“Dad!” Blakely whisper-shouts. “This was a setup?”
“What? I knew that you would be perfect together. I watched you two since you were born, and I knew you needed to be in each other’s lives.” Jim replies unapologetically and I can’t believe he tricked me again and said the final word. Same as always.
But I don’t care.
She’s mine.
I lift Blakely’s hand to my mouth and kiss her knuckles.
“That’s what your mother wanted,” he adds, staring into Blakely’s eyes.
After everyone gets a round with Dean and Lennon’s baby it’s finally my turn since we don’t want to overwhelm them. Dean puts his little girl into my waiting arms.
I stare at her.
My whole body relaxes like I’ve been recharged.
I’ve seen so much death in my life but this isthe first time I’ve seen a life entering this world in the form of a little girl. Dean and Lennon’s baby girl. As I hold her, every treasured moment flashes before my eyes until I focus on her little button nose, swaying my body side to side in subtle movements while she is asleep.
She is so pretty.
And tiny.
I caress her chubby cheek with the pad of my thumb gently. Tears flood my eyes and I can’t stop them, I need them to escape.
As I exit the room back to the waiting area, I go straight to Blakely who leans against a wall and waits for me.
“I think I can answer your question.” I fix my body around her, caging her between my arms.
She tilts her chin upward. “What question?”
“The one you asked when you gave me my tattoo.” I kiss her cute nose. “If I’m happy.”
“And…?”
“I’m happy when I’m with you. You quiet everything else, and breathing is easier when you’re around. Even in my sad moments, I’m happy you’re there. I can leave without you—”
“So can I, champ.” She intervenes, tossing an annoyed remark.
“Let me finish.” I cover her lips with my finger. “But I don’t want to. I choose you, Blakely, and nothing on this goddamn planet will change that.” Clearing my throat, I continue, “I want to take you out on a date when we’re back in Vegas, I want to give us a shot. We deserve it.”
“I want that too.” Her fingers twirl and play with my hair. “More than anything. I also want a dog.”
I chuckle, “Good thing I come with two.”
“But they are yours.”
“No.” I shake my head sideways. “They are ours.”
“I think I can answer your question too.” She notes, her eyes are toying with mine.
“Which one? I asked you a lot of those.”
“Who taught me how to wheelie?” That one.
I slightly cock my head to the side, waiting for her answer.
“You. I mean Bow Reyes.”
