Georgia On My Mind-Book Four

Chapter 14 - Reunited

I lock up at the end of the day and anxiously head to Momma's house to pick up Scarlett. She runs to greet me in the driveway as I get out of the car. I pick her up and carry her inside. "Hey, sweet girl. Were you good for Mimi?" I ask.

She nods. "Uh-huh."

I kiss her on the top of her head. "Good," I reply as I walk through the doors.

Momma is sitting on the sofa watching television. "Hey, Momma," I call out.

"Hey, baby. Did you have a good day?" she asks.

"Yep, it was fine," I reply as I sit down with Scarlett on my lap.

"I meant to ask you, when is Mitch returning from his work trip?"

"I have no clue. I haven't talked to him in a week or more."

She sighs audibly, "You guys are so strange. Are you sure you are dating?"

"Well yeah, unless I didn't get the memo," I tell her jokingly.

She shakes her head, "Will he be here for the cookout this weekend?"

"Maybe. I don't know. If I hear anything, I'll let you know."

She shrugs and continues to watch television.

"Guess who came to town?" I ask.

She smiles. "I know Brie called me. Did you see him?"

"Yep, he stopped by my office this afternoon. He looks great. He's going to come over to my place tonight to hang out. I figured I'd have Scarlett meet him. We can hang out like old times, hopefully until he goes home."

"Sounds like fun. Call me later and let me know how it goes. I'd like to see him before he goes home."

I'm sure she's going to find out about everything very soon. I doubt John Luke will allow me to carry on this lie about Scarlett anymore. I'm kind of relieved now, to be honest. We can at least face it together. I'm super pissed about the letters, and I want to confront Daddy about it. I know Momma would never do that to me. He's going to get an earful from me when I see him.

After I stay a few minutes, I say goodbye to Momma and head back to my apartment with Scarlett.

When I open the door to my apartment, I sit Scarlett down on the sofa and turn on the television. "Alright, baby, watch cartoons while Momma gets in the shower."

She nods. "Okay, Momma."

I head to the bedroom to jump in the shower; I wash up and shave all the goods. When I get out, I pick out a pair of cut-off denim shorts paired with a multicolored tube top and a loose light grey tank to go over it. I lotion up my legs and arms, fix my hair, and apply some light makeup. I add some jewelry and spray a little bit of perfume before walking back into the living room. I then slip on my strappy sandals and wait for John Luke to show up.

About fifteen minutes later, my doorbell rings. Scarlett jumps up and rushes to the door, "Hang on, baby, let Momma open the door."

She stops and stands at my side as I open the door. My stomach has butterflies; I'm so anxious for John Luke to meet Scarlett for the first time. I open the door, and there he is, looking fine as f**k and smiling. I can feel the blood rush to my head as I open the door. "Hey."

"Hey." He responds as his eyes scan the length of my body.

I grab Scarlett, put my arms around her, and pat her belly. "Hey baby, I have someone I'd like you to meet." She looks up at me and smiles. "Come in, John Luke. Make yourself comfortable." I tell him as I motion for him to enter.

Scarlett and I step back, and he comes into the entry. "I like your apartment Georgia." He says.

"Yeah, it's small, but it's home." I shrug.

He takes something out of his pocket and bends down eye level to Scarlett. She smiles and hides behind my legs. I pull her next to me. "Don't be shy, baby."

She comes around and grabs my hand, "I got this for you, Scarlett." He says as he hands her a flat-wrapped box.

Her eyes light up. "What is it?" she asks.

"Open it and find out," he says.

She takes the box and opens it. Inside is a tiny little bracelet with unicorn charms on it. "Ohh, pretty!" she says, smiling at him.

"Would you like for me to put it on you?" he asks.

She nods. "Uh-huh."

I get very emotional watching them two. She is his mini-me. It's scary how much she looks like him, and it's more than obvious seeing them within inches of each other. He secures the clasp around her wrist as she gazes at it. "How did you know unicorns are my favorite?" she asks.

He laughs, "Just a wild guess."

I reach down and pat her shoulder. He gazes up at me, "Oh, I have something for you too, Momma." He says as he reaches into his other pocket and pulls out another flat wrapped box, handing it to me.

"Aww, you didn't have to do that," I tell him as I look down at the box.

He shrugs and smiles, "Open it."

I tear off the wrapping and see the box has the logo from a well-known jewelry store. I open the box and find a gorgeous sterling silver heart-shaped necklace with a diamond in the center. I look up at him. "John Luke, you did not have to do this."

"Do you like it?" he asks.

"Well, yes, it's beautiful, but you don't need to buy me anything." I insist, but I can't keep my eyes off the beautiful necklace in my hand.

"Ahh, stop. Turn around, let me put it on you." He offers as he reaches down and pulls the necklace out of the box and unclasps it. I spin around, pull my hair up; he reaches around and clasps it in the back. I am in complete shock. I turn back around and face him, and he smiles ear to ear. Flattered that he would think of me, I shake my head and walk over to the mirror to check it out. It's so pretty and just my style! I can see him watching me in the mirror's reflection.

"We both have pretty jewelry now, Momma." Scarlett chirps.

I walk over in front of her and kneel before her, "Scarlett, do you remember when you asked Momma if you had a Daddy, and I told you that it was a secret?"

She nods.

"Well, this is my old friend John Luke. I wanted you to meet him because he's your Daddy." I tell her.

She looks at me and then looks up at him. "I have a Daddy?" she asks curiously.

"Yes, baby. He is your Daddy." I explain to her.

John Luke bites his lip and swallows hard, and then forces a smile. I can tell he is getting very emotional right now. "What do you think, baby?" I ask.

She takes her eyes off him and looks at me. "I think my Daddy is nice and buys me pretty jewelry. He's a giant too! He's way taller than both of us, Momma!" She giggles.

John Luke and I both laugh along with her.

I look up at him. "Are you hungry?"

He nods. "Yes, are you guys hungry?"

Scarlett and I nod our heads, "You want to go to Scarlett's favorite place?" I ask.

He smiles and gazes down at her, "I'd love that. What is your favorite place?"

"Steak!" she squeals.

I nudge him playfully. "You up for it?"

"I am always up for steak." He replies.

"Alright, go use the potty first, baby, then we can go. Don't forget to flush and wash your hands." I tell Scarlett.

"Okay, Momma." She screeches as she runs towards the bathroom.

I turn to him, and he pulls me in for a hug. I wrap my arms around him tightly, "Thank you for inviting me over to meet her." He says.

I look up at him. "Oh, gosh. No problem. Thank you for coming."

"She's incredible! I can't believe how well she talks. She seems very mature for her age."

I begin to chuckle. "You have no idea. That child is so smart."

He grins, "Well, look who her mother is."

I smile shyly and pat his arm. Scarlett rushes out the door and runs up to us. "I'm ready!" she says.

"Okay, me too." John Luke replies.

"Alright, you want to take my car since I have her car seat?" I ask.

"Sure." He says.

I grab my purse, my keys, Scarlett's hand, and lead them out. We walk down to the parking lot, climb in my SUV, and head to the Steakhouse.

A few minutes later, I pull up in the parking lot. I get out, help Scarlett out of her car seat, and take her hand. John Luke follows us in, and we are seated in a booth. The waitress handed us some menus and Scarlett a crayon package with a kid's menu to color. She opens it up and begins to doodle.

"This place hasn't changed a bit." He says as he scans the restaurant.

"I know, right?"

"You haven't looked at your menu Georgia. I'm guessing that you are going to get the same thing you always did when we were younger."

I smirk at him. "Am I still that easy to read after all this time?"

He scratches his chin, "Let me see if I can remember it... Filet Mignon, medium... a baked potato with butter and sour cream and a side salad, no tomato or cucumber with ranch on the side and a diet coke?" He asks.

I start laughing and throw my hands up in the air. "Wow! I can't believe you can remember that."

"Oh, I remember everything; trust me." He says as he runs his tongue across his bottom lip.

I can feel my cheeks get warm; I give him a side glance and bite my lip nervously. I gaze down at Scarlett to see what she is doodling on.

She stops and looks up at him, curiously, "I saw you on television." She blurts out.

Oh lord, She's going to tell on me. I put my hands over my face to hide my embarrassment. He looks at her with a confused expression. "You saw me on television?" he asks, pointing at himself.

She nods. "Yes, Momma watches you all the time and cries."

He looks at me apologetically. "Aww, I didn't mean to make your Momma cry."

I can feel his eyes boring into me, but I try to avoid them and look down. I can't be emotional right now. I didn't want him to know that I recorded the news broadcast with the massive bomb where the five soldiers were killed. It was the same news broadcast where I caught a glimpse of his face. I keep replaying that scenario in my head, thinking it could have been him. It scared the s**t out of me!

The waitress comes over and asks us if we are ready. We give her our orders; then, she takes our menus and leaves. "So, where are you living now, John Luke?" I ask.

"I'm in Jacksonville, NC staying with a buddy of mine, Chris."

"Do you like Jacksonville?"

"Yes and no. I miss home."

"You plan on moving back?" I ask him.

"I've been thinking about it. Dad said he could get me a job working with him. I finished my four years of active duty, but I have to serve out four years of inactive duty."

"Oh? What does that mean?"

"Well, I still have to serve on base one weekend a month and two weeks a year. I could still be called back for a tour overseas during that time." He explains.

"Oh, I see. So, are you finished after that?"

"Yep, I am finished after that." He confirms.

The waitress brings back our drinks and some rolls. I put some butter on a roll and place it on Scarlett's plate. "So, what have you been up to, Georgia? Besides being a Mom." He asks.

"Well, I graduated from college and opened my own staffing company," I tell him.

"I am proud of you. You have done so well for yourself." He says.

"Thank you."

He grabs a roll, and I grab one and begin eating, "How's your dad?" I ask.

"He seems to be okay. Mom is having him follow a strict diet and exercise routine. He probably drinks too much. She said she cut him way down."

"I think it will be good for him."

"Yeah, me too." He responds.

"You have a Daddy too?" Scarlett asks John Luke.

"Yeah, I do. I am pretty sure you know who he is." He answers.

She smiles, "Who?"

"His name is Seth."

"Oh, Uncle Sef?"

He chuckles, "You know your Momma used to call him that."

She nods. "Yep."

"You know that if this is your Daddy, then that makes Uncle Sef your Papaw," I explain to her.

"I have two Papaws now?" she asks.

"Yep. Momma and Daddy are going to talk to Uncle Sef and let him in on the secret." I tell her.

"Oh, okay!" she chirps.

The waitress brings our food moments later; we sit, eat, and reminisce some more. John Luke insists on paying the bill, and we pack up and leave the restaurant moments later. I don't even want this night to end. I just want to be wrapped up in his arms right now. I try to fight these surfacing feelings, but I know there is no chance in hell I can. We give each other side glances on the way back to my place. The s****l tension between us is off the chain. I don't think it will ever go away.

After a few minutes, we pull up in the parking lot of my apartment. Scarlett fell asleep in her car seat on the ride home. I get out, begin to unfasten the belt to carry her inside. John Luke stops me, "Would you mind if I carried her inside?"

"No, not at all," I respond as I step back.

He reaches down and unsnaps her car seat, and picks her up. She wraps her arms around his neck as he carries her towards the door. I lead him inside and walk down the hall to her room. He brings her in and lays her down on the bed. I lean over and whisper to him. "You don't have anywhere to be, do you?"

He shakes his head from side to side.

"I need to get her ready for bed. Would you want to hang out for a while with me?" I ask.

He smiles. "Yeah, I would."

"Okay, I'll be out in a few minutes."

As soon as he walks out the door, I get Scarlett undressed and put her pajamas on. Then I help her get her teeth brushed and use the bathroom.

Afterward, she walks out into the living room. "Goodnight, Daddy." She says as she approaches him on the sofa.

"Aww...goodnight, Scarlett. Sweet dreams."

She comes over and hugs him. "She's a hugger, just like me," I tell him.

He smiles at me and pats her on the back gently. They release their embrace, and I lead her back to her bed and tuck her in. Then I turn on her night light and partially close her door. Let the games begin.