Ava scooped Ellie into her arms and crossed the room to where he stood. Each step she took felt like a drumbeat in his chest.
“Ellie, this is your daddy,” she said. “Deacon, this is your daughter, Ella Jo Parsons. We call her, Ellie.”
He glanced at Ava. “I want my name on the birth certificate.”
She blinked, then nodded. “Alright.”
Ellie turned her bright eyes from him to her mother. “Dad-dy? Mama?”
“Yes, baby. Daddy.”
“Hello, Ellie.”
The little girl startled him by reaching out. He lifted her from Ava’s arms, and she wrapped one pudgy arm around his neck, patting his cheek with the other. His vision blurred with emotion.
“Please, sit,” Ava said, stepping back. “I’ll get thefood. You can give her the d-o-l-l.”
He settled onto the sofa; Ellie cradled in his lap. She watched him expectantly as he dug into the large bag.
“I brought you something,” he said, drawing out the doll. Ellie’s eyes went wide and she gasped.
He set her beside him and handed her the box with the doll. She squealed in delight.
“Mama, look!”
Ava smiled from the kitchen. “I see, sweetheart. What do you say?”
“Thank you.”
Deke swallowed hard, glancing at Ava. “I didn’t think it would be this hard, but when I look at her—”
“I know,” Ava said, leaning against the frame. “I felt the same the first time I held her. She’s such a bright little girl, started walking at ten months and never stopped. My sister-in-law keeps her a few days a week so she can play with her cousins. She loves it.”
Deke watched Ellie hand the box to her mother and Ava opened it, pulled the doll out and handed it to Ellie. She hugged the doll. He brushed a hand across his eyes to hide his emotions.
“How about we eat?” Ava suggested, her voice laced with anticipation.
“That sounds good. I’m hungry,” Deke replied, feeling the familiar pang of hunger.
“Hungry, Mama.” Ellie, her eyes sparkling with excitement, placed her doll gently on the floor and scampered over to her highchair, her feet padding softly against the kitchen tiles.
“Do you know what’s in this bag?” Ava asked Ellie a she held the bag up.
“Hambirder,” Ellie shouted.
Ava laughed. “Ham-burger,” she stressed.
“Ham-birder,” Ellie said then giggled.
Ava narrowed her eyes when Deke chuckled. “What?”
“She’s mocking you.”
Ava shook her head. “Yes, and she does it so well. Will you put her in the chair while I get this food out and prepare hers?” Ava’s hands already busy with the task at hand.
“Sure. Come here, Ellie. Let me put you in your chair.” Deke walked over to the highchair, pulling out the tray. He lifted Ellie, who giggled as she settled into her seat, and then he adjusted the tray in front of her. He chuckled when she pounded her tiny fists on it, eyes wide with excitement. “I think someone wants herhambirderand fries.”
“Hambirder!” Ellie shouted.
