Page 119 of The One I Hate
Daughter… Holy shit, we’re having a daughter.
“A dancer. Our little girl is a dancer…”
“Makes sense, seeing as you’re her father.”
I readjust so I’m now lying across Charlie’s lap, my head resting against where Baby Bug is doing her first performance. “Stella grew up dancing. I was dragged to more competitions than I’d care to admit, but I can see it now. We’re going to be dance parents, and I’m going to carry props on the stage and wear shirts that say ‘Prop Security’ and get into Dad Dance-offs. And win.”
“Obviously.”
“Or maybe she’ll want to be a soccer player. Or play basketball.”
“She can do whatever she wants.”
“Fuck yes, she can. Or maybe we have a musical prodigy on our hands. Or the first woman president. Or maybe she’ll want to go to space.”
Charlie’s laughter fills the room as I rattle off every single thing our daughter could be.
“You hear that Baby Bug?” I roll over to Charlie’s stomach. “I’m your daddy—wait, I can’t say that?—”
“Yes, you can,” Charlie says, running her fingers through my hair. “I lift the ban.”
I pop up for a quick kiss. “See Baby Bug? Your mama is the best ever. Anyway, as I was saying, I’m your daddy, and I love you so much already. And you can be whatever you want. Except an Alabama fan. In this house we cheer for Tennessee.”
“Really? That’s what you’re putting the boundary on?”
“Yes. And boys. Or girls. No dating until you’re thirty.”
“Don’t listen to him, baby,” Charlie interrupts. “I doubt he’ll be able to say no to the two of us when we team up against him.”
Shit. She’s right. I already know I’m going to be a pushover if it’s them against me.
“We’ll figure it out.” I move to my knees so I can lean down better to place a long kiss to her stomach.
To our daughter.
“I love you, Baby Bug.” I give her one more kiss before sitting up. “And I love you Bug.”
It’s funny that just a few months ago I didn’t know what love was. Not love like this. And now it consumes me so much I wonder how I went so long without it.
Though I know that answer. It’s because it’s Charlie. Bug. My Bug. There was going to be no love without her.
Because I’m nothing without her and this life we’re creating together.
Which means I need to tell her. Soon. Before it’s too late.
“Simon?”
“Yeah?”
“Does your offer still stand?”
I have to think for a second, because I’m trying to remember what offer I made her recently. “I’m not sure which one you are referring to, but the answer is yes.”
She giggles. “The one about me moving in.”
Did I just hear her right? Did she say she wants to move in?
“Bug…you’re going to need to be very clear with your words here to make sure I’m not hallucinating.”
