Page 22 of The Surrogate Nanny

“As soon as possible.”

I barely heard him after my eyes caught the benefits section.

“Wait...wait...wait...this is a live-in nanny position.”

“That’s right.”

“I—”

“Did you also see the part where you’ll be paid $1000.00 a week and have full health insurance benefits and a vacation package? Also, I can speak with Anthony about paying delinquent child support.”

“Delinquent child support?”

“Yes. You had to raise Nori all on your own without financial support. He needs to pay what he owes.”

I smirked. “I thought Anthony was your client. Are you sure you should be offering me more money?”

“He is my client and friend, but I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t hold him accountable. Don’t think. Pack a bag and be with your child.”

“But what about after the year?”

He stood to his feet and gathered his briefcase. “Simone, I can call you Simone, right?” I nodded. “A year from now is the least of your concerns. You almost didn’t see tomorrow.”

Chapter Twelve

Anthony

“I don’t think worms squirm as much as you do,” I sighed as I attempted and failed to get Nori to sit still while I brushed her teeth. “Dammit,” I hissed, jerking my finger back when she bit me. “You’re like a little shark. I think I’ll call you that until we leave this afternoon. My little shark. That has a nice ring to it.” I chuckled when Nori bared her beaver teeth at me with toothpaste foaming from her mouth. We rinsed, and it was on to the next task...hair.?

She sat somewhat patiently on the counter as I sized her up, trying to figure out what to do with the mop of curls that fell into her eyes. A headband would be sufficient, but I wanted to return my little shark to her mother precisely how I had received her.

Well...minus the red face, snotty nose, and tears. Unless they’re tears of joy.

“Two ponytails it is.”

Twenty minutes of methodical hairstyling produced two ponytails, one higher than the other and one looser than the other, with the white bows slipping before my eyes.

“What is your mother’s secret?” Nori shook her head and pulled out a bow. “Gee... thanks. Headband it is. Let’s go, my little shark. We will enjoy a picnic in the garden, and then I’ll take you to your mother. How does that sound?”

Nori smiled bashfully before leaning into me. I hugged her and tried not to overthink the sudden affection. It wasn’t for me, not truly. It was a hug of relief and gratitude for reuniting her with her mother, but I’d take what I could get.

***

“I’m glad I decided to remove your dress. You’re a messy eater,” I commented. Nori bounced up and down in her pull-up as she attempted to gnaw at the kernels of the corn on the cob. She grew tired of it and tossed it on the blanket in favor of the watermelon. I lay on my side on the picnic blanket and watched her devour her sweet treat. Red juice dribbled down her chin onto her chest. She picked at a black seed and shook it off her fingertip, not minding that it flew onto my shirt, staining it bright pink where it landed.

Her mouth gaped, and the watermelon slice dropped out of her hand. “Ma...ma.”

“Yes, you’ll see Mama today.”

“Mama!” she screeched, jumping to her feet. She toddled away faster than I’d ever seen. I turned around and was surprised to see Simone standing there, hair blowing in the wind and tears streaming down her face. She dropped to her knees and accepted Nori into her waiting arms. My chest tightened with unbelievable emotion when a loud wail ripped from Simone as she rocked our child back and forth in her arms. She kissed her all over--forehead, cheeks, nose, lips, and sticky fingertips.

“Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!”

The two of them clung to each other as if their very lives depended on it.

“Mother and daughter finally reunited as it should be,” Jonathan said with a sly grin on his face. My heart was so broken that my time with Nori had been cut short by a few hours that I hadn’t realized he was hovering above me.

“Yes...as it should be. I planned on returning Nori to Simone this afternoon. I guess this saves me the trouble,” I sighed, standing to my feet. I bit back a painful groan and reached for my cane.