Page 8 of The Surrogate Omega, Part Two

Dad leans back so he can watch both of us at the same time. “I already told you, Riv, I’m fine. It’s sweet for you two be worried, but really, there’s nothing to be worried about.”

“River tells me you’ve been online shopping,” I tell him. River groans again so maybe this isn’t the right way to approach the conversation either, but I already started so I’ll keep going. Dad knows I don’t mean to be rude.

“Ok . . . What’s your point, Lake?”

“He says it’s extreme.”

River is still cursing me under his breath, and it doesn’t get any better when Dad shoots him an accusatory look.

“Excuse me for wanting to spoil my grandbaby.”

“Dad, you know that’s not what I mean. I love how much you love and care for Miri. You’re the only grandparent in her life, and she’s so lucky to have you. It’s just, I think you spent so much time after Mom died taking care of the three of us and running your business, that now that you don’t really need to as much anymore, you’re kind of at a loss.”

“Riv—” Dad starts.

“I don’t mean it as a bad thing. You know Lake and I are so grateful for you, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for the two of us.”

I nod in agreement, and Dad seems to warm up to us. He grabs both of our hands and squeezes. “You know I don’t expect you two to be grateful for anything. It’s been my absolute pleasure and honor being your dad. I’ve loved both of you from the moment I laid eyes on you, and not just because I loved your mom. I only wished I could’ve been your dad from the beginning.”

Emotion is welling in my throat, and I try to swallow it down. I press a hand to my stomach even if I can’t feel the life growing in there. I know I’m not this baby’s parent, but I’m so relieved that he or she will have parents who love them the way we were and still are loved.

River chokes on a sob. “We love you too, Dad,” I tell him. “That’s why we keep badgering you about this.”

River nods and wipes his eyes with the back of his hands. “What Lake said. Please, Dad, just think about that thing I told you about. I looked into it a lot. I think it would be good for you.”

Dad sighs and leans back. He’s not crying but his blue eyes are wet. “It’s just—I lost your mother a long time ago now. I don’t want this to dredge up old hurt.”

“It won’t. When River told me about it, I also did a lot of investigating.” As unfair as it might be to River, I know me saying that will mean more since everyone knows how militant I am with my research. Plus, I can hack into their records and make sure they’re a legit group with good intentions. I was very pleased with the whole organization. “It’s a social group. The only difference is everyone lost a partner. But in no way does the organization try to force you to dredge up old feelings.”

“And it’s not a dating thing either, Dad,” River adds quickly. Dad sighs, a small smirk on his face. I guess that was his next question. “We’re not trying to pimp you out. At least not for a date.”

“Though, if you do want to date, that’s completely fine,” I add. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dad date anyone after Mom. Not once.

“Yes, that goes without saying.”

Dad looks resigned, and I know we’re winning. “Pull up their website, Lake, and let me look at this thing before I agree.”

River looks downright triumphant as I pull out my phone and get the site up for him. Dad looks it over for a few minutes and asks more questions. Finally, he sighs. “There’s a social thing on Thursday. If I sign up and promise to go, just this once, will you two let it alone?”

I nod as River grins. He’s wiggling in his seat like he did as a little child. “Yes, we promise! Thank you, Dad!”

Dad groans and shakes his head. “Yeah, yeah. At least I only have to wait a few days to get this over with.”

But he’s smiling, and I know he secretly likes that we care enough to nag him.

FIVE

Logan

“Little Bird, are you sure that’s what it’s supposed to look like?”

I squint down at what’s supposed to be a chicken, broccoli, and cheese casserole but looks more like a science experiment at the moment. When Lake suggested making dinner for Ev and pulled up this recipe, I thought, how hard can it be? The directions seemed easy enough. Apparently, defusing a nuclear bomb would be easier than this. Actually, for Lake, it probably would be.

“I think once it cooks, it will be ok?” It sounds more like a question than a statement, and I’m not sure if Lake is asking or trying to convince me. Or maybe himself.

He does seem pretty stressed about it, so I wrap my arms around his middle and rest my chin on his head. “I’m sure you’re right. Let’s get it in the oven now so we can see. We have plenty of time before Ev comes home.” And enough time to order pizza if need be.

It’s one of those rare days where Lake and I are both off and Ev has work and then plans to meet a few friends at the gym afterwards. Of course, Lake and I being off means we both worked for a few hours in the morning before shutting everything off around lunch time to spend the afternoon together. For the two of us, though, having an afternoon off is practically the equivalent of a two-week vacation.

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