Page 63 of Loving Wild

“What,” I ask after licking my lips, knowingexactlywhat it was she just told me, but not sure how to process. “Where is she? Do I need to talk to her? Is she okay?”

She tilts her head to the side and smiles at me softly and nods.

“She’s okay now. Panicked a bit at first . . .”

“Fucking hell,” I say on an exhale, feeling like I’ve just been punched in the gut.

“She’s fine,” Lauren says as she moves in, stands on tiptoes, and wraps her arms around my neck. Sliding mine around her waist, my hands find their way under her hoodie and to the bare skin of her back, which I stroke with my fingertips. “Dani has given her some pads until I can take her shopping for some tomorrow, and I’ve had a chat with her about what to expect.”

I slide down the door to my arse, pulling Lauren with me. She straddles my lap, her hands coming to my face, and she brushes her thumbs over my jaw and cheeks.

“She’s nearly thirteen, Gabe, she’s been expecting it, and she’s pretty clued up.”

I let out a long slow breath but remain silent as I process all of this. Lauren gives me that time, and sits quietly still stroking her thumbs over my face.

“Thanks for looking after her,” I say eventually.

“Anytime, but tell me what you’re thinking,” she orders, holding my head still so that we’re looking directly at each other.

“Total honesty, Ren,what the fuckis what I’m thinking. She’s my little girl. I knew it would happen eventually, but I still can’t say I’m ready for it.”

“I think whatever age it happened, you wouldn’t be ready, but she’s a sensible girl, you’re a great Dad, you’ll be fine.”

“You have a lot of faith in me. Right now, all I wanna do is lock her away.”

“I haveeveryfaith in you. Look how you’ve put me back together while dealing with my mood swings, insecurities, and all my crazy. Handling your daughter getting her period is gonna be a piece of piss.”

There’s a knock at the door so I start to stand, taking Lauren, still wrapped around me, up as I go.

“Hang on,” Lauren calls out, and I smile at her silent H.

“Love you, Little Bird,” I say against her ear as she slides down my body till her feet hit the floor and opens the door.

“Hey,” my daughter says as she looks between us. “Thanks for that. Can’t believe I got myself in such a state,” she tells Lauren with a shake of her head.

My little girl’s becoming a woman, and I’ve no idea what to say to her. Lauren, on the other hand, carries on the conversation like they’re arranging to catch up for coffee.

“You’re good. We’ll call into the shops before we drop you home tomorrow, unless you’ve already got stuff at home. Or do you want to wait and go with your mum? It’s cool either way . . .”

Ava’s eyes flick to me, then away, focussing on Lauren.

“No, tomorrow’s good, I’ve got nothing at home, and Mum won’t have time to come out with me.”

“Tomorrow then, and if you have any questions, anything, just ask,” Lauren tells her with a shrug and a smile.

“You can ask me too,” I add, deciding to go for humour, mostly because I have no fucking clue what else to do. “I remember my first time . . .” moving my palms to press against my face, I roll my eyes and shake my head. “It was such a confusing time for me.” I’m interrupted by a nudge from Lauren with her shoulder.

“Dad, seriously. You’re not even a little bit funny,” Ava tells me.

“I know, I’m sorry, but joking aside, do we need to have a talk?”

“Nope, definitely not. It’s a period, I’m almost thirteen, I’ve got it covered, and what I don’t know, Lauren and Dani do. So thanks, but no thanks, Daddio.” I watch as my daughter leans in and fake punches my arm. “Today has been traumatic enough, I do not need a conversation with my dad about periods adding to that.”

“Good, works both ways, but any other day, you do know youcantalk to me, right?” I tell her.

“Of course I do,” she says while stepping in for a hug. “Love you, bub,” I tell her.

“Love you more, Dad,” she replies. “You two coming downstairs? I’m starving and want some of Lauren’s food, not the fancy stuff Jackie’s waiters were serving.”