Page 101 of Dr. Single Dad

“But I want some Guinevere snuggles. You’re hogging her.”

“I think we can arrange that,” I reply. “You can burp her once she’s done feeding. In the meantime, you want to tell me what kind of engagement ring you want?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You’re quite the romantic.”

“Stop dodging the question. I’m not good with the creative stuff. I’m not like Zach. Unless you want to end up with something awful, you’ve got to give me some hints.”

“I don’t care about a ring,” she replies. Before I get the chance to reply, she says, “You know something that I’d really love?”

“Name anything. If it’s in my power, I’ll get it for you.”

“I want my brother and sister to get to know you. Sooner rather than later. Your brothers are… I’ve met them all. They all seem wonderful…”

“But they’re overwhelming?” I suggest. “A pain in the neck? We can move so we’re not opposite Jacob if you’d prefer and?—”

She laughs. “I mean it—I really like your family, but I don’t want to feel like I’m having to step away from mine to be with yours. Eddie is still young and needs me even if it’s not in the way I thought. Dylan too, in his own way. I love them both and I want…” She clasps her hands together. “The Coves and the Cadogans to mesh well. I don’t want my brother and sister to feel like I’m deserting them. It’s been the three of us for a long time.”

I groan. “Of course. I’m a selfish prick at times. Let’s go and see them next weekend or invite them here. And then…maybe we should do what Nathan and Madison have done and buy our own place in Norfolk, so we have the base for the Cadogan-Coves.”

“The Cadogan-Coves?” Eira asks.

“It’s got a nice ring to it.” I glance down at Guinevere. “Don’t you think, Guinevere? You think we should all become Cadogan-Coves?”

Eira gasps. “You wouldn’t mind changing your name?”

“I’d do anything for you,” I reply. “If you want us all to be Cadogans, that’s fine too.”

“I think you might be a keeper, Dax Cadogan-Cove.”

“Glad you think so, Eira Cadogan-Cove.”

Guinevere turns her head and the teat of the bottle slips out of mouth. “Guess she’s done,” I say. “I think she wants snuggles with you.”

I sit back in my chair as Eira puts Guinevere over her shoulder and gently pats her back.

Three months ago, I had no clue my life was about to change. And now it has, I can’t believe this exact moment wasn’t what I’d been aiming for my entire life. Everything in this second is perfect. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

EPILOGUE

Eira

I shift from foot to foot, glancing at the side table and the footstool. “I think we need to move it back where it was.”

Dax doesn’t say anything, just puts Guinevere in her bouncer and picks up the footstool. I pick up the side table and we swap places. Again.

“It doesn’t look like it did in the shop,” I say. “It’s bluer.”

“Then we’ll get a new one,” Dax says. He’s being so bloody patient with me it’s annoying. I know I’m being irrational, it’s just that I’m so nervous. I expected Dylan and Eddie to meet people and start families. I always saw myself as being the aunt who would visit each of them. I didn’t expect them to be the ones visiting me and my new family. It’s not that I don’t think they’ll accept Dax. I’ve spoken to them both by phone and they’re delighted that I’m so happy. The reality is so different from what I’ve kept in my head all these years, I just need time to get used to it.

The doorbell rings and my stomach churns like I’m on a ship in the North Sea. “Shall I get it?” I ask.

Dax laughs. “Well one of us should.”

I start toward the door. “Yes. I should.”

Eddie’s grinning at me as I open the door. “This is a bloody nice house,” she says. “I’ve brought my swimming costume.”

She catches sight of Dax behind me and barges in, thrusting her case at me.

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