Page 47 of Grumpy Orc Daddy

Janta grins, showing off his tusks even more. "Mostly for show in these modern times, ma'am."

The room erupts in laughter, the ice finally broken. My sister, always the hostess, jumps in with a tray of appetizers. "Try some of these, Janta! Just be careful, they're not orc-sized bites."

As Janta carefully picks up a tiny canapé, barely visible against his massive fingers, my best friend leans over to whisper loudly, "Bet you never had to worry about him stealing your snacks, huh, Rayna?"

More laughter follows, and as I watch Janta interact with my family—answering questions, sharing stories, even letting my little cousin peek into his mouth to 'see where he puts all the food'—my heart swells. This is more than acceptance; it's the beginning of new friendships, a blending of worlds that I had hoped for but hadn't dared to expect. The love I feel for Janta deepens, matched only by my gratitude for the open hearts surrounding us

The real icebreaker comes courtesy of my five-year-old nephew, Timmy, who circles Janta, eyes huge. "Are you the Hulk?" he finally asks, voice tinged with hopeful awe.

Laughter erupts from everyone, and even Janta chuckles. "Not quite, buddy. But I can do a pretty good Hulk impression if you want."

Timmy nods eagerly, and Janta obliges, flexing and pretending to growl, making Timmy squeal with delight and run around pretending to be a mini-Hulk.

As the evening unfolds, the initial awkwardness melts away under the heat of shared laughter and stories. My family embraces Janta not just as an orc, but as the person who loves me. It's touching and, honestly, a relief. There's love, a lot of laughter, and an overwhelming sense of acceptance—it's all I could have hoped for.

The next day, with the stress of meeting my family behind us, I dive back into the chaos of fabric swatches and guest lists scattered across the living room floor. I’m completely engrossed, holding up two similar swatches to light when I hear a giggle, soft but full of curiosity, and when I look up, there stands Lily, teetering on unsteady legs.

"Janta, look!" I barely breathe the words, my heart thumping wildly.

He turns just in time to see Lily take her first hesitant step, then another, her tiny arms outstretched towards him as if she's been walking all her life. The moment freezes, every worry about table settings and flower arrangements fading into insignificance.

"She's walking!" My voice breaks with emotion as Lily, with a triumphant grin, makes her way into Janta's waiting arms. He scoops her up, spinning her gently, her laughter filling the room like music.

I rush over, tears of joy blurring my vision. Janta looks at me, his eyes shining with pride and love. As I reach them, he leans down and we share a quick, impromptu kiss, our lips meeting in a tender embrace that says everything words cannot. Then, he pulls me into his arms, the three of us a tangled group of hugs and kisses.

"Our baby girl is walking," I whisper against his chest, overwhelmed by the profound simplicity of the moment.

"This is another huge milestone," Janta’s deep voice whispers back, kissing the top of my head. "We're doing okay, aren't we?"

"More than okay," I reply, pulling back to look at both of them. "We're a family."

We spend the rest of the evening celebrating Lily's new skill, forgetting all about wedding plans. Instead, we walk back and forth across the room, cheering every shaky step Lily takes. Each little footfall stitches us closer together, weaving stronger bonds of love and unity. It's a simple, perfect night, marking not just a milestone for Lily, but a deepening of our family's connection.

After the excitement of Lily’s first steps, the rest of the day passes by in a blur of wedding planning and hovering over our new little walker. I watch Janta gently tuck Lily into bed, her little hands clutching her favorite stuffed dragon, a wave of gratitude washes over me. I lean against the doorway, observing this quiet tableau of our little family, and my heart fills to overflowing.

It seems like just yesterday we were navigating the uncertainty of blending our worlds. Janta, not yet aware of his fathering Lily, and me, moving to a new town with just my suitcase and Lily on my hip. Yet, here we are, a family that has not just survived but is thriving through every challenge thrown our way.

As Janta turns from Lily’s bedside and catches my eye, his gaze softens, and he walks over to where I stand. He wraps his arms around me, and I rest my head against his broad chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

"Thinking about our journey?" he whispers, his voice a deep rumble that resonates with warmth.

I nod, squeezing him tighter. "I can’t help but feel so incredibly lucky, Janta. Every step, every challenge, has brought us here. To this moment. To a life filled with love and laughter."

He chuckles softly, pulling back slightly so he can look into my eyes. "Rayna, my heart, I’ve never been more thankful for anything as I am for the day you walked into my life. You and Lily, you’re my world."

His words, so simple yet so profound, deepen the well of emotion inside me.

We stand there, in the soft glow of the hallway light, embracing each other. The challenges of the past, the joys of the present, and the promise of the future meld into a single, overwhelming feeling of contentment.

This journey, with its ups and downs, has been beautiful because it’s ours, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My heart swells with love and appreciation for the family we’ve become, a little unit of love and strength against whatever else may come.

CHAPTER 30

Janta

Our wedding day is one of the best days of my life. Rayna and I bask in the joy of the day savoring every moment. Before the ceremony is set to start, I go looking for her, wanting to see her one last time before we stand before our family and friends.

I walk into the bridal area and see her as she stands in front of the mirror, fixing her hair. It hangs in a dark contrast to the lace white of her dress. For all the swatches that littered the living room floor, she ended up going with a traditional white. It's strapless, and slings to her curves while still having a classy look about it.

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