Page 67 of Big Daddy

I get to my feet and extend a hand to her, helping her up. “We have to work on us, you and me, but tell me, Brielle, tell me we can? I want this for us. This has nothing to do with Winnie.” I need to show her I can be the father she needs.

Thank God, she nods. “We can.”

We find the table and join everyone, and while it starts off a bit quiet, it progresses nicely, naturally. I’m surprised to find I have endless things to discuss with Augustus, and an equal amount in common with Lance. When Winnie sifts her fingers through the ends of my hair, Lance and Augustus squeeze Brielle’s hand, giving her the wordless emotional support she clearly needs.

When I find myself feeding Winnie a bite of steak, I notice that Lance smooths his hand down Brielle’s thigh, and Augustus places a soft kiss on her cheek. When she speaks, they listen intently, and when she rises, they take her napkin and help with the chair. They are attentive and respectful, and encouraged this dinner for all of us to make amends. They’re good, hardworking men who love my daughter and the fact that I blindly railed against them and their love? I am a fool, and I feel it more than ever.

How can I be angry at my daughter for finding the same fulfillment I found in Winnie? We have a nice dinner, all things considered, but leave before mentions of coffee or dessert. I want to get Winnie home and pick her brain about how she feels the night went, how she’s doing, how she’s processing. Lance and Aug filter out as Brielle stops next to Winnie at the table, staring down at her with hope lifting her lips.

“Congratulations,” Winnie says quickly, before my daughter can speak. She’s nervous, I can see it. Where smile lines usually rest from laughter and bratty behavior, grooves of stress and anxiety now appear. I hate that I did this to her, but I’m proud to have a daughter who has been so graceful and understanding,even as I myself did not treat her the same way when the roles were reversed weeks ago.

“I know I already said it but I want you to know I’m not just saying it because I hurt you. I really am so happy for you and your new position at Crave, and moving in with Augustus and Lance.” Winnie gets to her feet and swamps my daughter in a hug, which is reluctantly returned.

“Thanks,” Brielle says. “I forgive you, because I know you weren’t trying to bag my dad, the same way I didn't really expect to end up where I am. And I want you to know, my distance right now… it’s me processing. It’s me realizing that even when we make up and put this snafu in the past, our relationship will never, ever be the same again.”

“Don’t say that,” Winnie whimpers as my heart splits.

I feel like an outsider being privy to this talk, but I can’t leave. The two most important people in my life are right here. Walking away would kill me. “We’ll never swap stories the way we used to. I can never complain to you the way I used to. You’ll never have escapades to share.”

Winnie sniffles at my daughter’s words. “I know.”

“But maybe we’ll have something more mature. More grown up. More reflective of where we’re at now,” she offers, wanting to mean it, hoping at some point in the future that it’s true. “The truth is, I’d rather have you in a different kind of relationship than not have you at all, Win. But I need time. Okay?”

I love the way my daughter told Winnie the truth, but also infused reality with hope. Hope for a new relationship, one more evolved and perhaps even better.

Winnie nods fervently, “Okay. Take your time.”

I’d give Brielle just about anything, at this point, to accept my apologies, to give me another shot at being the father I can be, and for her to keep her heart open to Winnie.

Of all of the things she can do, keeping her heart open to Winnie is the greatest gift that I don’t deserve, but I’ll show her everyday I’m grateful for it.

Moonlight paints Winnie’s legs as she rests her head on my chest in the backseat. The world whips by, streetlights, partially lit buildings with occasional laughter seeping through when we stop at intersections. But her soft sniffles and sad little hiccups overrun everything else going on. She’s sad, and it’s nothing that I can fix. Time is what we need because time is what Brielle needs.

When the car finally rolls to a stop at the end of my driveway, I tip Winnie’s face to mine, keeping my hand beneath her chin. Holding her head up, I stare into her glittering green eyes, my chest tightening at the sight of her.

“Your first night in the house,” I whisper as we wait for the driver to open the gate.

She wrinkles her nose, and even after a night of heavy emotion, I love the way she always finds energy to give me grief. “No. I’ve spent the night before.” She reaches up, pushing hair behind my ear, smoothing her fingers down my nape. My cock hardens at her tender, casual touch.

“I meant your first night in the house now that it’s your house,” I tell her, watching her face for a reaction. Her eyes widen and she starts to shake her head before I bend down and seal my mouth to hers. God she tastes good. She tastes like fulfillment and laughter, desire and heat. Everything about Winnie fills me up in places I didn’t know were empty. I stare down at my younger, beautiful other half and wipe my kiss from her lips.

“Our house,” she corrects, surprising me.

“I thought you’d fight me on it,” I admit, still talking softly despite the partition being up. I’ve shown her my rough side as a person and lawyer, my insatiable and aggressive side as a lover, and my dominant side as a partner. In different ways, I have to show both Winnie and Brielle my softness. To have the relationships they both need, I have to, no matter how foreign it may feel.

Yet as we broach the topic of what we said to one another earlier tonight, I don’t feel awkward whatsoever. I feel free. Like the weight of my life has been lifted, and for the first time ever, happiness is in my hands.

“But then,” I start, staring into her eyes as she loops both hands around my neck, adoration passing between us. “You told Brielle that you love me.”

She licks her lips, her chest rising with an anxious breath. “I do love you.”

I dust my lips along hers. “I don’t know how I got to be so lucky.”

Her laughter permeates my lips as I kiss her. “You’re very lucky, you’re right.” Winnie’s cheeks fill with color as the driver parks and I pop open the door. She lets her high heel slip from her foot as she wiggles her toes across my lap. “These are in high demand, you know. And you’re getting them for free.”

I dance my eyebrows. “Get inside and show me what those clients will never have ever again.” She climbs across my lap, grazing my partially hard cock, giving me a little grin before leaping out onto the gravel. On my feet behind her, I lasso her waist and hoist her over my shoulder, my chest warming with the barrage of giggles and playful cries as she smacks at my back.

“Put me down, Big Daddy!” she laughs.

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