Unexpected Fall (Unexpected Arrivals 3)

“Will do. I’ll text you later.” She ends the call.

I already feel lighter by just talking to her and hearing the sound of her voice. I have to admit talking with the guys earlier helped. I knew I was all in and have told her this, but telling her again, reminding her that we’re in this together can’t hurt. Repeating that I want Daisy in our lives as well, reassuring her is always a good thing. Pulling into my parents’ driveway, my stomach rumbles, already calling out for whatever it is my mother is creating in her kitchen. I don’t know what it is, but I know if Mom’s making it, it’s going to be delicious.

Climbing out of the truck, I check to make sure I have my phone in case Dawn needs me, and head inside. I don’t bother knocking, instead calling out my arrival.

“In here,” Dad calls from the kitchen.

I let his voice and my nose guide the way. “Is that… roast?” I ask.

“Sure is.”

“My stomach thanks you,” I say, kissing Mom on the cheek. “Can I help?”

“You know how she is, son. This is her domain.” Dad laughs.

I raise my hands, backing away, and Mom tosses a dishtowel at me. “What did I do?” I ask, laughing.

“You two.” She points between the two of us. “I’ll be glad when we can bring Daisy home. Then you two are outnumbered. Finally, the women will rule.” She holds up the tongs she’s using to plate the roast as if she’s the victor.

My chest tightens at their automatic acceptance of Daisy. I know they love Dawn; they’ve both been telling me for months to stop beating around the bush and make us official. Then that night happened—the night she lost her parents—and things spiraled, but we made it to where we’re supposed to be. She knows I love her and support her. That’s what matters.

Dad and I clean up after dinner, forcing Mom to sit and relax. We catch up on life, and everything would be perfect if my girls were here.

They’ll be home soon.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dawn

It’s been five long weeks, but finally today, Daisy Elizabeth is coming home. I chose Elizabeth because it was my mom’s middle name. I filed for adoption, and the attorney has told me he sees no obstacles that would prevent that from happening.

I’m a mother.

To my niece.

I have a daughter.

It’s all new, and I’m scared as hell to leave this hospital with her. To know that her care is in my hands. If it were not for the fact that I know I have Kendall and Reagan to rely on, I’d be freaking out more than I am. Oh, and then there’s Mark. My amazing boyfriend, who has accepted this new change in my life. He’s been there every step of the way with his never-wavering support. I’m lucky to have him.

“I’m going to miss her, and you,” Lynn, the pediatric nurse who’s been with us since day one, says. She’s currently going through our discharge paperback.

“I know. We’re going to miss you too,” I tell her. “However, I’ll be glad to be home and get settled. Get into a routine.”

“Routines are important with little ones,” she agrees.

“Okay. I think we’ve gone over everything. The social worker has signed off on the release so you’re free to go.”

“That’s it?” I ask. After all this time, it’s hard to believe we’re going home.

“That’s it. Mark’s pulling the car around front, right?”

I work to not roll my eyes. “He is. I explained that I didn’t give birth, which means walking to the parking lot is fine, but he insisted.”

“From first glance, I’d have pegged him for a fighter more so than a lover.” She laughs. “But he’s all heart when it comes to the two of you.”

“He is,” I agree. There’s not much I can say that she hasn’t already witnessed firsthand over the past few weeks.

“You girls ready to go?” Mark asks, walking into the room. He’s carrying a baby seat. It’s dark gray with pink and white daisies on it.

“Your mom.” I smile and shake my head.

“This is nothing. She bought her a blanket online with her name on it and it’s covered in daisies too.” He shrugs.

“She’s too sweet.” I smile up at him.

“Come here, sweet girl,” he says, taking Daisy from my arms.

I don’t even try to stop him. Instead, I admire this man—all tattoos and muscles—cuddle the pink bundle. It melts my heart to watch him with her like this. To know that regardless of what life has thrown at us, he’s here for the long haul. I’ve seen him with his twin niece and nephew, and of course our friends’ kids, but this feels different.

“Thanks, Lynn,” Mark says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Ready, baby?” he asks.

He’s standing before me, diaper bag—that he bought, which is pink and gray, not manly at all—thrown over his shoulder, and the car seat in his hand. Daisy is snoozing away, all bundled up with her pink fuzzy blanket that Reagan brought her last weekend.

“Yes.”

I hug Lynn and then turn back to him. He holds his free hand out for me, and I don’t hesitate to put mine in his. Together, we make our way to the elevator, and out to the parking lot. Mark places Daisy in the middle of the back seat of his truck, placing her seat in the base as if he’s done it a million times.

“Up you go,” he says, turning to me and placing his hands on my hips, lifting me into his truck.

“Mark.” I laugh. “I’m capable of getting into your truck.”

“Probably.” He shrugs. “But I needed my hands on you. It’s been too long, Pixie.”

I don’t bother to argue with him. I know it’s not going to do me any good. He waits until I’m buckled up in the back seat before closing the door and rushing around to the driver’s side.

“Homeward bound, ladies,” he says, adjusting his rearview mirror.

“This day seems like it took forever to get here.” I glance at the sleeping baby.

“Glad it wasn’t just me. I’ll be glad to have the two of you home, where you belong.”

My heart does that thing again where it squeezes in my chest when he says things like that. Words can’t describe how much I love this man.

“I thought we could swing by my place first, if you don’t mind,” Mark says from the front seat as we get closer to my place.

“Sure,” I say, because being alone with this little angel beside me for the first time is freaking me out.

“Mom stopped by earlier. She left us her crockpot lasagna, and some other stuff.”

“That was sweet of her. She didn’t have to do that,” I tell him.

“She’s been there with me and my sister. Taking care of a newborn is exhausting. Her words, not mine,” he’s quick to add. “She wanted the first day home to be less stressful. I told her to just take it to my place.”

“I’m suddenly starving. Your mom is an outstanding cook,” I say, even though he already knows.

“That she is,” he agrees, pulling into his driveway.

“What in the world?” I say, looking at the front porch. It’s decorated with pink balloons and a big stork that’s in the flower bed that says Welcome Home, Daisy. I try but fail to fight the tears.

“Did you do this?”

“Not directly.” He smiles over his shoulder at me.

“Meaning?” I ask, wiping my tears and smiling at the same time. I’m such an emotional roller coaster you would think I’m the one who just gave birth.

“I might have helped orchestrate it. And by that, I mean, I bought everything and my parents took care of it when they dropped the food off.”

“What am I going to do with you?”

“Love me?” he offers with a boyish grin.

“Done.”

He throws his head back and laughs, which causes Daisy to startle, but fall right back to sleep. “I’ll get her,” he says, climbing out of the truck and opening the back door. “You remember the garage code?”

“Yes.” Grabbing the diaper bag, I rush to open

the garage door so they can get inside.

“You know, my truck not fitting in this garage is an issue. Not now, but it will be this winter when we take her out. I should look into getting an SUV or something.”

“We have my car,” I remind him. I don’t ask why he assumes Daisy and I will be here this winter. I’ve accepted that he wants to be in our lives and it thrills me. I don’t know what I did to find him, to have his love and attention, but I’m forever thankful for him.

“You should probably look into something bigger too,” he tells me. “By the time you put that stroller in the trunk, it’s full.”

“I’ve been thinking of a new car, but not with baby paraphernalia in mind.” I hold the door open for him. “Times, they are a changing.”

He bends to place a kiss on my lips. “Let’s change with them,” he says, stepping into the house.