Chapter 63

DORIS

"I can’t believe you’re still moping around because you haven’t been in contact with Arthur," Nina said. "He’s gone for a week or two, not two months. Get a hold of yourself, Doris."

"You are not supposed to be so enmeshed with Arthur that when he goes away for a week, you have a nervous breakdown."

"I’m not having a nervous breakdown," I said calmly. "I just miss him."

I thought for a minute. "You know, I’m more upset over my argument with Arthur than I was when I found out Bob was cheating on me."

I tapped my chin, deep in thought.

"That says something about the quality of your relationship with Bob versus how you feel about Arthur. Is it possible that what you liked about Bob wasn’t Bob but the fact that you were in a relationship?"

"Yeah, maybe so."

"Well, you definitely traded up," Nina said.

"Enough about me," I said. "Has Nathan called you?" I asked with a lilt in my voice.

"He has," Nina said, drawing the word out like he was in high school. "He has planned the perfect date. Do you want to hear it?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, for starters, he suggested we'd have a romantic carriage ride through Central Park. Nathan said he would take me to that new restaurant, The Gray Mongoose. You know it’s the hottest new thing, and it’s supposed to be wonderful."

"That’s great."

"Then he suggested we go to Déjà Vu."

"That dance club you like! How did he know?"

"I think it was just a good guess. And they’re having an 80s dance night this Saturday, so if we go, we could dance to all that ridiculously fun 80s music."

"It does sound like a fun day. It sounds like Nathan planned a perfect date for you both. So did you tell him yes?"

"I didn’t answer yet. I’m stringing him along a little bit. But I’ll definitely go."

"Nathan is a catch," I said.

"I know. He’s smart, hard-working..."

"And don’t forget, handsome," I interrupted. "He looks like that actor…"

"Who?"

"You know, the really cute one from Heavenquest." I tried to remember the name of the actor. I snapped my fingers when I remembered it. "Ricky Kim."

"He does!" Nina exclaimed. "Nathan is quite attractive too, I’ll admit. We’ve been talking on the phone almost every night, and he’s fascinating to talk to. He seems to want to listen to me as much as he wants to talk. In New York, that’s a real find."

"Well, I wish you luck. I’m sure it’ll turn out great."

"Don’t be so sure. You know what they say, don’t eat your cake if you haven’t licked the bowl."

I laughed. "I have no idea what that means."

"It means I'll decide if he's great or not after I lick him, not before."

I laughed. "You're incorrigible."

I spent more time with Mia. I encouraged her creativity by organizing an art project for us where we got to make potholders and doilies. We engaged in storytelling sessions where I would let her create characters, and then we would act them out like we were in a play.

And, of course, we sang together.

We also baked cookies together, and I filmed it, so Arthur could watch it when he got home.

When Mia was asleep, I spent a lot of time looking at my life. I tried imagining what it could be like for the next few months if Arthur and Mia were a central part of my life.

I dived deep into self-improvement resources. I read books, listened to podcasts, and watched YouTube videos about personal mindset and relationship building.

Next Tuesday, Arthur video called. It was at 6 PM, and he talked to me and Mia at the same time, so we didn’t get a chance to discuss our difficulties.

"I’m in Dubai today. The hotel where I'm staying has good cell and Internet service, but I go back to The Maldives tomorrow, so don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me until I’m on a plane on the way home. OK, pumpkin?

"Sure thing, Daddy. I know you have to work, go out and be a superhero who makes jobs for everybody and saves the world."

Arthur chuckled. "Don’t overestimate it, Mia."

Arthur looked at me. My heart skipped a beat.

"Do you think you could show Mia some videos about the basics of hockey?"

It wasn’t what I expected him to say or ask. I just nodded.

"Thanks. I’ll catch you later."

"Bye, Daddy. Mwah." Mia kissed her fingertips four or five times and blew kisses to her dad. As soon as she finished, Arthur hung up.

Hearing his sexy voice and seeing how good he was with his daughter didn’t make me miss him any less.

I continued to visit Noah. He got better and better each day.

"They said I can go home tomorrow," Noah said.

"Really? That’s incredible."

"I’m guessing I don’t have a place to live anymore. I can’t imagine my rental is still available after five years," Noah said and chuckled.

"You can stay with me, obviously. I spend most of the time in Arthur’s penthouse." I paused for a second, hoping this would continue to be true. "So my apartment is often empty anyway. We'll have plenty of time to spend together without getting on in each other's way."

"Thanks, Doris. You're the best. I know I’ve said this to you before, but I can’t thank you enough for all you did for me these past few years. Heck, I might not even be alive if it wasn’t for you."

"Well, I definitely wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for you, so I guess we’re even."

I hugged Noah. "I'll be back tomorrow to pick you up and take you to my place."

"Great. I'm ready to live again."

Later in the day, my biological father, Joe, stopped by my office to say goodbye.

"Visit me in Norway," Joe said. "You have the financial resources now. Norway is beautiful. And I don’t want it to be so long before I see you again. Promise me you will come up to Europe and visit."

"I’ll try. No promises right now. I’ll admit it was a little difficult when you first reappeared suddenly into my life. But now I’m grateful for this chance we’ve gotten."

Joe gave me a big hug to say goodbye. It just reminded me that Arthur hadn't hugged me in so long. I just hoped he would hug me after we got our relationship back on track when he returned.

I was counting on it.

Finally, it was Saturday again. Arthur was scheduled to come home.

"Daddy!" Mia shouted as she ran to hug Arthur when he walked in the door.

"Pumpkin."

"Did you miss me?" Mia asked.

"More than chocolate ice cream with sprinkles on top," Arthur said. "And that’s a lot."

And what about me? I thought. Did you miss me? But I was too timid to say anything.

"Did you bring me a present?" Mia asked.

"Mia," I chided.

Arthur laughed. "Of course, I did. But it’s a secret. You’ll get it later."

"Yay!"

Arthur walked over to me. I felt like I was holding my breath. Would he hug me? Would he kiss me? I had no idea what he would do.

He kissed my cheek and smiled. "Thanks, Doris. You're incredible."

I blushed. "You're welcome."

We still had a lot to work out, but I was hopeful for the future.