Page 55 of Mister Daddy

This trip was a good idea, I tell myself. I miss Timmy, but he’s in good hands with my parents. This trip is about my girls and me and all we’ve accomplished over the last year.

It’s going to be amazing.

“Let’s have a drink,” I suggest. “The doctor said I’m allowed to have alcohol again!”

“I’ll drink to that!” Jessica says. We raid the nearest bar and order fruity cocktails to toast with.

“Friendship cruise, part two!” Caitlyn shouts. We clink our glasses together and take long sips of our drinks. Delicious.

No one joins our toast this time, but I have no doubt we’ll make some friends. Jessica and Caitlyn are still in touch with those girls from the last cruise. They came to Miami to visit during their school’s winter break.

“I’m sorry you can’t dive on this trip,” Caitlyn says. “Maybe we can still get into the water at one of the stops, though.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be doing a lot of diving once my business opens. Plus, I had to get all of those deep water dives in over the last three months. I’m pretty exhausted. I’m okay with a week-long break.”

“But just a week,” Jessica says. “I’m sure you’ll be back in the water the second we get back.”

“You know me well.”

The food deck is starting to get crowded, so we decide to take a look around the ship. It’s much smaller than the last one but has a lot of the same things. There’s a casino and a club, duty-free shopping, and an amazing pool on the top deck. No mini golf, though. Instead, they have a ropes course set up. I might have to try it out one of the nights we’re on the cruise.

After our tour, I’m having mommy withdrawal, so I pull up facetime and call my mother. The charges will be astronomical, but it’s worth it to see my baby.

Timmy’s tiny face fills the screen as soon as my mom answers. My heart beats hard, seeing my little boy with his thick black hair and baby blue eyes. He’s always looked like his father, and I only wish Carter could see him now.

“Missing Timmy already?” my mom jokes.

“From the second I walked out the door,” I tell her. “How is he doing?”

“He’s just a peach. The opposite of you as a baby. You cried 24/7 until you were a year old. He’s barely made a sound since you left, except to tell me he’s hungry or needs to be changed.”

“That’s my boy,” I say proudly. “Aunty Jessica and Aunty Caitlyn want to say hi.”

“Hi, Timmy!” they shout into the phone, waving at his sleepy face. Once we’ve all greeted him to our liking, I hang up, promising to call again right before bed, no matter the time difference.

“You okay, Abby?”

“Yeah,” I say. “I’m glad we’re here.”

“Us, too.”

We hug once more and then get ready to go out. Just like before, this cruise ship also has a club on-board, and the girls and I slip on bodyhugging mini-dresses that hug our curves. Mine is a little tighter than theirs because I’ve put on baby weight since having Timmy, and haven’t been able to lose it. No matter. This red dress helps me feel good about myself and I step into matching red stilettos, ready to rumble.

We make our way the club, and like any dance floor, there are swirling lights, loud music, and jostling bodies.

Then I seehim.

I would recognize that face anywhere because I see it every time I look at my beautiful son.

Carter is on this cruise.

The girls watch my face go slack and follow my gaze.

“Shit,” Caitlyn says. “I didn’t think he’d be on this ship. We’re in Egypt, for God’s sake!”

“It’s still his ship,” I mumble. “Figures he’d be here.”

“Whatever. We can ignore him. You don’t have to see him or talk to him or anything.”