Page 47 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

That baby girl adores my daughter.

Sadie pauses at the door, biting her lip.

She doesn’t like leaving people she loves.

She raises her hand with a subtle wave and reaches out for my hand.

Walking to my truck, I open the door, and she jumps in without hesitation, giving one last wave before I round the front bumper and toss our duffle bag into the passenger side seat.

The second we’re buckled in, she explodes with questions— just like I knew she would.

“Sadie Girl, slow down.” I chuckle, shifting into drive. “Let me answer one before you throw a hundred more at me.”

“ Sorry, ” she says bashfully. “I just want to know more about Dayna’s family. How old is her sister, Sienna?”

“If I remember right, Sienna is about six years older than Dayna.” I answer.

She hums, thinking.

“Did they get to play together when they were little?”

“I’m not sure. Probably.”

We’re almost home when she goes quiet, staring out the window, her scrunched-up thinking face making an appearance. Dayna always says we have the same one. Looking at her now, I see it. The way her brows pinch together, her lips pursing ever so slightly, her mind working through something big.

“I have cousins,” she muses after a moment, “but they’re super older than me.” She shifts in her seat. “I liked being around Tessa.” She pauses for a beat. Then carefully, she asks, “Will she be my cousin when you marry Dayna?”

Ah. There it is. I glance at her in the rearview, keeping my voice steady. “Well, yeah. She would be.” She nods slowly, as if working through a thought she doesn’t fully understand yet.

“I’d like that,” she finally says, “but I think—” She hesitates.

“I think there’s something missing.” My grip on the wheel tightens, just slightly.

She’s not quite sure how to say it, but I know where her thoughts are headed.

I keep my voice light. “Is there anything else you want to know?” I hold my breath, hoping she won’t ask about a sibling just yet.

She shakes her head, her voice softer now.

“Not right now, Daddy.” She leans her cheek against the window, watching the familiar streets pass by.

“I just wish Tessa wasn’t so sad when we left.

I hope Dayna makes her feel better.” Her fingers trace lazy circles on her jeans. “She makes me feel happy.”

A few hours passed and the three of us are finally ready to head out, baseball gear in tow. I picked up a bucket of baseballs the other day and, while I was at it, got matching batting gloves for Sadie and Dayna.

Just as I’m heading toward my truck, Dayna calls out.

“Can I drive?”

I pause, turning back to her. “Are you sure? I don’t mind.” She shrugs, tossing her keys into the air and catching them effortlessly.

“I know, but I want to drive you around for a change.”

During our Thanksgiving break, she bought a booster seat for Sadie, knowing how often she’s been spending the night. It made sense— she wanted to switch off driving to work, and if I ever needed her to pick up Sadie, she could.

She steps closer, arms sliding around my neck as she tilts her face up, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my lips.

A cool breeze picks up around us, making her shiver slightly. I tug her jean jacket closed, tucking her into the warmth of my hands. From behind us, the back driver’s side door of Dayna’s SUV clicks open, and Sadie climbs in, buckling herself up.

“I have a feeling Sadie’s going to try to get me to pitch to her instead of using the baseball Tee.”

“Oh gosh, I can see that happening too. Please be careful with your arm, Luke.”

“I’ll be okay, Baby.”

As Dayna drives to the baseball field, I fidget with the radio, cycling through stations until I land on something I like.

Thomas Rhett’s Unforgettable fills the car

From the corner of my eye, Dayna shoots me a knowing glance.

“You still have a broad range of musical taste. I love that.”

I smirk, place my hand on her right thigh, rubbing slow, absent—minded circles with my thumb. Her leggings are as soft beneath my touch— just like her skin.

The moment feels easy, familiar. Sadie’s soft voice humming along from the backseat makes it all the more relaxing.

Until—

“Dayna?” Sadie’s voice is softer now, hesitant. Dayna lowers the volume, turning her head slightly but keeping her eyes forward. “Yeah, Sadie?”

“Can I— can I ask you a question?”

“Of course, Sweet Girl. What’s on your mind?”

A beat of silence. Then?—

“When you and Daddy have a baby…”

My hand stills on Dayna’s thigh.

A baby. A very real, very unspoken question that’s been hanging between us for weeks .

“... I don’t want to be too old to play with my baby sister. Because I liked playing with Baby Tessa. She liked me. Right?”

I steal a glance at Dayna, watching as the usual rose-colored flush of her cheeks fades into something paler.

I squeeze her thigh gently, as silent reassurance.

She meets my eyes briefly, offering a worried smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

We haven’t told Sadie we’re trying. Not because we don’t want to, but because we don’t know when— or if— it’s happening yet.

But hearing her talk about it now, like it’s inevitable, like she already envisions herself as a big sister, it hits differently.

There was something about watching her with a baby, the way she so naturally wants to care for her, protect her, love her.

It reminds me of how I used to dream about her being a big sister back when Juliette was still here.

And now?

Now it’s Dayna’s name wrapped up in that thought. Dayna’s voice in my head when I picture late-night feedings and tiny fingers curled around hers. I don’t even realize I’ve exhaled until I hear Dayna clearing her throat besides me.

“Oh, Sadie. Tessa adores you.” Sadie hums, satisfied with the answer— for now. But then, after a moment of thought, Sadie adds— “Would you live with us, or would you and my baby sister live at your house?”

Dayna chokes on her breath. I inhale slowly.

That’s…new.

We really have done things backwards. Trying to expand our family and not knowing when we would move in together.

But now that she’s said it. Putting the thought out into the world— I can’t pretend I haven’t thought about it too.

What if she’s already pregnant? Will we find out tomorrow?

Next week? Before Christmas? We need to have another serious conversation about living together.

She’s grappling with an answer, probably going through her own mental spiral.

I give her thigh another squeeze, but this time, it’s for both of us.

She clears her throat, about to speak, but before she can— “Sadie,” I interject, keeping my voice light and steady.

“Once Dayna and I talk about the things you’re asking, we’ll be more than happy to talk to you about it.

For now, let’s show Dayna your batting skills. ”

Sadie lets out a little sigh, but I see the glimmer of excitement return. “Can we get ice cream after?”

“Yes!” Dayna and I answer at the same time, laughing as we exchange a quick glance. Crisis averted— for now.

But as I watch Sadie’s reflection in the rearview mirror, her little feet kicking idly, lost in her own thoughts, I know one thing is for sure. She might not have said the words directly, but she already knows what she wants. Hopefully, we can give that to her.

At the trunk of Dayna’s car, I pull the bucket of baseballs out, while Sadie grabs her bat and glove. She runs ahead, leaving me alone with Dayna, whose face is still slightly pale.

I nudge her gently. “Let me in, Dayna.”

She exhales, shaking her head with a small smile.

“She really knows how to knock out someone’s air with words, doesn’t she?

” I chuckle, as she grabs Sadie’s water bottle.

Closing her trunk, we begin walking to the field, I clear my throat, “Well, I have been thinking of us officially moving in together, what are your thoughts about it?” Dayna stops mid-step, looking at me with a teasing expression.

Reaching the infield, I see Sadie sitting in the dugout lacing up her cleats. The baseball tee nowhere in sight. Completely oblivious to the weight of our conversation. Dayna shifts besides me, her lips parting slightly, before she exhales.

“I love the idea of us finally living together.” She slows her pace, brushing her fingers along my arm before she looks up at me again, softer now.

“Being able to spend more time with you and Sadie. Waking up in your arms every morning is my favorite way to start my day.” I feel the same way.

I count the minutes until I am next to her again whenever she’s not in my bed.

But maybe soon, there won’t be a “her house” and “mine” anymore. Maybe soon it’ll just be ours .