C H A P T E R E L E V E N
Adam
Over the next few days, the three of us fall into a routine. Breakfast in the kitchen before work and a good night hug for Sophie when I got home, followed by reheating dinner before bed. Isabel and I have some time alone, but nothing spectacular like that night on the sofa. I am not going to lie, I cannot wait for a repeat performance, but Isabel is setting the pace. I will settle for what she will give me. Right now, it is cuddling on the couch and the occasional “sleepover” in my room. Although she tries to make it back to her room before Sophie wakes up, however, I am sure Sophie knows what is going on.
Sophie has taken right to me. I honestly don’t think I could live another day without her in my life. She is full of questions and wants to know the why of everything, but I don’t mind. I have been watching Isabel’s self-confidence slowly build. She smiles more which warms my heart, I have even heard her and Sophie laughing at times. I don’t think that she has had anything to laugh or smile about in a long time. What we have here is special, we have a family, or what soon will be one if I have anything to say about it. I just have to remember to take things slowly and at Isabel’s pace.
I’m lucky enough to make it home in time tonight to eat dinner with my girls and help give Sophie a bath. Opening the door, I freeze, suddenly overcome with desire at seeing Isabel swinging her hips around the living room while Sophie jumps up and down to some song playing on the radio. Laughing, singing, and swinging to the rhythm of the beat, Isabel spins around finally catching me staring from inside the doorway. An embarrassed flush creeps over her face along with a small smile. Sophie turns to see me as well and launches into my arms planting a smacking kiss on my cheek.
“Don’t let me stop you. Can I have this dance?” I bend over, placing Sophie down on her little feet.
“Of course! Play a new song momma!” she shouts.
Isabel begins another song and the three of us dance around the living room until we can no longer stand up. I don’t think I‘ve had this much fun, well, ever!
We hear a timer go off in the kitchen.
“PIZZA!” Sophie screams as she jumps up and down clapping her hands.
I can’t help but chuckle, “I guess someone is hungry. How about we have a picnic right here. Will that be alright with you, sweet pea?” I say to Sophie.
“Can we Mommy? Can we Mommy?” She pleads with her mom.
Oh, I know that look. She has brought out the puppy dog eyes, and no one can resist those eyes. Of course, Isabel gives in and goes to the kitchen to grab some plates. Noticing that I am still in my uniform. I bend down to eye level with Sophie,
“Sweet pea, I need to go change out of my uniform. I will be right back, and we can have some dinner and them maybe Mommy will let me give you a bath. Sound like a plan?”
“Sure! Um, Mr. Adam? Can I come with you? I have something to ask you,” she says, looking serious.
I am genuinely concerned. Sophie is usually such a fun loving and easy going little girl, but she just looks so serious at the moment.
“Of course, sweetie, but you have to ask Mommy first, and you have to stay outside my room until I get changed. Deal?”
“Deal.” Her face immediately lights up with a smile.
***
After I finish changing out of my uniform, I open my door to find Sophie patiently waiting to be let in. I can’t say I’m not intrigued by what the little one wants to chat with me about.
“So, what can I do for you little Ms. Sophie?”
She giggles as she climbs up into my lap.
“Mr. Adam, do you love me?” she whispers.
“Of course, I love you. Why would you ask that? I love you more than anything in the whole wide world.” I rub my cheek against her soft curls.
She leans back and smiles “Good. Then I have an important question to ask. Since you love me, will you be my daddy?”
To say I’m shocked would be an understatement. This amazing little girl has decided to give me the honor of being the most important man in her life, especially after the crap example she has had as a father already.
Her smile begins to fall the longer it takes for me to answer. I gently place her feet on the floor and kneel down in front of her.
“Sophie, I would love nothing more than to be your daddy. However, you already have a daddy. Although he is not very nice to you and your mommy, he is still your daddy. Now, what I can tell you is that I love you and your mommy very much, and someday soon I would love for you and your mommy to love me too.”
I can feel the breath catch in my throat as I prepare to ask the next question.
“Do you love me too, Sophie?”
She cocks her head to the side and looks at me like I am crazy, “Of course, I love you, Mr. Adam. You can only ask people to be your daddy if you love them silly.”
I cannot help but let out a full belly laugh at her statement. I reach down and hug her to my chest tightly. Sophie snuggles into my chest. I do not care whether I am her real dad or not, I promise to love and protect this little girl for the rest of my life.
“Okay, Sophie. Let’s make a deal. I love you, and you love me. So, although I am not really your daddy. I promise to protect you and love you forever and ever. Deal?”
Sophie’s face lights up with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.
“Deal! But Mr. Adam… can I call you Daddy?” She asks shyly.
“Sweet pea, you can call me whatever you want. Whenever you call I will come running. I will always be there for you when you need me, understand?”
“Yes,” she answers with a smile.
This conversation has gotten my gears going, and I may have just come up with the perfect plan on how to get Isabel to see me as a decent guy, my secret weapon, Sophie.
“Now, Sophie, I need your help. Think of it as a secret mission.” I get really close to her. Kids love to keep secrets
“Oh, I am good at keeping secrets. Even Mommy says so,” she says excitedly
“Great, but you need to keep this a secret from Mommy. Do you think you can do that?”
She nods her head furiously while bouncing from foot to foot, unable to control her excitement.
“Alright, Sophie, I love your Mommy very much, but I don’t think she believes me when I tell her. I need your help to convince Mommy that I love her and to believe me when I tell her. Can you do that?”
“But how do I do that?” Sophie asks.
“You can tell me you love me in front of her or tell me how much you trust me when Mommy is around. Whatever you think would help Mommy know how much I love both of you. What do you think?”
Man, I must be desperate to enlist the help of a child to win her mother's heart!
Sophie sits and thinks for a while before she gets a huge smile on her face,
“If you love Mommy and Mommy loves you, then you will be my Daddy!” She all but squeals before she begins jumping up and down.
“You know what sweet pea, you’re right. So, do we have a deal?”