Page 69 of Best Laid Plans

Alden speaks up, cutting him off. “Luke, you’ve always been like a second father to me. Thanks to your influence in my life, I know I’ll be the best dad to Tatum possible. Throughout my childhood, you taught us through your actions that fatherhood is a privilege and not a right. You’re a good man who has suffered through unspeakable loss, and I hate that. But, sir, I can guarantee you, I love your daughter, and I wouldnever, everhurt her in any way or take advantage of her in any way. She’s precious to me.” Alden’s feelings for me, and our daughter, are clearly on display for the entire room to see—and when his eyes also cloud over with emotion, I know bone deep he means every word.

By this point, there’s not a dry eye in the room. “I know, son. I know.”

Nate gives us one last squeeze before returning to his spot on the floor, but I stay with my dad, hugging him tight for a few more minutes. “I’m so sorry, Nat Bug,” he whispers gruffly into my hair.

“It’s okay—”

“No, it’s not. I…I think maybe I need to talk to someone about this. Your mom has been begging me to for years. I think now it’s time.”

I pull back from our embrace and look him in the eye. “I think that’s a really good idea, Dad. And I…I’m proud of you.” I kiss his forehead and move back to Alden’s side.

For a few minutes, we all sit in silence, absorbing the reality of all of the truths that just came to light. That is, until we hear the sound of little feet running across the hardwood accompanied by Tatum yelling, “I know, Miss Jenny. But I gots to potty now!”

We all laugh and take that as our cue to disband.

“Y’all still hungry?” Alden asks.

My dad pats his belly. “I could eat. If you still want us to join you.”

“Wouldn’t be the same without you, Luke.” Internally I beam at Alden’s words, loving that he loves my family the same way they love him.

“I’m gonna go check on Tatum,” I say, excusing myself. I head to the half bath, knowing that’s where my girl will be.

I find Jenny in the hall outside of the half bath. “Sorry,” she cringes. “I tried telling her to wait.”

“You’re all good. It was actually perfect timing.”

Jenny’s tight facial features visibly relax. Poor girl—we haven’t really made the best first impression as a family unit, have we?

We both grin when from behind the bathroom door Tatum hollers, “Miss Jenny! I all done. I did a poop!”

“I’ve got this,” I tell my best friend, and Lord knows, she doesn’t need to be told twice. She makes a hasty retreat, bumping into my brother on the way. I watch, fascinated, as she tries to stop in time, but trips and faceplants into his chest.

He catches her and steadies her on her feet. “Whoa, girl. Slow down.”

She smiles up at him dazedly before moving around him and scurrying away. He turns my way, smirking. “Your friend’s an odd one.”

“She is not!” I start to argue, but Tatum interrupts.

“Hello! I did a poop! Helps!”

Nate laughs, backing away. “That’s all you.”

I open the bathroom and immediately bust out laughing. Tatum has practically the entire thing of toilet paper unrolled and is in the process of bunching it. “Tater Tot, what on earth are you doing?”

“No one came to help me, so I do it. I’m big!”

“Oh my, youarebig. But, sweetheart, that much toilet paper will clog the toilet.”

I show her the proper amount to use, but she pushes it back my way. “No, you here now. You do it.”Good Lord, this kid.I help her take care of business, and we both wash our hands, humming theHappy Birthdaysong as we go, before heading out to join everyone else.

Back in the kitchen, the atmosphere is notably lighter, and my heart soars. This is how it should be when family gets together—easy and fun, not rife with tension and aggression.

Tatum notices it too. “Oh! Eb-ry one is happy now!” She claps her hands and twirls. “Dis is much gooder!” She walks over to where my parents are seated at the bar. “Nana. Popsie. I show y’all my room?”

“We would love that very much,” my mom tells her, and the three of them set off up the stairs.

Alden and Nate are chatting about God knows what by the back door, while Jenny is—wait a minute. “Alden, where’s Jenny?”

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