Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
She growls at me…actually freaking growls like a feral cat. But she flings herself back against her seat, waiting impatiently for me to get on with it.
"Your daddy is at the house right now," I say quietly. "He's very excited to meet you, but he's nervous, too, lovebug. He's never been a daddy before, and he's scared he's going to mess it up, or you won't like him very much. He might not get everything exactly right all the time. So I want you to be patient with him, okay?"
"He's scared?" she whispers.
"A little bit. We've had each other, but he's been alone for a long time. He has to learn all about you now. He doesn't know how you like your eggs, what your favorite toys are, or what clothes you like to wear. You're going to have to teach him," I say gently. "It may make you sad that he doesn't know, but I don't want you to get mad at him for not knowing. It's not his fault that he was lost, okay?"
"Okay," she says, her eyes locked on my face like she's really listening.
"He got hurt, and it hurt his brain, made him forget everything. He didn't know who he was or what happened to him for a really long time. That's how he got lost. We have to help him remember the good stuff now, okay?"
"Are we the good stuff?"
"Yeah, baby girl," I whisper, my throat tight. "We're the good stuff."
"Mommy?"
"Yeah, Brinley?"
"What if he doesn't like me?"
"Oh, baby girl," I breathe, tears springing to my eyes. "He could never not like you. He already loves you so, so much. All he wants to do is make you happy."
"I want him to be happy too." She chews on her bottom lip. "Do you think he'll like my teddy bear, Mommy? He gave me a special present. My teddy bear is the most special thing I have."
Lord have mercy. I knew today was going to wreck my emotions, but I did not anticipate my daughter doing it in the parking lot of her school while asking if her daddy would like the gift of her most prized possession. And yet…here we are. Because that's the little girl we created. Together. We created her together. The best of both of us.
"Yeah," I whisper, my throat so tight the word cracks. "I think he'll love it, baby girl."
When we pull into the driveway half an hour later, Grayson is standing on the porch, waiting for us with his hands shoved into his pockets. He looks nervous as hell.
Brinley gasps quietly from the backseat, her eyes locked on him. "Mommy," she breathes. "He's just like my dreams."
I cover my mouth with my hand, choking back a sob.
Grayson strides toward us as Brinley fidgets with the buckles for her seat, trying to unlatch herself, already straining toward him, too eager to wait. Already obsessed with her daddy.
He meets my gaze through the windshield, a question in his eyes.
I give him a subtle nod of encouragement as I climb out, reaching for his hand. "Come on," I whisper. "She's so ready to meet you."
His hand shakes in mine as we circle around to the passenger side together to find her little face pressed to the window, her eyes locked on him.
"Should I…?"
"Go to her," I whisper, stepping out of the way so they can have this moment. "Hold your daughter, Grayson."
"Daddy!" Brinley cries, lifting her hand in a little wave.
Her sweet voice breaks the spell he's under.
He inhales a sharp breath, rushing forward like she just screamed for help. His hand lands against the handle, wrenching the door open. As they come face to face for the first time, they both go completely still. Neither moves. Neither speaks. They just…stare at each other for the longest time.
And then Grayson kneels beside the car, holding his arms out. "Hi, baby girl," he whispers, his voice a rough rasp of sound. "I'm your daddy."
"Daddy!" Brinley sobs, flinging herself out of the car directly into his arms.
He catches her, his shoulders shaking as he pulls her up against his chest. She burrows in, clinging to him the same damn way I do. Her little head nestles against his shoulder, her hands fisted in his shirt…and she cries.
"I m-missed you my w-whole life," she says.
"I missed you for your whole life too, sweetheart," he whispers, the pain in his voice breaking me all over again. "But I'm here now. And I promise you, I'm never going to miss another minute of time with you." He glances over his shoulder, his eyes wet as they meet mine. "With either of you."
I break down, sobbing.
Chapter Eleven
Priest
"What's your favorite movie?" Brinley asks, bouncing excitedly on the couch beside me after her bath.
"The Iron Giant," I say. It's not technically my favorite, but it's the only one near the top of the list that's remotely suitable for a five-year-old. Mina will kick my ass if she starts asking to watch anything else on my list. And I already know she'll ask.