“Money. You have lots of money, Derrick. You’re in a great position to be able to do this,” Evan tells me.
“I’m so busy at work.” What about my business? It’s just really taking off. Could I afford to take time off with a newborn? There are so many logistics involved.
“No one is saying you have to do it now. You have plenty of time. Why not look into it as a Plan B?” Evan presses.
“You never know what the new year might bring. The love of your life could be around the corner,” Christian encourages me.
“You’re right, Christian. I need to stop being a ho and start looking for Mr. Right.” Charlie made me go out and start dating,and even though I’ve had some disasters, I have met some great guys, but I haven’t given them a chance because I could find any manner of excuses why they wouldn’t work.
“I heard my name.” Hudson, Finn’s older brother, walks in at that moment, surprising us all. Finn rushes up and hugs his brother. He’s been in the Middle East working with the troops there. He’s a photojournalist who specializes in war-torn areas. Badass.And he also has a hot ass.
“I see being a dad has made you soft.” Hudson chuckles, hugging Finn.
“Fuck you. I’m glad you’re safe, that’s all, asshole.” Finn punches his brother.
It’s my turn for a hug, and I give his ass a squeeze, which makes Hudson laugh. “Good to see you, too, D,” Hudson whispers into my ear.
“Glad you’re home safe.”
“Me too.” He grins. “Now, where’s my nephew? I’m dying to see him,” Hudson says.
I walk over to where the girls are sitting and plonk down.
“Everything okay?” Sienna asks.
“Do you think I could make it as a single dad?” I ask her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Christian and Evan suggested that I should investigate surrogacy as a single guy instead of waiting for Mr. Right.”
“Is that what you want?”
“You keep popping out gorgeous babies, and I’m sad that I just can’t pop them out too.”
“You want babies?” Sienna asks.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love being Uncle Derrick, but Daddy Derrick is my dream. I feel like I could give my child the life I never got from my own family.”
“I think you would be an amazing dad, but is now the right time?” Sienna asks.
“We always said we wanted our kids to be close in age.”
“We did,” Sienna nods, “but that isn’t a big enough reason to have a child. I’m not trying to talk you out of it because you would be the best dad in the world, and I know you would love them so much. Having kids is hard, we have a lot of help but even then, it’s hard. But during those hard times, at least I have Evan to lean on and me, him. Doing it on your own is going to be hard. We would help you in a heartbeat, but your business is taking off, and you have worked so hard to get to that place. Enjoy your success, you have plenty of time to have babies.”
“What happens if I don’t meet anyone?”
Sienna glares at me. “You’re not going to find forever love at a sex club or sitting at home on your sofa.” I gasp, how dare she call me out like that. “Your New Year’s resolution should be trying new things.” I go to open my mouth, and Sienna shushes me. “I don’t mean sexually.” She knows me too well. “What are your goals for this new year?”
“Continue to build my business. Better work-life balance.”
“I’m sorry that I’ve been on maternity leave and left the responsibility of the shop on you,” Sienna says, squeezing my hand.
“Hey, now, don’t talk like that. I don’t begrudge you at all for having time with your babies. We have a great team that handles everything.”
“I feel like I’m letting the team down.” Sienna sighs.
“Never. You’ve been doing important work with those gorgeous boys. You are always present for team meetings, and you pop in once a week to check on things. You may not always be in the shop, but you do work.”
