She has a fucking boyfriend.

My daughter has someone else who will bring her up as his.

Our gazes lock as I turn in the bed and look directly at her. “I want access to Holly.”

Her chest rises and falls as she contemplates what I’m asking. If I can’t have her, she’s not keeping me from my daughter.

I study her face, searching for any signs of hesitation, but she remains expressionless. The room feels tense, as if hanging on the edge of a decision that could change everything.

My heart pounds in my chest, urging her to say yes, to grant me the access I so desperately desire. And finally, after what feels like an eternity, she finally breaks the silence.

“You want to see Holly?” Her voice is barely a whisper, filled with guarded caution.

I nod, my eyes never leaving hers. “Yes,” I reply, my voice laced with determination. “I want to be a part of her life.” And yours too. I keep that to myself... for now.

She inhales sharply, and I can see the internal struggle of giving me access to her beloved daughter.

Our daughter.

But I know deep down that she understands how important it is.

She sighs. “Let me get showered and dressed, and we can talk.”

I don’t want to leave her or Holly. I want to talk to her about how we can make this work.

“Taylor...”

The tap on her bedroom door is gentle, as though the person behind is not wanting to wake her.

The door creaks as it slowly opens.

And then I see a man, brown hair, blue eyes and wearing a pair of glasses and a large smile as he looks at Taylor. That smile disappearing when he sees me.

“Give me five minutes, Harrison,” Taylor says. “I need to a quick shower and Holly is still napping.”

“Where are you going?”

“The beach.”

“I can wait here with Holly and bring her to you when she wakes.”

Taylor chews on the inside of her cheek. I know this is going to be hard for her, but she needs to trust me with my daughter.

“Give him a chance. I’m sure Adam and Mia won’t let him leave with her,” Harrison says, still standing in the doorway.

“You know who I am?” I ask Harrison, surprised at his observation.

“Holly got her mother’s golden hair, but she didn’t get her mother’s gorgeous blue eyes. She got your mysterious ones.”

Taylor turns to me and laughs. My fingers itch to pull her to me and kiss her face.

“He’s an artist. He sees things most other people don’t.”

It takes Holly another half hour before she wakes. I take her to Mia and ask what I do now.

“Let me take her. She needs changing, cleaning and feeding. I don’t think you’re ready for everything just yet, and I doubt Taylor is either.”

I nod and pace the floor, waiting to take my daughter to her mom. Laughing when she insists she is wearing her rubber boots because she is going to paddle in the sea.