Page 45 of Baby for the Single Dad

“Listen to me, Gigi. You’re going to be the best mom ever. You and your baby are going to have a strong support system with us; you won’t have to worry about a thing. You hear me?”

“Oh, Jo. What would I do without you?”

She chuckles. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Sometimes you make me feel like the younger sister,” I admit, sniffing.

“Are you calling me old?”

I laugh through my tears. “Of course not. You’re way wiser than me.”

“Nah. I just happen to have my head screwed on tight because I have stayed clear of men.”

“Lucky you. Speaking of men, what about . . .”

“No. Please don’t start again. I told you we were only fuck buddies, nothing more.”

I let it go and wipe away my tears. “If you say so. I have to go and check if Maddie managed to put her dress on the right way. Gabe has an emergency surgery, and I’m taking her to theNutcracker.”

After I end the call, I feel better. I don’t know what the future has in store for me as a single mother, but with my family by my side, I’ll be able to handle it.

Now, I have to decide how and when to tell Miles.

* * *

With excitement thrumming through me,I brush the first snowflakes off Maddie’s red coat as we settle into our plush seats at the David H. Koch's theater. The grandeur of the auditorium is breathtaking, with its intricate designs and golden accents catching the dimmed lights. Everywhere I look, little girls dressed in a kaleidoscope of colors sit with bated breath, their fancy dresses adorned with shiny bows, ribbons, and sequins. I hear soft giggles echoing around. Some smaller girls even excitedly clutch their teddy bears.

The air is thick with anticipation, as everyone eagerly awaits the opening curtain of theNutcrackerperformance. Fond memories hit me as I remember my parents bringing my siblings and me to the show. Once we moved to Paris, we seamlessly continued the annual tradition at the Opera Garnier.

It's Maddie’s first time at the grand theater, and she is beyond thrilled. Gabe was quite unhappy that he wouldn’t be here to witness it with his daughter.

“It looks magical,” she whispers to me.

“It sure is.”

Her words make me remember how it was for me when I was her age.

“Do you know the story of theNutcracker?” I ask her as her eyes fixate on the elaborate stage elements and the intricate lighting.

“A little,” she replies, smiling.

I decide not to spoil it for her. She’ll understand it when the performance begins. Seeing her expectant face makes me recall that I have a baby nestling in my womb. I wonder if she’ll be red-haired and green-eyed like me or black-haired and gray-eyed like Miles. I laugh inwardly as I realize I’ve already assumed the baby is a girl. It might be a boy that will look exactly like his father. My heart flutters at the idea of having a boy that would constantly remind me of Miles.

The last time I saw him, I had to leave in the middle of the event to gather myself. Every time I decide to break it off with him, he finds a way to change my mind and seduce me into fucking him again.

This time, I won’t allow him to rope me in. I have my baby to think about now. We will be fine on our own instead of having a man in our lives who doesn’t know what he wants. Blocking his number was the right decision. Thankfully, he hasn’t shown up at my office, and I hope he doesn’t because I’m afraid he might cause a scene.

With a start, I realize that my long-lived wish to have a family is manifesting, though not in the way I expected.

The show begins with an overture, and I shift my thoughts from Miles and the baby. The curtain finally opens, and we soon get carried away by the ballet. We laugh heartily at the party scene and the battle with the mouse.

During intermission, I take Maddie to get a picture with a ballerina. They are great keepsakes, and I know that Gabe will appreciate having it. She excitedly hops on one leg beside me while we wait in line.

Unexpectedly, I hear Miles’s voice behind me. I whirl around, not believing my ears, and I see him a few feet away, holding his daughter’s hand. Quickly, I look away. This shouldn’t be a such surprise. I should have expected he’d bring his little girl to the show.

It takes a supernatural effort not to look back, although I know he must have seen me. Our eyes met and held for a fleeting second. But I’m not worried about him approaching us since he doesn’t want to introduce me to his daughter or his family, anyway. He has made that clear enough.

“Hello, Giselle.”

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