I felt Max’s presence before I could even turn around. I didn’t need to see him to know that he was there. He stood just in the hallway, allowing me a private moment with my girl.
I plucked Charlie from her crib and padded over to the rocking chair in the corner. Somehow, she felt heavier, more solid, more grown. Even after just a night, I felt like she had grown so much. I had laid my girl down for bed last night and woke up to a big one-year-old.
I felt a tear track down my face as I settled into the seat with Charlie on my lap. I rocked the seat back and forth as I tucked her into my embrace. She nuzzled her cheek into the space where my shoulder met my neck and I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Charlie was undoubtedly the best thing that had ever happened to me.
After a couple minutes of snuggling, Charlie got restless, and I placed her down on the floor with another quick kiss to her chubby cheek. She toddled to the door that I had left cracked and pried it open with her tiny fingers. Quick as a shot, she bolted down the hallway towards the kitchen, in search of her second favorite person.
I waited for the pang of jealousy to hit that she’d sought Max instead of wanting to sit and snuggle with me, but it never did. Max and I were a team. I was afraid to think too long term, but over the last couple of months, we’d become a formidable force with Charlie.
Max had taken on the role of a father figure in Charlie’s life as quickly as he’d offered for us to stay here. He was steadfast in his support of us, and it made my heart swell. I wondered if this was what it felt like to be truly loved.
I made my way to the kitchen, following the sounds of excited toddler squeals. Max had Charlie banded in his arms and was kissing all over her face and chanting ‘happy birthday’ over and over again. I shook my head at the bond those two shared and made my way towards coffee.
The squealing quieted as Max snuggled Charlie into his chest. He pressed his forehead to hers tenderly and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Little One.”
She pressed her tiny hands on either side of his face and whispered back, as well as a one-year-old could, “Hap Bir Day Da.”
My breath caught in my throat, and it must have been audible as Max scrambled to correct her.
“Max.” He coached, pressing his finger into his chest in determination.
“Mass Da.” she insisted, placing one of her hands on her hip in a sassy move of defiance. Max hung his head and sighed. He brought his eyes to mine in a ‘help me’ gesture. I chuckled as I handed him the cup of coffee and took Charlie from his arms.
“Charlie.” I pointed at her chest. She nodded dramatically in understanding.
“Max.” I said, pointing towards Max, who had stationed himself leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Mass Da,” she insisted with a huff, as if I was the one who wasn’t understanding.
I sighed and brushed the curls from her forehead, kissing her temple before setting her down in her high chair and handing her a granola bar I’d broken in half. She began fisting the breakfast into her mouth using her chubby hands. We’d work on table manners next birthday.
I walked back to the coffeemaker to pour myself a cup, as I’d relinquished mine to Max.
“I’m sorry, Stella. I promise I didn’t coach her to say that,” He apologized, placing his coffee cup down and pulling me to stand in front of him, his hands on my hips. I could sense his anxiety in the way he fiddled with the hem of my shirt.
“Max, it’s okay,” I said, bringing one of my hands up to brush along his cheek.
Sure, hearing Charlie call Max her baby babble version of dad was a shock, but was it feasibly something I was going to fight? We’d lived with him for over two months, becoming fully integrated into the Daniels family. Max was the only father figure she’d ever known and, to be honest, I kind of liked the idea that this would be a permanent arrangement.
“Are you sure? I can reinforce her addressing me as ‘Max’ if it makes you uncomfortable,” he said almost sheepishly.
I placed my hand on his chest and lifted onto my tiptoes to kiss him beside his mouth.
“I’m sure. Happy Birthday Mass Da,” I said with a grin. He growled as he snatched me around the waist and tickled my ribs. I laughed until my sides hurt and he gave me a quick kiss and pat on the ass as he started breakfast.
In this moment, I was sure I’d fallen madly in love with Maxwell Daniels.
TWENTY-SIX
max
Party setup was in full swing by the time Stella and I made our way outside. We had taken our time with breakfast, doted on Charlie, and worked through farm chores as a family.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d celebrated my birthday with anyone other than the normal crew. I was pretty positive that the main reason everyone invited was attending wasn’t for myself and Wade. They were here to celebrate Charlie, and, subsequently, Stella.
Firefly Cove had welcomed Stella and her daughter with open arms. I knew she was still a little uncomfortable with all the nuances of small town living, but she took each day in stride.
No longer fearing she would be gawked at like a zoo animal, she went to the coffee shop on her errand runs. Doc Jericho knew her and Charlie on a first name basis as she worked to make sure little one’s vaccines were up to date and her physical on file.
