Page 72 of Pucking Secret

“Are you sure?”

The question catches me off-guard. I bite my lip as tears threaten to spill. I hate that she’s so cautious at such a young age…as if she already knows that she needs to question people’s honesty. Will she lose trust in me after this? Will she be angry that I’ve lied to her for so long?

To my surprise, however, I’m not the one she focuses her temper on.

Millie crosses her arms, her voice sharp as she turns to Owen, “If you’re really my daddy, why haven’t you been around?”

Her words stab into me, and I can’t hold back the tears. I cover my face with my hands, trying to keep from breaking down completely. Owen reaches over Millie to rub my back, and I take comfort in the feel of his big hand and the warmth it produces.

When I’m able to get myself back under control, I look back up at Millie and stammer, “It’s not his fault, sweetheart. I was trying to give you time… I mean, I wanted you to get to know him… what I’m trying to say…

Owen reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.“It’s okay, Stace,” he says. “I’ll take it from here.”

He then turns his focus to Millie. He pulls her into his lap, his face full of regret. I sit quietly and watch the exchange, feeling asif this is a moment I shouldn’t interrupt. This is the moment that marks the beginning of Owen and Millie’s relationship as father and daughter, and they need to navigate it together.

“Because Daddy got lost,” he says gently, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t know about you, Millie. If I had, I would’ve been here. I promise you that. I’m so sorry, but I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere again.”

Millie studies him, her small hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “Did Mommy find you?”

Owen smiles, glancing at me with a look that makes my breath catch. I press my lips together, my heart in my throat, as I wait for his response.

“Yeah,” he says softly. “Your mommy’s pretty amazing. She found me, but she wanted to make sure I would be a good daddy before she told you.”

Tears once again roll down the corners of my eyes and my chest feels tight. I press my hand over my heart.

Millie looks between us, her lips pressing into a tiny pout. Finally, she wraps her arms around Owen’s neck, burying her face against his chest.

“Okay,” she mumbles. “But you better not leave.”

Owen’s arms tighten around her, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I won’t, sweetheart. I promise.”

Millie nods and says, “Good.”

Oh my God, this moment is more powerful than I imagined it could be. It’s like a weight has been suddenly lifted from me. All these years holding on to my pain and regret…they fade into the background as I gaze at Millie and Owen together. She’s clutching him, as if she’s afraid he’ll disappear, her little fingers curling into his shoulders. Owen is smiling down at her, his gaze bright with adoration. I suck in a deep breath. I’m not alone anymore. Millie has her father, and he’s not going to take herfrom me. I don’t know how exactly, but we’re going to be a family.

I think back to that terrible day all those years ago when I went to his house to tell him I was pregnant and he was gone. The devastation I felt that day pales in comparison to the joy of this moment. All the pain and sadness I’ve felt over the years starts to fade, and I’m overwhelmed with a sense of relief. The truth is out there, now, and I don’t feel that familiar fear at the back of my mind that I could lose everything with the snap of someone else’s fingers.

As the moment with Millie settles into a comfortable silence, Owen claps his hands together, breaking the tension.

“Alright, kiddo,” he says, flashing her a grin. “Have you had dinner yet?”

Millie shakes her head, her curls bouncing around her face. I grin, amazed at how easily he’s able to shift the atmosphere from serious to lighthearted in an instant.

“Perfect,” Owen says. “What do you say we make Mommy’s favorite meal together?”

Her eyes light up, and she tilts her head. “You know how to makelazongya?”

I just manage to hold back my laughter at Owen’s surprised expression. It’s not just the fact that Millie can’t pronounce lasagna, but also the fact that I know what he’s thinking. It’s been years, though… it’s reasonable that my favorite food would’ve changed. It’s a bittersweet thought, realizing that he doesn’t know that anymore. It highlights how much we need to learn about each other, and I’m eager to do so.

“Well,” he says, scratching the back of his head. “Eww, not really, but your mommy’s favorite meal when we were kids was something else.”

Millie wrinkles her nose in curiosity. “What was it?”

“Kraft Mac and Cheese,” Owen announces like he’s revealing some grand secret.

Millie claps her hands, giggling. “That’s not fancy at all!”

“Nope,” Owen says, scooping her up as he stands from the couch before spinning her around. “But it’s delicious. Let’s do it!”

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