I was hoping it was only because it was Monday, but it was turning out to be an extremely long day. I had kept my distance from Julie and Emma all day Sunday.

I text her at lunch to make sure that Emma was feeling better and instead I was told that she wasn’t. I planned on stopping by tonight, maybe bring over some dinner.

I wasn’t exactly sure how welcome I would be after how we left things on Saturday. It was easy to see that the heat was still there for the both of us, but then she had put on the breaks.

I worried I might have moved to fast too soon. I really hoped I didn’t ruin everything.

“Last patient’s yours,” Dad said taking off his white coat and hanging it on the hook.

"Do you have plans or something tonight?” I asked surprised to see Dad ducking out so early.

“Not really, just handing over the rains like you asked. Figured you could do the last of the paperwork for the night.”

“Yeah and maybe start moving it off of the desk,” I mumbled under my breath.

“Hey, Dad, “ I called before he left the office. “Did you know? I mean you had to of known, so why didn’t you tell me?”

I hadn’t said anything to him about going to visit Julie, having her in the office, or the fact that I now knew Emma was my daughter. I had a feeling he knew all along.

“Of course I knew. Why do you think I had you see Emma on Friday?”

“So, why the hell didn’t you tell me?” I said throwing down a folder on the desk.

“It’s not like she ever came out and said it. I may be losing my memory, but I’m not an idiot. I was pretty sure when she was pregnant, and after the little girl was born…she looks just like your mom,” he added softly.

Talking about Mom was a taboo subject. Now that he said it, I too could see a lot of my mom in Emma.

“You still should have told me,” I said partly understanding now why he never brought it up.

He shrugged and shuffled towards the door.

“You left, and you didn’t care about anything you left behind. If Julie didn’t say anything to you, it wasn’t my place to do so,” he surrendered before leaving the office altogether.

I paced the room a few times. I was ready for my anger not to fly off the handle anymore. Part of me wondered if I would ever get control of it. Learning things like my dad knowing all along that I had a kid and choosing not to tell me really didn’t help.

I had to get control however so that I could see this last patient with a clear head. Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the office and into the small room without a second glance.

I was halted in my tracks to find Julie pacing the room as she wrung her hands. She stopped at my entrance and looked at me nervously.

“You're here,” I said surprised.

“Yeah,” she said.

I could tell she was still nervous by the way she was twirling a lock of auburn hair in her hands. She was wearing leggings and a tight tank top like she had just finished a workout. It wasn’t leaving anything to the imagination.

“Is Emma okay,” I asked wondering why she was here alone.

“Yeah,” she said again before giving a soft laugh at her monosyllable answers. “Savannah is watching her right now. So I could come here.”

“Come here?” I asked leaning on the door and crossing my arms. I wanted to take her in my arms again, but my logical side was saying give her space.

“What for?”

“I’ve been thinking it over. I will be okay if you want to come around and see Em. And if you feel it is right, you can tell her you're her dad.”

Julie let out a long breath like she had been dreading saying these words.

“You just have to promise me you won't up and walk out again. No matter what, once you're in, you're in for good,” Julie pointed a scolding finger at me in a motherly fashion.

I couldn’t help but crack a little smile at her action.

“I mean it, Hawk," she said smiling herself as she put down her hand.

I walked over to her then. I took her hands in mine. I wanted to be closer to her, but I had to be cautious.

“Leaving you was a mistake,” I finally said softly looking down at her. “If I could go back, I would do it differently. If it takes the rest of my life, I will make it up to you, to both of you.”

“Hawk,” Julie said letting our hands fall between us and taking a step back. “I’m talking about Emma, not us. I don’t think that is ever going to be possible again.”

I felt my brow furrow and fall at the same time.

“Is there someone else?” I asked.

“No,” she said with a soft laugh. “Trust me even if I had time for that, no one is lining up to date someone with a kid.”

“Okay,” I said. “Then how about dinner tonight?” I asked.

“What?" She said shocked by my question. “I just told you…”

“I know. I just mean dinner so we can talk over arrangements. You know the whole every other weekend thing.”

I wasn’t surprised to see her nose crinkle in distaste. I knew she wouldn’t like that idea.

“Or we could take it,” I added now moving closer and wrapping my arms around her, “as second chance at a first date. I want Em to have us both, to have a family together. All I’m asking is for a chance to try again.”

“Hawk,” she said softly not meeting my eyes.

I titled her chin up till she looked at me. I could see the glassy look of brimming tears.

“I can’t go through that again,” she whispered.

“Baby, I won’t hurt you again, I swear. I am here for you however you want me, as long as you want me.”

I cupped her face and let her forehead rest against mine.

“I never stopped loving you,” I whispered softly.

I felt her melt into my touch. I tilted her chin and kissed her softly. I pulled away just for a second to make sure she wasn’t going to push me away again.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around my neck and pushed up on her toes to kiss me again. I took her encouragement and wrapped my arms tight around her as I took our kiss deeper.

I reached my hands under her ass and pulled her up to wrap around my legs. I walked her against the door and thrust hard against the thin spandex fabric. I knew she could feel my hard erection when she rocked her hips against it.

In an instant, she was pulling my white coat off and tugging at the buttons and tie on my shirt. It only took a few seconds before she had me entirely bare-chested before her.

She leaned back against the door and pushed her hands against my chest. I thought she was pushing me away again, but instead, she looked me up and down.

“You have a lot more than before,” she said as she ran a lazy finger up and down my abs. It sent little shivers through my body.

I hungrily went to her neck and started to kiss and nip it greedily. I released my hold on her hips, letting the wall and her legs hold her up as I let my hands travel up to cup her breast.

“I want you now," I breathed against her throat.

“Hawk,” she moaned as her fingers intertwined with my hair. I could feel one set of nails scratch along my back, and I pushed my long erection harder against her.

“Hawk,” she said this time with more of a warning tone. “We can’t. Not here.”

My face reached her cupped breasts, and I buried myself between them as I drove my erection against her again.

“Oh fuck!” Julie called out. “Tonight,” she moaned.

I wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince herself or me to wait.

“Does that mean you’ll go out to dinner with me?” I asked looking back up at her.

She bit her lip trying to calm her own arousal and nodded yes.

I reluctantly released her and helped her slide to the floor.

“Fine,” I said quickly kissing her again. “I have about an hour more here, and then I can come pick you up. Is that alright?”

She nodded yes again this time blushing like a school girl. I couldn’t help it I kissed her again.

“Hawk,” she moaned against my lips as she let me take the kiss deeper.

“Okay,” I said. “Till tonight.”

I reached behind her and opened the door. I watched her walk down the hall, stopping once to look back at me. I leaned against the open door frame, not caring I was bare-chested for the whole world to see, and enjoyed the view as she went.