“So you and mommy would be in love and be a husband and wife?”
I nodded, relieved. She did get it. “Yes. We already are in love, actually.”
“Good.” She sipped some more, getting the foam on her upper lip and looking adorable. “Does that mean you would be my daddy?”
“Would you like that?” I asked.
She nodded. “I already think you are my daddy.”
I cleared my throat. “It’s okay to still remember your father, though. You know that, right?”
“Yeah. But I don’t really remember him. I was little like Owen, and babies like him don’t remember much. They don’t even know they have toes or hands yet.”
I stifled a laugh. “That’s true.”
“Every night that I go to bed, I pray and give my thanks that Mommy is my mommy and that you’re my daddy.”
I smiled, amazed that such a little person could have such a huge power over me.
“When would you marry Mommy?” she asked.
“Whenever we figure out a date.”
“Will it be in the summer?”
I shrugged, noticing that she was right back to the minor details. Or what counted as minor in my opinion.
“Would I be able to have my hair done at the salon again?”
“Sure.”
“And you’ll wear one of those tuxedos?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Is that acceptable?”
She nodded. “Uh-huh. That’s what boys wear. Wait!”
I raised my brows.
“Can I start calling you Daddy now? Or can I only do that when you and Mommy are married?”
“Whatever makes you happier. I’m hoping that after I marry your mommy, we can be a complete family.”
She frowned. “How?”
“Well, I want to sign some papers that will mean I’ve adopted you. That you’ll legally be my daughter.”
She beamed instantly, cluing me in to how these facts were over her head.
“That means you’ll be Maisie Orlov.”
“Not Hayes? Like Mommy?”
“When your mommy and I get married, if she wants to marry me?—”
“Oh, she’ll marry you.” She nodded like she was an expert to claim it so.
“When we marry, she’ll be Mrs. Orlov.”
