Page 112 of Fake it With Me

We were quiet for a moment, and then I remembered something else I had been planning. More like hoping for.

“I’ve been thinking,” I said. “Your guest room. I’m going to turn it into an office for you. A proper workspace where you can finish your dissertation without being bothered. Bookshelves, a good desk, whatever equipment you need for your research.”

“Darek, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. You taught me how important whale science can be. You literally saved my custody case with your knowledge of migration patterns. The least I can do is give you a proper space to work.”

“That’s really sweet.” She kissed my jaw. “Thank you.”

I laughed softly.

“What?” she asked.

“You just agreed to move in.”

“I did?”

“I told you I was turning your room into an office and you didn’t think twice.”

She laughed. “I guess I did. I mean, I don’t want to intrude.”

“Liza, I told you last night, I’m not letting you go. I want you here. What do you have back in New York? You belong here.”

“I do love it here.”

“Exactly. We’ll make arrangements to get the rest of your things. My house is your house. We are officially cohabitating.”

“That sounds so official.”

Before I could respond, we heard the sound of small feet running down the hallway. I had just enough time to make sure we were both decent before the door burst open.

Daisie launched herself onto the bed with a flying leap, landing between us and bouncing enthusiastically.

“You’re still here!” she announced to Liza, as if she’d been worried Liza might disappear during the night. “I thought maybe I dreamed it but you’re really here!”

“I’m really here,” Liza confirmed, laughing as Daisie bounced some more.

“No more jumping on the bed,” I said half-heartedly, knowing it was a losing battle.

“But I’m excited! Liza’s home and it’s Saturday and you said we could all go out on the boat today!” Daisie bounced one more time for emphasis.

“Did I say that?”

“Yes! Last night! You said if Liza came home, we could all go out and look for whales!” She turned to Liza. “Can we? Please? I want to show you the new whale sounds I learned. I’ve been practicing.”

“You’ve been practicing whale sounds?” Liza asked.

“Uh-huh! Listen!” Daisie proceeded to make a series of low, moaning sounds that were actually not terrible approximations of whale calls.

“That’s really good!” Liza said. “You’ve been studying.”

“I want to be a whale scientist like you when I grow up. Or maybe a boat builder like Daddy. Or maybe both. Can you be both?”

“You can be anything you want,” I told her.

Daisie flopped down between us, her head on my chest and her feet kicking Liza gently. “This is the best morning ever. We’re all together again.”

I looked over Daisie’s head at Liza, saw the emotion in her eyes, and felt a sense of peace wash over me. Like the softest blanket. This was right. This was how things were supposed to be.