little tidbits on her favorite things in a Rolodex in my head. She preferred her coffee black and her chicken parm lightly coated, not fully breaded. Her absolute favorite movie was You’ve Got Mail.
She was a hopeless romantic at heart even though she didn’t believe she deserved or would receive that romance in her life, but I was about to change all of that. I’d use everything in my arsenal to romance her because I was determined to give her everything she desired and wished for, just like I did for the rest of my family.
Now, I only needed them on board with the plan.
After finishing the last of my treat, I straightened and awkwardly smiled at my children. “So … girls …” I cleared my throat, smiling so hard that my cheeks hurt.
Mary tilted her head and double-blinked at me. “Uh-oh. Now comes the bad news, doesn’t it, Daddy?”
Sarah and Becky laughed, and the sound was music to my ears because it loosened some of the tension in my shoulders.
“No bad news. Not this time.” I blew out a breath. “So, you know that Daddy’s never really …” I fumbled with my fingers, my gaze teetering from the table to my children and back again. “What I’m trying to say is that in the past, I’ve been too busy to …” Which was a lie. I was still busy, but now, I’d found someone I wanted to make more time for. I scratched at my temple. “What I’m really trying to say is that recent events have happened where …”
My gaze flicked up to Becky, but she bit her bottom lip and tore her stare away from me, equally nervous. This was unlike me. I never fumbled with words. I was concise and articulate when I was in front of the boardroom or on a pedestal at the Hilton at our annual convention, but today, I was at a loss. But I needed the words out, so I could move on with my life, make myself happy for once.
“Recent events have happened between Becky and me and …” I choked, stopping mid-sentence. Damn it.
Mary chewed at the edge of her spoon, peering up at me with the bluest eyes.
I gazed at Sarah helplessly, and she sighed, saying, “Daddy and Becky are dating now.”
Mary scrunched her nose, and I wondered if she didn’t agree or didn’t know what that meant.
“Daddy and Becky are a couple now,” Sarah added. “Like Janice and Uncle Mason.”
It took a few seconds, but as soon as Mary registered her sister’s words, she screamed and jumped from her chair. She clapped her hands and ran to me, hugging my middle. “Yay, Daddy! I’m so happy.” Then, she jumped into Becky’s lap, wrapping her arms around Becky’s neck, and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “Now, I won’t be the only kid without a mom on Muffins for Moms day.”
“Oh, honey.” Becky pulled Mary flush against her, and my heart hurt.
Even though I gave them everything they possibly needed and wanted and I took time to be with them at school events, there were things I could never give them, just by being me. Year after year, I was the only dad at Muffins for Moms with Mary. Patty had always gone with me, and I thought by us both being there, she’d get two for the price of one, but it was never the same.
Mary pulled back and cupped Becky’s cheeks in her small hands. “I’m so happy.” She spread her arms wide, beckoning me forward. “Bubble of love, Daddy.”
I stood and moved over to them, grinning.
“You too, Sarah.” Mary waved her hands, getting Sarah to stand from her chair.
I encased the four of us in our new little bubble, feeling my heart expand to an immeasurable size.
Sarah peered up at me, and for the first time since we’d sat down, a genuine smile surfaced on her face. “I’m so happy for you, Daddy.” Then, she sidled up next to Becky. “Happy for all of us.”
And so was I.
So. Damn. Happy.
Chapter 36
Becky
“That’s why Daddy doesn’t want us in the bathroom,” Mary said from the back of the car as I drove them to school.
I laughed. The things these girls had witnessed, seen, and heard, just by being brought up by three men.
“Mary, just stop talking about Daddy’s private parts,” Sarah groaned.
I could see Mary’s pouty face from the rearview mirror.
“That’s why I was late. I had to wait for Daddy to finish taking a shower.”