Chapter Fifty Daniel
Chapter Fifty
Daniel
The peace after the storm is always the quietest.
However, it doesn’t feel that way. Even when I’m sitting here, playing with Mary while her mother takes care of someone in the medical room, I don’t feel peace.
My body is still the same as it has been for the last few weeks. The stress is still there, even though it’s all over. It just… doesn’t feel like it.
I mean, of course, playing with this little girl gives me some sense of quiet. It’s comforting. But is this really the end? I should feel like it is. He’s gone.
Obviously, there’s still business to take care of. But my body? It hasn’t realized yet what’s happened in the last few days.
Mary climbs onto my lap, looking up at me with bright eyes. I hold her gently. “Do you like the new toy I got you?” I ask.
She nods immediately. “Yes, Daddy!”
My smile widens. I wonder if she truly sees me as her dad, or if she just likes calling me that.
I know she’s been looking for someone to fill the gap that’s been there since she was born. And honestly? I’d be more than glad to be that person. To be there for her. To take care of her and protect her.
I want to protect both her and her mother. It’s what I’ve been doing all this time already, and I’m not going to stop.
“Sweetheart, listen…”
She tilts her head; eyes filled with curiosity. She looks so much like her mother. I wonder if Jennifer looked like this as a child. Did she look like her own mother, too?
… I certainly looked like mine.
“I need to ask you something,” I say gently, though my tone is serious. She nods, but I can tell she’s a little intimidated. That’s not what I wanted.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, it’s nothing bad,” I whisper, brushing my fingers through her hair to comfort her. “I just need to ask your permission for something.”
She frowns, confused. “Permission? But… don’t adults never need permission?”
Her words make me chuckle. “It depends. Usually, kids need their parents’ permission, that’s true. But not this time. I need yours now.”
Her confusion only deepens. “But what do you need permission for?”
I exhale softly. This is big. I know we’re ready to go further—almost. And as much as I love Jennifer, I need to make sure her daughter is okay with this, too.
I want us to be a family. But I don’t want Mary to feel like she’s being left out. I want her to know she’s important to me.
“I want to marry your mother, sweetheart.”
For a moment, she just stares at me. Then her whole face lights up. She jumps off my lap faster than I can react, clapping her hands in excitement.
I can’t help but smile. She’s so sweet, really…
But then she freezes, as if something just hit her. Her little hands stop mid-clap, and she gasps.
“Is something wrong?” I ask her immediately.
Her big eyes meet mine. “Does that mean you’ll be my real daddy?”
I raise a brow, feigning offense. “I thought I’ve been your daddy already?”
She giggles, and soon, we’re both laughing as we continue playing with her toys. Spending time with her like this… It heals something in me.
It makes me wonder why her father ever left a girl like her. And especially, why he left a woman like Jennifer. I hate him for it.
At the same time, I’m grateful. Because if he hadn’t left them, I wouldn’t have them now.
So, whoever you are, wherever you are—fuck you for leaving these girls.
And yet, it’s your loss. They’re mine now.
And I’m going to treat them exactly the way they deserve. They deserve the world. And I’m going to give it to them. Anything they want, it’s theirs.
By the time Mary’s tucked into bed, she lets out a sleepy yawn. She must be exhausted. Today was exhausting for all of us.
Can’t expect anyone to take a funeral lightly.
“Don’t tell your mommy about this, okay? We want this to be a surprise.” I whisper.
She nods immediately, rubbing her tired eyes. I chuckle.
“Good night, sweetheart,” I murmur, tucking the blankets around her. “I’ll stay right by your side until your mommy gets back, okay? You’ll never be alone.”
She nods again but hesitates before speaking. Her voice is soft, unsure.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, my girl?”
“You will stay with Mommy and me, right? You won’t leave?”
The innocence in her voice breaks something in me. How can such a small girl be so perceptive of the world? It shatters my heart.
“Of course, I’m gonna stay. Forever. I promise.”
“Pinky promise?”
She holds her tiny finger up, waiting for me. I take her hand in mine, linking our fingers together.
“Yes, sweetheart. I pinky promise. I’m not leaving you. Never. I’ll always be right by your side.”
Her breathing evens out as she drifts into sleep, the soft sound the only noise in the room. I stay beside her on my bed, watching over her.
It’s been almost an hour. Jennifer still isn’t back.
I hope it wasn’t an urgent emergency. I hope it’s just traffic holding her up, maybe several people need some help? Usually, it isn’t an emergency, but she’s taking longer than usual. It worries me slightly.
My body gives in to my exhaustion before I can think too much about it. Sleep creeps in, and for the first time in days, I let it take me without any worry.
I don’t notice when Jennifer finally returns. But when I wake up in the middle of the night, she’s laying right next to me, her warm body pressed against mine.
My soon-to-be wife is on my left, while our little daughter is on my right. It’s comforting. It’s warm and cuddly.
I don’t move. I just lay there, holding my woman, and feeling our girl on my other side.
It’s perfect.
My heart swells as I realize that we’ve somehow made this work. And I know, deep down, that we’re not just sleeping in the same bed tonight. We’re building a home.
A real family.
I pull Jennifer closer, letting her body fit against mine, while Mary’s small hand rests in the curve of my other arm. The weight of them both settles on me, grounding me, and for once, everything feels right.
I smile, the quiet of the night surrounding us.
I love our little family. And I hope that one day, it can grow even bigger.
In peace. In quiet. Just us three… or us four.