Page 19 of Single Dad's Christmas Gift
“Are you really okay, about school, I mean?”
“The principal wasn’t exactly pleased. He said since Blossom Ford is small, there have been other couples like us. While Evie is in my class, the school will monitor me to make sure I’m not showing favoritism to Evie, just so they have a way to counter any complaints from parents. There might be some gossip about us. It’s worth it, though, to have you and Evie for the rest of my life.”
“The gossip will die down when folks see how happy we are. The monitoring is going to be hard on you, though.”
“I’m a teacher. I had several observations whilst training.”
“It’s not the same thing, though.”
“It’s temporary. And we’re lucky; some schools don’t allow it all. Besides, Mom was my teacher in fourth grade. I had to call her Mrs. Shah at school and didn’t get away with anything. I told the principal that, I think it helped him feel I can handle the situation. ”
Maybe it’s just as well I’m starting work at the hospital in the New Year, so Dad will take Evie to School. It might be easier for other parents if they don’t see me often.
A soft snore makes me realize Layla’s asleep. I listen to her gentle snores, happy that I’m learning something new about her. I can’t wait to learn more.
Layla turned me into someone who wants to grow old with a woman. Since I was ten, when I helplessly saw my little sister lose her life after a car accident, I was determined to be an emergency doctor, so I’d have the knowledge to help save lives in a similar situation. Saving lives, treating patients became my passion.
I love my job so much, I thought it was all I needed to be happy. Even after Evie entered my life, I thought work and my daughter would be more than enough.
Layla changed that. With only a week to go till Christmas day, she is the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received in my life.
EPILOGUE
Layla
Five Years later
THE SOUND OF our three-year-old daughter Katie chuckling through the baby monitor wakes me up.
“It’s okay. We don’t need to get up yet. Let’s rest longer, please.” Fallon tightens his arms around me.
“Is Evie with her?”
Katie worships her big sister. She follows her everywhere, her chubby legs struggling to keep up with the twelve-year-old girl, who’s growing so fast, she might be as tall as her six-feet-three dad.
“For now, she loves her sister’s attention, but soon, when Katie’s six or seven and Evie is fifteen or sixteen, she won’t. It’ll be just like me and Verlin.”
I laugh, but talking about Fallon’s brother reminds me that staying in bed while we can is a great idea. I used to think Christmas at my parents was a huge event. It’s painless compared to holidays at the O’Connors, which is an enjoyable, yet exhausting affair.
Fallon’s eight brothers and their wives, as well as many grandkids, cram into one house and consume a humongous amount of food.
It helps that Fallon built our house yards away from his parents’ and siblings’ homes. After stuffing ourselves with turkey, we only have to walk a few steps.
I love we take turns spending the holidays here and at my parents in Garnet City.
“Which dress do you want to wear?” Evie asks.
There’s a gurgling sound, then Katie answers. “Pink.”
“Pink what?”
“Pink, please.”
Fallon kisses my nose. “Evie sounds just like you.”
When we visit Garnet City, even people who don’t know us say that.
The sound of children chattering reaches us from the window.
