Page 88 of Wild Hearts

She put her mug down and popped a cookie in her mouth. Then we both stood next to the box leaning against the wall. She began ripping the paper off, revealing a box with a picture of an easel.

"You got me an easel?"

"Is it something you needed? I wasn't sure. You had all those painting supplies and blank canvases. I figured you needed something besides a table to work on."

She threw her arms around my neck. "Yes. I needed one. They're expensive. I never even bothered to ask for one."

"I want you to have everything you need." And it wasn't like she was asking for too much. These were good things. The ability to express herself through art could only help her process her emotions about her mother and me.

We cleaned up the wrapping paper, joking about how fun it would be to get a puppy for Christmas. That gave me an idea for next year or maybe even her birthday. I was afraid I was close to spoiling her with everything she never had. But I couldn't help it. What else did you do when you hadn't met your daughter until she was thirteen?

Dakota went upstairs to shower while I prepared sandwiches for lunch. I figured we'd eat our fill at the Wilde dinner at my aunt and uncle’s house this year.

Everyone was finally home. Even Killian had arrived, staying in one of the condos in the lodge on the top floor.

After we ate lunch, there was a knock on the door. Dakota ran to the door before I could, letting Addison inside.

She was pretty in a red sweater that said Merry in white with black pants and boots. I took the bouquet of flowers and wrapped gifts from her arms.

"The flowers are beautiful," Dakota said as she arranged the vase on the counter. The red and white blooms instantly brightened the mainly white kitchen.

"These are for you," Addison handed Dakota the wrapped presents.

"I have something for you too." Dakota placed the presents on the counter and ran upstairs to grab it.

I pulled Addison against me. "Merry Christmas, Addison."

She looked up at me with a smile curved over her face. "Merry Christmas, Walker."

Before I could kiss her, Dakota jogged down the stairs. I stepped back as Dakota handed Addison the small rectangle-shaped package.

We moved into the living room.

Addison opened the box first, finding gold hoop earrings.

"We made them in school."

"Thank you, Dakota. I love them." Addison hugged her, and then said, "Now open mine."

Dakota unwrapped a journal with an image of flowers on the front and gold edging on the pages. It came with a set of fancy pens that Dakota oohed and aahed over. She thumbed through the blank pages of the journal. "The pages are too pretty to write on."

Addison waved a hand. "The journals aren't expensive, and there's a lot more where that came from. You should feel pampered when you're writing your deepest thoughts on paper."

Dakota laughed, and I enjoyed watching them interact. I could easily see Addison stepping into a motherly role with Dakota. She seemed to know what she needed, and it wasn't just her social-work training. They had a connection.

"Are you ready to spend the evening with my family? This is nice and quiet, but it will be loud and crazy with everyone else."

"I can handle it, Dad. Is it okay if I try out my paints upstairs?"

"Absolutely, let me set up your easel and help you carry everything upstairs." Once we had her easel set up and paints arranged on her desk, Addison and I headed back downstairs to give her privacy.

"You did a good job on her presents," Addison said as we sat in front of the fire, enjoying the lights on the tree.

"I saw that she had worn brushes and mostly empty paint containers. It was an easy assumption."

"Maybe. But it also shows how much you pay attention, and you care. I think she sees that too." Addison was quiet for a few seconds before she continued, "She knows you care about her."

"I should hope so." The love I felt for Dakota eclipsed almost anything else I'd ever felt. "Do you want to open your present?"

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