There's a pain in my chest.
My girl is growing up.
“You're gorgeous, baby.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she says with a blush. The doorbell rings, and her eyes widen.
That must be Joseph.
Diana pulls out her phone to check the time and nods. “Punctual. We like that in a guy, don't we?” She elbows me in the side, and I grunt in response.
Diana laughs, knowing my feelings about Sara Beth going on a date with Joseph Benson.
He seems like a good kid, but Sara Beth is still my baby girl.
I open the door with a grimace. Although, maybe it's closer to a glare based on the way Joseph looks like he's about to piss his pants.
“Hello, Mr. Caldwell. I'm here to pick up Sara Beth.”
“Dad, move. Let him in.”
I reluctantly step to the side.
“Picture time,” Diana cries, scooting the kids closer for a ton of photos before pushing me in for one with Sara Beth.
“Remember your curfew,” I warn once we're done. “Eleven o'clock. Sharp.”
“We've got it, Dad.” Sara Beth groans, tugging on Joseph's arm.
“And if you need anything, just call,” I say, watching as they trek down the porch, the sidewalk, the drive, until reaching Joseph's car parked on the curb.
“They'll be fine. You've raised a good girl,” Diana murmurs, wrapping an arm around me.
“I'm a good girl!” Rachel shouts from her place in my wife's other arm.
“Yes, you are.” I lean over to tickle her.
“Hey, what about me?” Tristan calls, still in the living room with the horses.
“You're a good girl, too,” I tease.
“I'm a boy.”
“Oh, how could I forget?” I grab his waist and haul him in the air. “I think your mom and dad are planning to call tonight to say hello. Are you excited?”
“I'm going to show them my horse.”
“Excellent plan. I'm sure they'll love it.”
After setting Rachel down so she can rejoin her cousin playing, Diana curls her arms around my waist again and rests her chin on my chest.
“How are you really doing?”
“Wishing my little girl wasn't so grown up,” I admit.
“Look on the bright side. You still have another girl to go through the same growing pains with.”
“Don't remind me… Rachel, you're never going to grow up on Daddy, are you?” I ask.
