Page 103 of Fierce-Dane

From how little the child had to how much food she ate and not going to the bathroom until the last minute.

“Do you think she’s behind in her development?” Chloe asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” he said. “I’ll get her medical records this week with any luck. Sloane is going to schedule an appointment. I don’t know if it will be with me or not. Not sure it’s a good idea.”

“If she’s comfortable with you,” his sister said. “It’s the best thing to do.”

“I thought of that too. I’ll talk to Sloane about it, and if she wants that, then I’ll make sure it happens. They have toget her set up with school this week. Today Sloane is taking her shopping. The child needs a whole new wardrobe.”

“How is Sloane holding up?” his mother asked. “It’s got to be hard just losing her mother let alone now being an instant parent.”

“She’s holding it all in,” he said. “I can see it, but it’s not like we’ve had a chance to talk. She can barely catch her breath. I wanted to stay with her today.”

“You can go,” Chloe said. “We’ve got the kids.”

“No,” he said. “Mel knows. She asked.”

He told them about the conversation with his ex. “She’s a bitch,” Chloe said.

“Chloe,” his mother said. “That’s not nice.”

“It’s the truth and you know it. She’s being selfish because it’s not what she wants or thought is going on. Don’t deny it.”

“I’m not,” he said. “I’m starting to see more of it now.”

Tiffani got out of the water and came rushing back. “Aunt Chloe, can we get a pedicure again? Did you know Dad is dating Sloane? She owns the place. I met her there.”

He was stunned Tiffani brought that up. And said it like it wasn’t a big deal.

“I did know that,” Chloe said. “How do you feel about it?”

Tiffani shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her again yet. Only that once. But it sounds like Dad has a lot of fun when he’s with her.”

“I think he does,” his mother said. “You do know if we get a pedicure there, it won’t be by Sloane.”

“I know,” Tiffani said. “But maybe I could just see her again.”

“Are you ready to meet her?” Dane asked gently. No way he was the one pushing this.

“I don’t know,” Tiffani said. “But I do want a pedicure.”

Chloe laughed. “How about I get you after school on Tuesday and we can get it done if I can get an appointment for us?”

“Thank you, Aunt Chloe.”

Tiffani took off running. “I think Sloane is off until Wednesday getting things in order.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Chloe said. “It’s the fact she wants to see her and this is a way to do it. It might be better if Sloane isn’t around. Her interest will be piqued and it’s a step in the right direction.”

“I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not, but at this point I can barely focus on more than one thing and I hate that feeling. I don’t want my kids to suffer.”

“They never will,” his mother said. “Don’t you dare let Mel get in your head. The kids will understand, but you need to be there for Sloane too.”

“I will be,” he said. “I just hate that I can’t be for the next few days, but I wouldn’t have seen her much anyway.”

“You can still talk to her and I’m sure you will,” his mother said. “Now relax and enjoy the day after the weekend you had.”

“I’ll try to do that,” he said, but his mind was on his girlfriend and how she was doing.