Chapter 41: Chapter 6: Stuck in the Middle

Jamie

He wasn’t happy about it, just like I wasn’t.

My father wasn’t all that happy about Mason Knight showing his face after everything he’s done. He wasn’t happy about him being back in my life, nor Penelope’s either.

Because of this, I was the one facing the wrath of Clay Harris. I guess Mason would be too if my parents didn’t leave before he got here.

“I’m not happy about this, Jamie. No, I don’t like it!” He shook his head.

Of course, I made a face, knowing exactly what he was going to say. His every word. It’s the same thing my father always says when he doesn’t like a situation.

He looked over at Penelope, sitting comfortably in her high chair and having a snack. “She’s okay without him in her life. That man could only do more harm than good.”

I gave my mother a look, hoping that she would jump in and save me. The conversation had been going on for a good twenty minutes, and she hadn’t said a word.

She took the hint, thankfully. “It’s going to happen whether you like it or not. Frankly, I think it’s a good thing he’s back and wants to be a part of her life. Penelope needs a father.”

My father walked over to Penelope, handing her a bottle of juice. He looked down at her, smiling the big smile he only had for her

~The bond my father has with Penelope, I know he’s scared of that being taken away.~

“I don’t want my granddaughter being tainted by the lifestyle he lives.” He turned his head and looked at me. “What if he just up and leaves like he did before? That’s not fair to Penelope.”

“It’s not fair to keep her from him based on his past. I don’t like this either, but I have to trust that he’s going to stick around like he says he will.”

I couldn’t believe I was actually trying to stick up for Mason after everything. But I guessed someone had to maintain the peace between him and my father.

“If he goes back on his word, he’ll have me to answer to.” He lifted Penelope out of her chair and held her. “Let’s just hope this decision is the right one.”

My father continued playing with his granddaughter while I stood anxiously waiting for the doorbell to ring.

My parents had come over last minute. I was sure my father was hoping that he could change my mind before Mason showed up.

“You two should probably get going before he gets here.”

“Right, I suppose we should.” He kissed Penelope before setting her down in her playpen. “I’ll see you tomorrow, flower.” He walked toward the front door with my mom and me behind him.

“Call me later, sweetheart. I want to know how things go,” my mom said with a peck on my cheek.

My father opened the front door and stopped when he saw who was on the other side: Mason Knight, standing there in his usual flashy attire, just about to knock.

Of course. Isn’t that perfect timing for an awkward situation that I was trying to avoid?

“Mr. and Mrs. Harris.” Mason removed his sunglasses, showing off those big brown eyes of his. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Politeness would get him nowhere with my father, but at least he was making an effort. He must have known that the situation was a little touchy here after everything.

My father ~so~ did not approve of him.

My mother, on the other hand… well, it was like he could do no wrong in her eyes even though he clearly had.

My mother was smiling at him, in awe of his appearance. “It’s nice to see you, darling.”

He was rich and handsome, the perfect man to settle down with. A man that could support me financially.

I’d told her there was nothing going on, nor would there ever be. She hoped that we could resolve things, which is one of the reasons why she’d been so adamant about Mason being in Penelope’s life.

My mom gave us a wave and walked the pathway to their parked car. Meanwhile, my father stood blocking the way to the front door.

“Mason Knight.” My father stared at him intently. “I have a few things I would like to say to you.”

Things had definitely gotten a little awkward now.

“Please, Dad. Remember what we just talked about.”

“All right, I’m going.” My father stepped aside and looked at Mason. “Like I said, you and I need to have a talk. I’ll save it for another time, perhaps.”

My father had never been the type of man to get in another man’s face, but where Penelope and I were concerned, it was a different story.

I was grateful that he decided not to make a scene, but I was also grateful that he cared. Although sometimes, I do wish that he cared a little bit less.

“He doesn’t like me very much, does he?” Mason said as he watched my father’s car pull out of my driveway.

~You don’t say,~ I thought but decided not to say. I needed to keep the peace for the sake of Penelope. “He’ll get over it.”

“Well, if he’s as stubborn as you, it won’t be anytime soon.”

He chuckled, thinking his little comment was funny. Of course, to me, it wasn’t, even though it was somewhat true.

“Come in. Penelope is inside.” I walked down the hall and into the open-plan kitchen/living area.

I heard the sound of Mason closing the front door behind him, and that made me nervous.

After all this time, I was alone with him again!

Mason walked toward Penelope’s playpen and crouched down in front of her. Meanwhile, I stood awkwardly to the side.

I didn’t know where to stand or how to stand. I found the situation nerve-racking. I was worried about her reaction to him.

He was crouched there, just taking her all in as she played. He saw her once, but she was asleep. It was different when her eyes were open right in front of him. It was more real.

I couldn’t imagine what it must feel like for him to meet his daughter for the first time when she was almost a year old.

Mason left without any warning, which was a really shitty thing to do on his part. But he didn’t know that I was carrying his baby. If he had, he might have stuck around.

Penelope handed Mason a Lego block that she was holding, and he took it from her hands with a smile. I stood watching the little interactions between the two of them.

“I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that I don’t exactly know the first thing about kids.” He stacked the block on top of another.

“No. No surprise.”

Honestly, I couldn’t imagine Mason caring about another human being like he did about himself. He liked his life a certain way.

~I wonder, will he even make room for Penelope?~

“Would you like to hold her?”

“Um, okay,” he replied.

He was hesitant. He’s nervous about this.

I picked Penelope up from her playpen and held her a moment before passing her to him. I made sure to do it ever so slowly since he’s never actually held a child before.

“Hi, Penelope.” He was looking at her and holding her little hand. “She looks like you. I’m sure you hear that a lot.”

“Actually, I hear more that she looks like you. I think it’s the eyes.”

It was definitely the eyes. It was even clearer to me having them both in the same room.

He looked at Penelope. “Big and brown. I got you a little something.”

He reached into the gift bag he had brought and pulled out a soft dinosaur teddy. “My father mentioned that she likes dinosaurs.”

“Dinosaurs are her favorite.” I stood watching her as she cuddled her new soft toy and then cuddled into him, laying her head on his chest.

I saw the look of surprise on his face that she felt comfortable so quickly.

~Maybe she knows that he’s her father.~

I didn’t know how I felt about that. I worried about my daughter getting her heart broken by the same man I had.

As Penelope’s mom, I wanted to protect her as much as possible, but there was only so much I could control when it came to him.