Page 117 of Charm

‘Wait!” Olive’s hand darts into the air. “My dad has a brother?”

“He does.”

Her gaze scans my face slowly. “Do you know my dad, Holden?”

This is it. This is the moment that my daughter finds out she has a father who loves her endlessly.

“I am your dad,” I whisper.

Both of her hands leap to her mouth before she lets out a scream. “No way! You’re pranking me.”

I laugh. “I’m not. I just found out I’m your dad. “

Tears stream down her face so naturally the same thing happens to me.

“I’m happy,” she whispers. “I have a dad and he’s cool.”

“I’m cool,” I say to Greer. “Our daughter thinks I’m cool.”

Olive jumps into my lap. “Can I call you dad?”

I swear I’m about to lose it. I don’t know how I’m not sobbing right now. “I want you to.”

“Okay, Dad,” she tests it with a broad smile. “You’re my dad.”

Greer glides a hand over Olive’s head. “Are you happy?”

“The happiest I’ve ever been.” She looks into my face. “Are you and Mom getting married? Some people with kids get married.”

I hand this question over to Greer by tossing her a look.

“We have lots of time to talk about things like that,” she explains.

Olive looks up and into my face. “Do you love Mom?”

I stare into my little girl’s eyes. “I love your mom very much.”

“I do, too.” She runs her hand over my jaw. “Are you happy that you’re my dad?”

“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“To me, too,” she whispers. “Do you like kittens?”

Greer laughs before tapping Olive’s shoulder. “He’s not going to say yes to adopting a kitten, Olive.”

She glances back at her mom. “He might.”

“No kittens for right now,” I tell her.

“If we vote on it, I think we can get one.” She rests her head on my shoulder. “You’d vote yes with me, Dad.”

I hold her against me, feeling the rhythm of her small heart as it beats. I close my eyes to soak in this moment in time because it will live within me for the rest of my life.

I’m a dad. I’m the father of the most wonderful little girl.

“Right, Dad?” Olive presses me to answer. “You’d vote for a kitten with me. They’re so cute.”

“My friend, Declan, and his wife, Abby, have a kitten named Cindy,” I say. “We can visit them whenever you want so you can play with her.”