Page 49 of Seduction

I lay the food out on our table, surprised when Mikey tries to climb into my lap. I pick him up, throwing a glance at Ellen. Her reaction is the same, but she covers it up with a smile. He even asks me to take him to the bathroom after we’ve eaten. He’s pretty used to me, and I’ve played with him many times in the past, but he’s never been this open with me, especially with his mother around. I do it gladly, my heart swelling at the prospect that he’s accepting me.

Next up is the birds. Mikey isn’t as excited about them. We move quickly through the reptiles and amphibians at Ellen’s insistence. We’re passing a splash pad when Mikey’s excitement returns.

“Momma, please, please, please, can I go splash?” he begs.

She looks to me and I nod. There’s an area to the side where we can sit and watch him, so I move in that direction. She reaches into the bag once more, pulling out swim trunks, then takes him to the changing room. Once she’s sitting next to me and Mikey is happily splashing, I turn to her.

“How did you even think to bring swim trunks for Mikey?”

“I didn’t know where you were taking us. I just wanted to make sure I was prepared.”

“Yeah, butswimtrunks?”

“I’m a mother,” she deadpans, shrugging.

I wait for an explanation, but she obviously thinks that statement answers my question. Noticing my clueless expression, she sighs.

“Let me clarify. I’m agoodmother.”

“Okay.” I chuckle, leaning back and curling my arm around her shoulder.

She leans in to my side, keeping a close eye on her son. I know she’s a good mother. It’s just another reason why she’d make a great wife for anyone.

Maybe even me.

“I think we should start heading back,” Ellen says after a while.

“Sure.”

She digs through that damn bag again, coming up with fresh clothes for Mikey.

“That thing is like the TARDIS. What else do you have in there?” I ask.

“The what?”

“TARDIS… fromDoctorWho?”

“Doctor who?” Her face scrunches in confusion.

“It’s a TV show. The TARDIS is—” She’s unable to keep a straight face. Shaking my head, I chuckle at how gullible I am. “Okay, okay. You got me.”

With Mikey all changed and ready to go, we head back to the parking lot. While I’m putting the stroller in the trunk, I overhear the conversation in the back seat.

“Momma, is Ice-tie my new daddy?”

My hands freeze, and I pay close attention. Guilt washes over me for eavesdropping on their intimate moment, but I’m interested in Ellen’s response. There’s a pause before she replies.

“Do you want him to be?”

I hold my breath, waiting for Mikey’s answer.

“My daddy’s in Heaven.”

Fuck. Poor kid. I know exactly how he feels. Growing up without a parent is tough, especially a boy losing his father, or a girl her mother. Luckily, I had strong male role models to look up to. So does Mikey, but I’m more determined than ever to become a permanent fixture in his life.

“Yes, he is.”

“I like Ice-tie. He know stuff.”