Page 21 of Fake Daddy

“Why now?” I find myself asking. Yes, I’m excited to have a sister, but she’s eighteen. She’s had a lifetime to make her presence known. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to know you now, but why not sooner?”

Lilac takes a liberal drink of her wine, and her eyes change. There’s an immense sadness I know all too well.

“My mom was sick for a long time. She suffered from untreated Post Partum Depression, and it spiralled into something worse over the years. She was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder five years ago, and during one of her episodes, when I was fourteen, she told me Collin was my birth father.” She offers him a sympathetic smile before continuing. “She was institutionalized a year later, and I was sent to live with my grandparents in Prince Edward Island. They never wanted her to have me to begin with, so I was isolated on the island. I didn’t know who to talk to about finding my father, so I waited.”

Reaching across the table, I grip her hand in both of mine. “I’m so sorry you went through that alone.” I know how it feels to be a victim of family that doesn’t want you. “Your mother, is she okay now?”

Relief softens Lilac’s face as she replies, “Yes. If not for her doctors working so well with her in Ottawa, I’d still be back east. As soon as she could, she came for me, and we made coming here a long road trip.” Her eyes move over to catch Dad watching her. “I told her I wanted to meet Collin, and she was determined to make it happen. She’s a good mom. She loves me fiercely, but I think she was afraid because of her demons.”

“Where is she now?” Cort asks, his hand a constant reassuring presence on my thigh.

“At the hotel. She didn’t want to make tonight even more awkward.” Lilac finishes her wine.

“I’d love to meet her.” She seems shocked at my response. “We’ve spent a lot of years apart; there’s no point in keeping unnecessary distance from each other if we don’t have to.”

Tears spring to Lilac’s eyes. “I think she’d like that. Her family is not great.”

Glancing at my…our…dad, I recognize the emotions he’s trying to suppress. “Well, you won’t find that here. Dad’s a little gruff and grumpy, but he loves with his whole heart.” His face softens, and as he looks between Cort and me, he gives a subtle nod of approval. “In fact, I’m going to be moving in with Cort, so there will be room at his house for you and your mom to stay until you guys get on your feet.” I make the offer knowing full well that Dad won’t turn them away.

Lilac shifts in her chair to look at him. “Mom won’t admit it, but she could use the help.”

“Yes, of course. Darling is right, even if she’s moving fast with Cort. You’re both welcome to stay for as long as you want.”

Perking up, I pour everyone another glass of wine as we talk about Lilac’s ideas for the future, how her mom is handling life outside of a hospital, and we make plans for a girls’ day in a few weeks.

This was not how I anticipated tonight going, but I’m so grateful because Dad is accepting of Cort and me, even if it’s begrudgingly, and the unexpected twist of having a sister fills my heart.

I realize we still have the obstacle of my mother to navigate, but with Cort by my side, I’m positive we can handle anything.

Epilogue One

CORT

Two Months Later.

My heart races as I stare down at the plus sign on the display of the white and pink stick in the trash. Darling is pregnant.

On the heels of that thought is that she hasn’t told me yet.

Darling has been taking business classes three days a week because she finally accepted her mentor’s offer to buy into Lavender Curls. She wants to learn everything she can about running a business. I thought that was why she’s been so tired lately. Now I know it’s because she’s carrying my baby.

Holy fuck.

Dropping my ass onto the edge of the tub, it hits me that she’s having my baby. I’m going to be a dad again. She’s going to swell and grow over the next few months, showing everyone who she belongs to, and my dick has never been so fucking hard.

Checking the time on my watch, I notice I’ve got about twenty minutes before she gets home from work. Tonight is a rare evening off for her, and I intend to make her feel like a queen.

Dipping into Darling’s stash of candles, I quickly light them around the room and set my phone to one of her favourite dark romance playlists. I grab the Bluetooth speakers from one of the boys’ rooms since they’re with their mom this week and hit play to ensure it works.

Rushing downstairs, I recheck the time–five minutes until she arrives.

I open the front door, pluck a few flowers from the back of the flower bed under the front window, and start pulling off petals. I drop a trail to our bedroom, where I grab three silk ties.

I start removing my shirt as I hear the front door open. Darling murmurs to herself as she follows the petals upstairs. Standing behind the bedroom door, I remain out of sight as she enters the room.

“Oh, Daddy.” Her gasp of pleasure pleases me. Coming up behind her, she startles as I wrap a tie around her eyes. “Cort?”

“Right here, baby.” I kiss the side of her neck, and her hands come back to grip my hips as I guide her forward. “Just relax and let Daddy take care of you.”

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