Page 8 of The Santa Surprise

“Baby, I wanted to talk to you about something that’s very exciting.” I’m not sure how she’s going to react, because she hasn’t really asked about her dad, but I’m hoping this will be something great for her.

“What, Mommy?”

I pull her onto my lap. “Something really awesome happened.” Dakota looks up at me “I found your daddy and he wants to meet you.”

She doesn’t say anything at first, maybe she’s trying to process what I just told her. “I have a daddy?” she whispers.

“You do, and he’s so glad I found him.” I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tight. “He’d like to come meet you. What do you think of that?”

Dakota throws her arms around my shoulders. “Yay! I’m happy, Mommy.” I don’t know how much she truly understands, but the smile she’s wearing makes me feel good.

“What should we have for dinner tomorrow?”

“Pasketti and bwead.”

That’s easy enough and I can throw it in the crock pot, letting it cook while I clean up after picking her up from school.

I lift her off my lap, kiss the top of her head one more time before standing up. In the living room I finish folding laundry while the TV plays softly in the background.

I hope tomorrow goes well.

***

I stick the salad in the refrigerator, and then give the spaghetti a stir, in the crockpot. In the living room Dakota sits on the couch watching a cartoon. This visit isn’t about me so I am just wearing a pair of old comfy jeans, you know that one pair that is so worn that they’re threadbare in parts, and ready to fall apart, but you can’t bear to throw them out yet because they fit you like a glove.

Up top I’m wearing just a plain black and white baseball shirt. My hair is hanging down my back with the front tied up in a little knot on top of my head, and my face is free of makeup.

I check the time and see that Alex should be here any time now. My heart beats rapidly in my chest and I have to stop myself from looking out the front window. My girl is oblivious to my nerves—I just want them to like each other.

The knock on the door makes me jump. I take a deep breath, rubbing my sweaty palms on the thighs of my jeans. I get up and go to the door, peaking outside to make sure it’s him and I’m struck by his male beauty.

I know that sounds weird to say, but he is beautiful. His dark blond hair is shaved close on the sides and a little longer on top. He’s got a slight five o’clock shadow that takes his boy next door good looks, turning him into a sexy bad boy.

Last night I used my vibrator and him in his uniform was the visual aid that I needed to get me there. It’s so pathetic, but what’s a single girl to do? It’s cold out so I hurry and open the door. “Hi.” Real original, I know. “Come on in.”

Alex brushes past me and his woodsy scent hits me, making me tingle. Ugh . . . I need to stop, he’s not here for me.

I shut the door and watch Alex walk over to Dakota, who is looking up at him. I open my mouth to make the introductions, but my daughter decides to do it herself.

She smiles big and bright before jumping off the couch and looking up at him. “Are you my daddy?”

Alex gets down on one knee in front of her. “I am. My name’s Alex, but you can call me whatever you want.”

Dakota launches herself at him, and he catches her with ease. She hugs him tight—at first, he doesn’t hug her back, maybe it’s shock, but suddenly he wraps his arms around her.

I don’t bother wiping the tears that slide down my cheeks away. I was prepared to do this alone forever but had hoped to find him somehow. Dakota pulls back and smiles at Alex. “I have a daddy,” she whispers, her hands clasped in front of her.

“Ahem, you do, sweetheart, and I can’t wait to get to know you better. You look just like your aunt Mara when she was your age.”

Alex stands up with Dakota wrapped around him and turns to me. “Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious.”

I give him an easy smile. “Thank you. I hope you like spaghetti and garlic bread.”

“I love it.”

“I’ll show you around.” I lead him down the little hallway that leads to our bedrooms. First, we stop at our daughter’s its decorated in pink and lavender butterflies. It is totally girly and totally Dakota. “As you can see, she loves butterflies.” We step out and I point to the open door across the hall. “That’s the bathroom and my bedroom is there.”

We head back into the living room and I realize that he still has his coat on. “Let me help you with your coat.”

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