Page 6 of One Night with my Best Friend's Dad

Kelly’s eyes meet mine as she gets out of the car ahead. Then she turns to head to the cobblestone path leading to the church.

I stare at her a little longer than necessary. She looks radiant in her dress, her hair styled off her face, only a small tendril on either side frame her face perfectly. Her eyes are bright and full of life, but I can’t help but notice the way she keeps unconsciously touching her stomach. And the way her normally perky boobs now look bigger than ever.

Kelly is pregnant.

The way her dress fits tells me everything I need to know.

But is the baby mine?

If so, why hasn’t she told me?

She doesn’t want me to know.

I can’t think about it for now. My daughter is about to get married, and I need to keep my focus on her for now.

An organ sounds its first key and soon the Bridal Chorus plays over the air.

“Should we?” I hold out my arm for Piper and minutes later her arm is linked with mine as I walk my daughter to my soon-to-be son-in-law, Connor.

Connor is grinning ear to ear as he watches his bride getting closer.

I glance at Piper and she’s the same. They are two people who fell in love and despite how much I meddled in their relationship, their love was untouchable.

“I love you, Piper, and I know Connor is going to be a fabulous husband,” I whisper over the tune, not wanting anyone but Piper to hear.

“He’s perfect, dad. Thanks for not making it so hard.”

I made it hard in the beginning. I never wanted my daughter anywhere near any of my players. I thought she was too good and too perfect, but wow, did she put me straight on that fact?

She’s still perfect. Not sure how.

I glance over at my ex-wife sitting with her new husband. She looks happy. Happier than she ever did with me. But then again, I was never around much when Piper was growing up. I was always on the road with the team, chasing that next win, that next championship. I moved to different teams in different cities. I’m ashamed to admit my job was the most important thing in my life, and I missed so much of Piper’s childhood, her first steps, her first words, her first day of school.

Time I’ll never get back.

But now, with Kelly possibly carrying my child, I can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Will I make the same mistakes again? Will I be an absent father to another child? Is the child even mine?

I know I need to talk to Kelly to find out the truth. Is she pregnant or not? And if she is, how can I be in my child’s life?

But a part of me is afraid to face the reality of the situation. What if I’m not ready to be a father again, especially not with my daughter’s best friend?

Or maybe…maybe I can give Kelly a father for her baby regardless of if I’m the dad or not.

As the ceremony continues, I find my mind racing with the possibilities of what this all means.

I steal a secret glance at Kelly while she’s focused on the wedding, her eyes fixed on Piper and Connor as they exchange their vows. And I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking.

Is she planning to talk to me? Let me be a part of this child’s life? Or does she want to keep me at a distance, to raise the baby on her own? The uncertainty is killing me.

Piper turns and gives her bouquet to Kelly and only then do I catch Kelly’s eye. She gives me a timid smile before her eyes scan ahead.

I know I need to man up and have a conversation with her. I need to take responsibility for my actions and be there for her and the baby, if that’s what she wants.

But the thought of facing Piper’s reaction, of potentially losing my daughter’s respect and trust, is almost too much to bear.

Only when Father O’Brien declares Piper and Connor husband and wife, do I look away from Kelly, and look at my daughter, who is now married to a man who loves her, who respects her, and I know Connor will be there for her through thick and thin.

“You may kiss your bride.” I turn and smile as the church erupts into cheers when Connor sweeps Piper into his arms and kisses her.

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