I walk in and notice her daughter is watching cartoons in the living room. This is the perfect opportunity to start talking.
“How’d the meeting go today?” I ask her quietly.
Her face lights up. “It went really well. He turned down his job offer out of state to stay here and get to know her. I’ve waited so long for this.”
“That’s good but does this mean that, uh, you and him may get back together?” I can’t help but ask.
“No, not at all. That’s been over,” she says positively.
I can breathe again. For a moment, all of the air got sucked out of my lungs. “I wanted to talk to you real quick if I can. Paige, from the moment you stepped into my hospital room I knew there was something about you. Then I ran into you again and I’ve gotten to know you a little better. I don’t care you have a kid, I just want to be with you. I want you to be mine.” I grab hold of her hand.
Her eyes widen but she doesn’t pull her hand away. “Austin, are you sure? Because on top of making a commitment with me, you’re also making a commitment with her.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything. Yes, I was shocked yesterday to learn about her, but she’s part of you and I damn well may just be in love with you, so that means I’m of course going to love her.” Christ, I can’t believe I just said that out loud.
Her eyes widen even more. “I wasn’t sure you’d even be able to forgive me for hiding her from you, Austin. Are you really sure?”
“Paige, I swear. You’re the best damn thing that’s ever come into my life and I’m not letting you go. I don’t know much about love, but I will love you with everything I have forever.”
“You sure you just want to date me? Because it almost sounds like you’re committing your life to me,” she jokes.
“I just may be, Paige,” I whisper. “You make everything better and dammit, I need you.”
I lean in and softly kiss her lips. She kisses me back and then slowly pulls away. “This isn’t going to be easy, Austin, but if you’re willing to work at this with me and bear with me then yes, I’ll be yours.”
“You just made me so happy. I already told you I don’t know much about love, but I really think I do love you.”
“Just go with the flow, Austin, and you’ll know with love. It just hits you like bricks.” She grins.
“Babe, I was hit with bricks the moment I met you,” I reply as there’s a knock at the door.
Paige grabs her money and goes to open the door for the pizza man. Darla finally looks up from the TV and comes running into the kitchen.
“Pizza!” she yells. She stops when she sees me and looks at my shoulder again. “You still have an owie?”
“Yeah, I still have an owie.” I smile at her.
“My daddy doesn’t have an owie,” she tells me.
“Really?”
“Weally. He’s nice.” She grins.
“I’m glad he is,” I tell her and I mean it. She deserves nothing but the best.
“You awe nice too,” she tells me.
“I think you’re nice too.”
Paige carries the pizza to the counter and grabs a plate for Darla. “Hey Darla, Mr. Austin is going to eat pizza with us. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, I like him. He’s nice like my daddy.” Darla grins.
“She’s super obsessed with him now,” Paige informs me.
I think it’s cute. I think every little girl should know her dad and have a good relationship with him. Paige hands me a plate and I grab two slices of pizza and we all sit at the table. Darla rattles on and on about her day with her dad and I just smile as I eat. When we finish, Darla runs to her room and while she’s gone, I walk over to Paige and wrap my arm around her waist.
“Thank you for letting me come by today. I know this hasn’t been easy on you and I understand now why.”