Page 79 of Havoc's Fox
“I don’t know which one I want!” She tried out both of them, climbing in both beds, and looking into their walk-in closets. She made sure they both had access to the private porch in the back, then turned around to face him. “I think I want this one!” she said, running and jumping on the bed covered in white scalloped edged quilts and pillows. The bed was a four-poster queen size in cherry wood, and the dresser matched as did a vanity with small drawers and a mirror and cushioned stool. There were shelves on one side of the room and he had no doubt that she’d have them filled in no time.
“Then it’s yours. Do you like the furniture or do you want to change it?”
“No, it’s mine!” she whined.
“Okay, I’m just making sure.”
She grinned again. “I like it!”
“We’ll make you a little sign that says ‘Harley’s Room’ and hang it on your door.
“Can we? I would like that so much!”
“We will do that.”
“Whose is the other room?”
“I guess if anybody comes to visit us, they can sleep in that one.”
“Okay!” she exclaimed. Then she got serious, her face reflecting her sudden mood change. “Where will Analise sleep when she’s here?”
Havoc wasn’t quite sure how to answer, so he went with the obvious. “What makes you think Analise will be sleeping here?”
“Because you love her.”
“I never said that.”
“You were getting her plate at Christmas and making sure she had a drink and taking care of her like you do me. And Aunt Maia said that you do those things when you love somebody to show you were paying attention. So, I decided that you must love her. And then I kinda heard you talking to Poppy.”
“Kinda, huh?”
“Not all of it, me and Val were watching television. But a little bit of it at first.”
“You need to stop that.”
“I can’t help it if everybody just thinks I’m not paying attention. They should go talk where I’m not.”
“You’re kind of right. We’re just used to you being a baby and forget that you’re growing up. I’ll be more careful if it’s something you shouldn't hear. But you can help other people by letting them know you can hear them if they’re having an adult conversation, too.”
“Okay. I will. But do you?”
“Do I what?” Havoc asked.
“Love Analise,” she said.
“Listen,” he said, squatting down to be on her eye level as she slid off the bed. “I’m not ever going to lie to you, but there’s some things you just don’t need to know because you wouldn’t understand.”
“Is this one of them?” she asked.
He pursed his lips and considered it. She’d been smart enough to figure out he loved Analise on her own. “I have loved Analise all of my life.”
“Did you love my mother?” she asked.
“That’s complicated. I made some mistakes when I was young.”
“Because you were wild,” she said with a smile. “That’s what Aunt Maia said.”
“Aunt Maia’s not wrong. But my mistakes hurt Analise and that’s why we’re not together. But I still love her. And your mother, she just wasn’t ready to be a mother. But that’s okay because she gave you to me and we have been having fun ever since! I’m the best damn Daddy/Momma you’ll ever meet!” he grabbed her up and started tickling her making her squeal and laugh as she kicked her legs. “Wouldn’t change a single thing! Would you? Would you?” he asked.