Page 59 of Can’t Let You Go (Ivy Ridge #3)

JASON

“ J ason, what’s your favorite color?” Presley asks.

We’re sitting in one of the girls’ favorite parks in town, just her and me.

We got breakfast to go, and are sitting at one of the picnic tables coloring in her favorite coloring book while we wait for court to finish.

Presley still doesn’t know what’s going on today, only that her mom had a meeting, so I got to take her out for some one-on-one time.

She practically squealed in excitement, and was even more excited when we told her that Lennie will get to spend one-on-one time with Fallon later this week to make it fair for both of them.

“Hmmm,” I ponder. “Green. What about you?”

“Purple,” she answers instantly. “One day when I get married, I’m going to wear a pretty purple princess dress. That way everyone knows how much I love purple.”

“Wow, I bet you will look beautiful, sweetheart,” I respond.

I can’t help but think about a wedding that might happen sooner than hers.

I know that someday, I will marry Fallon.

It might not be right away, but it will happen.

I love her, something I haven’t even told her yet, and for that, I’m regretful.

I know I need to soon, but I didn’t want her to be stressed over the court hearing and say it back to appease me when she doesn’t really mean it.

“When you and my mom get married, can I wear purple?” Presley asks, peppering me with questions. I should have known that was where her brain was heading when she brought up weddings, but I’m not mad about it.

“Sure, kiddo. But remember, we aren’t getting married yet. Maybe not for a while.”

“But someday?” she asks, a shining glint in her eyes, the eyes that match her mothers.

“Yeah, kiddo. Someday.”

She squeals, and gets back to coloring the page in front of her. The kid is a true artist. I’ve seen her freehand a few things, and she’s a natural. I can’t wait to watch her talent flourish.

I love my daughter, but art is not her forte. She has skills in other parts of her life though, and I can’t wait to watch her grow and develop them.

My phone buzzes on the table, and I glance at it, figuring it’s work, or my brothers. To my surprise, it’s Fallon. Court was only scheduled to start fifteen minutes ago, so there is no way they are already done. Right?

“I gotta answer this call, okay kiddo?” I ask Pres, and she nods, engrossed in her work. I stay seated across from her and swipe to answer the call.

“Hey, sunshine. Are you done already?” I ask, my heart pounding as I stare down at Fallon’s little girl in front of me. The little girl whose life might have changed and she doesn’t even know it.

“Yeah, I’m done,” Fallon answers breathlessly.

“The judge denied his petition, Jase. It’s done.

He can try again in two years if he back pays child support, and continues to pay and shows an effort, but the judge called it within ten minutes.

It was over and done before I even had a chance to truly freak out. ”

“Are you serious?” I ask, my heart beating faster, this time in excitement, rather than anxiety.

“So serious. Haley said it was so cut and dry, she barely had time to blink or start taking notes.”

“Now what?” I ask.

“Now, we get to live our lives as normal,” she breathes, and I can practically hear the anxiety that’s been holding her hostage for the last few weeks melting off her.

“Sunshine, that’s amazing news,” I say.

“I know. In a way, I feel guilty for being so happy, I mean, Presley should get to see her dad, right? But then again, he never fought before, why now?”

I nod, though she can’t see me. “I’m so proud of you. Presley and I are hanging out at the park, but we will see you at home, okay?”

“Okay,” Fallon takes a deep breath. “Can I talk to her quick?”

“Of course.” I hold the phone out to Presley. “Kiddo, your mom wants to say hi.”

Presley holds the large phone to her ear. “Hi, Mom,” she says, continuing to color with her right hand, her left holding the phone.

They talk for a few minutes before Pres passes me back the phone. “I’ll see you guys in a bit,” Fallon says.

“Alright, see you soon. Lo—” I stop myself before I say the words. I do not want the first time I say I love you to her to be over the phone. “Lunch?” I try to play off.

Fallon softly laughs. “Sure. Pick up pizza? I can go get Lennie from your mom’s and we can eat outside.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I state, saying goodbye and hanging up the phone. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her I love her, but I know I need to do it soon.

On the way home, Presley spots a field of sunflowers in full bloom, with a basket of cut flowers beside it. “Jason, look at the flowers!” she yells.

Without question, I pull over my vehicle to the side of the road. There’s even a sign that says free will donation with a basket below it holding a few dollars and some spare change underneath. Presley climbs out of the car to follow beside me and helps me pick out three separate flowers.

One for each of my girls.

When I was a kid, my grandma used to love sunflowers. Every year she would find a place on the side of the road, much like this one, and grab one for each of her four grandkids. It’s one of the things I remember most about her. She was so strong like Fallon is.

Grandma used to find the meaning in everything. Whether it was a single flower, a butterfly flitting about, a sunflower on the side of the road, or a dragonfly, it always represented something. A good omen, one might say. Grandma used to preach to us the meaning of each thing as they happened.

She loved sunflowers because they represented strength, loyalty, and admiration. The sunflowers on the side of the road almost seems like a sign from her. On a day like today, it definitely feels like it. Things can only go up from here.

Presley squeals in delight as I carefully place the three sunflowers on the passenger seat and help to make sure she’s buckled in. We pick up a few pizzas and finish the drive home, Presley talking the whole way about how excited she is for the flowers.

When we pull into the driveway, Fallon’s vehicle is already there. I grab the flowers and pizza and we head inside, Presley calling out for her mom and Lennie as soon as we are inside.

I find Fallon in the kitchen, grabbing napkins and paper plates for our outside lunch.

“Hey, sunshine,” I greet. Setting the pizza and flowers down, I wrap my arms around her waist, nuzzling my face into her neck.

I breathe in the sweet smell of her perfume.

She’s been wearing it more often, and I love it.

Something about her perfume drives me insane, in the best way.

“Hey you,” Fallon says as she spins in my arms, resting her head on my chest. She takes a deep inhale and closes her eyes. “It’s so good to be home in your arms. Where’s my girl?”

I press a kiss to her head. “In the living room. She was excited to find Lennie. We got you and her something on the way home.”

She raises her brows in surprise. “Oh, did you?”

“Mhmm,” I mutter. Presley rushes into the kitchen with Lennie at her side.

“Jason, can we show them?” she asks.

Before I can answer, Fallon pulls away from me.

She leans down and opens her arms for Presley, who runs into them.

Fallon holds her tight, whispering words into her ear meant only for them.

They have a special bond, one I could never replace or emulate, but it’s also one I have with my own daughter.

I know Fallon needs privacy with her after their morning, and I’m all too happy to give it to them. Lennie steps up to my side, reaching up to grab my hand. “Daddy, did you get flowers?” Lennie asks in a not so subtle whisper.

I softly chuckle, and offer my daughter a small nod.

“Mom, we need to show you the flowers,” Presley says from Fallon’s arms, in an excited voice.

“Yes, show me them!” Fallon says, standing and subtly wiping tears from her eyes.

Presley beams as she holds up the three flowers, handing one to her mom, another to Lennie, and holding one in her arms for herself. “We stopped on the side of the road and Jason let me pick one for each of us!”

Fallon looks up at me, her eyes still wet with tears. “Thank you.”

“Absolutely, sunshine.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “My grandma loved sunflowers on the side of the road. She would always stop and grab them when we were with her, and once I saw them, I knew I had to stop. Maybe it could be a new tradition for us, too.”

A smile stretches across Fallon’s face. “I would love that.”

“It’s settled then. How are you, my sunshine?”

“So good,” she replies, resting her head on my chest once more. “It’s like a weight has been lifted off me. Like I can relax.”

“You can.” I lean down and kiss her deeply. “And I have every intention of helping you relax in multiple different ways.” I wink, squeezing her sides as she laughs.

“I can’t wait.”