“You’re more than welcome, kid. Now, how about that ice cream?”
“Yeah!”
Maddie took Valentino’s hand and together, they hurried out of the room and back downstairs.
I couldn’t help but smile, warmth in my heart as I watched them leave.
Valentino might’ve been new to this whole “dad” thing. But he was doing a hell of a job in my book.
Chapter 23
VALENTINO
An hour later, the three of us were gathered in the den watching The Secret Life of Pets on my 70-inch, flatscreen TV. Maddie was on the floor, wearing her pajamas and bundled up in blankets, Mick curled up next to her. Each of us had a big bowl of ice cream, butter pecan for me, mint chocolate chip for Piper, and vanilla with gummy bears and whipped cream for Maddie.
“This part issofunny.” Mick had been her little movie companion, Maddie making sure to point out all her favorite parts to him as they watched.
Piper and I shared knowing looks. Neither of us had said a word, but there was no doubt that she had the same thing on her mind as me, that the night was perfect, that we wished every night could be just like this.
I couldn’t help myself. I reached over to Piper and took her hand, holding it against my leg. She smiled, squeezing my hand back tightly. The movie went on, and before too long the excitement of the evening caught up with Maddie. Her comments to Mick had stopped, and she was curled up next to him, resting her head on his belly. He had no problem with this, a happy doggy smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.
The movie ended, and as the credits rolled, Piper and I turned to one another.
“That’s almost too precious to interrupt,” she said, nodding toward Mick and Maddie. “Part of me wants to just let them sleep there.”
“You’ll be singing a different tune when Mick gets up in an hour to go outside.”
Piper glanced away, considering something. “You want to put her to bed? Only fitting that the guy who put together that amazing room ought to be the one to tuck her in for the first time.”
“I’d love to. How about this—I'll get her settled and you let Mick out? All you need to do is open the door and he’ll take care of the rest.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you in the kitchen. We still need to discussmysleeping arrangements, you know.” She followed up her words with a sly smile and a squeeze of my hand before sliding off the couch and leaving the room, glancing over her shoulder with a grin once more as she disappeared from the room.
Quietly, I stepped over to Mick and Maddie, bending down to pick up mylittle girl. She yawned as I scooped her into my arms.
“Mick,” I whispered. “Go do your business.”
He got up, arching his back in a deep stretch before obediently trotting out of the room and toward the kitchen. I carried Maddie over to the staircase as carefully as I could, treating her like the precious cargo that she was. She opened her eyes sleepily as I brought her up the stairs.
“Dr. V.?” she asked, her voice tired.
“What’s up, kid?”
“I like staying over here. You’re fun.”
“I like you staying over here too. You and your mom can come by whenever you want.”
“OK.” She closed her eyes as she was pulled back into sleep as fast as she'd come out of it. But before she drifted off once more, she wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a quick hug.
The way I felt in those moments, Maddie hugging me as I carried her to bed, was unlike anything else I'd ever experienced. I wanted it to never end.
We reached her room and I flicked on the pink-shaded lamp, soft light filling the space. I stepped over to the bed as quietly as I could, laying Maddie down and slipping her under the covers. She yawned once more as she rolled over, wrapping her arms around the nearest stuffed dog and holding it close. Just like that, she was out.
I went over to the lamp, taking one more look at her tucked into bed and sleeping soundly.
I was a dad. I was a dad, and she was my little girl. I couldn't believe it.
I turned off the light and shut the door behind me, already looking forward to the next morning when I would see her again.
