Page 29 of Single Dad Dilemma

“I mean, when you get to leave the hospital, will you be coming here or going home?”

“Oh, I guess I haven’t thought of that yet. It just feels too soon.”

“So, we fall into bed, create a baby, and now we’re taking it slow?” he asks around a smirk.

“You made a baby?” Margo yells, eyes wide with excitement.

Now she chooses to listen?

Violet and I look at one another, then back to Margo.

“Well, I guess the cat is out of the bag now,” I say.

Her eyes get bigger if possible. “And a cat?”

We all laugh. “No, honey, there is no cat, but you are going to be a big sister. What do you think of that?”

“Yay!” she yells around her giggles as she jumps and up down, unable to contain her excitement. She quickly runs around the coffee table to hug us both. “Does that mean that you’re getting married?” She smiles wide.

I laugh, but Carson picks her up, holding her up in the air. “One thing at a time, monster,” he tells her, lowering her to the floor to tickle her until she falls onto my lap.

After play time, Margo goes off to bed, leaving me and Carson alone for the first time today. I’m lying back on the couch, ready to fall asleep when he comes and sits down.

“You know, if you want to stay the night, I won’t argue.”

I smile. “Well, that’s good because I’m so tired I don’t know if I’d make it home.”

“Come on. Let’s go up to bed.” He stands and helps me to my feet. Quickly, he sweeps me up in his arms and carries me up the stairs.

“I’m telling ya, this baby growing process wears you out.”

He chuckles. “I’ll just have to take your word for it.” He leans in and kisses my lips, then sets me softly in bed.

He helps to remove my shoes, and he pulls the blankets back enough that I can slide beneath them. When I’m lying down, he pulls them back up around me, tucking me in. He rips off his shirt and jeans and comes to lie at my side. He pushes his chest against my back, and his heat sinks into me, relaxing me. I drift into a deep sleep.

Time passes in funny ways sometimes. Sometimes, it’s slow and lagging, and seconds fel like minutes. Other times, it passes so quickly that if you aren’t careful, you won’t even notice the changing of the days.

Before I know it, my belly is big and round, and the three of us have settled into a nice routine. While Carson and I have agreed to take things slow, I find myself staying at his place more than mine. S

lowly but surely, more and more of my things get brought over, and we even start decorating a nursery for the baby. We paint the walls a light blue and decorate it with a nautical theme. There are fish painted on the walls along with big boat anchors. The carpet is a dark blue, and all the trim is a crisp white. The closet gets filled with clothing, and the diaper changing station gets stocked to the brim. Everything is falling together nicely, and I know there’s no point in pushing for anything because, with us, everything just falls into place.

I don’t know when I’ll officially move in, or if/when Carson and I will ever tie the knot, but those aren’t the things that needworrying about. With us, it’s better just to buckle up and enjoy the ride because fate is going to take us wherever we’re supposed to be anyway.

Epilogue

CARSON-FIVE YEARS LATER…

The morning sun filters through our bedroom windows, casting a warm glow across Violet's sleeping form. Her dark hair is spread across the pillow, and I can't help but smile as I watch her chest rise and fall with each breath. After five years of marriage, she's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

I hear the patter of little feet in the hallway, followed by Will's whispered voice. "Shh, Margo! We're supposed to be quiet!"

"I am being quiet," Margo whispers back, though her version of a whisper could wake the neighbors.

I slip out of bed, careful not to wake Violet, and open the door to find both kids standing there with eager grins. At ten, Margo has grown into a beautiful young girl who looks more like her mother Kate every day, though she still has my dark curls. Five-year-old Will is my miniature in every way, from his mischievous smile to his love of boats.

"Is everything ready?" Margo asks, bouncing on her toes.

I nod and usher them toward the stairs. "The picnic basket is packed, and the boat is fueled up. Let's let Mom sleep a little longer while we get everything else ready."

---