“What should we do tonight, Brooklyn?” I call as I turn toward the living room. She sees me and pushes herself to her feet, wavering a little before she plops back down on her butt. In the last week or so, she’s shown signs of almost walking but she hasn’t taken that first step just yet. Despite the accident, it’s been amazing to be able to spend so much time with her since I’m usually working so much. Brooklyn babbles something as she stares up at me and I nod.
“Good idea, sweet girl! Beauty and the Beast, it is.”
Before I can get to the couch, my phone buzzes and I hobble back to my seat and sink into the cushion before grabbing it.
Lucas:
Any big plans tonight?
Just seeing his message on the screen sends a flutter through my belly and I shake my head as a smile stretches across my face. When I texted him earlier to thank him for everything, I told myself that’s all it was but the truth is, I want to see him again. As crazy as that is.
Me:
Yeah. Brooklyn and I have a date
planned with the DVD player.
Setting my phone down, I sigh. I would have loved to get a few little fireworks to set off for Brooklyn but with the accident, it just wasn’t possible. It’s not like she’ll ever remember tonight but I was really looking forward to it. Brooklyn babbles and I glance over at her as she pushes herself to her feet again and wobbles.
“Come on, baby girl. You can do it. Walk to Mama,” I encourage, holding my hands out in front of me. She meets my eyes and smiles before plopping down on her butt with a frustrated grunt as I laugh.
“It’s okay. You’ll figure it out soon enough.”
A sweet little sigh slips past her lips as she reaches for her block again and I grin, my heart bursting with love as I watch her. A memory from when I first found out I was pregnant pops into my head and my stomach turns as I think about the fact that I almost didn’t keep her. My life was such a mess back then and for a brief second, I considered terminating the pregnancy but all it took was one look at her on the sonogram machine and I knew I couldn’t do it. Despite everything, she was mine and I wanted her. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be if it hadn’t been for her. She gave me the strength and the drive to get my life back together. She saved me.
Sighing, I shake my head to clear those thoughts from my mind as I grab the remote and turn on Brooklyn and my favorite movie. As soon as the opening song starts playing, she stops playing with the block and stares up at the screen for a second before rolling to her hands and knees and crawling over to the couch. She pulls herself to her feet and I scoop her up, arranging her in my lap so she can watch the movie. With a sleepy sigh, she shoves her thumb into her mouth and starts sucking on it.
By the time Gaston starts singing in the pub, she is drifting off in my arms, her eyes getting heavier and heavier with each second that passes. The doorbell rings and she jerks up before looking at me with a pout and watery eyes.
“Shh, sweetheart. It’s okay,” I assure her, rubbing my finger along her cheek to calm her as I pause the movie and stand up. Climbing off the couch, I secure Brooklyn against my hip and walk over to the door, my body protesting with each step. When I reach the door, I yank it open and Lucas glances up, flashing me a gorgeous smile that takes my breath away.
“Hey,” I whisper, my heart racing in my chest.
Stress lines his face but his smile is genuine as he holds up a plastic bag. “Hey. I hope you don’t mind that I stopped by but I thought you might want some dinner.”
“No. Not at all,” I whisper, fighting back a big, cheesy grin. Brooklyn coos at him and when we glance down at her, she’s smiling at Lucas around the thumb still in her mouth. He chuckles, reaching forward and nudging her cheek with his finger.
“Glad to know I have your approval as well, little lady.”
She squeals, her grin firmly in place and I laugh as I turn to let him in. “Come on in. I was just putting her to bed.”
“Oh, actually… before you do that, I brought a surprise for her.”
I stop, turning to stare at him. “You did?”
With a smile on his face, he pulls a thin box of sparklers out of the bag before holding them out in front of me. My smile feels like it might crack my face.
“You brought her sparklers?”
“Of course, we couldn’t skip Independence Day just because you’re laid up.”
My heart pounds against my rib cage and heat creeps up my cheeks. “This is really thoughtful, Lucas. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” he says, holding his hand out to me and I grab it, allowing him to lead Brooklyn and I out to the porch swing where he instructs me to sit.
“Do you need any help?”
He shakes his head as he holds his hands out for Brooklyn, who gladly reaches for him. “Nope. You just relax, sweetheart. I’ve got this.”
With Brooklyn securely against his hip, he grabs the bag and carries her down the steps, into the yard. My pulse races watching him interact with her so effortlessly and for a brief second, I imagine what it would be like to have a real family with a mom and a dad for Brooklyn before pushing those thoughts from my mind. Even if I was ready for something like that, it’s way too soon to be thinking that with a man I just met a few days ago.
Lucas sets Brooklyn on her feet in the grass and I wince as she makes a face. She hates the feeling of the grass on her feet and she’s going to start screaming any second. Before I can stand, Lucas scoops her back up and tickles her belly, distracting her. Oh, Jesus. If he keeps doing things like this, I’m doomed.
With Brooklyn still in his arms, he manages to maneuver one of the sparklers out of the box and lights it. Brooklyn’s face lights up, transformed by wonder, as Lucas twirls the sparkler in front of them. She claps her hands, laughing as the sparks fly and my heart aches with happiness at the bright smile on her face. Lucas laughs along with her and my cheeks heat. I can’t tear my eyes away from the two of them. He’s so patient and loving that my mind has no problem drifting into territory that should be left alone.
The entire time I was pregnant, I knew this kind of thing wasn’t in our future and it was my greatest regret - not because I’m incapable of taking care of Brooklyn by myself or because I need a man - but because my heart aches each time I think about the look on her face when she has her first daddy-daughter dance or every Father’s Day when she has no one to celebrate. It’s not her fault that everything worked out this way but she’s the one who will bear the burden and that kills me. Watching them together now - it’s the picture I always wanted but was too scared to dream of and truthfully, still am. It’s the one thing I want most in this world and the one thing I’m terrified I’m never going to get.
They burn through two more sparklers before Brooklyn lays her head down on Lucas’s shoulder and my eyes burn with unshed tears at just how beautiful it looks. I have no idea if we’ll ever truly have a real family like I always dreamed of but this moment is pretty damn special.
“Are you ready for bed, Darlin’?” Lucas asks her so softly that I almost don’t hear him as I stand up and walk over to the top step before leaning against the railing. A smile spreads across my face as I cross my arms over my chest.