An abandoned beagle.
Lucas gasped first.“Whoa!”
He ran toward Cole immediately as he crouched down to pet the dog. Emma toddled over beside him, her tiny hands clapping together as she giggled happily.
Oreo rushed over too, sniffing the newcomer carefully, his tail wagging as if he had just discovered a new best friend.
“What do you think we should name it, guys?” Cole asked, leaning over to plant a quick kiss on my cheek.
I smiled at him, amused and touched by the way he had brought the dog home.
Emma, now twenty-one months old, stood there looking at the dog with serious concentration.Then she pointed.“Dada… Milo!”
Everything in the room stopped.
Lucas froze.
Oreo paused mid-wag.
Even Cole blinked in surprise.
My breath caught in my throat as my daughter’s words echoed in the room.
Dada.
Emma had just called Cole Dada for the very first time.
My insides twisted.
I looked at her before slowly lifting my gaze to Cole.
His mouth had fallen open.He looked completely stunned.Then his expression exploded into pure joy.His smile grew so wide it seemed like it might split his face.He let out a loud whoop and scooped Emma into his arms, swinging her around as she laughed.
“Say it again, Emma! Say it again!” he shouted excitedly.
“Milo,” she said proudly.
Cole burst out laughing.
“Not Milo,” he said, still holding her. “What did you say before that?”
“Dada,” she replied, giggling.
Tears instantly filled my eyes.
“Again, Emma,” Cole said, his voice bright with delight.
“Dada! Dada! Dada!” she squealed happily.
Then Lucas spoke softly from beside us.
“Can I call you that too?” he asked quietly. “I would like to call you Dad.”
The vulnerability in his voice made my heart ache.
Cole immediately set Emma down on the floor and knelt in front of Lucas. He held Lucas gently by the shoulders and looked straight into his eyes.
“Buddy,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion, “I’ve beenwaitingfor you to call me that.”
