Page 28 of Daddy Detectives: Episode 2

“There’s the mommy bunny,” Ian says as he points to an illustration in the book. “And there are her baby bunnies. One, two, three. The mommy bunny loves her three babies.”

Will makes another failed attempt at the book, and Ian chuckles. “Slow your roll, pal.” He tickles Will to distract him.Once that is successful, he leans down to kiss the top of Lizzie’s dark head.

When we hear a knock at the front door, Ian’s head snaps up. “She’s here.” His spine stiffens.

Shebeing Rhonda. We invited her to come for dinner. Ian wants to know more about his early childhood. He wants to know thewhyof it all. He also wants her to finally meet her grandchildren.

I rise from the sofa. “I’ll get the door, babe.” As I walk past Ian, I pause to run my fingers through his curls because I find I can’t walk past him without wanting to touch him. I smile when he leans into my touch.

Rhonda’s waiting on the other side of the front door, looking a bit apprehensive as she takes in the two-story brick façade of the townhouse. I’d bet money she’s never stepped foot in The Gold Coast neighborhood before today.

I open the door wide. “Hi, Rhonda. Come in.”

She steps inside and gazes around the foyer, peering into the formal parlor to her right, then to the living room on her left. She’s holding a baby gift bag.

Ian waves from his spot on the living room floor. “We’re in here.”

Rhonda looks at me first, as if waiting for permission to come into our home. I close the door behind her and gesture to the living room. “Please, make yourself at home.”

She gives me a grateful smile before she heads to the open doorway. Two steps into the room, she pauses in her tracks and stares at the sight of Ian holding our twins, her eyes widening. “Oh, my God.” She covers her mouth with her free hand. “They’re so beautiful.”

Ian beams up at her. “I think so.” And then he winks at me. “Just like their Papa.”

Rhonda surprises me when she takes a seat on the rug in front of Ian, facing him, facing the babies. “Hello, sweethearts,” she says to the babies in a soft, cooing voice. Smiling, she tears up. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m your Grandma Rhonda.”

She sets the gift bag on the floor. “I brought them each a little something.” She reaches into the bag and pulls out two small, floppy stuffed animals—a baby giraffe and a baby elephant.

Will leans forward and reaches for the elephant.

“You want this one, sweetie?” Rhonda asks him as she attempts to hand it to him.

Will makes a valiant effort to grab hold of the toy, but he fumbles it, and it falls to the floor. He lets out a frustrated squawk.

Rhonda picks it up and presses it into his grasp. “Here you go, sweetie.”

Immediately, Will starts chewing on one of the elephant’s ear.

Lizzie sits quietly, just staring at Rhonda.

“And this one is for you,” Rhonda says as she offers Lizzie the floppy giraffe.

Lizzie pushes back closer to Ian.

“Don’t take it personally,” Ian says as he beams down at our daughter. “She’s not nearly as outgoing as her brother.”

“Can I hold her?” Rhonda asks Ian.

He glances briefly at me, and then he says, “Sure.”

Rhonda reaches for Lizzie, transferring her from Ian’s lap to her own. She hands Lizzie the stuffed giraffe. “Hi, sweet girl.”

Lizzie’s eyes widen as she glances over at Ian. She doesn’t cry, but she looks a bit concerned. I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling. Lizzie is definitely Daddy’s girl.

“Aren’t you a pretty little girl?” Rhonda asks.

Lizzie glances up at me this time, her dark eyes wide and beseeching. When her bottom lip starts to quiver, Iautomatically step in, reaching for her and propping her on my hip.

“She’s shy,” I say to Rhonda, as if I need to justify wanting to hold my own daughter.

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