Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“That’s… amazing. Thank you,” Winnie tells her.
We follow her around the store as she points out things we’ll need, and things that are not a necessity but nice to have. It’s overwhelming, but I can’t remember the last time I looked forward to something more. We’re strolling down the aisle with clothes—tiny little items—and one amongst them all stands out to me. It’s a bib that says: “I love my daddy.” It’s green and yellow, so it should work no matter what we’re having. I stand here, staring at it. I’m a daddy; it’s surreal. Winnie stops next to me and follows my line of sight. Without saying a word, she grabs the bib and continues on down the aisle.
“Thank you so much, Judy,” Winnie says as we make our way to the counter.
“You’re welcome, dear. This is the list.” She hands us a packet of stapled paper.
“Thank you. We’ll get out of your hair. I just need to pay for this.” Winnie sets the bib on the counter. I add the one I grabbed that matches it. Only this one says, I love my mommy.
“I thought we were waiting,” she asks, unable to hide her grin.
“For what? It’s yellow and green. Gender neutral.” I grin back, proud of myself.
Her smile falters. “Is it too soon? We said we would wait. Now here we are buying bibs. What if something happens?” She whispers the last part.
My heart aches at the fear in her voice, and the thought of something happening to either of them. “Baby.” I cup her cheek in my hands. “Nothing is going to happen, and in the event that it does, we’ll have it for the next one.”
“The next one?”
“This isn’t a one-and-done thing, Winnie.”
I turn my attention to Judy, who rattles off a total, and I insert my card into the machine. She bags up my purchase and we’re on our way. We step outside onto the sidewalk and I clasp her hand. “I mean it, Winnie. I’m not here because you’re pregnant. Sure, that might be what gave me an in. What gave me a chance to slither back into your life, but regardless of the baby you’re carrying, I’m here. For this one, and the next one, and as many after that as you want.”
“I love you, Harrison Drake.” My heart flips over in my chest. After losing her, and never thinking I would hear those words again, every time it’s as if it’s the first time. They’re words I will cherish always.
“That’s good, baby.” I lean in close. “Because you’re stuck with me.” I kiss her forehead. “Now,” I say, pulling back. “Ready for our second stop?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure you could top this one.”
“Oh, ye of little faith.” I open the door for her.
It doesn’t take us long to get to the next stop. It’s just a couple of blocks down the street. “Is this where we’re going?” she asks, hopeful, as I pull into the lot for the new bookstore.
“Yep. You said you’ve been wanting to go, right?”
“Yes, but I didn’t expect you to take me.”
“Why not?”
“You’re not exactly a big fan of bookstores.”
I shrug. “I’m a Winnie fan. Besides, I need a book myself.”
“Oh, really? What book would that be? We’ve known each other for years and I’ve never seen you read a book.”
“Well, maybe there was never anything important enough, or interesting enough to hold my attention. Besides, this is my second. I already read the first one, but this one is dad specific, so I’m going to read it too.”
“Oh, I have to hear this. What book are you after?”
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I go to my pictures. I took a screenshot of the book a “new dads” website said for me to get. I rattle off the title, “The Expectant Father.”
I close out of my images and lock the screen before looking at her. Again, there are tears in her eyes. “Pregnancy hormones.” She smiles. “No, that’s not it. It’s you. You’re so confident about this. About us.”
“Of course I am. But I’m also scared and nervous, and anxious that I’m going to be a bad father.”
“Never,” she says firmly. “We’re in this together, right?”
“Yes.” That’s all the answer she needs. She collects her purse and climbs out of the truck, with me scrambling to do the same and catch up with her. “Don’t get lost,” I tease her as we enter the building.
“No promises.”
“You got your phone, right?” I ask seriously. My girl loves books, so I might need it to find her in this place. It’s a huge two-story facility. She waves over her shoulder, already heading off to explore. I ask for help, and I’m directed to the parenting books. I find the two that I had taken pictures of and then venture into the children’s section. They have toys, books, and some clothes. I scan the books. I find one with a green monster on the front. Because I’m Your Dad is the title. I skim through it and it looks good to me. I add it to my pile and head off to find Winnie.