Page 124 of Something Borrowed, Something You

She leaned down to the bassinet and gently rubbed her nose with the baby’s. “Love you, pumpkin pie.”

“Thanks for staying all this time, Izzy.”

“Of course. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” She nibbled on her bottom lip for a moment before speaking again. “I’ve been thinking… You know how little kids sometimes get confused and call someone their uncle when it’s not really their uncle? Like if they’re hanging around other kids who call that person Uncle because the person is actually their uncle?”

I had no idea where she was going with this, yet I shrugged. “I guess.”

“Well, maybe it would be less confusing if I called you Dad, instead of Hunter.”

My jaw dropped open.

Izzy looked up and saw my face, then added, “You know, it would be easier for the baby and all.”

I’d miraculously made it through the last twenty-four hours without crying, but that did it. I broke. My eyes welled up, and I tasted salt in my throat.

“You wanna call me Dad?”

She nodded her head. “If that’s okay with you.”

I lost the fight to stop the waterworks. Fat tears streaked down my face. “It would make me the happiest guy in the world for you to call me Dad, Izzy.”

My amazing stepdaughter wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. I followed suit, holding her tight. Emotional moments with Izzy were rare and had to be held on to for as long as possible. When her grip loosened, I kissed the top of her head.

“I love you, kiddo.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

She pulled back and scrunched up her nose. “You didn’t get snot in my hair, did you?”

I pretended to pull something from the top of her head. “Oh yeah, big green chunks.”

“You’re gross.”

I smiled from ear to ear. “But you love me anyway.”

She rolled her eyes but the grin never left her face. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

“Abso-freaking-lutely.” I pulled the phone out of my pocket and started to scroll. “I’m already ordering you an I’m with Dad T-shirt.”

“Great. I’ll exchange it for an I’m with Stupid one.”

I mussed her hair. “Be careful driving home.”

“I don’t want to wake my mom, so tell her I said goodbye. I’ll come back tomorrow morning if she’s not released by then.”

“Will do.”

After the door closed behind Izzy, I stood there for a minute, still absorbing what had just gone down.

“I guess you gained two daughters today?” Nat whispered.

My head swung around. “You heard that?”

She smiled and nodded her head.

I let out a big breath. “Thank God. Because I wasn’t sure you would believe me when I told you.”

Nat scooted over on the bed and patted the spot next to her. “Grab our little girl and come here, you big crybaby.”

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