Chapter 38 Because I Am Happy
BECAUSE I AM HAPPY
DEREK
I was pacing around the penthouse because my father was going to arrive soon. To meet Paige and my soon-to-be daughter, Lily.
He had been married four times and divorced three times. He was someone I vowed never to be growing up, because he taught me everything about what not to do in a relationship.
“Derek,” Paige said with a hand on my arm that stopped my pacing. “It might go well. You don’t know until you give him a chance.”
“He has never been good at chances,” I said, remembering all the time I accepted his lunch or dinner invitation, thinking he was finally ready to have a talk with me as my father, only to meet his new wife.
But I let her pull me close anyway and found myself being comforted in her warmth.
“Then maybe it’s time he learns,” she whispered, kissing my cheek. “For Lily, for the baby and maybe even for you.”
The doorbell rang, and my entire body tensed.
My dad, Richard Peterson, looked older than I remembered. He had silver hair and lines around his eyes, but the same charming smile that had won over four different women. He walked into the penthouse with an air of confidence.
At least we did have something in common.
“Derek,” he said, pulling me into a hug that did not have an ounce of warmth. “And… Paige.”
Ah, so he hadn’t forgotten her after meeting her at the wedding.
But Paige took his hand with grace. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Peterson.”
“Please call me Richard,” he said, glancing around the penthouse with approval. “You’ve done well for yourself, son.”
Before I could respond, Lily toddled into the room, her eyes wide with curiosity at the stranger.
My father was already crouching down to her level before I could take her to the nursery.
“Well, hello there, little one,” he said softly, and I heard genuine warmth in his voice, which I rarely heard. “Aren’t you just beautiful? You look just like your mama.”
Lily studied him with the intense baby focus, then reached out to touch his silver hair. “Shiny.”
“Very shiny,” he laughed, making my chest tight. “That’s what happens when you get old, sweetheart.”
“O… old?” Lily said, testing the word.
“Very old. Ancient, really.” He pulled a coin from behind her ear with practiced ease, and Lily's face lit up with delight. “But not too old for magic tricks. Want to see another?”
I stood there frozen, watching my father, the man who had barely shown up for my childhood, engage with Lily like she was the most important person in the world.
What the hell?
He made her giggle with silly faces and then helped her stack blocks just to knock them down. He even got down on the floor to play without any complaint.
“Dada!” Lily called, holding up her block tower for my approval. “Look!”
“I see it, sweetheart. Very impressive.”
Richard’s eyes widened. “Dada? She calls you—”
“Yes,” I said, daring him to start a scene. Then it’d be easier to throw him out and never see him again instead of acting like an actual decent person. “She does.”
“Good,” he said instead with a smile. “Every girl needs a father who shows up. Sounds like you’re doing much better than I did.”
I blinked at him and swallowed. He was finally accepting what a terrible father he was.
Paige’s hand squeezed mine, and I smiled down at her.
Maybe in his own fucked up way, he had finally apologized to me and was trying to make things better through Lily.
The babysitter arrived right on schedule. We thought he’d leave before we did, but he seemed settled in the living room with Lily, showing her more magic tricks while she shrieked with laughter.
“He’ll be fine,” Paige whispered, adjusting my tie. “She’ll be fine. We’ll only be gone a few hours.”
“I know. I just—”
“You just worry, it’s what you do,” she said, pressing up onto her toes to kiss me. “But Sarah’s here as backup. And your dad seems like he’s actually trying.”
She was right. He seemed like he was trying. Maybe for the first time in years.
After saying our goodbyes, we left for our firm’s party.
It was already in full swing when we arrived. Associates and partners were mingling while champagne flowed between the laughter. I rarely enjoyed parties, but with Paige on my arm in a stunning navy dress that somehow still hid her small baby bump, I enjoyed it.
She was glowing, radiating so much happiness that I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The way she laughed at Sean's terrible jokes or the way she charmed the senior partners’ wives.
She was perfect and I wished I could marry her and start calling her my wife.
My wife.
“You’re staring,” she whispered when we found a quiet corner.
“I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.”
“You’re biased.”
“Completely,” I said, pulling her closer. “But also correct.”
Sean and Chelsea found us, Chelsea immediately pulling Paige into a conversation about wedding plans while Sean gave me a knowing look.
“You look happy,” he said.
“Because I am happy.”
“Good. You deserve it.” He paused. “Chelsea is getting an idea about marriage now.”
“You?” I raised my brow. “Marriage?”
He sighed since the last engagement he had didn’t last a year.
“But I’ve been thinking about it…” he said, his eyes fixed on his partner. I smiled, knowing he would do whatever Chelsea asked him to.
He was as whipped as I was.
The music shifted to something slower, and I took Paige’s hand. “Dance with me?”
She smiled brightly as we swayed together. I let myself relax for the first time all evening and be present in the perfect moment with Paige in my arms, our friends around us, our future full of promise.
“Your dad is being good with Lily,” she said softly. “You should relax and have fun.”
“I am having fun. I’m dancing with my fiancée,” I said, kissing her knuckles before entwining our hands together. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
Paige blushed, and I leaned down to rest my forehead against hers. “I love you,” I whispered, gazing at her dark hazel eyes.
“I love you too,” she said, kissing me.
I couldn’t wait to get her home.
We danced through two more songs, Sean and Chelsea joining us on the floor along with half the office. Someone told a joke that had Paige laughing so hard she had to lean against me for support. The senior partner’s wife complimented Paige’s dress. Everything was warm and perfect.
My phone rang.
Dad’s name flashed across the screen, and my stomach dropped. It was barely past nine. He shouldn’t be calling unless—
“Hello?”
“Derek…” he started, his voice gasping. “Oh God, Derek—”
My blood went cold. Paige’s eyes found mine, concern flooding her face.
“Dad, calm down and tell me what happened.”
“He took her, son.” My father’s voice broke. “I-I’m so sorry, I couldn’t—”
“Who took who? Dad, what are you—”
“Lily,” he said, his voice frantic. “Jack was here. He had a gun. H-he took Lily. He kidnapped her.”