TEN

It's Mother's Day tomorrow

It's Mother's Day tomorrow

Tory's words rang in his ears as he dressed up for church the following day.

If he had been sensitive enough to realise that there had been more to Tory's pleas about spending more time with his mother, he could have avoided the whole incident that had occurred the past few days

Few days. He thought.

If he wasn't in the entire scene, he wouldn't have believed it. It felt like a few months had passed.

"Tory, come on out or we're going to be late."

"Coming, Daddy!" Then she rushed out.

He held out his hand to her and then noticed she was sweating. He frowned. "What were you doing? Why are you sweating this much?"

She lowered her head and shook it.

He sighed and took her hand.

Faith and the driver were already in the car. He liked his employees going to church with him as well.

He sat Tory in the car and sat beside her while Faith sat in the passenger seat in front beside the driver.

He would have overlooked Tory's weird attitude this morning except she was still fidgeting.

He leaned over. "Will you tell me why you're wrinkling your pretty dress?"

"Sorry, daddy."

"I'm not angry, sweetheart. I'm just worried that you are not smiling. Come on, tell Daddy." He poked her side and was rewarded with a megawatt smile.

"Okay."

He watched as she pulled off her bear shaped bag and opened it.

She looked up at him. "Don't get angry at me, okay?"

"I won't. I promise."

"I have a tiny present for mommy but I don't think she would like them."

"Oh." He said not sure how to respond. "Well Um I'm sure she'll like whatever you got because it's from you." Steve found himself reassuring her.

Tory beamed. "You think so?"

He nodded.

"I'm so happy she's my mommy."

* * *

"So then how is life at Steve's house?"

Jody paused at scrubbing a pan in the tiny sink and glanced at her mother. She shrugged. "I'm staying at the guest house so its not like I'm living with Steve."

"Hold on... So then Steve had made so much for himself that he has a guest house separate from the main house?"

Jody nodded and admitted. "I felt so ashamed of myself."

"You are a woman of integrity, Jody, there is nothing to be ashamed of. How's Tory?"

"She's good. But she's depressed. You know, I feel guilty, they both have nothing to do with the past. She thinks I don't love her, that I don't want her. I don't know how to show her that I do. Steve's rules are not helping at all."

"Don't you think it's high time you spoke some sense into that man? Jody, if you don't, I will. The fact that tolerating my grandchild being kept away from me does not mean I like it."

"Well, we are doing the same thing."

"No, you are, Jody."

"He would have taken him too, Mom!"

"If he tries it now, he will change his mind after living with an upset Vincent for a week."

A smile slipped from free of Jody's lips. "My son has been a good boy, right?"

Her mother chuckled. "When is Vincent not a good boy?"

"Victoria is a good girl too. They'd make a great team, both of them." She sobered up. "He asked me about her."

Her mother seemed unfazed by the revelation. "I'm glad you know they'd make a great team."

"Why aren't you surprised?"

"I might have heard the tail end if your conversation." She said with a shrug.

"So then you taught my son how to eavesdrop."

They both laughed.

"Do you think it'd be wise to call Steven so I could speak to Tory?"

"I was wondering when you'd say that."

She smiled her thanks and hurried to her childhood room that was now Vincent's room when he came over to get her phone and then realized. She had been so anxious to get here early that she had left her phone at Steve's guest house.

* * *

They arrived for the second service and missed his parents. So after the church service, Steve told the driver to drive to his parents house as was their custom. Besides, ever since the scene at the hospital, his mother wouldn't pick his call and he knew better than to call his father.

"Could you call mommy?"

"Why? She will be at the guest house."

"Oh. She isn't coming back until tomorrow."

He frowned. "Why?"

"She has things to do. Call her Daddy, I want to give her the present."

Sighing inwardly, he took out his cell phone. Didn't she have enough curtsey to let him know about her whereabouts? Not that he was surprised, you could expect only so much from a harlot.

He dialled her number that he was yet to save.

No answer

No answer

No answer

He clenched his fist.

So the woman was stupid too that she didn't know a cell phone was supposed to be handy in case of emergencies.

Jody was definitely the last person he wanted to see at the moment.

He knew what to do.

Since her parent's house was close by, he'd convince Tory to dump the present there and they could go to his parent's in peace.

Good idea. He smirked. He couldn't let her success in ruining him.

* * *

Her Prince Charming made her a 'Thank you for being my mommy' card.

She grinned.

If her two children was all she got out of the marriage, then marrying Steve hadn't been a mistake.

What would she ever do without them?

"You know you make mommy proud, don't you?"

Vincent pretended to think scratching his jaw like her father did sometimes. Then he raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "I think I've known that even before you figured it yourself, mom."

Her jaw dropped.

Her father and mother were laughing as though their lives depended on it.

"Mom, close your mouth, okay? Scientists are yet to discover how much harm chewing flies does to the human body."

"Vincent!" She laughed

Her parents were still laughing.

"What am I going to do with you?" She said with a chuckle.

He shrugged again.

Jody caught him into her arms and tickled his sides.

He was laughing so hard now

"Now, Einstein tell mommy 'I know I am the smartest boy but I'm not allowed to brag about it to mommy'."

Vincent was still laughing uncontrollably. "Mommy! P-please!!!!"

"We have a deal. Say it, Einstein."

"We didn't shake hands yet."

This boy will be the death of me. She thought.

Just then, the door bell rang.

Her mother went to get it and she took the opportunity to throw Vincent on the floor and continued the tickling

Vincent was screaming and laughing. "Grandpa! Help!"

"Jody stop terrorizing my Grandson. If he screams anymore he'd transform into a girl."

At that statement, Jody fell to the floor in a chin aching laughter.

Vincent scrambled to his feet to escape her and she stood up, already tired from all the play when a voice called.

"Mommy?"

Jody turned.

Oh no. Jody's heart clenched.

It was like the entire world stood still for a moment.

What was she supposed to do now?

"That woman said you weren't here but I was sure I heard your voice." Tory whined pointing at her mother whose eyes were widened in panic.

"That woman? That's my Grandma, rich girl." Vincent crossed behind the sofa to stand in front of Jody as if to shield her.

Jody heard a gasp and glanced up to see Steve staring wide eyed at Vincent who hadn't seemed to notice him and was glaring at Tory.

Jody knew what Steve saw when he looked at Vincent.

His miniature.

"Why do you look like my Daddy?"

Vincent stiffened. Then looked up at Steve and back at Tory. "Who cares what your Daddy looks like, rich girl."

Tory looked appalled at his response. "My name's Tory."

"I don't care."

With that he walked away.

"I'll go after him." Her mother vouched and did just that.

Silence.

"Mommy, please come with me and Daddy."

Hands shaking with fear and trying to avoid Steve's gaze, she shook her head. "Go with your father, I'll see you some other--"

"Nathan, watch Tory, will you?"

Jody shivered. Nathan's cold voice threatened to melt the sun.

"Jody, come along."

His words gave her no choice. She thought to object and glanced at her father but he nodded, encouraging her to go.

Steve was gripping the sink hard, she thought he'd rip it off the wooden cupboard.

"Are you going to tell me why that boy looks like.... " He trailed off.

"Like you?" She asked, Her voice sounded more confident than Steve's and she was glad. "Yes."