Page 31 of Maid for Daddy
Samantha greets me wearing a figure-hugging, low-cut gown. The blue brings out the color in her eyes. Around her neck is the horse pendant I gave her from my mother’s jewelry collection. She owns the whole collection now but insists on wearing this piece because it’s the first one I gave her.
“You look hot as hell, baby girl.”
“Thank you. Soon I won’t be able to wear anything this tight so I thought I better do it while I can.”
“All the women at the party are going to be jealous and the men will be eating their hearts out.”
After all these years together, she still blushes when I tell her things like this.
“You better get dressed. The caterers are already downstairs, and we’re expecting guests in thirty minutes.”
“I don’t know. Maybe we should cancel,” I tease her.
“Daddy, please go change. Do it for me.”
“Now there’s the magic words. I’d do anything for you.”
I shower and change into my gray suit but make sure I wear the blue tie that matches Samantha’s dress. By the time I make it downstairs, the wait staff is ushering our guests to the elevator.
“Everyone is so excited to see the manor,” Samantha whispers.
“It’s been a long time since anyone has.”
The guest list is composed of my business associates, a handful of neighbors that Samantha has befriended through the years, and my contacts from the Chamber of Commerce. About twenty-five couples and a few children. Samantha was sure to include the fact that children were welcome on the invitations so that Sara and Stephen had someone to play with.
I watch as my beautiful wife engages with our guests and plays with the children. My sweet wife is a remarkable woman. The band begins to play, and I take her by the hand.
“It’s time to have a real dance on this floor,” I whisper to her.
“I enjoyed all of our dances on this floor.”
“So have I, but this time, we have a band.”
As I twirl her across the floor, Stephen Junior takes his sister by the hand and brings her out to dance beside us. I see Sherry standing in the corner holding baby Shawn, and I wave her over. She hands him to me so he can join.
What a perfect family. What a perfect birthday.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
SAMANTHA
“It’s been ten years, sweetheart. I don’t know how I feel about this.” Stephen shakes his head and cracks his knuckles.
“He hasn’t been in any trouble since he got released, right?”
“As far as I can tell, he’s been a model citizen.”
“Well, it’s Christmas time and he’s your brother. Despite everything, I know you miss him.”
“You know me too well sometimes.”
“So, then it’s settled?”
“Yes, baby.”
Stephen hasn’t seen his brother Samuel since the night those men broke into the manor and set the stable on fire. He expected Samuel to reach out when he was released, but he didn’t … until now.
He claims to have been busy making a life for himself. He didn’t want to be a burden to Stephen and wanted to make him proud. Now, seven years after his release, he called to ask if he could join us for the holidays.