Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 85

Kingston

Easton holds him tight whispering in his ear in this conference room Jessie said they could wait in. “I know. I love you Daddy.”

He sets him down and my big brother’s usual cold reserve has slipped showing the agony he’s in. Cole jumps into Luci’s arms. She sits in the chair holding him so they are face to face. I’ve always appreciated the way she gets on his level like that. “Remember this is Cole’s show. You get to ask your questions and talk about things you want. If there is something she asks that you don’t want to talk about, that’s what you say. I don’t want to talk about that today. And Uncle Kingston will be with you if you get very upset or sad and need to leave.”

His eyes turn to me and I nod. I will break down walls if I need to for my coconut. I struggled hard with our parentage when I learned the truth. I won’t hesitate to protect him from the succubus on her way.

“You’ll be here Luci? You not leave right?” He grips her hands tight. He’s asked her that question about five times already. As if him seeing Lorelei is going to cause Luci to disappear.

“No Coco. I’ll be waiting here for you. Remember Grandpappy is taking all of us to lunch. Barrett is going to meet us there.” He nods and throws himself at her for a hug. A raven haired woman in a black suit who I’m guessing is Jessie, opens the door motioning to me. We’re letting Cole meet her and Tamara first.

“Let’s meet Mrs. Tamara and Mrs. Jessie, Coconut.”

I hold my hand out. “Love you Coco. See you when you are done.” Luci kisses his head, bravely smiling for him.

Becker and Jackson hold out their knuckles for him. Syd and Stormi had to leave but they’d hugged him a lot before exiting the school.

Jessie holds the door. “Hi Cole, I’m Jessie. I heard you love Darth Vader. My son loves Boba Fett.” She smiles at him, her light blue eyes full of kindness, and he grins back.

“He’s fun too. My daddy was him for trick or treat.”

“Cole, this is Mrs. Tamara.” The tall woman with a rich umber skin tone and black hair in a

stylish pixie cut, approaches Cole unhurriedly before crouching down to his eye level and smiling. Her dark brown eyes sweep over him. “Hi Cole. I’m happy to meet you. I’m going to be sitting next to you at the table. I like to help people when they get upset. You can ask me for help today if you need it.”

He nods slowly. “Can you help Luci with storms?”

Her smile widens. “Your daddy asked me about that. I can but only if Luci asks me to help.”

“Luci would be the boss. Like me today.” He reasons.

“That is right. How about we pick our chairs?” She points toward the table.

He runs over and chooses his. I sit on his right and Tamara takes the left chair. Cole reaches for my hand as Lorelei knocks on the door. Jessie opens it and she peeks around. “Lorelei, I have the paperwork you need to sign for today’s visitation.” Jessie hands her the papers and she scribbles her name quickly. Maybe we could hide papers where she signs her rights away like that…..

She steps to the table and smiles. “Cole you wanted to see me. Could I have a hug?”

Great f*****g greeting Lorelei.

“Hi.” Cole holds tight to my hand. “I’m not ready for hugs.”

“Oh. You look like your daddy a lot. I missed seeing you. He stopped sending me pictures of how big you were growing.” This b***h…I glare at her.

“Daddy is busy.” Cole is taking her in as she sits facing us.

“I’m sure he is. School and hockey keep him working hard. That’s why he had to get a nanny to help watch you.”

Cole is silent for a minute. Lorelei can’t hold back. “Did someone tell you not to hug me?”

“No. But I don’t know you. You don’t hug strangers. I only hug when I want to. Even family.” He repeats the rules we’ve always had for him.

“I’m your mom, Cole not a stranger. Surely your daddy told you about me.” She smiles at him.

“Only that you were sweethearts but you left.”

“We still are sweethearts. Your daddy and I are going to be a real family again. I missed you both.”

“Did you like my tree today?” He asks her innocently.

“You did very well with your lines for your age. I could help you with other plays. I clapped for you.”

“Did you laugh?”

She looks puzzled. “A little. Why?”

“What made you laugh?”

“When you said your last line.” Her irritation is showing. Get ready because Coconut can ask 100 questions in a lunch session.

“Not when I was chopped down?”

“Why would I laugh then?” Because it was funny if you’d been listening. She wasn’t paying attention to him and I’m guessing my shrewd nephew knows that now.

“Did you like my costume?”

She’s perplexed again. “Cole don’t you want to talk about me being your mom? Or about spending the day with you and your daddy soon? Or did your nanny tell you to ask me about the costume she made?”

“I don’t talk about Luci to you. Did you like my costume?” He sounds very stubborn.

She throws up one hand. “It was ok. I would have ordered you a fancier one with more decorations. I know some amazing costume makers like Ondanne or Trivenza. You should see the pictures of me at some of my events. I can show you. They are very famous.” She smiles.

“Did you miss Daddy?”

She swallows and puts on a sad face. “All the time. You too. But I knew he’d wait for me to come home when I finished my work. See this ring, Cole? It means your daddy belongs to me.

He bought it and gave it to me so I would know he wants to be a family.” She flashes that ostentatious thing Easton bought.

“Did you send him words?”

“Words? I don’t understand.” She looks to me.

“Text messages.” I say in a clipped tone.

“Yes for a while.”

“Why stop?”

“I missed him too much.” It takes everything on me not to call her out on her bullshit.

“I call people when I miss them.”

“He knew I missed him without me telling him, Cole. He was busy too. Always busy with you.” I catch that undertone and Tamara leans forward a bit. “Your daddy doesn’t like to talk much.

He’s reserved and quiet. I always had to make him talk.”

“Daddy talks a lot. He has to. I need things essplained and so does…other people. So he talks lots and lots.” She purses her lips together sourly. That’s right. People change and grow. Especially when two of the people you love the most need you to give them more. Easton isn’t the same guy she left behind.

“Well I’m sure he doesn’t enjoy it and does it grudgingly. Whatever he says to you and Luci. I know the real Easton.”

“How many pictures of me and Daddy do you have by your bed?”

“None. I don’t have new pictures of you or him. I don’t like pictures on my nightstand.”

Cole frowns.

“Does Luci let you look at old pictures of your daddy and me? She doesn’t know our story. I can talk to her about letting you have more pictures. What does she tell you about me? Bad things?”

Cole is angry though. He glares at her and I almost call him Easton. “I told you. I not talk about Luci to you!”

“Cole no need to be upset. I just want to make sure she’s not telling you lies about me.” She tries to look sad.

“Luci not like that! She’s nice. She told me I get to ask you questions and I not had to answer what I not like want.” He’s getting more upset and having trouble finding his words.

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