Christian was more nervous than a teen on his first date. Delilah had texted her sister and they were headed back. How in the world did you prepare to meet your own child for the first time?

When they arrived home and Annie bounced in, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Delilah talked to her siblings, who all left the room, then she sat Annie down.

“Honey, I want you to meet someone. This is Christian.”

Annie smiled at him and stuck out her hand. He shook it, feeling the warm stickiness from her ice cream.

He wanted to scoop her into a hug right then, but he knew he had to give her time to get used to the idea that he was her dad, just like he had to. The shock hadn’t settled in yet.

“Remember how we were talking not too long ago about your dad?” Delilah asked her.

Annie nodded fervently.

“And I told you that he had to go away and I didn’t know when he would be back?”

Annie nodded again.

“Well. He’s back. Christian is your daddy.”

Annie’s eyes spread so wide he could see the whites all around them. She leaned over to her mom and whispered something in her ear.

Whatever she said brought tears to Delilah’s eyes. She smiled at the girl. “You can ask him if you like.”

Annie slid off her spot on the sofa and walked over to him, stopping right in front of him. He was entranced by her. Her little nose and sparkling eyes. Her dark blond hair, her bright red lips.

“Did you want to ask something?” he said, trying to make his voice sound as gentle as possible. He didn’t have much experience with kids.

She nodded then twisted her fingers together nervously. “Umm, at school there’s a dance and it’s for fathers and daughters and I wanted to go but you weren’t here so now that you’re here I was wondering if you would take me.”

She sweetness of her question squeezed his heart. He swallowed hard, trying not to cry. “Sure,” he managed. “I’d love to. I hope we can spend a lot of time together.”

Annie broke into a huge grin. “Yay!” She bounced around the room, singing and dancing.

He couldn’t believe that this energetic and bright child was his own. He saw immediately why Delilah had kept her from him. He’d said it before, but now he felt it. He would stop the world to protect this child. He would do anything for her.

They spent several hours together that night, but he was anxious to get out of there. He’d made a decision during his time there, and now he had to act. He hadn’t realized how late it had gotten until Delilah said it was time for Annie to get to bed.

He sat in the living room, waiting while Delilah helped her get ready. While he had these minutes to himself, he thought through the details of his plan. Annie came bouncing out of the bathroom.

“Will you come and tuck me in?” she asked.

He’d never stood up so fast in his life. He followed her into the pink and white room that she obviously shared with her aunts. How terrible that she didn’t even have a room of her own. He would set this right as soon as possible.

Annie wiggled under the covers and beamed up at them.

Delilah said a prayer with her and kissed her forehead, then moved out of the way so Christian could have his turn. He leaned to kiss the girl and was overcome with emotion. He followed Delilah out of the room and when the door was shut and they were alone, he pulled her into a hug and crushed her to him.

“Thank you,” he said.

“I’m sorry,” she said. She started to cry on his shoulder. “I shouldn’t have kept her from you.”

“No, no,” he said, brushing her hair back. “You did the right thing. You kept her safe. She’s amazing. I can’t even… There are no words.”

She looked up at him and they both had tears in their eyes.

“I’m going to make this right,” he said. “I’m going to find a way to get out. To give you both the life you deserve. I promise. Delilah, I love you. I’ve loved you for years, and I’m sorry I never told you.”

She buried her head in his shoulder again and cried for a moment more. Then she kissed him. When she pressed her mouth to his, a new flood of emotions rushed in. It was all too much. He came completely undone in her arms and his desire to leave faded. There was time for what he had to do. But now, he needed to be close to her.

“I love you, too,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

He carried her to the couch and laid her down. He kissed along her neck and chin, trying to show her his love through kisses. He moved slowly down her body, kissing all the way.

She wasn’t as interested in taking things slow. She tore her shirt over her head, then tugged on his. He helped her get it off and tossed it on the floor.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she said. “I’ve wanted you so badly since the moment you walked into the studio.”

Her words made him so hard that his erection rubbed painful against his jeans. He unzipped his pants and pushed them off, and she did the same. He lay on top of her, both of them now naked and hot against each other.

“I’ve missed you more than I can ever tell you,” he said.

“Then never leave me again,” she said. “Promise.”

“I swear on my life. I will never leave you, I will never leave Annie. I… I love her already. I didn’t think love at first sight existed but then—” His words caught in his throat.

“I know,” she said, and smiled at him before crushing herself against him.

He spread her legs apart and slipped a finger inside her. He moved it in and out, feeling her slippery wetness.

“Stop teasing me,” she begged.

He hadn’t been trying to, but he needed no more convincing. He positioned himself at her opening and slid in. She was so wet, there wasn’t a moment’s resistance. Her tightness surrounded him and made his heart race.

She felt even better than he remembered. She moved her hips against him, forcing him in deeper. He pounded her hard, giving her every inch he had to give.

“Harder,” she said.

He sped up, gripping her hips so he could slam into her faster and harder than before. She cried out and dug her fingers into his hair, pulling him close to her. He kissed her fervently, sloppily. As she tightened around him in her orgasm, he came, too, thrusting in deep two final times before he was spent.

Their passionate love making had left him exhausted in their fury. It was like he hadn’t been able to get deep enough or pound her hard enough. He’d never have enough of her. He lay with her for several minutes until he realized she’d drifted off to sleep.

He gently slid out of her. She stirred and nuzzled into him. He kissed her but stood up. He had business to take care of.

He leaned down to kiss her again, then covered her with the blanket before slipping out of the house.