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“And we will not speak of her,” I say while picking up the bags of presents and handing them to Seth.
“How is Maria? Where is she?” Dad asks while looking around.
“In her crib. Sleeping. Lucas is keeping watch,” I rush out before Dad can say anything else. “We like to have someone with her at all times. Just in case…you know.”
“That’s a bit excessive.”
I flinch. Those words didn’t come from Dad, but from the woman walking through the door, carrying another bag filled with presents. She’s older, around Dad’s age, with big hips and an even bigger bust. Her brunette hair is streaked with gray, and she has warm eyes and a jolly smile. I’m surprised I didn’t notice her until now, but I suppose it was a shock seeing Dad here.
“H-hello,” I say, glancing between this woman and Dad.
Dad reaches for her, lacing his fingers with hers before tugging her toward him. “Rachel, I would like for you to meet a very special lady.”
Aw, fuck. Here we go again. Let me guess, this is Dad’s version of a Bryan.
“This is Diana,” Dad says cheerfully. I can’t help but notice how his thumb strokes the top of Diana’s hand. “She’s my girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?” Seth says with a smirk. He nudges Dad with an elbow. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
Dad rolls his eyes. “Just because I’m old, Seth, doesn’t mean I can’t date.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I force out. It takes everything in me to shake Diana’s hand and not go running and screaming upstairs. “Why didn’t you say anything before, Dad?”
“Oh, I wanted it to be a surprise. Besides,” he adds while patting Diana’s hand, “you’ve been so busy with the baby. And we didn’t know if this was a thing or not a thing.”
“Turns out,” Diana whispers with a coy smile, “it’s definitely a thing.”
Dad and Diana laugh together, which only makes me that more irritated. I guess a part of me always thought Dad and Mom would work through their issues and get back together. Even though they signed the papers and the divorce was finalized, I thought I could Parent Trap them back together. I guess that’s now out of the question. This is my new family. Dad with his new girlfriend and Mom with her Bryan.
“So, where’s my granddaughter?” Dad asks while clapping his hands together. “I would love to finally meet her.”
“Your granddaughter is here,” Lucas announces from the top of the stairs. He’s changed Maria out of her reindeer outfit and has put her into her red velvet dress with a matching green bow. Maria nuzzles into Lucas’s chest as he steps down slowly, taking each step one at a time. “I didn’t expect your dad to be here,” Lucas says while striding toward us.
“Sorry,” Diana says with a grimace. “I suppose we really should have called.”
“Nonsense,” Dad says. He takes Maria when Lucas offers her to him. I watch as he cradles her close, being especially careful with her head. “Surprises are a good thing.”
“We’re just about to have dinner, if you want to join,” Lucas says while walking toward the kitchen. “We have more than enough.”
“Oh, that would be lovely!” Diana practically shouts. She follows him into the kitchen. “I can help, if you want. I do know my way around a kitchen.”
I stifle a groan and turn toward my father, wanting to ask him why he didn’t tell me he was dating again. My words die in my throat and I find my irritation pouring out of me as I watch my dad hum a little tune to Maria and bounce her gently in his arms. Unlike Mom, he hasn’t admonished me for my decision to keep the baby, nor has he demanded I give her up for adoption. He’s just here, enjoying the moment, supporting me in his own way. I should be supportive of him and his decisions. And, so far, Diana doesn’t seem all that bad.
“Hey,” Seth murmurs in my ear, his fingers brushing against mine. “You want a glass of wine?”
Thank God Seth is always there to support me.
“Yes,” I say while bobbing my head.
“A big one?”
“The biggest,” I say in a conspiratorial whisper.
Seth gives me a wink before disappearing into the kitchen. My joy reappears as I hear Charlie and Lauren talk among themselves and smell the beginnings of ham roasting in the oven.
