"We've never had to go to the courts before."
Interesting how she'd always threatened this step but now didn't want to take it. "You told me when I could see Lilliana, and it wasn't enough. I want to be an involved father. I want a reliable schedule."
She sniffed. "You've always been fine with our arrangement."
"I wasn't okay with it. This is me taking steps to make it right. Tonight, I'd like to see Lilliana. I can drop her off next Sunday if that works for you."
"Ugh. Fine."
The door closed in my face, but I was hopeful that she'd return with Lilliana and her overnight bag.
I heard murmurings behind the door but couldn't make out what anyone was saying. My impression was that Oakley's parents indulged her. I suspected they never told her no. If she wanted something, they gave it to her. But that wasn't how the world worked. She didn't get to just keep Lilliana when she wanted her, dumping her when she didn't.
When the door opened a second time, her mother walked out with Lilliana in her hands. She leaned toward me, and I took her from Bridgett.
I didn't relax until she was in my arms. "Hey, sweet girl. I missed you."
Lilliana patted my cheek, her eyes fixated on my beard. I'd even missed her tugging on it.
"Here you go." Bridgett handed me a bag, presumably containing her favorite blanket and stuffed animal.
"Thank you," I said as I turned away from her.
"Why are you doing this?"
I turned back to her, my heart racing at her implication that it was wrong. "I want what's best for our daughter, which is time with both of us." I didn't wait for her to answer, just headed toward my truck where I tried to calm down as I secured Lilliana in her car seat.
She babbled happily and took the giraffe I always kept in her seat. She liked to chew on it when she was teething.
I breathed in her sweet baby scent. I missed her so much. It was nice to have time to build shelves and spend time with Blake this week, but I really missed being a dad. I hated when Lil was with Oakley, but it was best for her to see both of us. That's what I told myself so that I could make it through the times when I didn't see her.
In the driver's seat, I checked to ensure that Bridgett had gone back inside and then typed a quick text to Blake so she wouldn't worry.
Dalton: I've got Lilliana.
Blake: Oh, good.
I knew she was worried about the situation even though she hadn't said anything during dinner. We were both tense, wondering if Oakley would escalate. It would have looked good for me if she had, but I'd rather avoid the drama.
At home, I grabbed Lilliana from the truck, and when I turned around, Blake was already lifting her overnight bag and cooing to her. "How are you, sweet girl?"
Lilliana grinned so wide I could see her baby teeth.
Inside, I set her things down and said, "Let's get you in the bathtub."
Blake followed me into the bathroom, waiting while I got Lilliana ready for the bath and ran the water until it was warm enough for her to go in.
"Was everything okay?" Blake asked quietly.
"Yeah, for the most part. There were a few questions about why I was doing things this way, but they quickly gave in."
"That's good." She wrung her hands. "I was so worried."
It touched me that she cared enough about the situation to be concerned. Oakley never cared how she affected me. In fact, I suspected she enjoyed upsetting me. I sat on the covered toilet, so I could see Lilliana, and tugged Blake to stand between my legs.
I looked up at her, my hands on the back of her bare thighs. "You shouldn't worry about me."
She raised a brow. "I can't help it."
