Page 83 of Badges
And as we make the final turn, I can see him get visibly uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, I’m practically bouncing in my seat in anticipation.
“Oh my god!” I scream, peeling out of the truck before he stops.
It’s her. Standing with her bag next to a beat up Camry, red hair tucked in a braid under her worn baseball hat.
Crying, gasping, sizzling with emotion, I grab her in a fierce hug and squeeze her so tightly it makes my chest hurt.
“I can’t, Elena, stop,” she chokes out, patting my shoulders.
Tears smear my vision, but don’t blur her wide smile.
“Are you okay?” I grip her and look into her amber eyes.
They’re so much like Wade’s, I can see it now.
Weirdly, it doesn’t stir the jealousy. It only reaffirms how we’re all supposed to be together.
“I’m fine. I missed you though.” She glances past me and her lips fall into a thin line. “Who’s that?” she whispers.
I can see Wade’s shadow extend toward us from where he’s leaning against his truck.
But he’s hanging back. Waiting.
“You’re never going to believe this.” I tuck a stray lock of fiery hair behind her ear. “He’s your dad.”
A little piece of everything
Wade
While Elena was huggingCynthia, I exchanged the paperwork with the caretaker for release.
It’s only when I lean against the front of the truck and get a solid look atmy daughterfor the first time that the true weight of everything crashes over my shoulders.
From the color of her hair to how she narrows her eyes, there’s no mistaking she’s mine.
I’ve seen that same expression on my own face in the mirror many times.
Holy shit, I’m a father.
“Wade? Come and meet Cynthia.” Elena turns to me, waving her fingers.
My stomach plummets when I see the wary expression tinge Cynthia’s features.
She doesn’t know me, or trust me.
I can be patient.
Squatting to my heels, I extend my hand. “Cynthia, it’s nice to finally meet you. Elena has told me what a wonderful person you are.”
She eyes my palm. “Are you really my dad?”
I drop my arm, resting my elbows on my thighs and give her a solemn nod. “I am. I just got the paternity test yesterday.”
Her chin works through a series of ripples. “So you didn’t know before now?”
It’s almost as if I can see the thoughts running through her head. “No. But if I had, I’d have been there right away. And I can say with one hundred percent certainty that I’ll always be there for you from now on.”
