Page 94 of Unwrapped

Damn, first Shi and now this little spitfire has my by the balls. “So what? She lives in California.”

“So?”

“It’s complicated.”

“If you say so. Chicago sucks. It’s cold like all year. Even in summer. It never gets really hot.”

“What are you suggesting Freddy? That I just quit my job and drag you to California?”

Her pencil stills on her math assignment. “I was thinking more like a Valentine’s Day surprise. I have President’s Day off from school…”

“I messed up.”

“No, you didn’t. But you’re messing up now by not telling her how you feel.”

“Jesus, Freddie. How do you know all this shit?”

She shrugs. “The day manager at the group home used to stream old soap operas. You need a grand gesture. It needs to be big. Something to show Shiloh how much you care.”

“How about just ringing her doorbell and showing up with you?”

“That might work. But we’ll need chocolate and roses to start… then we need to tell her how we feel. Say the words, Dad. Don’t be afraid.”

“Say it again.”

“Dad.”

“Oh, Freddie. My daughter. I have a daughter.”

“You do.”

“Let’s go get your Mom.”

“It’s about time,” she giggles. “Give me your phone, I’ll book a red eye.”

“Do you think she loves us?”

“Why wouldn’t she? You and I are so badass.”

“Language, Freddie!”

“Come on, we need to pack.”

Sighing, my heart is full. I have a daughter and maybe someday soon, I’ll have a wife.

EPILOGUE PART II

DARE

“WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE?” I hold the flawless diamond up to the light.

“No. It’s not the one,” Freddie answers, staring back down at the rows of engagement rings. “It needs to be the best one.”

“I know.”

My heart feels as if it’s about to burst right out of my chest. A year ago, I was feeling angry, lost and lonely as fuck. Now I have a daughter and hopefully soon … a fiancée.

Freddie is helping me plan my proposal, insisting a Christmas engagement is the next best thing to a Christmas wedding and I couldn’t agree more. The happy memories we are making are filling all the holes from my childhood. There’s so much love in my life; more than I could have ever dreamed.

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