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Haddie leans down, kissing the baby’s forehead, and then looks at my dad. “I’ll bring you some medicine and soup later. You get in bed.”
She looks at me one more time before leaving. I pick up the diaper bag and turn to Dad. “Go get some rest. Maddie and I will be fine.”
He disappears down the hall and I look at my sleeping daughter. “Its just you and me, baby girl.” I carry her to the family room and I’m excited to spend the day taking care of my daughter.
I open my eyes and realize I fell asleep. I smile when I look down, looking at my little girl snoozing on my chest.
Today has been a good day. We had lots of tummy time and she was obsessed with Cocomelon. I don’t think she knew what she was looking at, but I’m sure she liked the bright colors and the songs.
She had two massive blow outs. One required a bath and an outfit change. I almost freaked out, but I got my shit together and we got through it. I wrap my arms around her to sit up.
Madison squeaks and then scrunches up her body. She looks up at me and the most amazing thing happens, she smiles up at me. “Hey, baby girl. Do you know I’m your daddy?” I kiss the top of her head and hug her to my chest. Fuck, I love her so much.
My stomach aches thinking about how I could’ve royally screwed this up—well, actually I did royally screw up, but I can’t regret something that gave me such a beautiful girl I never knew I needed.
I make sure I have Madison’s head supported and push up to a sitting position. I freeze, Haddie is standing in the middle of the family room watching us. “Hey, sorry, I came to check on you guys, and your dad. You guys were sleeping so good, I didn’t want to wake you.”
“She’s like a natural sleeping pill,” I tell her.
Haddie nods. “Those are my best naps, when she’s on my chest.” She holds up a bag. “I brought Robert some chicken noodle soup and us a pizza. I thought I would eat lunch with you, or if you already ate, I’ll eat by myself.”
I stand up. “I could eat.” I grab Madison’s bouncy seat and carry it into the kitchen, setting it on the island.
Haddie comes over, taking Madison from my arms and kissing all over her face. “My sweet baby girl. Mommy missed you.” The baby gurgles and smiles at Haddie. “Are you having fun with your daddy?”
Man, hearing her call me Daddy to our daughter does something to me. Before I start crying like a pussy, I grab the container of soup and get a spoon. “I-I’m going to take this to Dad.”
She kisses the top of Madison’s head. “Okay, I’ll get us some plates for the pizza.”
I nod and then head to Dad’s bedroom. I reach the door and knock, when I hear Dad’s faint voice, I open the door. I find Dad sitting on the side of his bed. “How are you feeling?”
He shakes his head. “Like shit.” My dad has never been a huge curser, and it’s funny to hear him do it. “Everything going okay? Where’s Madison?”
“Haddie’s here. She brought you this.” I hold the soup up. “She brought us pizza.” I set the soup container down on the nightstand.
Dad smiles up at me. “She’s too good to me.”
“Do you need anything?” I sit down next to him.
He slaps my shoulder. “No, you should go eat lunch with the girls. I’m going to eat this soup and go back to bed.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.” I stand up and head to the door.
I’m ready to step out, when my dad calls my name. “I’m really glad you’re home. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again and again. I am so proud of you. Your mom would be too—maybe not how we got here, but how you’ve grown over this past year.”
“Ahem…thanks, Dad. That means a lot.” I shut the door behind me and take a second to collect myself.
In the kitchen I find Haddie holding a blanket in front of her face and then pull it down, smiling at our girl. She smiles up at her mom like she’s the greatest thing, and from what I’ve seen she’s an amazing mother.
Haddie notices me watching her and her cheeks turn an adorable pink. “She’s—um—easily entertained.” She leans in, kissing Madison’s cheek. “Lets eat.” We grab some pizza and sit down at the island. “What are you going to do for work? Are you going back into real estate?”
I wipe my mouth and look toward her. “I have a couple of interviews for some construction work. Honestly, I love it a lot more than I thought I would. There’s just something about building something with your own two hands.”
“Why don’t you apply at my dad and uncles’ company. They’re always looking for more help.”
I know she’s just trying to help, but I highly doubt her father or uncles want me anywhere near them. I did write Dylan and JoJo, Haddie and Joe’s mom and dad, apologizing for what I did and leaving their youngest daughter pregnant.
They responded, but it was very formal. I deserve it and hate that I’ve lost my second family. I’m just glad they didn’t cut my dad off—Dylan is always taking my dad out to do stuff.
