Page 12 of Secret Baby with My One Timer

“Is Adam home? I’d like to speak to you about something. With the two of you, actually.”

She nods, stepping back and letting me inside her home. My eyes roam over her growing belly.

“How long before he’s here?” I ask.

“Six weeks.”

I smile. “And what a beautiful place to bring up a child.”

“It is.” She grins, looking out to the ocean before shutting the door behind me. “I’m making coffee. Would you like one?”

“Thanks, that would be lovely.”

I follow her as she opens a door, but I don’t expect my heart to drop into my stomach. “Holly...” I whisper. Staring at the little girl sitting on the floor with Adam.

She is looking at shapes, holding them in her little fingers before she presses a circle into the round hole, fitting perfectly. She chuckles as she picks up a square piece.

Adam smiles each time she gets one right. Then he turns my way and narrows his eyes. “What brings you here?”

I can’t take my eyes from my daughter as I answer, “I’m thinking of buying a property down here, and thought I’d pop by and say hello.”

I glance at Adam. He doesn’t look too convinced, but generously, he says, “Okay, take a seat. As you can see, I’m busy at the moment.”

“Don’t let me stop you. It looks fascinating.”

Adam grins. “It is when you realize how old she is.”

“How old is she?” I ask.

“Eighteen months old.”

My heart races. I now know for sure that she’s my child. Not that there’s anything to deny when I look into her eyes.

Mia strolls into the room and hands me a coffee, but places Adams on the fireplace. “Are you ready for some milk, Holly?” she asks.

“Milk...” she says excitedly, and Mia walks back out of the room.

“This will be your life permanently soon,” I tell Adam. I don’t know what reaction to expect. Not knowing if he is excited or scared to death.

“I can’t wait,” he says, “and if we can get this house extended, I want more than the two we planned. But for now, that’s our number. We’re going to try for the second as soon as Mia is ready.” He rubs his hand on Holly’s head. “We need to give this little cherub friends to play with.”

“Can I play too?” I ask.

Holly smiles, her hazel eyes on me as she hands me a star. And just when I think she doesn’t know where it goes, she plants her chubby hand on the hole shaped like a star on the ball.

I close my eyes, trying to hide the fact that I’m falling apart under the surface as I talk to my daughter for the first time. I smile. “Clever girl.”

“Cever gul,” she tries to repeat. I guess she gets told that quite a lot.

“Are you serious about buying down here?” Adam asks.

“It’ll be nice to have a place away from New York. I’m going to look while I’m here.”

“Where are you staying?”

I hadn’t thought that through. “It’ll only be one night. I could travel back to the Hunter Valley and stay with my father, but I have training tomorrow, so I’ll book a hotel nearby.”

Adam looks at Mia. I see her nod from my periphery. “We have a spare room. Taylor and Holly already have the double bedroom, but if you’re okay with a smaller bed, then stay.”

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