Bonus Epilogue
DALLAS
FIVE YEARS LATER
S leep isn’t something I’m getting much of these days. I’m tired, but I’ve never been happier. And I’m enjoying the perks of being the boss. Before the baby arrived, I hired an extra man. And that lessens my workload.
Lucy’s tiny squeaks are a warning that much louder wailing is coming. Rose is snuggled against my side, an arm and a leg draped over me. I never knew that functioning as a warm body pillow every night would be so emotionally satisfying.
After kissing her forehead, I extricate myself from our cuddle, walk over to the crib, and switch on the lamp. “Hello, sweetheart. Are you hungry?”
Lucy blinks and makes another squeaky sound. I’m eager for the day she flashes that first smile.
I keep my voice at a low whisper, letting Rose get as much sleep as possible. “I’ll get you changed, and then Mommy will fill your little belly, okay?”
Floofy twirls around my ankles. The cat has been great with the baby, but he thinks that every time the baby eats, he should get a treat. And that’s probably my fault.
Lucy’s sleeper is soaked.
“We can’t let you stay in that.” I strip it off, get on a fresh diaper, and put her in clean pajamas. She’s wriggling the entire time because she hasn’t figured out that battling only delays the feeding. “I know you’re hungry, sweetie, but you’ll get cold if I don’t put a new sleeper on.”
Her face scrunches up, signaling that a scream is imminent.
That is not a pleasant sound to wake up to. So I use my best daddy skills to distract her while I finish the last two snaps. I make faces and blow raspberries.
And Lucy’s expression changes from anger to amusement, and she smiles. I hold my excitement a second, thinking that maybe she’s filling the clean diaper. But I blow raspberries again. And Lucy flashes another smile.
Floofy’s looking at me like I’m nuts.
Cradling Lucy, I walk to the bed and lean over Rose. “Our little lady would like a late-night snack.”
Rose shifts and covers a yawn. “I didn’t even hear her. I’m sorry.”
“She’s been changed, but watch this.” I hold Lucy out in front of me, careful to support her little head. Then I blow raspberries again.
She graces us with a smile, but then she turns her head toward Rose, wanting the tasty stuff. Daddy’s antics are no longer cutting it.
Rose sits up and takes the baby. “She smiled at you.”
Lucy latches on and makes those contented baby sounds.
“I can go out to the living room. That way you can sleep while I feed her,” Rose says.
“Darling, you could have every light on in this room and have a live band playing outside the window, and I’d still fall asleep. You’re fine right there.”
“Okay.” She taps the bed. “I’ll rub your back if you want.”
“I want. But let me change the sheet in the crib first. Everything is soaked.” I make quick work of getting it cleaned up. This little one wets through her diaper often, so I have a lot of practice.
Then I stretch out beside Rose, and she trails her fingers along my back. “You’re a great daddy. Lucy and I are two lucky ladies.”
I’m quite sure that I’m the lucky one. “I love you, Zuzu.”
“I love you more, Teddy bear.”
Today is Rose’s birthday, so I scheduled myself off all day. I made sure the other guys had everything covered and told Rose a week ago to pump extra if she could.
And this morning, I sent Rose off with Daphne for a day of manicures and pedicures and a little shopping. I’m on baby duty, which isn’t a chore. But it can be a bit of a struggle when Lucy decides she doesn’t want a bottle.
Once she realizes it’s full of the good stuff, she calms down. But reasoning with a six-month-old isn’t easy. I make a lot of silly faces and funny sounds to ward off screams.
Cradling her in my arms, I hold the bottle while she gobbles down her lunch. And I tell my daughter about the day I met her mommy. “I went to the restaurant first to grab a table. Then a man laid a rose on my table and asked me to cover for him. I’m not much of a people pleaser, except when it relates to your momma, but the guy walked away before I could tell him I wouldn’t cover for him, which worked out. It was more than a blind date though. It’s how I met my Rose. And now you’re here.”
Lucy stares, those beautiful brown eyes studying my face as she drinks from the bottle.
Floofy jumps onto the couch and curls up beside me, resting his back against Lucy’s feet.
She grins. These days all kitty sightings spark a smile. And feeling Floofy’s fur is no different. She curls her toes, almost kneading the cat.
And Floofy seems to like it because he’s purring.
When she falls asleep, I tiptoe down the hall and lay her in bed. As much as I love holding her, I’m trying to keep the same schedule Rose has during the day. Messing that up would only put a kink in the routine.
Stretched out on the couch, I get a few minutes of sleep. But there’s a knock, and Floofy’s gaze snaps to the door.
Curious at the cat’s reaction, I trudge to the door. “Mr. Potts.”
“Dallas, hi. Is Rose here?”
It’s been five years of silence from Rose’s parents. They ignored every text and call, even the wedding invitation.
I’m stunned he has the audacity to show up unannounced. “She’s not here.” I don’t want him thinking that she and I aren’t together, so I add, “She won’t be home until later.”
Gaze fixed on the floor, he blows out a breath. “It’s her birthday, and I came to give her this.” He holds out a fancifully wrapped box.
I take it. “When she gets home, I’ll give it to her.”
“Thank you. And I owe Rose a giant apology. She deserved better. I should’ve stood up for her, but I didn’t. That was wrong, and it took some major life changes and therapy for me to understand that.” He holds out an envelope. “She may not even want to read it, and if not, I get it. It might be too little too late.”
I keep a tight handle on my emotions. “I’ll relay the message.”
Mr. Potts nods. “And I owe you an apology. I was so angry with you for stealing away my little girl. I blamed you. But I was wrong. You didn’t pull her away. Her mom and I pushed her away.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
It’s clear the man has had a change of heart. And I’m curious about Mrs. Potts, but it’s hard to imagine that she underwent a drastic change.
He stands in the doorway, showing no signs of leaving. And there’s an unmistakable sadness wrapped around him.
Floofy jumps off the couch, flicks his tail, and wanders down the hall. He typically does that when Lucy starts making noises, but it’s too early for her to be waking up, I think. Although, I have no clue what time it is or how long I slept. Maybe Floofy remembers that the Potts didn’t want him around.
There has been no mention of our little bundle, and I don’t want to rob Rose of telling her dad that he’s a grandfather. And I’m hoping Lucy cooperates.
Standing here with the door open means I’ll be chasing flies the rest of the day, but I’m not sure I should invite him in, and I don’t want to close the door in his face.
I’m trying to think of what to say when Daphne pulls up.
Rose launches out of the car as soon as it stops. “Dad?”
“Happy birthday, sweetheart. I gave Dallas your gift. And a letter.” He steps aside and gives Rose room to walk in.
She eases up beside me and hugs me.
“You’re back early.” I kiss the top of her head.
She gives me a look that’s part scolding, part adoring. Something I never knew was possible until being married. “When I texted, asking how things were going, you didn’t answer.”
I feel around my pockets for my phone. “I was asleep. And I have no clue where I left my phone.”
She turns her attention back to her dad. “Seeing you is a surprise. But a happy one.” She steps closer.
He opens his arms. “I was wrong, and I miss you.”
“You aren’t here because of Lucy?” Her voice cracks.
Mr. Potts looks from Rose to me. “Who’s Lucy?”
Now Rose is crying because she realizes her dad is there only because he misses his only daughter. She hugs her dad, then rushes down the hall.
“She’ll be back in a second,” I say to her very confused dad.
Daphne is still in her car, making hand motions that make it clear she doesn’t trust this surprise visit. But she hasn’t talked to the man. I wave. She shakes her head, then pulls away. I’ll make sure that Rose calls her later.
“What changed?” The question slips out, but I don’t regret asking it.
Mr. Potts shoves his hands into his pockets. “It’s been a series of dominoes toppling, but the biggest change was a few months ago. The business is struggling, and because of that I said no to one of my wife’s requests. Well, I thought it was a request, but turns out it was a demand. And when I didn’t give her what she wanted, she left. Then I was all alone. I got myself into therapy. And after one of my first sessions, I called Sage. He met me for lunch. And I vented to him about my ex and you. And my son slapped me with the hard reality that I was the one who was wrong. I mean slapped metaphorically. Sage isn’t a violent person.”
“I understand.”
“I’ve been trying to find the words to apologize, but I couldn’t put it off any longer.”
His eyes widen. And I know Rose and Lucy have stepped into view.
“Dad, this is Lucy.” Rose motions for him to come inside. “Would you like to hold her?”
“Very much so.” He shakes my hand as he walks in. “Thank you for not turning me away.”
“Go hold your granddaughter.” I snag a tissue out of the box and hand it to Rose. Then I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.
She rests against my chest. “I had fun today.”
“I’m glad. Lucy and I had a good time too. She didn’t start crawling because I told her she had to wait until Mommy was here, and she seemed to understand.”
“You’re funny.” She tilts her head back for a kiss. “And I love you.”
“Love you too. Happy birthday, Rose.”