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I wasn’t exactly wild about the idea of giving Joey cake so late at night, but Bethany would probably want to take a slice or two home.

“Can you pack two slices of each for me? Thank you. Between the child and the sitter, I’m sure they’ll get demolished. They had pizza for dinner.”

Sally narrowed her eyes. “Where from?”

“Frankie’s,” I said.

She nodded. “Okay, that place is decent, but it’s got nothing on our pizza.”

I chuckled. “I’ll bring them here for lunch one day. The sitter is actually Joey’s ice-skating teacher, who’s doing us a favor tonight because everything went to hell today.”

“In that case, there’s also a slice of the death-by-chocolate cake left. You’d better take that for her!” Sally said, disappearing into the back.

Ten minutes later, I was in my car with several boxes of cake sitting in the passenger seat as I sped, probably a little too fast, in my desperation to get home.

I loved the restaurant, but sometimes the late hours made me worry. Joey was young, and I wanted to be there for her. In some ways, I could—I was around during the day to take her to school and extracurriculars, but come dinnertime, I was usually pulled in to work.

Most of the lights were off when I pulled into the drive. I was happy to find the front door was locked, so I quickly turned my key and crept in. I didn’t want to disturb Joey if she was asleep. I highly doubted she was, though, considering our daughter was somewhat of a terror when it came to sleeping. Every time someone babysat her, she would stay up until one of us came home.

Thankfully, she didn’t need a babysitter often, so we let it slide.

Light and quiet noises emanated from the theater room, so I made my way over, cake in hand. The house had a faint smell of crisp apple to it. It was delicious and inviting.

Bethany.

God, I was obsessed with that smell.

I expected to find both the girls awake, watching TV, but the sight that met my eyes nearly caused my chest to explode.

They were curled up together on one of the sofas, blankets draped over them. Joey was leaning her head on Beth’s lap and was fast asleep. Bethany was watching the TV with rapt attention, her hand gently running through Joey’s hair.

The sight was so sweet, and Joey was obviously completely at ease, snoring lightly. Bethany had draped a blanket around her, and every now and again, she glanced down at Joey, a small, sweet smile gracing her features as she did so.

She hadn’t noticed me standing in the doorway like a complete creeper. I needed to announce my presence, but at the same time, I wanted to just stand there and watch.

Is this what it would be like for Joey to have a mother? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about that. Our daughter’s life was a whole lot better without her egg donor, but sometimes I thought a feminine influence wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Gently, I knocked on the doorframe, announcing my presence.

Bethany jumped slightly, her eyes darting to me. As she registered who was standing in the doorway, her body sagged in relief.

“Hey.” She smiled, looking down at Joey. “I know it’s late. She fell asleep hours ago, and I didn’t have the heart to move her.”

I nodded. “I’m just impressed by the fact she’s sleeping. Don’t worry. I’ll carry her to her bedroom.”

Bethany bit her lip. “Could you do that sooner rather than later? I desperately need to use the bathroom, and she’s been asleep on me for so long, I’m pretty sure my legs are dead!” She whispered a laugh.

“Of course.” I took a step forward, keeping my voice at a whisper. “You could have moved her.”

Bethany shook her head. “I didn’t want to disturb her rest.”

I carefully scooped up my child, chuckling lightly when she didn’t even stir. When Joey was asleep, she was dead to the world.

It had terrified the shit out of us a few times when she was a baby.

“Thank you!” Bethany whispered gratefully as she climbed out of the chair and scampered out of the room.

Smiling to myself, I took Joey back to her room and deposited her in bed. She turned over with a small grunt, burying herself in the blankets. I waited a moment to ensure she was asleep and then tiptoed out of the room, even though I probably could have thundered out of the room and she still wouldn’t have woken.