Page 79 of More Than a Blind Date

That is not a pleasant sound to wake up to. So I use my best daddy skills to distract her while I finish the last two snaps. I make faces and blow raspberries.

And Lucy’s expression changes from anger to amusement, and she smiles. I hold my excitement a second, thinking that maybe she’s filling the clean diaper. But I blow raspberries again. And Lucy flashes another smile.

Floofy’s looking at me like I’m nuts.

Cradling Lucy, I walk to the bed and lean over Rose. “Our little lady would like a late-night snack.”

Rose shifts and covers a yawn. “I didn’t even hear her. I’m sorry.”

“She’s been changed, but watch this.” I hold Lucy out in front of me, careful to support her little head. Then I blow raspberries again.

She graces us with a smile, but then she turns her head toward Rose, wanting the tasty stuff. Daddy’s antics are no longer cutting it.

Rose sits up and takes the baby. “She smiled at you.”

Lucy latches on and makes those contented baby sounds.

“I can go out to the living room. That way you can sleep while I feed her,” Rose says.

“Darling, you could have every light on in this room and have a live band playing outside the window, and I’d still fall asleep. You’re fine right there.”

“Okay.” She taps the bed. “I’ll rub your back if you want.”

“I want. But let me change the sheet in the crib first. Everything is soaked.” I make quick work of getting it cleaned up. This little one wets through her diaper often, so I have a lot of practice.

Then I stretch out beside Rose, and she trails her fingers along my back. “You’re a great daddy. Lucy and I are two lucky ladies.”

I’m quite sure that I’m the lucky one. “I love you, Zuzu.”

“I love you more, Teddy bear.”

Today is Rose’s birthday,so I scheduled myself off all day. I made sure the other guys had everything covered and told Rose a week ago to pump extra if she could.

And this morning, I sent Rose off with Daphne for a day of manicures and pedicures and a little shopping. I’m on baby duty, which isn’t a chore. But it can be a bit of a struggle when Lucy decides she doesn’t want a bottle.

Once she realizes it’s full of the good stuff, she calms down. But reasoning with a six-month-old isn’t easy. I make a lot of silly faces and funny sounds to ward off screams.

Cradling her in my arms, I hold the bottle while she gobbles down her lunch. And I tell my daughter about the day I met her mommy. “I went to the restaurant first to grab a table. Then a man laid a rose on my table and asked me to cover for him. I’m not much of a people pleaser, except when it relates to your momma, but the guy walked away before I could tell himI wouldn’t cover for him, which worked out. It was more than a blind date though. It’s how I met my Rose. And now you’re here.”

Lucy stares, those beautiful brown eyes studying my face as she drinks from the bottle.

Floofy jumps onto the couch and curls up beside me, resting his back against Lucy’s feet.

She grins. These days all kitty sightings spark a smile. And feeling Floofy’s fur is no different. She curls her toes, almost kneading the cat.

And Floofy seems to like it because he’s purring.

When she falls asleep, I tiptoe down the hall and lay her in bed. As much as I love holding her, I’m trying to keep the same schedule Rose has during the day. Messing that up would only put a kink in the routine.

Stretched out on the couch, I get a few minutes of sleep. But there’s a knock, and Floofy’s gaze snaps to the door.

Curious at the cat’s reaction, I trudge to the door. “Mr. Potts.”

“Dallas, hi. Is Rose here?”

It’s been five years of silence from Rose’s parents. They ignored every text and call, even the wedding invitation.

I’m stunned he has the audacity to show up unannounced. “She’s not here.” I don’t want him thinking that she and I aren’t together, so I add, “She won’t be home until later.”

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