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I asked Chelsea what kind of car seat I needed to buy because I’m seriously bad at this parenting thing. There are too many choices, and I had no clue where to start, but she happily guided me. Knowing they were coming, I tried to do as many of the repairs to the house as I could to childproof the place better. The spare room is ready for them with clean sheets and freshly painted walls. I’ve worked hard to get it all together, and I hope she appreciates it. I want her to trust me so she thinks I’m suitable enough to be Dawson’s dad. Even though I have proof he’s mine, I’d never fight her for custody, knowing what she’s done to support him on her own. I can only hope one day we’ll be able to co-parent properly and both have time with him.
On the way to the airport, my nerves get the best of me. Chelsea’s right; we’re practically strangers, so introducing her and Dawson to my parents will undoubtedly be awkward. Last night, I told them about how I met Chelsea and her getting pregnant. I gave them all the details, and at first, they were upset she didn’t tell me, but I explained why Chelsea felt that way. I do wish she would’ve told me as soon as she knew, but there’s no point in being mad about the past. What’s done is done, so all I can do is try to make up for the lost time.
When I arrive, I wait for ten minutes before I see her and my son. As soon as Dawson sees me, he smiles, which makes me do the same as I grab all of their bags. He’s such a cute kid and well mannered, even for a two-and-a-half-year-old. I just hope he’s nothing like I was as a teenager, or we’ll both have our hands full. I gave my parents a run for their money, and they always said I’d have a payback kid who did the same to me. Hopefully, Dawson isn’t it, but he does have his dad’s good looks, so I’m not holding my breath.
Once we get to my truck, Chelsea shows me how to buckle him into the car seat.
“Dawson?” She looks at him. “Do you know who this man is?”
“Mommy’s friend, Diesel.” He grins proudly.
“Yes, baby, but remember when I said he was someone very special? He’s your daddy,” she explains.
Dawson blinks up at me, then giggles. “Nuh-uh.” I chuckle at his expression.
The amount of happiness I feel is unfathomable. I didn’t expect for her to tell him right then, but I’m glad she did so I could be here for it. “Yep, it’s true. What do you think about that?”
All he does is laugh about it, which makes us both chuckle too.
After he’s buckled in with his toy tractor in his hand, Chelsea and I climb in the truck. We head back to the ranch, and I explain some of the details of the area to her. The sun is barely setting over the horizon, and the sky has long whips of purple and pink. It doesn’t take long before Dawson is happily asleep. I can’t stop glancing at him in the rearview mirror, feeling overwhelmingly protective of him. I’m still in shock he’s really mine.
When we make it to my cabin, Chelsea gets out and gently carries Dawson as I grab their luggage. I unlock the door and usher her inside. Chelsea looks around with a smile on her face. “Wow. This is not what I expected at all.”
“You like it?” I ask. “It’s not completely finished. I still have a lot to do, but I’ve been remodeling here and there on my days off.”
There’s a sparkle in her eye as she follows me to the spare bedroom. “It’s really homey. I like the colors.”
“Thanks.” I set their bags down. “If you need anything, please let me know. The bed and breakfast is just down the road if you want a home-cooked meal, and I can borrow extra blankets if needed.”
She sets Dawson on the bed, and he doesn’t even stir. “I think everything is perfect. Really.”
“Great. You hungry?” I ask.
“Nah, I ate before the flight. Just want a shower and to probably go to bed. I think the time change is going to catch up with me.”
I nod and show her where the bathroom is and give her a mini tour of the place. When she goes to take a shower, I sit in the rocking chair I put in the corner of the spare bedroom and watch Dawson sleeping peacefully. My heart swells watching him, and I already don’t know how I’m going to continue without getting to see him. I just hope everyone falls in love with him as quickly as I have, especially Rowan, because I know she’s gonna be in both of our lives forever. Even if she’s not convinced at the moment, she will be.
