My tears fell faster.
“You hear me?” he said, brushing one away with his thumb. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. The one thing I’m most proud of in this world. If God decided it was time for me to be a granddaddy, then I’m gonna step into that with joy.”
I looked up at him as he wiped my tears. He smiled that soft dad smile that always made everything alright and placed his hand over mine. “And listen,” he whispered, steady, reassuring. “You’re not doing this alone. I like that man. He’s rough around the edges, but you could do way worse. He looks at you like you hung the moon and stars.”
A shaky laugh cracked out of me.
My dad nodded. “Mmhmm. I peep the way that man been watching you all night like he’d flip this whole damn world upside down for you.”
“Yeah?” I sniffled.
“Truth. You’re gonna be a good mama, Autumn,” he said, voice thick. “Everything you didn’t get from yours… you’re gonna give. I been waiting to see that day. Now it’s here, and you got my full support, baby girl. Always.”
I leaned into him again, hugging him harder than I had in years. After a long moment, he pulled back and rested his forehead against mine, laughing quietly to keep himself from getting too emotional.
“Well, damn,” he muttered, shaking his head with watery eyes. “This is the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten.” That made me laugh through my tears. He hugged me one more time, then stepped back and tapped my shoulder. “Now wipe your face before Woods comes back in here looking ready to fight,” he teased.
I snorted. He went to grab his coat, slid it on fully this time, and walked toward the living room. Before I could say anything, Woods and Vanessa stepped out of the kitchen. He was holding two neatly packed to-go containers in one hand, and she carried foil-wrapped plates in the other.
“Y’all got a lil’ bit of everything,” Woods said casually, lifting the containers a little.
My dad chuckled as he reached for the food. “Good lookin’ out, son.” He dapped Woods up firmly, their grips tight, like men who respected each other. “Take care of my baby girl.”
Woods nodded once, serious and direct. “Always,” he said. No hesitation, no extra fluff. And for a moment, they just staredat each other in a way that said they both understood what wasn’t being said.
I blinked away the sting behind my eyes as I turned to Vanessa, who was shrugging into her coat. “It was really nice meeting you,” I said sincerely, pulling her into a brief hug. “Thank you for coming.”
She smiled warmly. “Likewise. And thanks for being so sweet. He talks about you all the time, by the way.” She winked, nodding toward my dad.
I laughed lightly. “That’s my guy.”
We all walked out onto the porch. I stood next to Woods, my arm wrapped around his waist, as we watched my dad help Vanessa into the passenger seat. Once he got in on the driver’s side and the engine turned over, the car rolled down the snowy street slowly. His signature beep followed.
“He knows,” I said quietly, still staring after the taillights.
Woods looked down at me, brushing his lips against the top of my head. “I figured that by the look he gave me on the way out.”
“You think it was a happy look?”
Woods smirked. “You tell me.”
I turned to face him, nodding. “Yeah… he was happy. Supportive. Didn’t even flinch.”
“Then that’s all that matters,” he said, leaning down and kissing my forehead. “You feel better now?”
“Yeah. I do.” We stood there a few more seconds in silence, letting the cold air nip at our cheeks before I yawned.
Woods tilted his head. “Nah,” he said low, that familiar growl sliding into his voice. “You don’t get to fall asleep just yet.”
I squinted up at him, amused. “Why not?”
He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. “‘Cause I still need to get you outta this damn dress and dick you down properly. Then… you can sleep.”
I let out a soft laugh, covering my face as I shook my head. “You’re such a freak.”
“Mhm,” he murmured, lifting me into his arms. “But you love it.”
And I did.
