Page 77 of Peaches & Pistols

The unconventional nature of our coupling doesn’t escape me. We moved in together, essentially co-parenting for the past six months. Our feelings grew in secret, coming to a head with a life-changing first kiss.

We professed our love and devotion for each other with only one kiss under our belts. She spent one day resting in my bed, and it took every ounce of self-restraint I had to let her go back to sleeping in the room with Everly.

Since her accident, we’ve shared stolen kisses and sweet touches, but nothing further. I’ve never even taken my woman on a date, and we’ve just committed to parenting the other’s child. We’ve done this ass-backwards, but somehow, life is exactly what it’s meant to be.

My lips claim hers in a bruising kiss, conveying everything I’m not eloquent enough to say. She sinks into the kiss without a hint of resistance.

“Hurry! They’re kissing!” We freeze like two teenagers getting caught necking.

“I think they know,” Mia jokes, lips still pressed to mine. I huff a laugh and place one last kiss to her swollen pout.

“Girls, come out. We’ve got something we’d like to talk to you both about.” Mia stands from my lap, and I can’t resist giving her ass a tap as she steps away toward the living room.

Our little ducks follow their mama-duck and plop down on the couch, one on each side. The sight of my three girls tugs me toward them with an invisible string.

I sit on the coffee table, facing their beautiful faces. Mia raises her eyebrows nervously, and I have no problem leading the conversation, but before I can open my mouth, my daughter beats me to it.

“Are you in love?”

Everly bounces in her seat like the cushion’s a trampoline.

“Are you getting marry?” Everly says.

“Married,” Mia corrects without thinking, having no idea what that does to me. Because there’s no question I’ll be marrying her—but Carter needs to be dust in the wind before I can make that happen.

“Are you going to be my mom?” Harper grips Mia’s arm so hard it’ll leave marks.

Heads whip the opposite direction as Everly asks, “Are you going to be my new dad?”

My eyes lock with Mia’s which are sparkling with pure joy.

“Are we going to be sisters?” The pitch Harper emits could shatter glass.

Everly sits up on her knees and holds her mom’s face between her chubby little hands. “Mama, can Harper please, please, pleeeeease be my sister?”

Face squished, Mia manages to answer, “Is that what you want, baby?”

“Yes!” Everly’s squeal breaks the sound barrier.

I chuckle. “Alright, calm down everyone.” I direct my full attention to Everly.

“I love your mom, and I want to be her partner. I’d be honored to be your dad, if you’ll have me.”

“Yes please!” she chirps. “Mama, can Mr. Greyson please be my new daddy? I don’t like my other dad.”

Mia flinches like she’s been slapped but recovers quickly. “Yea, baby. Greyson would love to be your dad.”

“Okay, you can be my daddy.” Her smile cracks open a new place in my heart made especially for her.

“I promise to always be there for you. You’re my daughter just like Harper is.” I wink at my ten-year-old baby.

Mia shifts in her seat to face Harper and takes her by the hands.

“It’s been the greatest pleasure to be your nanny, Harper. I love your dad very much, just like I love you. And if you’ll let me, I would love to be your mom.”

Harper’s face is unreadable, Mia’s and my every breath suspended waiting for her reply.

She leans into Mia and whispers, “You’re my birthday wish come true. I wished you could be my mommy just like Everly, and now you are!”