Page 47 of Their Perfect Daddy

Grizzly is a friend. One that I don’t get a lot of time with, but a friend, nonetheless. Sort of how Micah and Danny are close. I think after spending years working with someone, you tend to find yourself bonding. The only times it doesn’t work out is when one of you is an ass.

“Now can you tell me why our princess says you two haven’t been together since I left? Are you avoiding him, Brat?”

“I’m not…” I start, then freeze. “Ok, maybe a little bit. I always mess up when it’s just the two of us. When you’re around, I do better. It makes more sense.”

Daddy hums as if he’s thinking it over. Our princess is particularly quiet. I hope I didn’t offend him or hurt his feelings. That wasn’t my intention. I just want to be honest.

“While I understand your hesitation, I have to say it’s doing more harm than good. The two of you have something special. Keeping yourself away from him isn’t going to help your relationship grow. I want you two to be just as strong on your own as we are together. After all, this all started with y’all.”

It’s strange to hear him say this, despite the truth behind his words.

Because yeah, it did start with us. That first time I saw him, I knew he was different. I knew I wanted him to be mine.

I never thought I’d be sharing him with someone. However, Daddy is right about me needing to nurture our original foundation.

“You’re right,” I admit softly. Then I harden my voice and say, “I vow to do better, Daddy. I will be there for our Princess whenever he needs me. Like a knight in shining football armor.”

Danny gives a squeal of laughter. “Yes, please. That’s perfect.”

“Good boy. I’m proud of you, Brat. You’re going to feel much better once you stop overthinking things.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

We talk for a few more minutes. Skye gives us an update on his sister, and then he admits he needs to go to dinner with the family before it gets too late.

By the time I hang up the phone, Grizzly has managed to eat two and a half sandwiches, and he looks two minutes away from needing a nap. Except when I ease the device on the table, he pounces.

“Daddy and Princess, huh? Someone has been keeping secrets.”

I shake my head at him. “Not really. It’s very new. Nothing to tell.”

He hums as if he doesn’t believe me. He really shouldn’t.

Because new or not, there’s already loads I could tell him about this relationship. I simply don’t want to. I want to keep them to myself a bit longer.

CHAPTER 15

SKYE

I’ll never forget the way I felt when Gale gave me the news about Poppy. It was a whirlwind of mixed emotions. Joy because my sister was having a child, and I’d get to be an uncle. Grief because we didn’t get to celebrate her journey. Fear for her safety and the future the baby would have. And determination because I refused to let her go without a fight.

Since the minute I made it to the hospital, I’ve been advocating for her care. Each nurse and doctor in this place know me by name now.

I haven’t been pushy. Just open and honest about how much she means to me. They understand what it’s like to have someone you love be on the other side of things. You only want to know they’re getting the best medical help they can.

Thankfully, everyone is kind enough to keep me in the loop. One doctor even went so far as to ask my opinion, despite my lack of gynecological experience.

While I may have delivered an emergency baby or two, I’m nowhere near equipped enough to make those types of decisions that come with postnatal care. I told him as much when we spoke.

“Take it slow,” I tell Poppy as I ease the straw to her lips.

My sister still isn’t quite strong enough to hold things on her own yet. We’ve taken on the role of her caregivers full-time, with each sibling that made it here trading off duties to give each other a break when we need them.

I’m the only one who has stayed by her side since my arrival. Mostly because I’m on leave from work where the others aren’t. The rest of the Gellars have popped in and out as their PTO allowed.

Thankfully, my role back home at Bellport General is important enough to allow me this emergency leave. My team can more than handle any surgery changes and procedures as needed until I return.

Family comes before everything. It’s one thing I don’t budge on.

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