Page 9 of Sven

“What do you mean, ‘what doImean’? They are staying here.”

“Do you even know her?”

“Uhhh... well... not really, but what was I supposed to do? She lost her job when she got pregnant, and she was staying in some terrible motel. Was I just supposed to let them stay there?”

“Sven! Are you even sure the baby is yours?”

The thought had crossed his mind, but not once he’d seen her.

“I’m as sure as I can be. She looks just like me, Tillie.”

“So, you are just going to let them stay there with you? I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

He sat on the bed. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea either, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“You’re a dad.”

He just nodded. He hadn’t quite been able to utter those words.

“Have you told our dad yet?”

He gave her a look.

“You’re going to have to sooner or later.”

He let out a deep sigh and ran his hand through his hair. “I know... I just need more time with it to figure out how this is all going to work before I do that.”

“Are you okay?”

He blew out a breath. “I don’t know... I’m trying to be, but this is a lot.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I don’t know... I’m still in shock, but, Tillie, she’s so cute. She’s like the cutest, most perfect baby I’ve ever seen.”

She just smiled at him. “Wait. I’m an aunt!”

“Yeah,” Sven said. That thought made him smile. “You’ll be in town next week, you said?”

“Yeah, our game is Friday night.”

“Okay, will you have any time apart from the team?”

“I’ll get some. I have a baby niece to meet.”

“I’m excited to see you, Tillie.”

“You too, big brother.”

“I’m going to let you go. I need to figure out where these extra screws go,” he said, looking at the screws in his hand.

After he got off the phone and figured out where the screws went, he went down to check on the two new ladies in his house.

“I know... He said I could stay here. Yeah, of course it’s nice... Winnie seems to already have him wrapped around her finger... Don’t you, little girl...” she said in a baby voice to the baby in the bouncer next to her. Sven’s heart squeezed as his baby cooed. “I’m trying... I just need some time...”

As he came around the corner, he saw her on the floor folding all the new clothes.

Winnie’s eyes drifted up to him, and he gave her an exaggerated smile, and she smiled right back at him. As weird as this whole thing was, he was pretty sure she was a perfect baby.

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