Page 20 of Boss Daddy
Tilly
Father’s Day, two years later.
“Welcome,” I say, opening the front door to find Jayden and his new girlfriend bearing gifts.
“Hey, Tilly,” Jayden says, his perfect smile reminding me of Noah’s. “You look beautiful today.” He presses a chaste kiss to my cheek as he steps inside, introducing me to his girl. “This is Aniyah.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says with a smile. “And congratulations on the baby.” She indicates to my swollen belly.
I place my hand on my bump and let out a happy sigh. “Thank you, although I’ll be happy when he’s born, I can assure you of that.”
“Tilly is set to drop my baby brother at any moment,” Jayden teases. “So, I hope you’re prepared for the possibility of a live birth during today’s festivities.”
Poor Aniyah’s eyes go so wide I’m concerned she might faint.
“It’s OK,” I say with a giggle. “I’ve still got a solid month to go. Jayden, here is just teasing. You’re so mean.” I direct the last part to him as he gives me a wink.
“It’s too easy,” he says, hugging his girl to his side. “Dad out back?”
“He’s getting his new grill ready,” I say. “You might wanna go help him.”
He gives me a salute, and Aniyah gives me a finger wave as they make their way outside. I take a moment to absorb my surroundings and count the blessings in my life. Noah was right when he said his boys would understand our relationship once they got used to it. Despite that initial surprise meeting with Dermot, things have been fairly smooth sailing. Jayden knew about me before we met, so he was more curious about my relationship with his father than he was horrified. But I’ve come to learn that Jayden is more relaxed and open-minded than his younger brother. Jayden likes to roll with the punches, taking everything in his stride, whereas Dermot likes order and structure, and tends to over-analyze things. Still, once he took the time to speak to me and spend time with Noah and me, he was totally on board too. Both of them just want their dad to be happy—they even stood as dual best men at our wedding. I had a best man on my side too—Elijah stood for me that day because he was the first person to fully accept and encourage me, even if he did come up with that silly virgin auction idea.
I suppose if I was a different kind of girl that could have been the answer to all of my prayers. But I know in my heart that no matter how much money someone was willing to pay, I could never sell myself like that. As it was, everything worked out perfectly anyway. Noah made me his, and now I’m about to make my daddy a father for the third time. That man can do nothing but bring good into the lives he touches.
“Hold the door,” a voice says as I’m pushing it closed so I can go and join the others outside.
“Dermot,” I say, smiling as he leans down and embraces me.
“I know it’s Father’s Day and all, but I bought you these,” he says, holding up a bouquet of wildflowers. “For the hostess with the mostess.”
“Thank you, Dermot. I love them,” I say, holding them to my nose and inhaling. “They’ll be the perfect centerpiece for the dinner table.”
“How are you feeling?” he asks, following me inside as I pull a vase out of the cupboard and fill it with water.
“Huge. But good,” I say, smelling the flowers again. “How about you? How’s school?”
“Kinda boring,” he admits. “But only one year to go and I’ll be a fully-fledged accountant.”
“Must be exciting knowing you’re so close. I’ve still got at least two years left, but I think I’ll cut back to part-time once this little fella is born.” As if understanding, my belly bounces with a kick. “Oh! I think he heard me.”
“Can I feel?” Dermot asks, moving around the bench so he’s standing next to me.
“Sure. He can hear you too, so you can speak to him.”
He places a gentle hand on my stomach, grinning wider when the baby kicks back. “I can feel him,” he says. “Hey, little guy.”
“Pretty cool, huh?”
He nods, pulling his hand back before he helps me to put the rest of the flowers in the vase. “I’m really glad Dad found you, Tilly,” he says when we’re through. “I know I was an ass that first Father’s Day when you were together, but I hope you know I don’t feel that way anymore. I see how happy you are together, and I think of you as my family.”
“I know you do, Dermot. I think of you the same way.”
“OK,” he says with a smile. “I should probably go and see the old man.”
“Hey, that’s my husband you’re talking about.” I laugh as he goes outside with Noah, Jayden, and Aniyah. A flash of flame goes up as they get the grill going, accompanied by a raucous cheer. It makes me chuckle as I pick up the tray of meat and carry it outside. “I guess you’re ready for this now?”
“Angel,” Noah says, grinning. “How’d you know?”
