Page 35 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY

DAYNA

T his last week with Luke and Sadie has been magical. It gets harder to leave at night and tell them bye. Last night at Alfredo’s was the same except when Luke would steal glances my way and rub his boot against my leg underneath the table.

Cara is here with me getting ready for today’s Fall Carnival. I’ve filled her in on all that she has missed. She said she always wanted to be an Auntie. She’s practically my sister. I told her she’s getting ahead of herself.

“Sadie said it first.”

“I have an appointment next week for birth control and I don’t know how to bring it up to Luke.” I blurted out.

“Wow, way to ease into that conversation, okay. Um. Have you guys had sex yet?”

“No. We haven’t done anything but kiss. A. Lot.”

“Stop! Really?”

“Really. I’ve gone almost three years without it and I want to be prepared in case we do. We just started our relationship. There’s no way I’m going to bring up babies right now. Or even if I ever will. Just being able to be in Sadie’s life is a blessing itself. Y’know? ”

“You really must love him, Dayna.”

“I love him so much. I think I should talk to him first. If we get down time I’ll try to bring it up.”

“Yes, try that, GoodLuck.”

After two long hours of trying to get my pin straight hair curled, I’m done getting ready.

Cara looks so cute in her Tinker Bell outfit.

The extra sass she has is pure perfection.

I can’t wait to see Sadie in her costume.

I especially can’t wait to see Luke as Wreck-It Ralph.

My blue dress fits like a glove and the matching blue Vans really give it the added touch.

“Are you almost ready to go? We still have to set up our booths.”

“Ready! And Dean is already there setting up our booth. He wanted to get there early to get a good spot.”

We get into Cara’s SUV and head to the school.

The sky is slightly overcast for this late October afternoon.

I brought a white cardigan in case it got too cold.

We will be here for the next five hours.

Luke and Sadie should be getting there soon.

His in-laws got in early this morning. I’m so nervous to see them, I know they’re not too fond of the idea of Luke dating.

Once we are at the school, we walk over to the blacktop where the carnival is located.

I see the face painting booth up ahead and with no surprise whatsoever, Dean set up directly next to us.

Cara and I both take a deep breath and walk towards our booths.

Mrs. Emily is dressed up as a pepper shaker and Morgan is the salt shaker.

The carnival starts at noon and it’s fifteen ‘til. I see Luke and Sadie walking towards our booth and they look so freaking cute! Luke in maroon overalls and Sadie in her green outfit with striped pants. Nina did an amazing job with the candy pieces as hair clips. Sadie is the perfect person to be Vanellope von Schweetz. The entire Stonebrook faculty are swooning over their costumes and you can see how thrilled Sadie is. Luke— well he’d do anything for his daughter but it’s a little funny how grumpy he looks.

Cara walks into my booth and she elbows me.

“Luke Beckett is over here making everyone who has ovaries hurt. How are yours holding up?” She says playfully.

“I have no words.” I replied.

Cara was about to say something when Luke and Sadie walked into our booth.

“Miss Sadie, you are absolutely the cutest!” I tell her as I spin her around to get a full look at her costume. She has the brightest smile and tells me I look pretty as Wendy. She’s such a cutie.

“Hey Luke, don’t go wrecking things, I doubt Fix-It Felix is here.

” Cara said, and that got us all to laugh.

He gives her a skeptical look as if he doesn’t know if she’s teasing him or warning him about breaking my heart.

“I wouldn’t dare.” He said as he gave me a quick hug and kiss on my forehead.

His hand lingers on my lower back and I get so nervous in the best way.

I’m silently searching for his in-laws because I don’t want to offend them or make them feel as if I’m not being considerate of their feelings.

“They’re talking to Mrs. Emily up front.

” Luke whispers to me. I turn to him and our bodies are nearly touching.

He cups my face, “You are so beautiful, Dayna.” My belly flips and I can’t help but giggle.

“I’m really liking these overalls on you.

” I say quietly as I tug on the maroon side pocket towards me.

Just then, his body stiffens and I know his in-laws are behind me. I turn around slowly bracing myself and I see Dean. Relief washes over me but only for a split second as I see the look of disgust on his face.

“Mr. Carter, are you Gaston?” Sadie asks Dean as she is opening the paints.

“I sure am.” Dean says proudly, staring at Luke. The tension is thick and I hate how the mood changes.

“How fitting.” Cara says under her breath. She begins to walk over the couple feet to their booth. Luke excuses himself to walk Sadie to meet her grandparents at Mrs. Emily’s cotton candy booth. It’s going to be a really long day.

After what seemed like forever Sadie and her grandparents finally made their way to our booth.

They just finished carving pumpkins with Cara and Dean.

I just finished painting a rainbow with glitter on the side of a student’s face.

Luke was washing the brushes out when his in-laws approached.

My heart began to beat as quickly as it possibly could.

“Hi Daddy! Hi Dayna!” Sadie cheerfully said, holding a cotton candy cone. Her mouth is blue and her grandpa is holding a bag full of goodies.

“Sadie Girl, I’ve missed you. Are you ready to get your face painted?” Luke said while holding a paintbrush very confidently. Nina lets out a small chuckle.

“I’ve been practicing, I drew a couple hearts.” Luke pleads with his daughter who is still not convinced.

“Can Dayna paint my face? I’ve seen the hearts Daddy, those kids are being generous.”

Now Nina is rolling with laughter.

“Honey, please let Dayna paint her face.” She said as she’s catching her breath. She looks at me with gentle eyes and smiles. Luke, feeling defeated, said he’s going to take a quick break and runs to the lemonade stand with William.

Sadie asked for a pink candy taffy. But painting Sadie’s face with her grandmother watching has my nervous system failing.

I started over twice on the simplest painting of a swirl.

She whispers loudly, “Dayna, I think you’re forgetting to breathe.

” I didn’t realize I was holding in my breath.

I added a dash of glitter to the center of the candy taffy and handed Sadie the handheld mirror for her to take a peek at.

“What do you think Grandma? Do you like it?”

“I do, it looks really cute with the splash of glitter.”

“What time does the carnival end tonight?” Nina said, catching me off guard .

“It ends at 5 PM. So a little less than an hour left.” I responded.

“Oh, that went by so fast.”

Sadie found her way to the brushes and paint pallet and began painting some flowers on the brown crafting tablecloth. I can see the hesitation in Nina but she’s holding back.

“I have to be honest, I was nervous being here today. I was hurt, and I thought he was forgetting my daughter, even worse, I thought he was trying to replace her. But I know that’s not Luke, not for a second.

” She clears her throat and looks at Sadie who is completely focused on the flowers she’s painting.

I can hardly breathe right as I wait for Nina to continue.

She steps closer to me and I can smell her floral scented perfume.

“From the conversations I have had with Sadie the last few weeks, I can see how different she is. She’s willing to talk about her mother again, and speak freely of her without closing off.

She tells me, it’s you who encourages her to talk about Juliette.

You listen to her about the stories she remembers of my daughter. That truly means a lot.”

I am twisted with emotions, not knowing what to do. I want to reach out to hug her but I’m scared of the rejection. I see Luke at the corner of my eye and he stops in his tracks. I give him a subtle wave of reassurance.

“I trust Luke’s judgment, he doesn’t do things without heavy consideration.

What I’m trying to say is thank you, Dayna— for caring about my granddaughter and helping her keep her mother’s memory alive.

” Nina closes the gap and gives me a gentle hug.

I hug her back and I hold in my cry as much as I can but my tears escape me.

“I—I don’t know what to say, Mrs. Anderson. Sadie is a wonderful little girl and I care so much about her. I want you to know, she’s safe with me. Her feelings are valid and I’m here for her. It’s truly a privilege to be in her life.” I tell Nina as we’re hugging.

“Luke is a good man, and an amazing father. Don’t break his fragile heart again.”

I cringe at the thought of her knowing I broke Luke’s heart the first time.

I look at Luke and his eyes have softened around the edges.

He walks up to Nina and wraps his big arms around her.

Sadie is now aware of the way her dad and grandma are hugging.

She looks at me with her questioning eyes and I smile softly at her.

“Well. I think I’m ready for dinner.” William says as he pats his belly. We all let out a chuckle.

“Slugger, do you mind if we take Sadie to dinner?” He says as Sadie’s eyes go wide waiting for his response.

“No, I don’t mind, that’s actually a great idea. We still have to clean up and there’s no telling how long that’s going to take.” Luke says.

“Come here, Sadie Girl. You be a good girl for your grandparents.” Luke reaches for his truck keys and takes off his house key. He hands it to William. “I don’t want you guys locked out if I’m not back before you get home.”