Page 81 of Doctor Daddy

“Not, okay.”

“Peyton, you aren’t doing your blood pressure any good,” Mom said.

I looked at her and nodded at Dad. “That is exactly why I never told you I was seeing Mark. You were always trying to set him up with women. So why are you both so upset that I was the one he ended up with.”

“You’re my daughter.”

“And you’re my father.” If he was going to point out the obvious, so was I.

“He’s, my age. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust him again.”

I sighed. “I’m an adult. And in another ten years, the difference in our ages isn’t going to seem so extreme. He’s your friend. If you can’t trust him around me, then why was he ever allowed in our house?”

“Brooke, you shouldn’t speak to your father that way.”

“Fine, I'll talk to you then. If Mark is so untrustworthy, why did you try to hook him up with your friend?”

“Because he’s a good man. Your father is overreacting. We just want the best for you.”

“That’s it, right there, Mom. He’s a good man, and he is the best for me. You’re always saying he’s the best at what he does. Why isn’t he the best for me then? Why can’t you see that? Do you think I’m not good enough for him? Is that it? Cause he certainly thought I was good enough.”

“He let you live up here without any assistance for the babies?” Dad grumbled.

“Mark didn’t know about the babies. We broke up before I moved up here.”

“Oh sorry, I didn’t realize you had visitors.” A nurse stepped into the room.

“My parents are here.”

“I just need to check on your vitals really quick.”

I nodded. Our conversation stopped while she took my blood pressure and put an oxygen sensor on my finger. I still had fluids and antibiotics dripping into my arm through an IV.

“Do you want me to bring in the babies since you’re awake?”

Mom clapped her hands and a big, surprised smile spread across her face. “Oh, yes, please bring in the babies. I haven’t even gotten to meet my grand babies yet.”

I wanted to say no. I wanted the nurse to kick my parents out so I could get some sleep.

My parents hung around in awkward silence while we waited for the babies to be brought back.

My mom was instantly in love the second they were rolled in, two little bundled-up babies sharing a bassinet. Mom cooed and reached in, picking one of them up.

She held the baby as if she knew exactly what to do.

“Hello precious.” She was hooked. I didn’t know if all was forgiven, but I didn’t think she was still as disappointed in me as she had been. Or maybe she was momentarily distracted.

“Peyton, look at your little granddaughter.”

Dad looked and grunted, and then looked at the other one.

“He doesn’t want to accept that he’s a grandfather. He started a fight. He punched Mark. I think he gave him a black eye.”

“Dad, you didn’t!”

“I’m not supposed to defend my daughter’s honor?”

“You are not supposed to go around punching people. You didn’t even know if my honor needed defending.”

---