A few days later, Mia and Tammy are alone for the day while Cyrus and Gage went to find someone to investigate the Evans parent’s murder. The one person they knew that could help them was Candy’s father, a trainer for IWX with a history dealing with this sort of thing.
Mia was sitting on the floor with Elias playing peek-a-boo when Tammy slowly made her way into the living room with her walker. The woman was out of breath and flopped down in her chair, looking tired and frail.
“Tammy? Do you need anything?”
“No, sweetie. I just want to watch you play with my baby boy. Eli loves you. I’m glad. He needs a good woman in his life.”
“He has one. His mommy. Isn’t that right, bugaboo?”
“Goo!”
Tammy sighed. “Why are you so nice to me? I know you know what happened between Cy and me, yet you’re still so cordial. Most women would be furious about all this.”
“Well, honestly… I hate what you did to him, and I hate he’s still hurting. It’s not all your fault. I think his parent’s death has a lot to do with his pain. Besides that, your past is between you and him. I know you need help, and I am trying to not judge you. I just hope that people do the same for me if I make mistakes in my life.”
“I did care for him. We just were so young when we got married. I didn’t get to live my life as my own before settling down. Cy needs someone he can care for and feel like he’s needed. That just wasn’t me,” Tammy confessed.
“I get that. We talked about it. He knows I don’t need a protector. What I do need is someone to care for me. I’ve been lonely for a long time. Since my parents are older, I don’t have anyone in my family that I’m close to. I have great parents, but they are an older couple and had me late in life. In my extended family, we don’t relate to each other. Cyrus makes me feel safe and loved. It’s like he’s my best friend too and listens to me. I’ve never had that sort of connection to someone before.”
“That he does. He’s always been like that. Mia, he loves you. I can see that. I hope you can accept my son because I think Cyrus has every intention of marrying you, and I want to know that my sons cared for. I think you’re the perfect woman for both.”
Tammy started to cry as she watched her son playing with Mia’s fingers. Mia brought the baby and placed him in his mother’s arms and sat at Tammy’s feet. Reaching to hold Tammy’s hand to comfort her, she smiled graciously.
“I don’t want to leave my son alone. My poor baby boy, mommy loves you so much. Be a good mother to him, Mia. Even if you don’t end up with Cyrus, please watch over them.”
“I want to be a good mom. This is all a lot to handle at once, but I’m trying. Eli is a great baby, and I would love to be his stepmom. Tammy, I want you to know if that happens, I promise to always tell him how much his mom loved him. I’ll tell him all the good stories and let him know who you were.”
Tammy chucked through the tears. “I hope Cy tells the good stories. He probably thinks I’m the devil incarnate.”
“Don’t worry. I think Cyrus forgives you. We all make mistakes. You’re trying to correct yours and it’s not going unnoticed.”
“Thank you.” Tammy reached for a group of letters on the end table next to her and wiped a tear from her face. “I want to ask you something. I wrote these letters while you and Cyrus were on your date the other night. It’s for Eli when he is old enough to understand. Its letters telling him how much I love him and that I’m sorry I can’t be there to watch him grow up. I wrote something to give him at each milestone. The first day of school, prom, graduation, his first date, his wedding day. Also, a part that addresses even though Cyrus isn’t his real dad, he would have loved to have been. It just never happened for us, and I wish I could have given him a family.”
“I’ll be sure he gets them.”
“There is also a letter for Cyrus. I want you to give it to him after I pass on. He mustn’t get it until then.”
Mia cried too while listening to the heartbroken mother. She couldn’t fathom what it must be like for a mother to leave a child she loved so much.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Mia. You don’t know this, but Cyrus and I lost a child the year before we divorced. He shut me out after that. He knew all I had done to him, and it was a breaking point. It was so hard on us. The miscarriage was just one more thing that led to Cyrus’s heartbreak. He’s been through so much.”
“I had no idea. I knew he couldn’t have kids, but he never told me that.”
“He doesn’t like to talk about it. We tried for years. Mia, try to give him a child. I know you and Cyrus will love Eli, but there is nothing like having one of your own.”
“I want it with him if we can. I know it may be selfish, but I want to reach my dreams on stage first. I’m not getting any younger and this may be my last chance.”
“That’s good. Don’t put your dreams on hold. I know Eli will be taken care of, regardless. I trust you and I know you are going to be a great mom.”
Mia stood to hug Tammy. “I promise I’ll take good care of him.”
“One more thing. Promise me you will love Cyrus with all your heart. He deserves happiness, and I know you are the one to give it to him. Don’t let him stay consumed by his past anymore. He’s gone too long being haunted by these demons. He needs a future to look forward to, free of all the trauma.”
Mia sucked air through her tears as the women cried together. “I promise. Tammy? You’re dying, aren’t you? I’ve seen you get weaker the past couple of days. You’re letting go now.”
Tammy smiled and squeezed Mia’s hand. “I made my peace with God and Cy. My baby is in good hands. I also made a good friend in you. Whatever happens, I’m ready. I just want to live out the rest of my days with my son. I’m happy, Mia. Don’t worry.”
The women held each other, comforting one another. A mother passing on her son to a woman she barely knew. Somehow, she knew she was doing the right thing.