“Thank you for helping us out. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re a good dad.”
“I know you see me fumbling around, but I promise I’ll be more organized and get better.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think you did just fine.”
“Thanks.”
“Bella is going to come home, and she’s going to come home to a wonderful man who truly loves her children. I can see that now. And I can see why she was so hung up on you. I’m glad she broke up with Max. He didn’t really care for the children.”
“That’s not good.”
“He just wanted Bella. But she came with two beautiful bundles of joy.”
“Should I get these beautiful bundles of joy to bed?” he asked.
“Nah. They love sleeping on the couch at my house during a sleepover. I can’t ever get them to go to the spare bedroom.”
“I’ll watch some television, then put them to bed.”
“Sounds like a plan. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Madison left and he put on some television with the remote control. He hadn’t slept well at the hospital and this couch was really comfortable. Caden had nestled up against him and Harvey just went right to sleep. It was fine until Corinne started screaming.
“He PEED on the COUCH. Mom is gonna be so mad!” she yelped.
“What?” Harvey said, startled awake but fairly sure he hadn’t peed on anything.
“Caden. The otter scared him…and he wet his pants.”
“Oh, oh, okay. Are you—okay? Do you need to go to the bathroom, buddy?” he said.
“Little late to ask him now,” Corinne observed unhelpfully.
“You could go get a towel,” Harvey suggested, turning off the movie. Caden burst into tears.
“I want Mommy!” he said and cried very hard. Harvey picked him up, noting that the child’s pajamas were, in fact, clammy and wet, and took him into the bathroom. He knew without a doubt that Bella wouldn’t get mad at her scared little boy. She’d tell him it was okay. So Har
vey told him that.
“It’s okay, buddy. Mom isn’t feeling good right now, but you can see her in a couple of days. She’s going to get better and come home. I promise. Right now let’s get you cleaned up.”
Harvey got him in dry pajamas and kissed the top of his blond head with affection. Poor little guy just needed his mom. And having a sister like Corinne had its advantages, but having such a competent sibling could also probably make him feel small and helpless sometimes. Harvey told him how brave he was, how proud he was of him. “Your mom loves you so much. And so do I.”
“Because you’re our dad,” Corinne said flatly.
“Where’d you hear that?”
“I heard Mom talking to Maria.”
“Ah. I see. How long have you known?”
“Right before she got hit by the car,” Caden said. “Is it true? Are you my daddy?”
He peered into his eyes and nodded. “Yes, I’m your dad.”