Graham

Two months later, I asked Lori to let me pick Milo up from a play date. My official story was that I was taking him to try out some new soccer equipment because he was outgrowing the one he already owned. We were going to shop for new equipment, but that wasn't all I had planned for today.

While I waited for Milo, I scrolled through my e-mails. There was one from the lawyer who’d handled our issues with Jeff. I’d asked him to keep us informed on the outcome of the malpractice suit. The final decision had been reached last week. Jeff lost every penny he had to his name, and the right to practice. He had it coming.

As for my father, I was trying out the new arrangement Lori and I came up with.

I'd told him that the monthly payments would stop. From now on, he'd pay his debts and earn a living as an employee of the LA Lords. He'd seemed pleasantly surprised that I'd allow him to be involved with the club again. My hope was that the job would make him grow up, especially because he’d be working under Amber's strict supervision in PR and didn't have any direct access to the club's funds. Our interactions were as awkward as ever, but Lori insisted that would change with time. Maybe it would work out. I wasn't holding my breath, but it felt right to make that change.

"Are we really going to the store?" Milo asked the second he climbed into the car.

"Yes, we are, buddy."

"Can we go to the toy store too?"

Since I was liable to be talked into buying the entire store if I said yes, I shook my head. "We promised your mom we'll all go together next time, remember?"

He jutted out his lower lip, but didn't press the issue. I loved the little rug rat. I couldn't wait for him to have brothers and sisters, but all in due time.

We arrived at the club's store about thirty minutes later. It was almost closing time, but I'd already arranged for Christie, the vendor on shift, to keep the store open longer for us. Milo was ecstatic as he tried on jerseys and shoes. He didn't need a new ball, but I bought him one anyway, because he'd been eying it since we stepped inside the store.

"What do you say to pizza for dinner?" I asked once we strolled out.

"I love pizza. Is Mom coming too?"

"No, just the two of us. I need to talk to you about something."

He eyed me cautiously. "Am I in trouble?"

"No, not at all." I ruffled his hair, but he didn't seem to relax.

"Okay. I love pizza."

"Me too, buddy."

I led him to an Italian restaurant one block away from the club. It was one of my favorites. They used wood for their pizza oven, and the smoky smell was thick in the air. They made the crust thin and crispy. The wall paneling imitated natural stone, which made for a relaxing ambience.  

Since it was relatively early for dinner, there were few patrons. I was a regular here, so the owner, Enzo, came to greet us. He was thin with olive skin and black hair on which he'd painted green strands.

"Graham, finally getting to bring your little one here too." He patted Milo's shoulder. I liked the sound of that. Your little one.

"Yeah. I'll bring Lori around soon too. I promise." I turned to Milo. "What do you want to eat?"

Milo tore his gaze away from Enzo's hair. "Can I have lots of pepperoni on my pizza? And onions?"

"One pizza with pepperoni and onions for him, and one with cheese for me," I said to Enzo. 

After he left, Milo looked at me expectantly. He was still nervous about what I had to say. I'd planned to wait until dessert to lay it all out for him, but I decided to switch things up.

"Here's what I wanted to talk to you about, buddy. Your mom and I have been together for a while now, and I love her very much. I love both of you, in fact."

He swallowed hard and fidgeted in his seat, but he didn't say anything. 

"I want to marry your mother, and I wanted to first talk to you, man-to-man, ask if you're okay with it."

Milo cast his eyes downward to the tablecloth, fiddling with the fork between his hands. Something was clearly eating at him, but I couldn't figure out why. I could only wait for him to open up.

Eventually, he looked up, and asked, "So you will always be with mom and me?"

"Yes I will." 

"You won't leave?"

Punch straight to the gut. He'd become tiny while he'd asked the question, hunching his small shoulders. I chose my next words carefully.

"No, Milo. I won't leave. I promise. I love you both, and I'd like to be part of your family."

He played with the fork in his hand some more. I could tell he had other questions, and I waited patiently.

"If you marry mom, will you be my dad?"

"Yes, I will be."

"So I can call you dad?"

My smile seemed to encourage Milo to smile too. "Of course. I'd love that.”

"That's so cool. I never had anyone to call dad before."

Something twisted in my chest. I wanted to hug this kid.

"So you'll do dad things with me?" Milo continued. "Come to parents' day? Buy presents for Mom on Mother's Day?"

"Yes."

"Can I tell everyone at school I have a dad now?" he continued, almost as if he couldn't believe it.

My chest twisted some more. "Absolutely. So, what do you say? Do you give me your permission to ask your mom to marry me?"

"Yes! You have my permission."