Forever My Baby

“Mom, Kai and I are doing fine.”

“It’s not that I’m worried,” Rochelle confessed. “I really miss having young ones at home. With all of you gone, the house seems too quiet.”

“Maybe you and Dad should try for a baby,” Ryker teased.

“Don’t let your father hear you say that,” she warned with a chuckle. “He’d have a heart attack.”

“You are always talking about how much foster care is needed. Maybe you should consider becoming a foster parent.”

Rochelle seemed to consider the idea. “Maybe I’ll discuss it with your father, although I already know what he will say.”

He laughed. “Dad just wants to enjoy his grandchild. He’s not looking to raise more kids.”

“Maybe I can change his mind,” she said with a smile. “You think?”

He shook his head again. “I seriously doubt it.”

Rochelle rose to her feet. “I have a teleconference coming up. Don’t forget we’re going to the beach this weekend. We’re counting on you and Aubry to join us.”

“Kai and I will be there,” he responded. “She’s so excited.”

“I can’t wait to see my little darling. Maybe I can get her completely potty trained over the weekend. You were out of diapers by the time you turned two years old.”

Ryker loved his mother dearly, but there were days when she frustrated him to no end. She did not seem to know when to let go when it came to him and Aubry.

Although she had never said it, Ryker believed that his mother had little faith in his parenting abilities. It was in the way that she commented on certain things. For example, whenever Kai had an accident, his mother harped on the fact that he should have let her conduct the potty training.

Ryker did not want to fail Kai, but his mother often made him feel inadequate as a single parent. He tried not to let her words get to him but failed. The truth was that Angela would have been a great mother. She would have done all the right things and would’ve known what to do in every situation. But Angela was no longer there. She was gone and he was left to carry on without her.

He’d vowed to be the best father possible to their daughter. Ryker was determined that he would not let Angela down. He had made that promise to her before giving her a final kiss good-bye.

Ryker had never broken any promise he had ever made to Angela. This would be no different.

* * *

After two sun-filled days on the beach at Edisto Island, Ryker was ready to return to Charleston. He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially with Kai, but the stacks of cases on his desk awaiting his return Monday morning occupied his mind.

They had just finished having lunch two doors down with his family and were on their way to the car. “Look it...” Kai pointed at the dress in a boutique window. “Pretty.”

He glanced up at the name: Fairy Kisses Boutique. “I guess you want to go shopping.”

Bobbing her head, she responded, “Yessh.”

“You are definitely your mother’s daughter,” he said with a grin. “She loved to shop.”

Kai pulled his arm, leading him toward the door.

“I’m coming, honey.”

Once inside, Ryker felt like he had been transported to a land filled with fairies and princesses. The atmosphere was magical. Kai, her expression one of pure joy, immediately walked over to a bear on display dressed in a lavender dress with wings.

His gaze landed on a young woman in a navy and white dress with matching flats.

He approached her. “Hey, you...” No matter how subtle her scent was, Ryker was sure he could find her, even in a room filled with a bunch of over-perfumed women.

She turned around to face him. “Ryker...what are you doing here?”

“My little one saw the dresses in the window, so here we are.”

Her eyes traveled to his side. “Your daughter is such a cutie.”

“Thank you,” he responded proudly.

“What brings you to Edisto Island, Ryker DuGrandpre?”

Ryker looked down to see Kai steal another peek at the bear.

“My family and I came here for the weekend,” he explained. “We had just had lunch and were heading to the car when Kai discovered this shop.” Ryker glanced around. “Are you the manager?”

“I’m the owner, actually.”

Ryker did not miss the subtle lifting of her chin as she spoke. “You really have a beautiful store.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I’m very proud of it.”

“I thought chain stores had taken over, but it’s good to see smaller boutiques are still holding strong in the area.”

Garland smiled. “This neighborhood happens to be a haven of small and wonderful shops on the island. I love that they are all within walking distance from one another.”

She glanced down at Kai again. “She looks like a little fairy princess. I believe I have the perfect outfit for her. It matches the dress that the bear is wearing and comes complete with wings.”

“I can already tell that I’m not leaving the store without that bear, so I’ll take the outfit, too.” Just then, Kai raced from his side and grabbed the bear off the shelf. She quickly returned to his side and tugged at his hand.

The sound of a tinkling bell caught his attention and he heard familiar voices.

“Sorry, Mom, but not this time. I’m really not interested in being hooked up with the nephew of one of your friends.”

“And why not?” The woman glanced over at them and said, “We’ll discuss this later.” She then made her way toward where he, Kai and Garland stood.

“Honey, I thought that I saw you come in here,” she said, approaching them.

“My mother,” he said by way of introductions.

“Hello. I’m Garland Warner,” Garland said cheerfully.

“This is Parker’s sister, Mom. She owns this boutique.”

“Parker was a wonderful young man. We all miss him.” Rochelle’s eyes traveled the length of the store. “Your shop is lovely and very original. This is the perfect place for children to explore their fantasies.”