Page 22 of Daddy Detectives: Episode 2
I hand her a tissue, and she gingerly dabs her wet cheeks. I don’t even realize I’ve got tears on my own cheeks until I feel Tyler’s comforting hands on my shoulders.
Rhonda smiles up at Tyler. “Ian’s lucky to have you in his life.”
“Actually, I’m the lucky one,” Tyler says.
When he moves in closer and cups the back of my neck, I instantly relax.
Rhonda smiles as she notices the exchange between us. “Tell me about your babies.”
I pull out my phone and show her some photos. “These were taken in the hospital, right before we took them home.”
“I’m curious,” she says. “Can I ask about the mother?”
“We used a surrogate,” Tyler says. “A wonderful woman here in Chicago who helped us become fathers.”
“They’re beautiful.” Rhonda glances up at Tyler. “They look likeyou—their hair and coloring.”
“Tyler is their biological father,” I say proudly as I reach up to squeeze his hand resting on my shoulder.
“Ian insisted,” Tyler says. “I wouldn’t have cared either way.”
Rhonda’s fighting a huge grin. “I can’t believe I’m a grandma. I hope I can meet them one day. I mean, if you’re both okay with that. No pressure.” When she shifts her position in bed, she winces.
We talk for a while, just chatting in general. I ask her about her job at the diner. She asks about my adopted family.
A hospital staff member brings a lunch tray into her room and sets it on the bedside table.
Tyler pats my back. “We should go, babe, and let Rhonda eat and get some rest.”
As I stand, Rhonda reaches for my hand. I grasp hers, and she squeezes mine. “Thanks for coming, honey.”
I squeeze back. “It was my pleasure.”
Chapter 9 – Tyler
When we leave Rhonda’s hospital room, I ask Ian to wait in the hall for a moment. I step back into her room, close the door behind me, and approach the bed. I keep my voice low, not wanting Ian to overhear what I have to say, as I level my bestdon’t-fuck-with-megaze on her. “Rhonda, I’m all for redemption and second chances, but if you hurt him, you will answer tome. Is that clear?”
Her eyes widen slightly, but she surprises me with a small smile. “I meant it when I said Ian was lucky to have you in his life. He has his own personal guard dog.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Her smile widens. “Good. Because that’s how it was meant.”
I rejoin Ian out in the hallway.
“Everything okay?” he asks as he peers around me and through the open doorway at his mother. “Is she okay?”
“I think she’s going to be just fine.”
Once we’re back in the car, I call my mom to check on the babies.
“They’re fantastic,” she says over the speaker phone. I can hear the joy in her voice. “They just had their bottles and diaper changes, and now they’re both sleeping. Beth and I are just staring at them in awe.”
“Do you mind keeping them a little while longer?”
“Of course not, sweetheart. Take your time.”
“Thanks. I’d like to take Ian out for lunch.” I glance over at him to confirm he’s on board with the idea.Okay?I mouth to him.
