Page 7 of One Pucking Life

Panic stirs in my gut, but I agree anyway. She unbuckles the straps, lifts Caroline, and carefully places her in my arms.

I freeze.

Her tiny body feels weightless and heavy at the same time. She blinks up at me like I’m something worth looking at, and when I shift, her small hand curls around my finger. Suddenly, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut, and I’m finding it hard to breathe. I pull in a jagged breath.

“She likes you,” Monique says softly, watching me with something close to relief.

I clear my throat. “She doesn’t even know me.”

“She will.” Monique adjusts the strap on her purse and steps back, giving me space. “You’re going to be great, Max.”

I’m not convinced, but I’m not about to argue. Not with her standing there like she’s about to disappear forever. I don’t want her to leave.

“When’s your flight?” I ask, glancing up.

“I have to be at the airport in a few hours,” she answers. “I have to finish packing.”

There’s a long pause. Caroline’s fingers tighten around mine, and I swear my heart does something it’s never done before.

“Take care of her,” Monique says, her voice catching for the first time.

“I will,” I say quietly.

I stare at her. “If you change your mind?—”

“I won’t.” She cuts me off. “But thank you.”

“Well, if you do, you know where to find me.”

“I appreciate it.”

We wait in silence for a few beats. My mind is still reeling from the information over the past few minutes, trying to make sense of it all.

She leans over and kisses the baby’s head. “Love you, Baby Bear. You’re going to have a great life.”

She brushes her hands on her jeans. “I’ve thought about this for a long time, Max. On paper, those adoptive parents areperfect. But in my gut… I knew she belonged with you.” She gives me a small wave, then turns and leaves.

Just like that.

I watch her go, the weight of everything hitting me like a freight train.

My eyes drift back to the baby—my daughter. Caroline Elena Park.

“Hi, baby girl,” I whisper, my voice cracking as emotion swells in my chest. “Nice to meet you. I’m your daddy.”

The words break something open inside me, and tears slip down my cheeks before I can stop them. On instinct, I pull her close, holding her against my chest, gently rocking us back and forth. I press a kiss to the top of her head. Her fine, dark hair is impossibly soft beneath my lips.

Looking down at her again, I exhale a shaky breath. “We’ll figure this out,” I murmur. “No problem.”

Inside, the muffled sounds of the party carry on, laughter and music spilling through the closed door. I let out a dry chuckle. “Definitely not how I thought tonight would go.”

She blinks up at me, her long lashes brushing against her cheeks. I can’t help but smile. “Gosh, you’re adorable. Aren’t you?”

I never thought I was a baby person, but there’s something special about this one. She’s still holding on to my finger like she’s trusting me with her whole world.

I guess she is.

And somehow… I know she’s already mine.

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