Page 105 of Baby Daddy

“It took me almost two years, but I finally melted her. Do you know how?”

I shook my head.

“I never gave up. You have to live your personal life the way you live your professional life: With passion, patience, and persistence. The right one comes along only once. You gotta make things work.”

Digesting his words, my eyes wandered. Behind him on his credenza, assorted photos were lined up—a photo of my stunning mother at the peak of her skating career…a photo of my parents dancing at their wedding…an early photo of our family at the beach, my sister Mia age five and me still a baby in my mother’s arms…one of six-year-old me posing like a superhero, clad in my red cape…Mia’s kindergarten portrait taken shortly before she died…and next to it, one I’d never seen before…a recent photo of my father with Tyson, wearing matching aprons and hands deep in cookie dough. The expression on my father’s face was one of pure joy as was Tyson’s, their blue eyes twinkling and their grins ear-to-ear wide. I’d not seen my father look that happy in ages. He caught me staring at the photo.

“Mom told me about the thumbprint cookies…”

Then my eyes traveled across two more photos…Mia posing on the ice in a purple skating outfit and next to it, a recent one of Tyson in her purple skating costume (and red cape), striking the same pose. In a New York minute, it all clicked. My heart began to race. I had to confront Dee. Tell her what she meant to me…and what Tyson meant to me. My heart beat faster. Was it possible?

My mind kicking into overdrive, I watched as my father swiveled in his chair and picked up the photo of me in my red cape. He turned around and faced me, his eyes on the photo.

“I remember when I gave that cape to you, Drake.”

“Me too.”

“I said you could be anything you want.” He paused, setting the photo down. “Be a man, Drake. Use your balls and go after her.”

My father stood up and I did something I hadn’t done in a very long time. I rounded his desk and hugged him.

“Dad, thanks for everything.”

“Go, Drake. I want that little Mighty Girl on the air…and I more than want her in my life.”

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