Page 36 of Alec’s Dream

Betrayal was a knife that twisted in his gut every time he thought about Jaime.

But right then, watching his daughter up on her knees bouncing to the music that blared through the house, he knew he wouldn’t have it any other way—not ever. And that meant he wouldn’t change Jaime dying—which was a fucked-up way of thinking.

“You like this song, baby girl?”

Alec pushed off the counter and moved to his girl, swinging her up into his arms. As the first strings of Little Big Town filled the room, Jocelyn smiled at her dad and pounded on his chest.

The tempo picked up and Alec started singing the first verse of Boondocks. Jocelyn smiled a slobbery grin, showing off the few teeth that had cut through, and Alec kept singing, his girl babbling along as they danced in the living room. His voice faltered when he starting laughing.

Never, not in a million years, would he have thought the highlight of his week would be singing with his baby girl on a Saturday afternoon after he’d cleaned the house, did laundry, and started dinner. But there it was—nothing better than dancing with Joss while he sang to her.

“You’re a silly girl.” Alec kissed her cheek and smiled when she giggled.

Thank God she’d recovered. Joss was happy and thriving. He couldn’t ask for more.

“Dadadada,” Joss screeched and Alec picked the song back up.

The song was coming to an end when he heard the knock. Checking the clock on the wall and seeing that Macy was five minutes early made him smile.

He’d been worried she wouldn’t show. Last night he’d tried his best to keep his body in check and his hands to himself.

Christ, the woman tested his control.

“Come on, baby girl, Macy’s here,” he told Jocelyn and started for the door.

Alec opened the door, and before he could greet Macy, Jocelyn started squirming.

“Mamamama,” Joss chanted, doing her best to wiggle free from Alec and launch herself at Macy.

“Hey there, Joss,” Macy cooed and reached out. “Silly girl, daddy’s got you.”

“Mamamama.”

Macy’s gaze went from Joss to him and his heart lurched at the trepidation he saw. He wasn’t sure if it was being at his house that was making her nervous or if she was worried he’d be upset his daughter called her “mama”.

It was not the first time Joss had babbled that word. And while it stung, he knew Joss was simply jabbering. It didn’t make it easier, but how could he be upset?

“You better take her before she pulls a muscle trying to get to you,” Alec said, offering his daughter to Macy.

Alec passed Joss to Macy and it still amazed him how effortless Macy was around kids, his in particular. He’d seen her over the months with all the children at the daycare. She was sweet and loving to all of them, but she gave special attention to Jocelyn. He knew not only from pick-up and drop-off, but countless times throughout the day Alec checked the live video feed and more times than not, Macy had Joss on her hip, even when she was doing arts and crafts with the older kids.

“So…um…was that you singing?” Macy asked as Alec closed the door.

“You heard?”

“Uh, yeah, it was kinda loud. I mean, I didn’t have my ear pressed against your door or anything.”

“Let’s go into the living room,” Alec suggested, and tried to move around Macy to lead the way, but she reached out and grabbed his bicep.

“Are you blushing?” She chuckled.

“Doubt it. I don’t blush.” Or did he? Because his face felt awfully hot. “Come on, I’ll turn down the music.”

Alec passed her and went to the receiver and lowered the volume.

“Was daddy singing to you?” Macy asked Joss.

“Dadada.”