Page 62 of Chance

"That's, well, I'm shocked, Dad,"I blurt out.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, or want me in your life. But, I'm going to do everything I can to be a real dad to you,"he says.

"I do forgive you, Dad," I tell him, and he bursts into tears.

I wrap my arms around his chest and hug my dad as he cries. Eventually, he stops, and I start telling him why.

"I'm proud of you for everything you've changed in your life. I know it wasn't easy, and I want you in my life. I want my dad to walk me down the aisle, and I want my son to know his granddad."

"Thank you, my little Maisy," he says, and I pull away, my heart feels like it’s being squeezed at the use of my old nickname he used to call me.

"So, is that a yes? Will you walk me up the aisle?" I ask, feeling a little nervous.

"I would be beyond honoured," he says and kisses my forehead.

The baby monitor starts going off at that point with the sound of Jake crying.

"I will be right back," I say with an excited smile at my dad, who nods with a matching happy face. I change Jake’s dirty nappy and bring him downstairs to my dad, who lights up at the sight of my tiny baby in my arms.

"Being a mother suits you. Can I hold him please?" my dad asks, and I hand him over gently. My dad slowly rocks Jake in his arms, humming a familiar song, and eventually, Jake falls asleep.

"You used to love that song when you were a baby. I spent hours humming it to you when you woke up in the night," Dad tells me fondly.

"I'm surprised he slept for you, he only seems to like me, Harley, or his dad getting him to sleep," I tell my dad, who beams as he looks at Jake.

"If you need any help, day or night, I'm one phone call away,"he replies.

"Thank you." I smile.

We spend the rest of the afternoon talking about Jake and about what we have both been up to. Seb comes home to find my dad cuddling a sleeping Jake. I hear him and my dad talk for a bit before he comes to find me cooking some dinner in the kitchen.

"That smells amazing, as usual," Seb says as he looks through the cooker glass at the two handmade pizzas cooking.

"With my dad helping, I managed to cook a little easier," I say as he comes over. I finish washing up and turn just in time to give him a hug.

"Everything going okay?" Seb asks.

"More than okay. I've forgiven him,"I say.

"Good," Seb says and takes my hand. We walk into the living room to see my dad watching TV on the sofa with a sleeping Jake on his chest.

"Dad is staying for dinner," I tell Seb as he sits on the other sofa, and I sit next to him.

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Reynolds," Seb says.

"Call me Dad, you’re going to be family soon," my dad replies.

"All right, but maybe we can call you Grandpa?"Seb grins.

"I can get used to it." My dad laughs quietly.

"So, what are we watching?" Seb asks.

"I'm not sure what the name is, but there are these two men, who are in love with this one girl," Dad says.

"Sounds good," Seb says as I hold in a laugh.

"Oh, one is a vampire and one is a werewolf," my dad explains.

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