Page 59 of Daddy's Accidental Babies

Dominic lingered just outside, still in his suit from the office, though he’d taken off his tie. His posture was rigid, but his expression wasn’t guarded the way it used to be. It was careful—hopeful maybe.

Thea hesitated then stepped aside.

He walked in without speaking. The boys didn’t react right away, but they didn’t hide either. Cal gave him a curious once-over, then glanced at me. Leo kept coloring.

“Hey,” I said gently. “This is my friend Dominic.”

Cal tilted his head. “Is he gonna do puzzles with us?” The scrunched-up way he wrinkled his nose showed his curiosity and apprehension. Leo, however, jumped up excitedly.

Dominic crouched beside him. “If you let me. But I’m kind of terrible at them.”

Cal grinned, already handing over the puzzle box. “Good. Then I can beat you.” He cackled, which made me smirk and Dominic chuckle. Thea pursed her lips as she shut the door and picked up her wine, retreating to her room to give us privacy.

The rest of us sat on the floor together, and Leo handed Dominic a crayon like it was a sacred offering. Dominic took it like he understood that. Leo sat next to Dominic with his coloring book in his lap and a fistful of crayons. Side by side they made my breath catch; they were both a spitting image of their father.

“This one’s sky blue,” Leo told him. “But you can use it for the lake too.”

Dominic smiled. “Thanks, buddy. That’s good to know.”

He bent over the edge of the coloring book and started shading the edge of a cartoon boat. Leo leaned close, watching his hand move, nodding approvingly.

Cal pointed to the puzzle pieces he’d laid out. “You have to find the corners first. That’s the rule.”

I loved how Dominic seemed torn between the two, anxious to please them both. “Corners first. Got it. Any other tips?”

“Don’t force the pieces. You’ll ruin it. And don’t eat any, or you have to go to bed early with no snack.”

Dominic laughed, and I covered my face in embarrassment. “That seems fair. I’ll try to keep them out of my mouth.” When he looked up at me, there was so much warmth in his eyes, they were misty with emotion. My heart felt so full.

Leo sat back and crossed his arms. “You color slowly.”

“That’s how you stay in the lines,” Dominic said, glancing up at me.

Cal snorted. “You don’t have to stay in the lines. That’s just a suggestion.”

Dominic turned to Cal with one raised eyebrow. “Rebel art. Got it—want to color with us?” His question was aimed at gathering all three of them to the same task, but then Leo climbed into his lap with complete trust, curling into his chest like he’d done it a hundred times before. Dominic looked stunned for only a moment before he adjusted his posture, wrapping an arm lightly around Leo’s back. He didn’t speak or make a show of it. He simply held him while continuing to color.

My throat tightened. Dominic didn’t flinch. He shifted his weight to balance Leo’s legs like it was the most natural thing in the world. And the rest of the evening went about as smoothly, though we did have a mishap with a crayon breaking, which brought on a round of tears, so I knew it was bedtime.

When Cal yawned, Leo followed.

“Alright, bedtime,” I said. “Let’s go.”

To my surprise, Dominic stood too. He followed me into their room, helping guide Cal into his dinosaur pajamas while I got Leo into his. He passed them toothbrushes without being asked,adjusted a twisted pajama pant leg, and picked up a sock one of them had flung under the bed.

After stories, after kisses and whispers and lights out, we walked side by side out to the door.

“They didn’t even flinch,” he said, suit jacket hanging from one finger over his shoulder.

“They don’t know who you are yet,” I reminded him, but after the time we had tonight, I knew I wouldn’t have to wait long.

“But they will.”

“Yeah,” I said softly. “They will.” Smiling, I leaned into him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. There was still so much up in the air that gave me anxiety, but I felt better knowing my personal life, at least, was ironing itself out.

“One question,” I said, reaching for the lock. “What about Marla and my father? What happens now?”

Dominic exhaled. “I’m keeping it out of court, but Marla’s been terminated. The board still wants to go public on David’s campaign, though I think it’s a bad move. It’s low and dirty, just like his actions, so I’m trying to sway them back to something less hostile.”

---