Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Did you make this?” I ask my daughter, who nods happily. “Thank you, Chunk.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her cheek.
“Addie got to make you a birthday and daddy card,” Violet says. “But since you’re not my daddy, I didn’t.” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal, but her eyes are sad, and her tone matches.
One day, when Kira is ready, I’m going to make that little girl my daughter, and then she’ll have a damn dad who will love her and protect her and take care of her for the rest of her life. But for now, because Kira isn’t ready for me to make that kind of commitment yet, I say the only thing I can say …
“I might not be your dad, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you or my card. This is the best gift I’ve ever been given because it’s from you.”
Violet smiles softly. “I made it all by myself, and I helped Addie make hers, too, ’cause she’s a baby and she couldn’t use the paint alone.”
“That was very nice of you. Thank you.”
“We also made you a cake,” Violet says.
“What?” I gasp. “Doughnuts and a cake? I think it needs to be my birthday every day.”
“No way!” Violet giggles. “Then, you’ll be too old.”
“That’s true,” I agree. “Now, what else is in these bags?”
I pull the gift out of Violet’s bag and find a brand-new blue tie.
“I picked it out! Do you like it?”
“I love it. And blue just happens to be my favorite color. Wanna know why?”
“Why?”
“Because blue is the color of your mommy’s eyes.”
“And mine!” Violet notes.
“And yours.”
I glance at Kira and find her smiling, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and happiness.
I love you, I mouth to her.
I love you more, she mouths back.
Soon, I tell myself. Soon, I’m going to make Kira and Violet mine, and then I’m going to spend the rest of my life spoiling the hell out of all my girls.
“Open your gift from Addie,” Violet says, bringing me back to the present.
I do as she said, and inside, I find a jewelry box. When I pop the box open, nestled inside are the most adorable monkey cuff links.
“Addie couldn’t exactly pick out a gift,” Kira says with a laugh, “but when we were looking at the ties, I saw those and thought they were very fitting for Father’s Day.”
“They’re perfect,” I choke out.
This is the first gift anyone has ever bought me for Father’s Day, and it’s the first time in years that anyone has ever given a shit about my birthday. In previous years, if my dad was in town, we’d go to brunch, but in our family, you don’t buy or make—as he would call it—“cheesy” gifts. And we sure as hell don’t do sentimental.
“So, we were thinking,” Kira says, handing me back my coffee and doughnuts, “since today is your day, we would do something you enjoy.”
“Oh, yeah? We’re going golfing?” I joke.
“Actually, we are!” Kira laughs. “Kind of.” She smirks. “I don’t think the golf course would be too thrilled with the girls trying to hit balls, so instead, we’re going mini golfing!”
The girls cheer, and I throw my head back with a laugh.
“Sorry,” she says. “It’s the best I could do with two kids.”
I tug her toward me and wrap my arms around her waist. “Mini golf sounds perfect. Thank you.” I pull her face toward mine and give her a kiss, needing a quick taste of her to hold me over.
Later, once the girls are asleep, I’ll show her just how much all this means to me.
Dad
I saw your call, but I’m in a meeting. We’ll see you for the Fourth of July picnic, right? Your brother mentioned something about you dating your nanny? Please tell me you’re not making another stupid decision regarding women. We’ll talk when I see you.
I groan at his text and regret calling to wish him a happy Father’s Day. I should’ve known better.
There’s nothing to talk about. Kira is my girlfriend, and she and her daughter are coming with me to the picnic. If that’s going to be a problem, let me know. We don’t have to go.
Dad
Stop being dramatic. I just want what’s best for you. I’ll see you then.
“Everything okay?” Kira asks, climbing into bed.
“Yeah, just dealing with some family shit,” I say vaguely, not wanting to repeat what he said.
It’s been the perfect day, thanks to her and our little girls, and I don’t want to ruin it with my dad’s bullshit. The man wouldn’t know what was best for me if it smacked him in the face.
“I’m sorry,” she says, lying on my chest, like she does every night. “My relationship with my mom isn’t the best, but she really does care.”