Today, though, she didn’t care. She had to see Kylie again. She picked up the phone and dialed Pierce’s cell phone number. At the sound of his voice a tremor ran through her.
“Pierce, it’s Celine,” she said softly. “Do you have a minute?’ She would hate to know that she’d disturbed a meeting.
“Yes, go ahead.” Pierce sounded formal, clipped.
“I was wondering if you’d let me visit Kylie. I’d love to go today if that’s okay with you.” She’d said it all in a rush, wanting to get the words out before she lost the courage.
Silence. That was the response on the other end of the line. Total silence.
“Hello?” Celine said into the phone. Had he hung up on her?
“Celine.” Pierce was speaking again. Finally. “At what point did I tell you not to see Kylie?”
“Well…never,” she said, feeling stupid.
“Exactly. So why do you think you need my permission? You spoke as if you expected me to say no.” Pierce’s voice was cool. It seemed that she had offended him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to impose-.”
“What time would you like to visit Celine?” He cut her off mid-sentence.
“I was thinking two o’clock in the afternoon.” She’d specifically chosen that time because she knew he would not be home.
“Fine. I’ll let them know to expect you.” And then he hung up.
He hadn’t given her a chance to say goodbye. Well, so much for him wanting to see her again. He hadn’t even asked how she was doing. It was obvious that any feelings between them were all on her end. Feeling deflated, she gently laid the receiver back in the cradle and got up to dress for her trip.
Almost two hours later Celine was pulling into the long circular driveway of the house that had been like her home for most of that summer. Her heart quickened in anticipation. She hopped out of the car, opened the back door and grabbed the huge gift bag with the Molly Dolly Set with its twenty-five fashion outfits. She knew Kylie would love dressing her up.
She bounded up the stairs and rang the doorbell, a bright smile on her face. She was looking forward to seeing Mrs. Simpson, too. She’d always found her to be pleasant company.
The door opened and Celine found herself staring into the thin, well made-up face of Sophia Redgrave.
Celine’s smile fled. What was Sophia doing there? Had she used her departure as an opportunity to worm her way into Pierce’s life?
“Good afternoon, Sophia,” she said when her wits returned. “I’m here to see Kylie.”
Sophia nodded but as usual there was no smile of greeting. “We were expecting you.”
She opened the door wider so Celine could enter then led the way across the foyer and down the hallway. “Kylie,” she called. “Celine is here.”
Out of nowhere a bundle of pink and yellow came flying toward her and Celine had just enough time to drop the gift bag and catch Kylie as she leaped into her arms.
“Celine, I missed you so much,” she cried and wrapped her arms around Celine’s neck.
“I missed you, too, cherie. So much.” Celine closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of the little body in her arms. She smelled of strawberries and peaches.
They were still hugging when they heard the roar of an engine out front.
“Daddy,” Kylie yelled and wriggled so much Celine had to set her down on the floor.
Daddy? It had to be Pierce Kylie was calling Daddy but when had she started doing that?
Then at the thought of Pierce her heart began to accelerate. Despite her efforts, today she would see Pierce again. Thank you, God.
Slowly, trying to seem casual, she followed Kylie back out to the front porch. Her heart did a somersault when she saw him.
Pierce was climbing out of a jet black Porsche, sunshades still on his face. The sun glinted on his dark chocolate hair. He looked super-sexy in his black business suit and red power tie.
Kylie was running to him now. He scooped her up and gave her a big fat kiss on the cheek.
How Celine wished that could be her.
Then he looked up and ever so slowly he removed the sunglasses from his eyes. And there they were, those beautiful green eyes that looked like they could see into her soul. He was looking at her and on his lips was the hint of a smile.
Still holding Kylie with one arm Pierce walked up the driveway and up the steps until he was standing in front of her.
“Hello, Celine,” he said, looking down at her as she stood staring up at him.
“Hello, Pierce.” She cleared her throat. “I thought you’d be at work today.”
“I was,” he said. “I decided to come home early.”
“Because of me?” Dieu, had she said it out loud?
“Because of you,” he said and there was such feeling in his voice that Celine blinked.
“Daddy, Celine’s come home to stay,” Kylie chirped up. “I am sooo happy.”
Eyes wide, Celine stared at Kylie. Now where did the child get that from? She didn’t want to mislead her. “No, cherie, I’m only here for a visit.”
“No, you’re not. You came back to be with me,” the child insisted. She began to wriggle in Pierce’s arms. “I want to go to Mommy.” And she reached out both arms towards Celine.
Celine gasped and quick tears stung her eyes. Then her face crumpled and the tears spilled onto her cheeks. “Kylie, dear sweet Kylie,” was all she could manage, her throat constricted with emotions. She reached out and took her from Pierce and buried her face in the child’s neck.
“I still love my old mommy,” Kylie whispered, “but I want you as my new mommy now.”
“I…” How could she tell her that she’d love that more than anything in the world but that it couldn’t happen? “I…” She tried again but could go no further.
Pierce came to her then. As she held Kylie in her arms he stood looking down into her eyes. “Celine, as you can see Kylie… and I…are having a hard time living without you. When you left you took a part of us with you. We need you.”
Celine looked up at him, not believing what she was hearing. “Kylie needs me,” she whispered, “but do you?”