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"She is very special to me, but you're always number one . . . you know that, right?"
"Of course, but I see how lonely you've been for another adult in your life. You needed a girlfriend; I understand that."
"You're so grown up, honey. Your mother would be so proud of the girl you are," he smiled.
"What was she like . . . just as a person?" she asked.
"She was incredible. I was never really great with girls like your Uncle Harry, and she never made me feel dumb for stumbling over my words. I remember that she always complimented me and made me feel good about myself. Your mother kissed me first and asked me out on our first date cause she knew I was too chicken-shit. Candace was amazing, and all the best things about her are still in you. "
Tina just smiled, and he could see that she would be OK. He could still remember driving her home from the funeral and feeling so scared that he'd never be able to do it alone and that he'd fail her, but he had done it. He still had all the teen years left, but he had a feeling that Anna could help him with that. He could be a father figure for Ben, too. Someone had to teach the boy to fish.
"So it's OK that I kissed Carmine first then?" Tina asked with a giggle.
"I think maybe it runs in your blood. You're not afraid to live, Tina, neither was she."
"I like that you can talk about her now without being sad," Tina noted.
"I took me a really long time, cause I loved your mother like crazy . . . but now I have someone new to love."
"Are you two getting married?" she teased.
"Hopefully, someday. I don't think there's any rush. I'm just excited to have a girlfriend still," he smiled.
They ate until it felt like they'd burst, and he asked her on the way home if she'd run with him again the next day. Daniel still wanted to care for himself and look good for Anna. He had a whole new life ahead of him.
"Sure, Dad."
/
After watching yet another cheesy Ernest movie flopped on the couch together, Daniel crawled off to bed to call Anna.
He loved listening to her voice just before turning in, and he looked forward to the day she'd be in his arms as he drifted off every night. There were so many new things to hope for, and he believed they'd happen with her.
Anna sounded tired but happy to hear from him when she picked up.
"Hey, you."
"How was your day, honey?"
"Really good . . . except for puppy training," she laughed. "Maybe Tina will babysit this weekend, and I can cook supper for you over at my house."
"Sounds good to me. You know I love your cooking', honey."
"So it sounds promising with the court case, huh?"
"Mrs. Collins sounded really positive about it. No matter what happens, Anna, I'll never let him hurt you again."
"You've given me back my freedom, Daniel; I can't tell you what that means to me."
"You never should have lost it due to that prick in the first place, honey. You and Ben can do anything you want with your lives now."
"When the time is right . . . I'd really love for my little family of two to join your little family of two," she answered, and he could see her smiling face in his mind as she said it.
"That's just what I was thinking," he sighed, wishing she was in his arms right then. "A family of four sounds pretty sweet to me."
The End
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