I looked over at Julie who had a brow raised at me and one arm already on her hip and ready to scold.
“I don’t think sweets is a very good idea right now,” Julie said. “It can't be good for you when you are sick.”
“Are you kidding me. It’s the best thing for you,” I said more to Emma. “Trust me, I know. I’m a doctor,” I added with a wink.
I ignored Julie's scoff.
I placed the cupcake on the small table and wheeled it in front of Emma. She hesitated a moment and looked at me. She looked at her mom, and I saw some unspoken words pass between them.
Turning back to me she said, “Mommy says you're my Daddy. Is that true?”
I looked over at Julie surprised by the words. Julie gave me a nod of encouragement.
I looked down at Emma. I struggled to keep my emotions in check.
“I am your Daddy. I know I haven’t been around up until now. I was hoping that could change. Would you be okay with that?”
She took the cherry off the cupcake and popped it into her mouth. She chewed and swallowed as she seemed to think this over.
“Does that mean you will bring more cupcakes and doughnuts with you?”
I leaned down to my little girl and nudged her forehead with mine.
“You bet.”
I heard Julie tisk on the other side.
15
I turned to the sound of Emma sneezing.
“You okay over there?” I said as I made my way over to her.
She was holding a large bouquet of flowers in her hands.
“I don’t like the
se,” she said rubbing her little nose.
I laughed and took the floors out of her hand and set them on the table. I bent down in front of her an helped tie the back bow of her pretty white and pink dress.
“Well I was going to put one of these in your hair,” I said holding the small bunch of rose peach colored sweet peas in my hand. “I better not though. I would want you sneezing the whole way down the aisle.”
“Do you think you could help me though?” I asked handing Emma my white vail.
She had loved playing with it all morning long as I slipped into my white dress. I bent down so that she could place the clear comb into my hair.
“Do I look okay?” I asked as I stood before Emma.
“You look like a princess, Mommy," Emma encouraged with an angelic smile.
“So do you,” I said taking her hand.
I don’t think I ever felt as much joy as the moment I walked down the aisle. Emma was in front of me delicately dropping one rose petal at a time. Just beyond her stood the man of my dreams; the man that would be mine for the rest of our lives.
Hawk looked so dashing in his tailored suit with his close-cut beard and slicked back black hair. It nearly took my breath away.
“Hi, Daddy," Emma called much to the amusement of the small crowd.