. Lori Boyd’s plan? I knew something bad was going to happen. Nothing good could come of this.

He scooped Molly up in his arms and twirled her around. This man all six foot two of him with grey hair and gorgeous blue eyes stood in front of us like a teddy bear seeking a hug.

“I was hoping I could talk privately with you and Riley.”

“Come on in.” Dustin gestured as Molly ran back into Dustin’s arms and settled on the bed together. I sat next to Dustin holding Jordan.

Mitch, Dustin’s dad, stood right before the bed and leaned on the chair closest to him. “I love you, Dustin.” He stopped what he was saying and sighed. Then continued, “I’d like to be a part of your family’s lives. I’ve wasted too much time in the past. So many things have gone by that I’ve missed because I’ve been busy with work and other things. I kept quiet when your mother started her charades and frankly, I should have stood up for you. It wasn’t right. I’d like to accept Riley as my daughter-in- law and give her that chance that she never had with me. I just hope you all can give me that chance. I have several relationships to restore, and I am hoping my son will be the first one. I don’t want to miss out on my grandbabies the way I missed out on some of your life.” A tear fell from his eyes.

I wanted so badly to hug this man in front of me. It took a lot of courage to fly to another state to confront your son, and to tell him he loved him. Then try to mend what had been broken for some time. I knew that deep in Dustin’s heart that was what he wanted, too. I just hoped he could look at the broad picture. This was his children’s grandparent. They needed him in their life as much as Mitch does. I was curious to see if Lori knew about this. I’m sure she was still outraged, and trying to split us apart. Did she know where I was? Was she going to rain on this happy party?

Dustin walked up to Mitch and hugged him for a long time before Dustin pulled back, and wiped a tear from his own eye.

“Dad, this is Riley, my fiancé, and our new son, Jordan.” He smiled as he swallowed hard.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Boyd.” I stood up and held Jordan out to him.

“Please, call me, Mitch. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Riley.” He reached for Jordan. “It’s even more exciting to meet you, Jordan” he poked at his belly.

“So, why isn’t Mom here with you?” Dustin asked confused.

“We can discuss Mom later.” He reminded him. “I do need to speak with you in private about something, though.” He played with Jordan some more giving him kisses and rocking him around.

“Dad, whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Riley.”

Mitch handed Jordan over to Riley as he faced Dustin before he opened up. “Dustin, after you and Sabrina split up, she came to me and asked for a job. She wanted to move out of town, I had a few companies out of town, and so, I hired her at one. Something deep down told me to watch out for myself. I had my men keep an eye on her low key. For years, I’ve been tracking Sabrina embezzling the money out of our company. I had to wait for just the right amount of evidence to come through before I could have her arrested. I’m responsible for her arrest, and I should have come to you and told you long ago. Sabrina was a good mother to Molly, but who’s to say, she could have put Molly in a real bad place. I want your forgiveness, son. I want you to understand that I was wrong. Yes, Sabrina finally gets justice, and you get your daughter.” He covered his mouth and closed his eyes almost in disgust with himself. He opened his eyes after having them shut very tight, “But I should have been there for you. I wasn’t and I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me, and put it past us. I’m here for you now, and I’m here for your family.”

“You knew that Sabrina was stealing money? Why didn’t you ever talk about Top-o-Line Imagery? I thought you just owned Eddie’s Seaside Pub, and a few restaurants. Man, Dad, I feel like I don’t even know you. Yeah, I can forgive you because what you did, after all, it brought me Molly. But we need to have some serious heart to hearts about our past. There are things I need to get off my chest, as well. I would love it for you to accept my family, and be a part of it.”

I felt awkward. I felt like I shouldn’t have been there listening in on their conversation. Things need to be solved, yes. They should be solved, but I really needed to get home with my babies soon, and just relax.

“Helloooo!” Abby yelled in the doorway, “We’re here to pick up the happy family!” Her eyes went from super excited to
who the hell
is this man in the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you guys had company.” She half frowned nervous of her big entry.

“No, no, Abby, it’s ok. This is Dustin’s dad, Mitch Boyd, Mitch, meet Abby and Evan, our best friends.” I smiled giving her a look of behave or I’ll hurt you.

Abby smiled cheerfully and looked at Mitch, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Boyd! Heard tons about you!” She added a snarly remark but kept her big smiles.

Evan stepped in and shook his hand, as well, and then they both stepped back and went over to Jordan.

“I’m so ready to go home! Hey, baby, you think you can take Molly back with you, and you can go discuss things with your dad? I want to head home. I’m beat. Abby and Evan will take me.”