AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She nods. “And then he found us.”
“That’s right. He did. For a long time, he didn’t know where to find us.” She looks in my direction, an apology filling her eyes. “Well, what you need to know is that Jimmy isn’t just my friend. He’s… he’s actually your father. Jimmy is your dad.”
Monica’s head whips in my direction. “You’re my daddy?”
I nod slowly. Any words lodge in my throat as I watch my daughter soak up the information. My heart is ready to burst out of my chest when her eyes widen and her smile grows.
“Yay! I have a daddy!”
She hops off Lilah’s lap and runs over to give me a big hug, which I return with extra tightness.
With her small arms around my neck, she whispers, “Daddy.”
Love pours through me and I squeeze her a little tighter, hoping she can feel how much I love her. “My baby girl."
When she pulls away, I hope to always find this big of a smile looking my way. “Can I have my ice cream now?”
I laugh. “Sure, sweetie.”
I ruffle her hair, and she skips off my lap toward the kitchen. We both watch her then turn to each other, shock in both our eyes.
“I feel like we got off easy,” Lilah says.
“Don’t worry. She’ll be a teenager in less than a decade.” I wink and stand to go get my daughter her ice cream.
Lilah cringes.
I hold my hand out for Lilah. “Let’s not think about that. Let’s go have ice cream.”
She smiles, her soft hand sliding into mine. It’s a move we’ve done hundreds of times, but tonight it feels as though we’re in this together. This parenting thing, even if we’re not a couple is exhilarating.
Chapter Sixty-two
LILAH
“Idon’t want you to go, Jimmy.”
Monica wraps herself around his leg, her arms squeezing so tightly, her eyes are closing too. Jimmy’s already delayed his flight to spend breakfast and mid-morning snack with us. Truth is, I don’t want him to leave either. If I was five, I might be attached to his other leg.
Now that we’ve been in each other’s company again, I remember how much I love hanging out with him. Maybe it’s just having another adult around though. Monica has been my every waking and breathing moment for so long. The girls at work used to invite me out, but after I turned them down so many times, they stopped asking. We’re friendly at work, but we’re not friends outside of it. And I told Parker that I couldn’t see him anymore. He's nice, but I have too much in flux right now to introduce a new boyfriend into the mix.
So that leaves Jimmy. And as much as I know he’s moved on, it’s hard sometimes to stop myself from letting all those feelings lying under the surface show. It’s like a scab itching to be picked, but if I do, all those feelings from the past will pour out and the bleeding will never stop.
My heart tugs at seeing her so upset though. I don’t know if it’s because she’s grown used to having him around or the fact she found out he’s her father.
“Kiddo, Jimmy has a plane to catch. He’ll be back next weekend.”
“That’s too long!” She squeezes her eyes shut and grips his leg harder.
He pleads for help with his eyes. This is uncharted territory for him. So far, to him, Monica’s been nothing but a joy to be around.
“I have an idea,” I say. Monica’s eyes pop open, and Jimmy eyebrows rise. “Why don’t we all FaceTime this week? That way you’ll get to see him before he comes back.”
“That’s a great idea,” he says, easing her off his leg.
“What’s FaceTime?” she asks, one hand still gripping his jeans in case we’re lying.
“It’s where you call someone on the phone, but it’s a video so both of you can see one another,” I say.
