Page 91 of Hey, Daddy

Short of breaking in again, which he wasn’t willing to do.

Needless to say, Haze hadn’t been very happy that Finn’s fate wouldn’t be decided until today—along with Desi’s fate.

But he’d gone along with it because his lawyer had insisted.

Which led us to now, heading to the courthouse, to fight for Haze’s two sidekicks.

“The apartment called when you were getting dressed. They said they were closing it to renovate. They asked if I’d be willingto give up my lease in exchange for two months’ rent and my deposit back,” he said.

“Tell them absolutely,” I said. “I got a call while I was getting ready, but I didn’t answer it.”

“That was probably them then.” He hesitated. “I know it’s fast, and I know I should probably say that we should take this slow for my daughter’s sake, but I feel like we’re kind of beyond that at this point.” I could feel him looking at me, so I gave him my gaze. “How would you feel about making this permanent?”

I studied his face for a long moment before saying, “Do you still love me?”

His answer was instantaneous.

“More and more every day,” he admitted.

“Then I think we should go for it.” I shrugged. “I don’t think I’ll take anything for granted anymore.” I paused. “But…there’s one more thing we should discuss.”

He opened the door to the courthouse and stepped inside first, using his body as a shield again as he took everything in.

Him not being able to carry his gun was really making him fidgety.

“How do you feel about children?”

He let the door close behind us and stayed in that position, me sandwiched between his body and the closed door, until he was satisfied that it was completely safe.

When his satisfaction was met, he pulled me into him and said, “Are you asking me to be your baby daddy?”

I felt my cheeks flame. “Maybe.”

“I accept.”

Hours later, after getting full custody of Desi, the three of us walked into the adoption center.

Desi had the box this time, and she was already sorting through it, choosing which ones she’d test herself.

She already had her phone pulled out, and all of the items listed in her Notes app.

I smiled as I walked inside behind her, my eyes automatically going to the cat that was in a hammock that was suction cupped to the window of the kitten room.

“Ohh,” I said as I walked to it.

I ran my finger along the glass and caught the cat’s attention.

He pressed his cute little paw over my pointer finger and extended his claws.

I smiled as I took in the name on his collar.

‘Rolo.’

“Perfect name for such a fat boy,” I mused.

“I thought so.” Renee came up to my side and wrapped me up in a hug. “I’m glad to see you back. I’m sorry to hear about your fur baby.”

My heart wasn’t altogether healed from his death, but it was livable now.

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