Stuck-Up Suit

She was beaming. “You will?” I loved when I could see Graham’s expressions in her face.

“Yeah. But not anytime soon.”

I made a mental note to look for some hot pink clip-in extensions for the next time we’d play dress up. Chloe and I had a ton of fun on weekends when she stayed with Graham and me. She loved to put on my dresses and attempt to walk in my heels. I was sure Genevieve would have flipped if she knew half the things we did. To Chloe, I was more like a fun big sister than a disciplinarian.

A few months after reuniting with Graham in Hermosa Beach, I moved out of my Brooklyn apartment and into his condo. While I liked having my own space, it didn’t make sense to keep the apartment when my insatiable man insisted I spend every night in his bed. So, I gave in, and honestly, it made life easier since now he only had to go back and forth between two places—Chloe’s house and ours.

When Graham walked into the restaurant, he was weaving around tables, looking flustered.

“You made it!” I smiled.

“Damn traffic.”

“Damn is a swear, Graham Cracker,” Chloe chided.

“Give me some sugar, Sugar Cookie,” he said to Chloe as he leaned his cheek in for a smooch.

Graham gave me a chaste kiss on the lips then sat down. He was sweating and took a napkin to his entire face. He looked at me, and I placed my palm on his knee.

“I love you,” I mouthed.

Fresh beads of sweat formed on his forehead. After the waitress brought him a water and a menu, he began nervously ripping apart a different napkin. When he started to click his watch back and forth, I knew he was about to do it. Then, he began to speak.

“So, Chloe, there’s something I need to talk to you about tonight,” he said.

Chloe just continued to sip her drink while she looked at him innocently with her big doe eyes.

He continued, “I’ve been keeping something from you.”

“Did you take one of my toys home by mistake?”

He laughed nervously. “No. It’s about your dad.”

“What about Daddy?”

Graham inhaled slowly then exhaled. “Your father, Liam…he loved you very much. I know losing him was hard. He’ll always be your dad. But there are different kinds of dads. Sometimes, children can have more than one. Like your friend, Molly, for example. She has no mother but two dads who are married. What I’m trying to say is…I’m actually one of your dads, too.”

She was silent then said, “Were you married to my father who died? Mom told me having two dads is called being gay.”

“No.” Graham looked at me, and we both couldn’t help but laugh a little. He continued, “I was with your mother before him. Genevieve and I made you together. I didn’t know about it at the time, though. Then your mother and your father, Liam, got married. Liam fell in love with you and became your dad. He believed he was your only dad. I only found out you existed after Liam passed away. When I saw your face, I knew you were mine. I know it’s confusing, baby girl.” He placed his hand on her chin. “See how much we look alike? That’s because you’re my daughter.”

She reached her little hand over to his face and began to examine his features. It was adorable when she said, “I always thought I knew you from somewhere.”

“Yeah. From the moment we met, right? That’s because we’re connected.” Graham smiled.

“You’re really my dad?”

“I am,” he whispered, his voice shaky.

“Wow.” Chloe stayed still for a moment as she processed everything. Then, without warning, she leapt into his arms. Graham closed his eyes, looking so happy and relieved.

I just sat back and enjoyed the sight of them hugging tightly. Chloe’s reaction confirmed that we’d made the right decision to tell her tonight. Genevieve had originally given us trouble about it. She wanted to be here, but Graham promised to sit down with the two of them after he dropped Chloe back home later.

There was a reason for the timing of this conversation.

When Graham flashed me a questioning look over Chloe’s shoulder, I nodded, giving him silent approval to give her the other piece of news.

“So, Soraya and I sort of have something else to tell you.”

Her eyes widened with excitement. “You’re taking me to Disney World?”

“No.” He chuckled. “But we’ll go there someday, alright?”

I chimed in, “You know how you always said you wished you had a brother or sister?”

“Yeah?”