And he had to admit that he’d enjoyed calling her mommy throughout the day, as well as hearing her call him daddy for Jenny’s benefit.
But as they were sitting in front of the fireplace enjoying the delicious homemade cookies and hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, he was gripped with a helpless feeling. What would Jenny say when she learned that Skyler wasn’t indeed her new mommy? Although the day had been intended to placate the child, the truth could prove devastating - worsening the original issue.
“Can we go for a drive?” Jenny wanted to know, offering a bite of her cookie to her new dolly. “Me and Miranda would love a drive in the snow.”
“Who is Miranda?” Joe asked, picking up his cocoa.
“Her dolly,” Skyler explained with a smile, her heart breaking in the process.
It had been silly to stay here today and she’d fallen for the handsome Joe Seavers. Handsomeness aside, she adored him - his laugh, the way that he walked, his human kindness, the way he loved his little daughter - all the good things that made up Joe.
And when Jenny was told that she wasn’t her mommy, well…..Skyler didn’t even want to think about that right now.
“Want to take a ride, mommy?” Joe asked, deciding that he liked the three of them by the fire. Add one fuzzy dog and the family-portrait would be complete.
“Why, I would love a ride!” she answered in a cheery voice, tweaking Jenny’s nose in the process.
But when the child peered into her face and uttered, “I love you, mommy,” her mood instantly changed and it was difficult to spar off the tears that suddenly threatened.
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