Page 176 of Pucking Daddy

“Well,” I say gently, “that’s not something that happens right away.”

She nods like she already knows. “I know. Babies take a long time.”

“That’s correct,” Jaxon says.

“But,” I continue, stealing another quick glance at him, “it is something we’ve… thought about.”

Lily’s eyes light up instantly. “Really?”

Jaxon huffs out a quiet breath, but there’s a smile tugging at his mouth now. “Yeah,” he says. “Really.”

She beams. “So I might get one?”

“Maybe,” I say, smiling. “Someday.”

She considers that for a second.

Then she nods decisively. “Okay.” A beat. “But just so you know, I’m not sharing my room.”

“Noted,” Jaxon says.

She seems completely satisfied with that.

“Okay,” she adds, like the matter is officially settled.

Then she turns and runs off again. “I’m still making the fort plan!”

We stand there for a second in silence.

Then we both start laughing at the same time.

Quiet at first. Then a little helpless.

“Well,” I murmur, “no one can say we don’t talk things through in this family.”

Jaxon grins and winks at me. “You said yes, so there’s no backing out of this crazy now.”

“Don’t I know it.”

A moment later, Lily comes racing back with paper in hand.

And for a moment, the three of us just… are.

Planning blanket forts.

Like it’s the most important thing in the world.

And right now—

It kind of is.

THE END.