Page 63 of Icing on Top

The love and adoration he had for Charlie was written all over his face. In a lot of ways, their relationship reminded me of mine with my own uncle.

“So when are you going to have kids of your own?”

He took a deep breath, his chest swelling underneath his sweatshirt, and then let it out. “After I retire, I guess? If Jay couldn’t do it, there’s no way I could balance being a single parent and a professional athlete.”

My eyebrows crinkled together, my brain catching on that one term. “You don’t think you’d find a partner?”

This time he laughed, big and hearty.

“I’m not about the partner life. No serious, lifelong relationships for me.” He raised a hand. “Except for with my future children, of course. But nothing romantic.”

My head reared back as if I’d been smacked, his words throwing me for a loop. It just didn’t match up with what I knew about Wes. Yes, he was a young athlete, but from how Miah described him, and what I’d seen today, he was quite the family man.

Suppose my archaic vision of a family included two parental units. That obviously wasn’t always the case, though, and didn’t have to be.

“Well… whenever it happens, I think you’ll make a great dad.”

His features softened, and his dark eyes were warm when they met mine. “Thanks. I’m hoping being the fun uncle transitions well to being a good dad.”

My smile widened.

“It’ll be the best trade of your life.”

Chapter 26

Jeremiah

Being greeted by the sound of music and giggles coming from the kitchen when I returned home had to be my new favorite thing. I rounded the corner and smiled at the sight of Zoe and Charlie making my mom’s special popcorn in their matching aprons Zoe had gotten them. They didn’t notice me, too caught up in their little dance break, so I took the opportunity to sneak a quick video of them.

Moments like these were ones I’d dreamed about when Sadie had first told me she was pregnant. While it looked different than we’d imagined, it still turned my insides to goo. Seeing my daughter this happy was all I could ever dream of. And Zoe? She just made that dream all the more beautiful.

Tucking my phone away, I finally stepped fully into the kitchen.

“Pizza delivery!” I announced, finding an empty space on the counter to place the box.

Charlie bounced over to me. “With extra pepperoni?” she asked hopefully.

I bent down to place a kiss to the top of her head.

“You know it, Tot.”

I reached Zoe in just two strides, pulling her against me with an arm around her lower back, and kissed her softly. All of the feelings swelling in my chest needed an outlet or I would surely burst.

She giggled against my lips. “Well, hi.”

“Hi,” I murmured, sneaking one more peck. Then I looked to the small disaster zone that used to be my kitchen island. “How goes the popcorn?”

“Well…” Zoe trailed off only for Charlie to pop up on the stool beside us.

“We decided to add some sprinkles. It wasn’t colorful enough,” she reasoned. “The marshmallows melted perfectly, though.”

“It looks great, Tot. My girls did a good job.”

All I could think about, though, was the inevitable messy, sticky fingers and cheeks. It was times like these when I wish I still had baby wipes on hand. Paper towels would just have to do.

Charlie insisted on carrying the bowl of popcorn into the living room by herself. The Minnesota Vortex were playing tonight, and Charlie had become a die-hard fan thanks to Carter and all her kindness. We didn’t miss a game if we could help it.

Determined to have my daughter eat more than just overly sweet popcorn tonight, I began plating the pizza slices. However, I was easily distracted when Zoe sidled up next to me.