“People will force their thoughts and opinions of what Rylee needs, whether you want them or not. They will present their ideas as being experts on the matter. Most of them are, but ultimately, every child is different. How they exist, how they love, how they communicate and show up in the world varies. You have to be firm in knowing what works for Rylee and what doesn’t. Their focus will be on Rylee being a deaf child who has to function in a hearing society. Often, what that looks like is adjusting and making her change. Rylee is unique but neverallow that to drive your plan or thought process like she isn’t the goal. Don’t allow her deafness to overshadow your ability to see her.”
“I’m gonna fuck this up,” he said, more to himself I assumed because he didn’t sign the words and I barely picked up the phrase.
I offered a reassuring smile.“Yeah, you are, but you’ll recognize that you did, adjust, and try again. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be present.”
“You’re perfect.”
I shook my head with my brows pinched.“I’m not.”
“Rylee thinks you are, so like it or not, you get to wear that crown.”
“We’ll get you one too. It just may take a little time for her to place it on your head.”
Based on the shake of his shoulders and the curve of his lips, he laughed before signing,“You read my lips.”
“I did. I’m actually very good at it, so you don’t always have to sign. If you’re facing me, I can pick up what you’re saying.”
“Can she?”His brows pinched as his hands moved.
“She’s learning. You can help by speaking to her when you sign. My friend Marlee is hearing, so she speaks to Rylee when she signs, to help her learn to read lips better. You can do the same. Communication differs from person to person with what they prefer. I want Rylee to have knowledge and understanding of everything but it’s up to her to decide what works best. I never force one or the other. It will always be her choice. Society does enough of forcing us to be one way or another to accommodate them.”
He nodded in understanding.“I have a lot to learn.”
“A little, but it’s more so about learning Rylee.”
“See, that’s why you need to stay. You can teach me.”
My eyes rolled and he smiled charmingly.“I’m serious. I need you.”
Oh god, my heart…
Don’t do that, Somee. This man is not what you need. But he smells so damn good and being around him feels easy.
Instead of addressing the statement, I added one more thing.“Parents of deaf children carry a lot of stress and concern about what their children need, whether they’re doing things right, and if they’re good parents. Parenting is hard enough without the added layer of having a deaf child. For you, it will be ten times worse because every decision you make, good or bad, has the potential to be played out in real time for the world to see and scrutinize. Your life is wildly publicized.”
His face crumpled, as if he just now considered that thought.“I’ll figure out how to navigate that.”He paused as if considering something before his hands were moving again.“Do you have kids?”
I raised both brows.“No, why would you think that?”
He shrugged.“You’re speaking about parenting like the knowledge comes from a personal place.”
“My mother is deaf so I understand the struggles she had raising me and also from my own personal experience of being deaf.”
He nodded.“Anything else?”
“A lot actually but I don’t want to overwhelm you. Just know Rylee is a beautiful girl. She’s smart, funny, and strong-willed. Don’t focus on her being deaf. She’s just a little girl who loves and wants to be loved.”
“You know you’re never leaving, right?”
I grinned when I signed,“As much as I love this house, we might be able to work something out.”
He flashed a smile then glanced to his left at the phone on the counter before his hands moved as he hopped down.“Pizza is here.”
“I’ll get Rylee.”
I really wanted to not like this man, but each minute I spent with him, not liking him became increasingly impossible. Everything he had done up until this point to make this transition easier, not just for his sister but me as well, proved he was genuinely a good guy. There was no denying that he loved his sister and simply wanted to provide her with a safe space where she felt like she belonged. Where she could thrive and be happy.
What’s not to love? A sexy, single man, putting family first no matter the cost.