I know before I open my eyes exactly who’s perched on my chest and it’s not Nova.

“Daddy,” Addison whispers, and I think she’s sitting criss-cross applesauce on my stomach.

She’s a tiny little thing.

I pretend like I’m still asleep and gently roll to my left side with a fake snore, forcing myself not to laugh when she gives a small gasp as she tumbles to the bed.

I can almost hear her thinking hard in that far-too-clever little head of hers.

Natalie’s decided to stay longer and she went back to Minnesota for more of she and Addi’s things. I told her she could buy whatever they needed, but in a move completely unlike Natalie, she said there was no need to waste money.

Her behavior has been throwing me for a loop, and I’ve started to wonder if I’m being unfair by second guessing everything she says.

“Daddy, I know you are not sleeping.” Addi puts her small hands on my cheeks and I peek open my right eye to see her little frown right in front of my face.

“How do you know I’m not sleeping?” I close my eyes again.

“Because you opened your eyes!” She says seriously, and I give up the ruse, wrapping my arms around her while she giggles and sitting up.

I settle her in my lap and kiss the top of her head, my heart completely full.

“Do you have to go to work today?” She asks, squealing when Nova jumps up on the bed and starts licking her face.

They’re very nearly the same size.

Not really, but damn, feels that way.

“Nope. We’re going to see Miss Michelle and Auntie Kai and Nico and everybody today for Nico’s birthday. Is that okay with you?” I smooth a curl behind her ear, scanning my eyes over her.

It’s habit. The kid has gotten into so many small scrapes that I automatically check her over every time she’s near. She still has a band-aid on her knee from running and bumping into the table.

“Of course, Daddy. I want to go wherever you go.” She leans her dark head on my chest, stroking Nova, who’s sitting quietly in her lap.

My heart melts.

“Alright kiddo, what are we eating for breakfast?” I rub the remaining sleep from my eyes.

“Chicken nuggets!” She slides to the end of my bed and slowly slides herself off, Nova running after her as she takes off towards the kitchen.

I should’ve known that would be her answer since I swear for every meal, she just wants macaroni and chicken nuggets.

I follow after her after I pull on a shirt. I’ve started sleeping in shorts, but not a shirt. It’s a hard habit to learn to sleep in clothes again.

I learned quickly that Addi will pop in whenever she wants to.

I’d prefer not to have to explain male anatomy to her just yet.

“I’m going to pretend you said waffles.” I ruffle her hair as I pass and she drops to the floor to play with Nova more.

I watch for a second, my chest tight.

My two best girls. I don’t know if it gets better than this.

* * *

“Miss Michelle!” The minute I park in the driveway and give Addi the okay, she undoes her car seat and bounces impatiently.

I have child-lock on my doors.

Yeah, I learned that lesson quickly too.

“Come on, Daddy! You’re taking too long.” I roll my eyes as I open the door, plucking her from the truck and setting her on the concrete. Not two seconds pass before she’s heading full speed towards the front door.

It pops open and Nico swings her up in the air, both of them laughing.

“I think I’m going to be shocked for a few more weeks.” Kaija stealthily comes up beside me as I close my truck door, a big red gift bag in her hands.

“Welcome to my world.” We walk together in silence up the driveway. Harlan must be already inside.

“So—.”

“You—.”

We both stop, and I nod at her to speak first.

“I’m still not happy with you, Dane.”

“I know, and I understand.”

“As much as I want to make you into a eunuch, it’s not my place to put myself in the middle. And the only reason I’m not is because you’re Harlan’s best friend. If you were just an acquaintance though…” She leans closer, reaching a hand up to put on my shoulder. “I’d put your dick and balls in a gold case and mount them on my wall.”

The visual makes me nauseous.

“I’m going to talk to Keyra when she gets back.” I wheeze.

“Great. I’m so happy to hear that. I trust there’ll be a lot of groveling.”

“Of course.” I meet Harlan’s eyes when he opens the front door, and I wonder if he can see the fear in mine because he crosses his arms.

“We talked about this.” He raises an eyebrow at Kaija and she blinks her eyes, shrugging.

“No idea what you mean.” She slides past him into the house and he exhales. We clasp hands and go in for a hug, patting each other on the back then separating.

“Honestly, at least she even spoke to me when we were alone and it wasn’t about Addi.” He closes the door and I take in everyone milling around and can hear music playing from the backyard.

I set my card down with the other gifts and talk to people we pass while I walk with Harlan to the backyard. First thing I see is Addi being the complete ham that I’ve discovered she is, and making Nico and his friends play some game that requires them making very odd animal sounds and movements.

A barbecue in March, we’re all in long sleeves for the cooler weather.

I clap Harlan’s dad on the back where he’s manning the grill, and he turns, smiling.

“Dane! Good to see you.”

“You too, Hudson.” We hug briefly.

“Food’s in the gazebo, just grilling some more shrimp skewers and corn but let me know if you want something else.”

“Don’t forget my—.” Harlan starts.

“Terrible grilled Brussel sprouts, Son, I know.” Hudson screws his face up, and he’s just an older copy of Harlan really. It’s like he spit Nico and Harlan out himself.

Good thing Michelle and Hudson are best friends or else there’d be some serious resentment issues.

It’s a relaxed afternoon, just hanging out with the people I’ve come to call my family. I’ve kept my eye on Addi from afar, watched her have everyone in the palm of her hands and play with some of the other little kids that came.

I’m sitting around the empty fire pit with some of the guys, talking college basketball when I hear Addi giggling and happen to look up.

Addi’s hitched on Keyra’s hip and she’s tickling her.

It’s been nearly a month since I’ve seen Keyra and she looks good. Happy. Her skin’s got an almost golden sheen to it. I don’t know where she was, just that she decided to go on vacation.

Then Keyra says something and Addi points in my direction, laying her head on Keyra’s shoulder.

Guess it’s the moment of truth.