In fact, I loved that I was the only one to do most of this stuff with her. Her sweaty teenage boyfriend fumbling around in the back of a car didn’t matter. Though, truth be told, I wanted to kick that guy’s ass for a variety of reasons.
The old me would be on my bike, tracking him down right now. But the new me knew that I’d be missing out on all the good stuff right here. Wasting time and energy on being mad instead of being happy.
I was feeling pretty mellow. I was barely having more than a few beers now and then. I hadn’t even logged into any of my online poker games. And I hadn’t thought about kicking the shit out of anyone, other than Jacey’s dad, wherever he may be.
The guy had turned tail the second she told him she was knocked up. Her family hadn’t been much better, kicking her out at the tender age of seventeen. My girl had been on her own and raising a little one by herself all this time.
I couldn’t imagine anyone being such a dumb fuck. Being with Angel was a privilege, and so was having a kid. Especially one as special as Jacey. I was going to be a good stepfather and love Jacey like my own, no matter what. And hopefully, someday, I’d be a daddy to a little baby too.
Just imagining being there right from the start… seeing my lady swell up with my child… holding that precious baby… well, that brought up feelings I’d never imagined. I’d get to watch our child take its first steps. Read stories to him or her at bedtime. Be that dad who always came to watch soccer or ballet practice and more.
Well, hell, I couldn’t fucking wait for that.
For a guy like me, it sounded like a dream. Something so far out of reach there was no point in wishing. Until I met my Angel and it all came tantalizingly close. So close I could touch it.
I heard their cute little bare feet on the deck and realized I had to motor if I wanted the surprise to be ready in time. I hurried to finish drying off and dressing in the bedroom. I grinned and went outside to get the stuff Janet had sent Jack to drop off.
A box and a shopping bag were on the porch.
I grabbed them and started down the path. These precious packages were carrying my supplies for the evening. LED candles and battery pack string lights. Jack and Janet had them from throwing Whiskey’s wedding at their loft. They were practically pros at hosting events, truth be told.
They were even thinking about turning the loft where they used to live into an event space. Janet already held her dance recitals there. She had a knack for that kind of thing.
And bless her heart, she was more than willing to help me set up this surprise tonight.
After about a hundred yards, I started. I switched on the candles one by one and set them down along the pathway to the building site. Up near the top, there were two trees that formed an almost perfect arch that opened up to the flat slab of bedrock where I planned to build our home. I strung the lights up there, then lined the edge of the cliff with a semi circle of candles.
I stood back and took in the effect. The view was spectacular on its own, but the candles did something extra. They framed the view of the woods and lake, and lent a magical quality to the night.
Sunset was fast approaching so I had to hurry. I barely had time to go back and get the girls before the sky starting turning colors. I went into the house, combed my hair again and went to get them. They were in the kitchen, sipping cups of hot cocoa. I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms.
“Put your shoes on, girls. I have a surprise.”
“A good surprise?”
I smiled at Jacey and then at her mom.
“I sure hope so.”
They looked at each other and then ran off to get their shoes. I watched them slip on socks and sneakers and decided the first thing I was getting them was hiking boots.
And swim suits. Lots of them. Specifically, a bikini for mom.
I couldn’t wait to see my Angel in a bikini.
“Where are we going?”
Angel looked nervous as I took her hand. Jacey took her other hand, and I led them partially down the path. It was still light out, but the sun was getting close to setting. I stepped aside when the candles came into view and nodded down that way.
“Go ahead.”
Angel and Jacey’s faces were lit with anticipation as they took a few steps and then looked back at me.