Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
It took me two months from the day I proposed to convince Larissa to give up her apartment and move in with me. Paisley was on board from day one; of course it helped that I had one of the spare bedrooms turned into a princess room for her. With Princess P on my team, we wore her down.
It took me another four months to get her to set a date and another six after that for her to become my wife. Every day with the two of them is better than the last. There’s laughter that fills what used to be the silent rooms of my house; it’s now a home. A home with my girls.
Today is a special day in so many ways. It’s our three-month wedding anniversary, and you can bet your ass I’m celebrating. Every fucking day is a celebration with the two of them in my life. It’s also the anniversary of the day my adoption went through, when I became a Monroe. Not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for all that my father has brought into our lives. He’s the man I want to be, hope to be for my wife and my daughter. Did I mention that as of today, I’m also officially a father?
Today my princess officially became a Monroe. We signed the papers at the courthouse this morning and then went out to breakfast to celebrate. It was already a special day, the day I gained my father. The man who has always been there for me. Now, I get to be that man. I get to show him what he taught me. How to be a man, how to love. How to fight for those you love. He taught me how to be a father. Not that anything has changed because of a signed piece of paper. Paisley started calling me Daddy the day I proposed to them, and never looked back. In my heart, she’s mine. I don’t need a piece of paper to prove that.
My daughter.
“So, Miss Monroe,” I say to my daughter. “What would you say if I told you we’re going to take a trip today?” I ask as she forks in another bite of her Mickey Mouse pancakes.
Her eyes light up with excitement. “Where?” she asks with her mouth full, causing me to laugh and my wife to cringe.
“Atlanta.”
“Really?” she asks, dropping her fork.
“Really.”
“Yay!” she cheers, gaining us the attention of those sitting around us. She wiggles around in her chair almost tipping over; luckily her grandma is there to catch her.
“Easy there,” my mother-in-law, Helen, says, grabbing the chair and steadying her.
“You coming with us?” Paisley asks her.
“She is,” I say, knowing she’s not convinced going is the best. I’ve been hounding her for two weeks now, and she keeps saying she doesn’t want to intrude. She’s family, and we need her to be there.
“When do we leave?” Paisley asks, setting her glass of milk back on the table. She has a line across her top lip and looks like one of those Got Milk commercials.
“After breakfast, so you need to finish up,” Larissa tells her.
With a nod, she dives back into her breakfast with gusto, making us all laugh.
The flight to Atlanta is a short one. Dad is waiting for us at the airport, and as soon as Paisley sees him, she runs into his arms. “Grandpa,” she says excitedly.
I watch as my father picks her up and settles her on his hip. She’s getting too big for that, but he doesn’t see her as often as he and my mom would like. “Hey, Princess P,” he says, kissing her cheek.
“Did you know that today I’m a Monroe?” she asks him.
His misty eyes cause me to swallow back my own emotions. “I did, sweet girl,” he says, hugging her close.
“Hey, Dad,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder.
“East. Hey, Larissa, Helen, glad you could join us,” he greets them.
After the hellos, we head to his waiting SUV. Paisley fills the car with chatter about our day and the events at the courthouse. She then goes on to tell us that it’s “the bestest day ever” since all her family is together. Little does she know that we really are all going to be together. It just didn’t feel right having this moment without the entire Monroe clan. One phone call to my mom, grandma, and Aunt Carrie, and the wheels were set in motion.
Arriving at the farm, memories from my childhood assault me. This place is like home. I’m thrilled to be sharing it with my wife and daughter. Reaching for Paisley and lifting her out of the SUV, she holds my hand as we walk inside. The house is quiet, but I know where they are. As we turn the corner in the living room, everyone yells “Surprise!” causing P to squeal.