Page 28 of Curvy Girl and the Single Dad Dragon
It's the question all dragons face when forming attachments to humans.
"I don't know," I answer honestly. "I've loved a human before, as you know. It was beautiful and painful and ultimately temporary. But that doesn't make it less valuable, less worth experiencing."
She nods slowly. "I just don't want to be a brief chapter in your story. A footnote in your long life."
"You could never be a footnote, Luna Hayes," I tell her fiercely. "Even if we had only tonight, you would be a full volume in the library of my existence."
Her eyes shine with emotion. "That's possibly the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me."
"It's simply the truth." I brush a strand of hair from her face. "But to answer your question more directly, I don't know what the future holds. I only know that I want to explore it with you, for as long as we have."
"I'd like that too," she whispers.
"There's something else I could offer," I say, an idea forming. "Your mother. You mentioned she's struggling since losing your father. I have resources, connections. I could help ensure she's financially secure, help her find purpose again."
Luna pulls back slightly, clearly surprised. "You'd do that? You've never even met her."
"She's important to you," I say. "That makes her important to me."
Tears well in her eyes. "Thank you. That means more than I can say."
I pull her close again, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "We'll figure it out, Luna. One day at a time."
One month later
"Are you ready for this?" I ask, adjusting my shirt collar.
Luna smiles up at me, the sunlight catching in her hair as we stand on the back porch. "As ready as I'll ever be. You're the one who looks terrified."
"I'm not terrified," I protest. "Just... concerned about her reaction."
"She adores you. She adores me. She's been none-too-subtly hinting that we should be together for weeks now." Luna takes my hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "It's going to be fine."
The past month has been extraordinary. Luna and I have settled into a steady rhythm, maintaining professional boundaries during the day when she's caring for Ember, then spending our evenings and nights exploring our growing relationship. We've been careful, discrete, but the connection between us has only deepened with time.
Today, we've decided to tell Ember about us. And afterward, I have another revelation planned, one that signifies just how serious my intentions are.
"Ember!" I call through the open door. "Can you come outside for a minute? Luna and I want to talk to you."
My daughter appears moments later, her golden eyes curious as she looks between us. She notices our joined hands immediately, and a huge grin splits her face.
"Finally!" she exclaims, bouncing on her toes. "I thought you'd never tell me!"
Luna laughs. "You knew?"
"Duh," Ember says with an eye roll worthy of a teenager. "Dragons have super good smell and hearing, remember? And you two are always looking at each other all mushy when you think I'm not watching."
I feel heat rise to my face. "Ember, that's—"
"Are you guys in love?" she interrupts, her expression hopeful. "Are you going to get married? Can Luna be my new mom?"
"Whoa, slow down," I say, kneeling to her level. "Luna and I care about each other very much. We're together now, as a couple. But these things take time to develop."
"I knew it!" she squeals, launching herself at both of us. "This is the best day ever!"
Luna wraps an arm around her, meeting my gaze over Ember's head with a smile that makes my heart swell.
"We wanted to make sure you're okay with this," she tells my daughter. "Your feelings matter to us."
