Romance The Long Ride

"How about Saturday you two come..."

"Me and Shari are doing a poker run Saturday," Callum interjected.

"Cal... what's a poker run?!" Vanessa asked, confused.

"It's this charity run that the motorcycle club..." Holding up a finger, "Shari get to bed," Callum called out hearing his daughter behind her door.

"But Daddy... you didn't give me my goodnight kiss," Shari said weakly, as she spoke through the gap in her door.

Vanessa watched as her little girl ran to her father who gave Shari a big warm hug and a kiss on her left cheek. How it warmed her heart as she saw the love she had for Callum on her face, and how it was breaking too knowing she missed so much with her. Her eyes followed the trail of Shari's hair as she raced around the back of Callum's chair.

"Goodnight Mama," Shari said sweetly, holding out her arms to Vanessa who didn't hesitate to fill that void.

"Goodnight Shari, sleep tight," Vanessa whispered softly into her daughter's ear. Watching how Shari moved over to Henry, who looked towards Callum to be sure it was okay.

"Goodnight new Daddy." Callum felt a little uncomfortable about that, yet he couldn't discern any malicious intent on Henry's part.

"Goodnight Shari, don't let the bedbugs bite."

"Bye!" Shari waved one last time before she quickly got to bed once her father looked at her.

"I didn't think she'd be so... accepting of me," Vanessa said, wiping a tear away.

"Shari's always been a people person, you would have known that if you came over when she started to walk. I did invite you."

"And I've regretted that decision ever since. Cal... by any chance did you record her first steps and her first word?"

"Her first step yes, her first word no, but that's because we were going down the slide and she screamed out 'Holy...' well you can infer the rest," Callum said, smiling at Vanessa's and Henry's chuckle.

"Something she picked up from you I bet," Vanessa said, flashing Callum a smile.

"Hey, she's bound to hear something every once in a while. I don't curse in front of her if that's what you're wondering."

"We would never," Henry said, in a warm light.

"So about Saturday?" Vanessa asked, bringing them back to the matter at hand.

"Ah right, the motorcycle club I'm part of puts on this charity event twice a year for the local children's hospital. Me and Shari are dressing up like Greasers this year for it."

"Greasers?!" Vanessa asked, perplexingly.

"Don't look at me, thank my father for planting that idea into my daughter's head," Callum said, holding up his hands.

"Then what are the two of you doing Sunday?"

"Nothing I'm aware of," Callum admitted.

"Then... how about the two of you coming over to our place, and I'll cook us up some steaks, burgers, the whole nine yards," Henry said, his wife nodding along. "We want to show you, that when the two of you are ready, our home would be a safe and caring place for Shari."

"Long as you don't cook anything in peanut oil or have them anywhere near the food I don't see a problem with that."

"Cal you aren't allergic to peanuts..."

"Shari is though," Callum said, plainly.

"Is she allergic to anything else?" Vanessa asked, typing out a memo on her phone.

"Shellfish. She's normally good at keeping her EpiPen on her, but if or when I agree to an overnight stay you'll have to make sure she always has it on her."

"Of course Cal," Vanessa nodded.

"Everything else we can discuss later," Callum said, noting the late hour.

Vanessa noted the time on her phone, as much as she wanted to learn all she could about their daughter from Callum's own mouth. She knew it would have to wait. She was so glad that he's given her this chance to be a mother to Shari. She just prayed she will be a good one.

"Cal?" Vanessa turned towards him as she opened the passenger door.

"Hmm?"

"Saturday, would you mind if we came over to see what she looks like all dressed up?" Vanessa asked, with hope.

"I don't see why not," Callum said, rubbing the back of his head. "We'll be leaving here at one so if you want to stop by..."

"We'll be here at noon," Vanessa said, a little too quickly.

"Alright then," Callum nodded.

"You did a remarkable job with her Cal. She's grown into a beautiful girl, I just hope I can be as good as a parent as you are," Vanessa said, sweetly.

"Oh, I had lots of help, Mom, Dad, the gang, Shari never has wanted for a family, just a mother," Callum said, looking pointedly at Vanessa.

"And I mean to fix that Cal, you have my word on that," Vanessa said, with a curt nod.

"We'll see."

"You'll see Cal, I won't make the same mistakes again," Vanessa said, through the open window.

"Uh-huh, you drive safe now," Callum said, wave to Henry before backing away.

Saturday, noon.

"Shari!" Callum called out as his clean, plain, white t-shirt slid down his chest conforming to his pectorals as he tugged at the hem of his shirt.

"Yes Daddy!" Shari came racing into his bedroom still wearing her pajamas.

"Did you lay out your clothes like I asked you too?" Callum asked, as he attaching the chain of his wallet to his belt before sliding the belt through the loop.

"Mmmhmm."

"Have you put your cereal bowl in the sink?" Callum couldn't keep from smiling at his daughter's nod. "Well then, I think we need to get a pretty little..." Just then a knock came upon the front door, "I wonder who that could be?!" His voice held a little amusement to it at his daughter's confused look that was painted on her face. "Let's go see who it is," Callum said, his hand touched lightly on Shari's back as he led her out of his bedroom.

If you were in that room at that moment you would have witnessed, the sound of Shari's deep intake of breath on that mostly sunny afternoon, the shock and joy in her eyes as she gazed upon her mother. You would have seen her little body just explode as 'Mommy!' was screamed for all to hear two states away.

"Shari!" Vanessa cried holding out her arms to her daughter. "Looks like we made it just in time," she said, smiling at Callum as she rubbed Shari's back.

"I was about to get her dressed, you want," Callum nodded towards Shari's bedroom.

"You wouldn't mind?" Vanessa asked, as she looked up at Callum.

"No, although I think I should charge you for all the dirty diapers you missed," Callum joked.

"I bet you were a handful weren't you?!" Vanessa asked, looking down at a wide smiling, nodding Shari.

"She's already got her clothes laid out," Callum called after them as Shari led Vanessa to her bedroom.

"Hey," Henry greeted Callum warmly with a shake of his hand as he entered their home.

"Have a seat I need to finish getting ready," Callum gestured to the sofa to which Henry nodded.

"Hey Cal?!"

"Yeah?" Callum called back from his room.

"I want to thank you for sending us those videos of when Shari was little. Vanessa has watched each one a dozen or more times. Especially the one where Shari starts to walk."

"Yeah, that was a good day," Callum admitted. "Then again, that in turn led to the great chase," he mused as he stepped out of his room. His boots thumped on the floor boards as he rested his black leather biker jacket on the back of the couch.

"I bet she was a handful once Shari learned how to run and scamper around," Henry said, smiling friendly at Callum.

"Oh, I had to learn to do the sixty yard dash in less than three seconds," Callum said, with a smile on his face.

"Vanessa parents will be in town tomorrow," Henry said, low. "Will it be okay if they come to the cookout?"

"Sure, it's your place man," Callum said, sinking down in his seat.

"Cal! Where's the bathroom, I want to fix Shari's hair for her," Vanessa said, sticking her head out of Shari's room.

"Right there," Callum said, pointing at the door to the only bathroom in their house. Smiling at Shari as she came running out of her room in her matching attire.

Vanessa flashed her husband a loving look that told him that she was so in love with her little girl already. Her cheeks had a light blush to them as she followed after Shari.

"She's a handful I tell you that now," Callum said, as Henry's gaze lingered on the doorway of the bathroom.

"I bet," Henry spoke softly, "something I'm sure she got from her mother," he said, with a coy smile.

"Me actually," Callum said, with a bit of pride. "Shari got her looks from Vanessa, her attitude though, is all me," he softly chuckled.

"I'll keep my eye out then," Henry nodded.

"Cal?!" Vanessa called out from the bathroom.

"Yeah?"

"Can Shari wear some makeup?"

"No, she's too young for that don't you think?" Callum replied.

"Would lip-gloss be fine?"

"Okay, I can go with that," Callum said, hearing his daughter's squeal.

"There, that should do it," Vanessa said, studying her work after ten minutes of fixing her daughter's hair. She couldn't fault Callum for not knowing how to style a girl's hair, he was doing a fine job taking care of their daughter. Now that she was back and in Shari's life, Vanessa was going to make her daughter look the most stunning that she could be. Her thumb brushed along Shari's right cheek as she gazed up at her. A tear rimmed her eye knowing that this could very easily not have happened. That she would be forced to spend the rest of her life looking in yet never participating in Shari's life. She has screwed up once she wasn't about to do so again. "Let's go show your dad how pretty you look," Vanessa stated to which Shari promptly nodded.

"Daddy! Look what Mama did?!" Shari called out as her little legs carried her hurriedly across the divide.

"I see," Callum said, lightly brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You look very pretty Shari."

"I know," Shari said, sticking her cute little button nose in the air before giggling as Callum tickled her stomach.

"Go get your shoes..."

"Can I?" Vanessa asked, nervously. She wanted to get as much hands on experience as she could, or as much as Callum was willing to let her shoulder.

"Sure, her Converse are in her closet," Callum stated looking over at Vanessa.

"Come Shari, let's not keep your dad waiting," Vanessa said, holding out her hand to her daughter.

"Kay!"

"Shari seems like a very happy child, you should be proud of the way you raised her," Henry said, once Vanessa and Shari entered her bedroom.

"She is, and I am," Callum nodded.

"Cal?" Henry scooted over so he could whisper to Callum.

"Hmm?"

"You know if you ever need a night off, or you have a date lined up in the near future Vanessa and I would be so happy to look after Shari for a night. I know it can't be easy trying to have a love life while single handedly taking care of Shari. You got to look after yourself too, or you'll burn out and that won't be good for Shari."

"I'll think about it," Callum said, plainly.

"That's all that we ask," Henry nodded.

Vanessa cleared her throat as she stepped out of her daughter's room. "I present to you gentlemen the Lady Shari," she said trying not to smile, gesturing to the doorway as Shari filled the space. Who was sporting a broad grin as she stared at her father.

"Holy," Henry whispered. His eyes darting between his wife and Shari.

"Yeah," Callum muttered as Shari looked so much like her mother.

"Didn't Mama make me look pretty Daddy?!" Shari asked, running up to her father's side.

"Shari you've always been pretty honey," Callum said sweetly, as he placed a hand on Shari's left shoulder so he wouldn't mess up her hairdo. "I've just never realized how much the two of you look alike," he admitted.

"Thank you Cal, that means a lot," Vanessa said, in a warm tone.

"Where's your coat Shari?"

"Oh?!" Shari dashed back into her room.

"Coat?! It's in the eighties Cal?" Vanessa inquired.

"Yeah, but it gets cold going seventy in a side car," Callum said, with a smirk as he rose.

"Side car?! You aren't thinking of taking our daughter on a motorcycle are you?" Vanessa asked, unsure if that was a wise decision.

"If I am?!" Callum said, arching an eyebrow. "You think this will be Shari's first time in a side car? That girl has been on a bike since the day she was born. You would know that if you bothered to know our child," he said heatedly, as his own leather jacket settled onto his shoulders.

"Sorry Cal, I didn't mean anything by it," Vanessa said, dropping her head.

"Shari, come on!" Callum called out eager to get on the road.

"Coming!" Shari answered as she dug her coat from her closet.

"Cal?!"

"Yeah?" Callum looked back at his former girlfriend as he locked up his home.

"Can I get a couple pictures of you and Shari before you take off?"

"Sure," Callum nodded. Smiling down at his daughter as her hand slipped into his.

"That should do it," Henry said, as he snapped off the last photo of just his wife and Shari together.

"Thank you Cal," Vanessa said, as Callum went over his Indian Chief Dark Horse once he had rolled it out of the storage shed beside the garage.

"Not a problem," Callum muttered as he handed his daughter her helmet. Matching Shari's smile as she buckled the chin strap. "Bret will be there today, I know how much you've missed him," he said, watching his daughter's eyes widen at the news.

"Uncle Bret's back!" Shari exclaimed hugging her father as he nodded.

"You don't..."

"To her he is," Callum said, cutting Vanessa off.

"Oh, then I'm happy for you Shari, where did your uncle go?"

"He went on this big long trip," Shari said, beginning to speak rapidly. Vanessa tried to hold back her smile as Shari went on and on about Bret and his neat cats.

"Well, this Bret fellow sounds like an interesting man," Henry said, stepping up to his wife's side. Resting his arm along Vanessa's shoulders as he smiled down at his step-daughter.

"He is!" Shari said, with a toothy smile.

"Shari we need to get going if we're going to make it on time," Callum said, as he threw his leg over his motorcycle. The gas tank key brushed along the ignition as he turned it to the 'On' switch.

"Okay Daddy, bye Mommy!" Shari hugged Vanessa's legs tightly. "Thank you for doing my hair?!"

"You're very welcome baby," Vanessa said lovingly, as she rubbed her daughter's back. "You drive safe Cal, and you two have fun. Cal text me when you get back so I know you and Shari made it home safe, okay?"

"Alright," Callum nodded as he slid his sunglasses on. "You buckled in?" he asked, looking over at Shari once she was settled into her seat.

"Mmmhmm, let's go beat those posers!" Shari shouted out throwing her arms in the air. Callum could only chuckle at the look on Vanessa's face when Shari said that. "Bye!" Shari's voice could be heard over the engine's roar as they took off down the road.

Callum arched an eyebrow as he noted the moving truck down by Amanda's place as they sat at the stop sign. He had gone to check on her a few days ago when she didn't show up for her regularly scheduled fucking, only to find her house unlocked and all its contents were gone. He knew she must have fled in a hurry given the items, while not valuable unto themselves, yet they held some value to Amanda and her son, that were left behind. Callum just wished he knew why she would flee that house and not tell anyone.

"Wow!" Shari mouthed as a red blur flew past them. Taking a right, placing his hand over Shari's as she rested her left hand on his thigh.

"Seems most everyone is here," Callum said, as he turned into the club's parking lot as the line of chrome exhausts, handlebars, and everything in-between glinted in the sunlight.

"Cal!" Raising his hand in greeting as he shut off his bike once he set the brake.

"Marda!" Shari waved franticly as she waited for her father's permission.

"Go on Shari, go say hey," Callum said, smiling sweetly at her. A smirk raised the corner of his lips as Shari took off, racing directly for Marda.

"How's my favorite baby girl doing?!" Marda asked, as she brought Shari into her lap. As she and everyone else hung out on the patio on the left side of the club's main building.

"Guess what?!" Shari asked excitedly, unable to sit still in Marda's lap.

"What?" Marda asked, with a warm smile. The women of the club took turns watching over Callum and Shari. Making sure they had everything they needed given how Callum was the one supporting Shari on his own. Flashing Callum a smile and a nod when he waved to her.

"My Mama came!"

"Do what?!" Marda stammered causing every eye to fall upon Callum for clarification.

"Shari finally met her mother a few days ago," Callum said, after taking a sip of his bottled soda.

"Oh you did?! I'm so happy for you Shari, do you like her?" Marda asked once Shari nodded.

"Mmmhmm, but I love Daddy more," Shari said, proudly.

"As you should, your dad has given up a lot to raise you on his own," Marda said, lightly tugging on the front of Shari's shirt. "Now what is this getup you're wearing?" she asked, her eyes running down Shari's and Callum's matching attire.

"We're Greasers," Shari said, her voice taking on a hard tone as she flexed her bicep.

"Greasers you say," Marda said, biting her lip from keeping herself from laughing at the 'West Side Story' reference.

"Mmmhmm," Shari nodded.

"Do I hear my favorite mini-me?!" Bret's voice filtered through the crowd.

"Bret! Bret! Bret!" Marda smiled as she watched Shari run through the crowd as they parted making a path for Shari. "I've missed you!" she stammered as she held back her tears as she hugged her friend.

"I've missed you too Shari," Bret said warmly, returning Shari's hug. Nodding a greeting to Callum as he stood beside Marda. "You want to see the games I brought with me for our cookout tonight?"

"Can I Daddy?" Shari asked, looking back at her father.

"Sure honey, you have her back by eight, you hear?!" Callum said, with a joking smirk at the three-hundred pound teddy bear of a man. He was one of the few people in this world he trusted Shari's safety with. Given how Bret was the one who stopped the man that tried to snatch Shari from her side car while he went to pay for gas.

"Daddy stop!" Shari giggled as she slid her hand into Bret's.

"Don't worry Cal, you know she's in excellent hands," Bret said, his greying beard brushed along his shirt as he spoke.

"That I do Bret," Callum said, tipping his bottle to him.

"Now Shari close your eyes I want this to be a surprise." Callum heard Bret say as he held the side door open to the club house.

"So Cal, her mother showed up?" Regina's voice had a mix of annoyance and assumption in it as her ebony hair floated on the breeze, her motorcycle leathers squeaked she cocked out her hip. Her Asian heritage was lost in the sea of people of all backgrounds that populated the club. "You two going to hook back up?"

"God no," Callum answered quickly.

"Why not?" Marda asked, looking up at him.

"She wanted to kill my child; you honestly think I have any feelings left for her?" Callum asked, with a pointed look. "We are only friends for Shari's welfare, not mine. Plus, Vanessa is already married."

"Good. I have someone you should meet," Regina said, with a coy smile.

"Not one of those blind dates again is it?" Callum asked, fighting back his groan.

"Now, now Cal, don't get too hasty on me," Regina said, wagging her finger at him. If she was twenty years younger, and wasn't married, and didn't have her own family she would so take her shot with Callum, as would most of the women there. Yet as it was, she and all the other's made Callum and Shari feel like family, in a sense they were, she knew must of the adults had adopted Shari. If Callum was busy with work, or simply needed a night off, they wouldn't hesitate to jump at the chance to babysit Shari for him. "As a matter-of-fact it isn't a date, she'll meet us at the second marker. I think you'll like her," Regina said, with a warm smile.

"Uh-huh," taking the last sip of his drink, "Marda why is it every woman here is trying to set me up?" Callum whispered into her ear as he sat down.

"Cal, you know your attractive right?" Marda asked, with a cocked eyebrow.

"So, I've been told," Callum nodded.

"Well, you mix that with how good a father you are, and bam! Instant wet panties," Marda chuckled at Callum's reddening cheeks. "It is time for you to find someone for yourself Cal," she said, reaching over her armrest and gently patting his hand. "You can't live just for Shari alone. You need someone just as much as she needs her mother."

"But is Shari ready to be experiencing that? Me going out, bringing a strange woman around when its time, is she ready for that?" Callum asked, looking over at Marda, seeing her fifty-seven years of experience in her eyes.

"I can't say Cal, but it's been eight years since you've dated anyone. Don't you think it's time? Shari is old enough to know what dating means. Plus, her mother's come back so you'll have someone to count on if those dates become stay overs," Marda said wickedly, as she wiggled her eyebrows.

"I think you just want to know about my sex life," Callum teased, as he nudge Marda's elbow.

"You have to have... well, look at you getting yourself some, you little sneak," Marda laughed as she lightly shoved Callum as he smirked. "Well, that would explain why you've never taken our offers to set you up, you're already getting laid."

"Daddy! Look at what Bret got me!" Shari shouted as she raced towards him.

"Oh, and what did Bret get you?" Callum asked, as he waited on Shari to unroll the poster in her hands.

"See?!" Shari was grinning from ear to ear as she held the unicorn poster for her father to see. "Can we hang it up when we get home?!" she asked, with pleading eyes.

"Of course honey, now why don't you go give that back to Bret so he can put it somewhere safe until we go home," Callum said, smiling at his daughter.

"Okay!" Shari said happily, before running back into the main building.

"See," Marda's boney finger poked him in the arm, "that right there is why they have soaked panties," she whispered as she gestured to the women who kept an ear out for them. "You know if you were a very, very wicked man, you could have any one of them."

"Even you?" Callum asked, teasingly.

"Oh honey, if you ever got between these legs," Marda's rose colored lips curved into a seductive smile, "I'd drain those balls of yours so quick it'd leave your head spinning." Callum's laughter filled the air at Marda's banter. He knew she was happily married to Rick, the founder of the club, yet Marda did like to flirt. Plus Marda was like another grandmother to Shari.

"Hey Cal!" Came a baritone voice from within the crowd.

"Yeah, how's it going John," Callum said, waving to Regina's husband as the barrel chest black man ambled over.

"Been better," John admitted once he got through the crowd.

"What's going on?!" Callum asked, as they performed the club's hand shake.

"I was wondering if you'd have time to look at my car. Every time I start down the driveway the temp jumps to the red."

"You idling or giving it any gas?"

"Straight idle man," John said, rubbing his bald, shiny head.

"Sure, have it towed to my place and I'll see what I can do on Monday," Callum said, smiling at his friend.

"I appreciate that man, Regina's been on me to get that fixed."

"Yeah, I bet riding in the rain to work isn't pleasant either," Callum chuckled.

"You got me there," John said, joining in on the mirth.

Callum watched from the corner of his eyes as Shari walked hand in hand with Regina around the club grounds as he chatted away with the other members. Some talking about the game that was on the other night. Some about the fight from the other month. Many simply discussing their lives up to that date who didn't get to come last month due to life getting in the way. A smile formed on his lips at the joke one of the guys was telling as he took a sip of another soda. Callum never drank when he had Shari in the side car, and he only had one beer if he was driving his truck. He would never endanger his daughter's life. Watching his daughter's face lighting up as the women of the club clustered around Shari. She was always the center of attention when he brought her along. Not that he minded really, he was happy that Shari was making friends.

"Alright everyone mount up!" Rick shouted when it was time to hit the streets for the poker run.

"You ready for this?!" Callum asked, once Shari reached his side.

"Yeah! We're going to crush those posers!" Shari shouted throwing her arm into the air. Callum bit his lip from laughing out loud at her display. He noted how Marda and Regina and all the other women of the club were fighting back their smiles as well.

"Now that's what I like to hear!" Rick shouted his icy blue eyes twinkled as Shari smiled at him.

"Then climb aboard, we need to be fast if we want that unicorn prize," Callum said, knowing she would have forgotten about that. Her gaping mouth was evidence of that.

"A unicorn?!" Shari squealed. Before her little legs carried her quickly over to his bike. "Come on Daddy! Unicorn!" Callum just shook his head and chuckled as he walked over to his bike. "We're getting that unicorn!" Shari released her battle cry as they pulled out of the club's parking lot.

"Daddy I'm thirsty," Shari said, as they pulled to a stop at the second marker to get their cards.

"Okay, here's five dollars go get you a drink while I get our card," Callum said, handing her the bill. Twisting to the right as he heard the sound of a sport bike's engine revving as it pulled into the Sonic parking lot. Keeping Shari in her seat as the bike pulled alongside Shari. Callum tried to keep his eyes from shooting to the woman's ass as her leather molded to it as she eased off her bike. Her light brown hair spilled out, down her back as she lifted her helmet.

"Can I go now?" Shari asked, wondering what the hold up was.

"Sure Shari," Callum said, his brain starting to function once again.

"Hi cutie," the woman cooed as she waved to Shari as she passed. Callum's eyes slyly followed after her, running along her perfect nose, in his eyes, her fine jawline, the smile when she greeted... Regina. Shaking his head, he wasn't going to get involved. Hopping off his bike when he was sure Shari was waiting in line. He was hoping to get back on the road before Regina could set her plan into motion. That was his hope anyway, yet that didn't work out as he was sliding the card into his inside jacket pocket as Regina called out to him. Sighing in his mind as he turned to greet her.

"Cal, this is Itzel, the woman I told you about," Regina said, smiling as she introduced the two of them.

"A pleasure to meet you," Itzel said, with a warm smile as she held out her hand.

"Pleasure," Callum said, wondering why he was becoming tongue tied; something that had never happened before.

"So I hear you have a little girl." Callum's eyes darted over Itzel's right shoulder as Regina mouthed 'I told her everything, your welcome!'

"Yes, I do."

"Was that her in the side car?" Itzel asked, slyly running her eyes down his chest. She had gotten a very good look at his rear while he waited in line, and she liked what she saw. She wasn't looking for some fling. She wanted to put down roots. To finally stop being chased by men and start a family. This was why she left the west coast, where most people were so shallow and stale. If what she'd heard from Regina, which was a lot since she talked to her about Callum almost every chance she got while they were at work, was right then she might have to stop looking.

"Shari! Where you going?" Callum asked, as she tried to sneak her drink into the side car.

"Nowhere," Shari said, with child-like innocence.

"You have to finish your drink before we can get back on the road." Itzel remained silent, she had to see for herself at how he dealt with his daughter.

"But Daddy," Shari pouted.

"You know what happened last time you tried that," Callum said, sternly. "You don't have to drink it all at once, you know," he sighed as Shari pinched her nose as she fought to thaw out her brain.

"I take it this is your daughter?" Itzel asked, her steel blue eyes glanced from Shari to Callum. Wondering how a man younger than her could have a child as old as Shari appeared to be.

"Shari come here and meet Regina's friend," Callum said, waving his daughter over.

Shari eyed the woman before her as she drew upon her straw. "Hello," she said sweetly, before getting another sip of her drink.

"Hi! I'm Itzel, and you are?"

"Shari!" Her innocent smile beamed up at Itzel.

"Oh my! She's so adorable! Get a hold of yourself Itzel!" She berated herself in her mind. She had to know if the man was decent enough before she fell head over heels for his daughter.

"You done Shari?" Callum asked, once he heard the straw sucking up nothing but air.

"Yes Daddy," Shari said, looking up at him.

"Go toss it in the trash and we'll get back on the road. It was nice meeting you," Callum said, with a friendly smile.

"The pleasure was all mine," Itzel whispered as she listened to the two of them.

"Told you he was the catch, didn't I?" Regina snickered behind her friend.

"You didn't tell me he was so young?!" Itzel said, turning around. She thought Callum was in his thirties with a kid that age.

"I did say he was about as old as you are if I'm not mistaken."

"But how can he have a kid that old?!" Itzel asked, keeping her voice low.

"Shari's mother had her when they were sixteen, Cal's raised her ever since," Regina said, matter-of-factly.

"He... raised a child, on his own at sixteen?!" Itzel asked, flabbergasted.

"He told me his parents helped a lot when Shari was still very little. But he mostly did it on his own," Regina said, waving to Shari as Callum backed out of his parking spot. "So that the kind of man you're looking for? Hard working, stable, good looking, responsible, good with kids?" she asked, with a coy smile.

"Why do I get the feeling you're holding back something," Itzel said, looking over at Regina.

"Because she is," Marda said, sauntering up. Itzel felt herself tensing up as those jade eyes of hers ran down her body. "Do you think you're the only one after that man?" she said, shooting a glance at Regina. "I take it that she didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what? And who are you anyway?" Itzel asked, looking to her friend for an answer.

"Shari's godmother," Marda said proudly, as she placed her right hand on her cocked out hip. "So, I'm in the position to know if you want that man, you have a lot of competition," she said, as she walked towards Itzel. "A man like him, as good a father as he is to Shari, trust me, he's one of the good ones, men like Cal don't stay single for long when they finally start looking but that's just my advice to you. I wish you luck and enjoy the rest of the run. You're welcome to come to the cookout after... Cal will be there if you're wondering," Marda said, as she walked towards her husband's trike.

"Going somewhere?" Regina called out to her friend as Itzel walked towards her red Yamaha MT-01.

"I'm already behind, I might as well catch up," Itzel said, with a smile on her lips as she pushed her visor down.

Callum's eyes glanced at his right mirror as he noted the ever advancing motorcycle that was gaining ground on them. Moving over to allow it room to pass, turning his head, arching an eyebrow when he heard the bike slowing. His eyes darting rapidly along Itzel's body as she pulled apace with them.

"Hey," Itzel cooed as she flipped her visor once they stopped at a red light.

"Yo," Callum greeted wondering why she had slowed down, and trying to keep his eyes from roaming down her body. Looking down as Shari peeked over his thigh.

"Hi Shari!" Itzel waved to her.

"Hi!" Shari said happily. "You aren't after the unicorn prize too right?" she asked worryingly.

"What?! They have the unicorn prize?!" Itzel feigned shock and surprise. Which earned her a smile from Callum at Shari's 'Yeah?!' Her eyes flickered over as the yellow light flicked on. "Well then, shall we get that prize," she said, looking right at Shari. Biting her lip at how adorable those hard set eyes of determination sat within that cute face of hers was, it was melting her heart. Quickly flipping down her visor, feeling her face heating rapidly. Glancing out the corner of her eye when Callum shrugged at his daughter.

"You stay with Marda while I go get our prize okay?" Callum said, once they had reached the end of the run. Trying not to eye Itzel as she glanced at him while she talked to Regina.

"Okay Daddy," Shari said, as Marda lightly patted the hand she was holding.

"Hey Cal, wait a moment," Itzel called out as Callum neared the prize booth. "Mind if I wait in line with you?" she asked, with a flirtatious smile.

"No," drawing out the word noting the eyes of the men there, "so... that's an interesting bike you've got," Callum said, making small talk.

"Thanks, its... fast that's for sure," Itzel said, slyly lowering the zipper of her jacket. "Can I ask you something?"

"I don't see why not," Callum said, trying to keep his eyes on her face and not the tops of her breasts.

"What's up with the getup?"

"Shari wanted to be Greasers for this event, so we're Greasers," Callum said, reaching into his coat for the cards. The real reason he did these things was to spend time with Shari and for her to see the town and not be stuck cooped up in the house all the time. Plus to teach as well, why they were going to the natural museum next weekend to see the dinosaurs.

Itzel moaned softly in her mind when Callum said that. "Does she always ride along with you?" Itzel asked, slyly glancing over at him.

"Always," Callum nodded.

"Umm... Regina mentioned you raised her from when you were sixteen, is that true?"

"Yeah, why do I look that young to you?" Callum asked, with a coy smirk.

"To have a daughter that old, no offense, but duh. Did you always want to be a father? Is that why you raised her at that age?"

"Huh?! I honestly can't say on that matter. The day Vanessa told me she was pregnant with Shari something just... like flipped -- is the best way I can describe it -- inside me when the news finally soaked into my grey matter. Then well... things happened," Callum said, recounting the battles he had to go through to prove that he could be a father to Shari before she was even born and the legal battle with Vanessa.

"And you raised her all on your own?" Itzel asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I did have help, but yeah, all me."

"Not to be nosey," feeling her cheeks heat as his eyes glanced over to her, "where was her mother in all of this?" Itzel asked, her steel blue eyes glanced over to him.

"I wouldn't know, the last time I saw Vanessa was at high school graduation, and that wasn't to talk about the child we have together."

"So then... you two hook up on occasion?" Itzel hoped not.

"What?! No, nothing like that," Callum waved her off. "After high school I hadn't seen Vanessa in six years until a few days ago, and she's married. If you're wondering," he said, with a coy smile.

"But didn't she want to be in Shari's life?" Itzel asked, feeling her anger rising when Callum shook his head.

"No, she wanted to abort her, so I had to fight her and her parents for my child's right to live," Callum said, feeling his right hand curling into a fist. It still upset him to no end thinking back to eight years ago.

"I'm sorry that happened Cal, a child, a child should be a joyous event. Not something that fractures a family," Itzel said, sweetly as she lightly touched his upper left arm. "Shari seems to be a very happy girl."

"She is, how can you not be when you got your family around," Callum said, turning to the right waving to his daughter as the ladies of the club kept her entertained as he waited in line.

"Remember... unicorn!" Shari shouted to her father.

"She must really like unicorns," Itzel lightly giggled.

"She does," Callum nodded. "When she was three my mother got her this little unicorn outfit that she would never take off," he said, with a warm smile recounting fond memories of that time.

"I bet she looked so adorable in it," Itzel said, with a bashful smile.

"Her?! Oh, you better believe it," Callum chuckled.

"So Cal, what do you do for a living?" Itzel asked, wondering if this would lead anywhere. From what she had seen of Callum and Shari then she knew Callum would make an excellent father to her own children if they got that far.

"I'm a mechanic, what about you?" Callum asked, as he looked over at her.

"Oh, I work in an athenaeum," Itzel said, with a coy smile.

"Is that even a word?!" Callum asked, arching an eyebrow.

"It so is!"

"You sure?!" Callum asked, curiously.

"Look it up, it's a real word I swear!" Itzel said, with a warm, broad smile.

"Then spell it," Callum said, pulling out the cheap smart phone he had, only to keep in touch in case something happened to Shari.
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