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“I’ve known you for a long time, Lucas, and have given you my professional advice for many legal battles, but your decision today makes me proud to be your attorney.”
“Thanks. But I hope this is the last time I’ll need your help for a personal issue.”
“Me too, Lucas.”
After Sloan left my apartment, I escaped to my office needing to collect my thoughts and try to grab back some control of my life. If I was honest with myself, I really believed Coco was desperate and wanted me to help her out of a jam. She never behaved like a gold digger when we were together and didn’t mention money in her letter. The part about me being the father would’ve been nice to know in advance though. I felt like someone slapped the shit out of me.
I knew nothing about babies, so I opened up my computer and typed “3-month-old baby” into Google and hit search. I decided to watch a YouTube video called Baby Basics 101. The baby on the clip was cute, but not as adorable and smiley as Esmé. She was definitely advanced for three months. The narrator suggested speaking closeup to the infant and making eye contact. I had no clue what in the hell I’d say to her besides hello. I was in big trouble.
After the video ended, the next one up was about surviving in the Bermuda Triangle. I had to laugh at the irony in the subject shift. It’s like YouTube was reading my mind and knew I felt lost too.
A notification popped up on the screen. My father had emailed me. He wanted to meet in his office tomorrow at noon. It was a waste of his time, but he didn’t know it yet. I did, however, like the thought of telling him Esmé was my child and I’d include her in my life. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face.
I shut my laptop and left my office, walking toward my bedroom in search of Maggie and my child. The thought of someone being mine, looking at me to take care of her every need, freaked me the fuck out. I’d take it one day at a time.
Laughter echoed down the hallway, but it wasn’t just Maggie’s. The second giggle was higher, gentler. The kind of laugh that made someone smile. The laugh of a child, pure and sweet.
I stood at my door taking in the view of the laughing girls on my bed. Maggie had a blanket over her head and was pulling it off and saying boo. Esmé responded with short chuckles, while Maggie cracked up each time. If someone told me on Friday I’d be looking at the sight before me today, I would’ve asked if they were off their meds.
“What’s going on in here?” I feigned a gruff tone.
Maggie jumped off the bed and faced me, her eyes wide. She brought a hand to her chest as I stepped toward her, her feet shuffling back with every stride I took forward.
“I just changed her diaper and was playing with her.”
A smile eased across my face, making its way to my eyes. Maggie exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Oh, Lucas. I thought you were mad at me.” She walked forward, placing her hand on my forearm. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” Telling someone the truth about my inner feelings was new to me, but I wanted to be honest with Maggie. “It’s been a fucking wild ride, especially the last few hours.”
“I was in the kitchen when you opened the envelope, but left shortly after. What are you going to do?”
“It depends on you.”
“Me?” Her brows knitted as she looked up at me with her beautiful green eyes. I could get used to having her around for a while.
“Yes, you. Especially after how my child has taken to you.” When I said the unthinkable out loud, labeling Esmé as my daughter, I felt an odd sensation, like something loosening in my chest. The battle within myself to do the right thing was finally over.
“Wait a second, you said my child. Does that mean what I think it does?” Her voice rose with excitement, and her face beamed with joy, even before I could answer.
“She’s not allowed to date until she’s married,” I teased.
“Oh my God.” Maggie blissfully danced around me, flinging the baby blanket in the air like I was a six-foot-two May Day pole.
I pulled her to a stop once she’d gone full circle. “Back to what I was saying, will you be Esmé’s nanny until all the legal issues are settled?” I wanted her beyond that, but would take any time she’d give me.
“Yes.” She jumped up and hugged me. I caught her in my arms, feeling the warmth from the joy radiating off her face. “I’ll do anything to help.”
