Page 87 of Blackout: Book Two

“That’s two words,” he says, throwing one arm around his ex-wife’s shoulders and the other around his Sunshine’s. Cradling Jacqueline closer, I laugh as the three of them exit the room bickering.

“They’re an odd bunch, aren’t they?” I whisper to my daughter. “But they’re the best. You’ve got a whole lot of people who love you, sweetheart. Especially me and your mom,” I say, looking at Lacey. “Let me tell you something about your mom…” I pause, taking time to make my way towards Lacey. Carefully I take a seat on the edge and position Jacqueline in my arms so that if she opens her eyes her mom will be the first thing she sees. “When God was handing out mother’s he gave you the best. She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever known, a real warrior. She’s compassionate, and she loves with everything in her, but I bet you already know that.”

Jacqueline releases another yawn and this time she opens one eye. I smile in awe as she slowly opens the other and looks at her mom.

“She’s pretty too, isn’t she?” I whisper, nuzzling the side of her face. “You look so much like her.” I breathe her in, memorizing her scent before pressing a kiss to her chubby little cheek. “I love you, Jacqueline, and I promise you, I’m going to be the best dad to you. I may mess up from time to time, but I think the greatest thing I can do for you as a father is love your mother and baby girl, I love her with my all I am and all I can ever hope to be.”

“I love you too.”

At the sound of Lacey’s voice, my head snaps up and I meet her gaze.

“I see you’ve met our daughter,” she whispers.

“You mean I’ve met the second great love of my life.”

“Oh, yeah, who’s the first?”

“I’m looking at her.”

---