All was quiet when I walked in the door, so I headed to my room for a quick shower. Even though it was hot and humid outside, I contemplated going out for my daily run, but decided against it. Instead, I made a phone call to my folks. They were going to be out of this world excited to discover they were grandparents. Again. My mom answered after the third ring.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Oh, David, it’s so good to hear from you. Wait; is everything okay? You’re still coming in a couple weeks aren’t you? Don’t tell me you’re calling to cancel?”

“No, I’m not calling to cancel. And everything is fine. Well, it’s great actually. I have some news to share. Is Dad there?”

“Of course, he’s here. Where else would he be?”

I only shook my head. Silly me. Of course, he was home. He never went anywhere without my mother.

“Can you get him on the line?”

“Yes, hold on.” She pulled the phone away from her, but not far enough, and I cringed as she screamed my dad’s name in my ear. Within a minute, the click of another phone being picked up rang in my ear.

“Hello, son.”

“Hi, Dad.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just have some good news to share, and I wanted you both to hear it at the same time.”

An excited squeal escaped my mom. “You’re getting married?”

Trust my mom to jump to that immediate conclusion even though she knew well and good that I hadn’t dated anyone in over a year. Although, this time she wasn't widely off the mark. Not that it was going to happen right away, but it would in the not so distant future.

“No, Mom, I’m not getting married. At least not yet.”

“You met someone. Oh my—”

“Mom, let me get in a word edgewise.” I took a deep breath. “You have a granddaughter.”

Silence was what I least expected.

“Mom? Dad?”

“Well, this is unexpected. How did this happen?”

“Darling, if you have to ask that, then we’ve done it wrong all these years.”

“Hush, Thomas. You know what I mean. When did this happen? Why are we only now hearing about it?”

“It’s a long story.” I proceeded to explain about Sofie and how we’d met. I tried to gloss over the fact that it had been a one-night stand. There were some things my parents didn’t need to know. My mom shrieked in excitement every so often. Once I’d recounted the story, my mom started in on the questions.

“When are we going to meet them? Are you getting married? Where will you live? What will you do?”

“Mom, stop. I don’t know. I plan to talk to Sofie later today. We’re still working things out. I’m hoping I can talk her into coming with me to meet you in a couple weeks, but I don’t know if that’s going to be possible. As far as getting married, we’re not there. Yet. I’m still working out the job aspect, but there is nothing keeping me in Richmond now that I’m retired.”

We continued our conversation with both my parents peppering me with questions I didn’t have answers to yet. Eventually, we said our goodbyes with my promise to call them as soon as I had any news to share.

During our conversation, I heard Kyle up and moving about. I knew I’d get a ribbing from him for not coming home last night. He could laugh all he wanted. I was happy and in love.

I went out to the living room where, sure enough, I got jabs thrown at me. I took it all in stride. We grabbed some lunch, and I was anxious to talk to Sofie again. Later on that afternoon, I headed next door. Talking on the phone wasn’t enough. Callie answered the door and escorted me into the house while I waited for Sofie.

She came down the stairs, and I only stared at awe at this woman, the mother of my child. I counted my lucky stars that I had found her again.

* * *

For the next two and a half days, we spent almost every waking moment together, either making plans for our future or making love. Sofie’s appetite for me, and admittedly mine for her, was insatiable. She wore me out in an extremely good way. I felt revitalized when I was with her.

It was the eve of her last night in Miami before she flew home in the morning. Neither of us were ready to be separated, but I knew she was anxious to get back to Mia. We’d arranged for me to come visit in two weeks. I had promised Kyle that I would spend the next week with him since I’d barely spent time hanging with him. Then, I was headed to my parents’ house in Arizona for the week for our yearly summer get together. Then, I was heading to New Hampshire to meet my daughter and the rest of Sofie’s family.

I was antsy, scared, nervous, and excited all at once. Sofie assured me that everyone would love me, but it was still nerve-wracking knowing that I was finally going to come face to face with the little girl we’d created. I prayed I would be a good dad.

Finally, the morning of Sofie’s flight home dawned. We’d spent the entire night making love. I’d made sure she’d had more orgasms than she could handle.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave, but I miss Mia so much.”

“We’ll be together soon, baby, I promise. Go home and spend this time with our little girl. Tell her how much her daddy already loves her, and I’ll be there to visit before you know it.”

I carried her luggage out to Callie’s rental car and watched as she drove away, taking my heart with her.

For the next week, I focused my attention on Kyle. The week dragged even though I loved him. I loved Sofie more. My only saving grace was that Sofie and I spoke on the phone every night. I even tried having a conversation with Mia. Finally, the week was over, and Kyle and I said our goodbyes. We made plans for us to get together again next year.

The morning of my departure from Miami, Kyle dropped me off at the airport. A few hours later, I was pulling into my parents’ driveway in Tempe. When I walked into the house, my mom threw her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly like she always did. Even though I was thirty-eight, my mother always worried about me. I embraced her back and her love for me was palpable.

“I’ve missed you so much, David.”

I kissed the top of her graying head. “I missed you too, Ma.”

“Come outside. Everyone’s been waiting for you.”

I was then greeted by a raucous sound of relatives when my mom walked us out back. All my siblings and their kids were there, several of them splashing around in the pool. My dad was manning the grill, and the smell of hamburgers wafted around me. Seeing everyone together reminded me how lucky I was to have such a close family and how much we loved each other. I was anxious for Sofie and Mia to become a part of this family. I knew they’d both be loved.

My brother, Garrett, grabbed me into a big bear hug when he spotted me.

“So, tell me about this woman of yours. And a baby? Damn, bro, you got yourself a ready-made family. You always were the type who didn’t waste any time.”

I had to laugh at his description, because it was true. I’d never wasted time in my life. Being a member of the military, there was no such thing.

“Her name is Sofie. We met one night a couple years ago. One thing led to another, and apparently, she got pregnant. I had no idea until I met her again a couple weeks ago in Miami.”

I knew I could share the whole truth with Garrett and not be judged. He’d been somewhat of a wild child growing up, and I’d pulled him out of more than one scrape or two back then. He’d matured nicely though and had his own family he loved more than anything. I was proud of the man he’d turned out to be.

“That’s crazy, man. After so much time, to be able to find her again. And you love her?”

“As much as you love Lucy. I can’t wait for you to meet her. You’ll see how wonderful she is. She’s perfect for me.”

“I’m happy for you, bro. I can’t wait to meet her and that little girl of yours.”

“Me either.”

I helped my dad finish with the hamburgers and hot dogs and everyone raced to get in line for the food. The rest of the night was spent outside while the adults caught up and the kids all played. I went to bed exhausted but happy.

I made it three days before my mom stopped me in the hall with my packed duffle bag in hand. I looked at her quizzically when she handed me an envelope.

“Go get your girl.”

“Ma’am?”

“David, son, I love you, and I’ll miss you, but as much as you’ve tried to hide it, I’m tired of you moping. I know you love us too, but right now, your heart is in New Hampshire. So, go. Meet your daughter. Spend time with Sofie. We’ll still be here at Christmas. Bring the girls with you. I want to spoil my grandbaby.”

I opened the envelope she handed me to see two boarding passes. One was from Phoenix to Atlanta. The second from Atlanta to Manchester. I crushed my mother in my embrace. This was one of the many reasons I loved her. She always knew what I needed most. After giving her a quick kiss, I rushed out the door and headed to the airport. I couldn't wait to surprise Sofie.