Page 56 of Paper Flowers (Stonebrook #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY

DAYNA

S adie and I are ready for the day. Her hair came out so cute and her dress is absolutely perfect— a long sleeve cable knit maroon dress with silver tinsel woven through the fabric, catching the light like tiny stars.

She paired it with white tights, Doc Martens boots with white ruffle socks.

Her silver headband matches perfectly. She also picked my outfit, which means Cara’s wrath will be avoided.

She would literally kill me if I showed up in a sweater and leggings like I want to so badly.

Finding out I wasn’t pregnant hit hard. I am so emotional and I just want to curl up and cry the day away. I tried so hard not to obsess over being pregnant and now I can’t stop thinking about it. I know it takes time, and this is part of the experience of trying.

I bought two dresses and Sadie picked her favorite one. A chiffon forest green, long sleeve dress that wraps around my waist in a way that hugs me perfectly. Sadie wanted to match, so I paired it with nude tights and with my own black Doc Martens and my gold jewelry.

We were waiting for Luke by the front door when he steps into view, I swear to god that man is unreal.

Fresh haircut. Trimmed beard. All black from head to toe.

A fitted black suit jacket, button- up stretched over his broad chest, tailored slacks hugging his thighs in the most sinful way.

The icing on the cake? His black matte Doc Martens.

He’s adjusting his cuff links at the top of the stairs and hasn’t looked down yet.

I nudge Sadie and she looks up at her father.

“Wow, Daddy! You look so handsome!”

That gets his attention. His eyes glimmer with pride as he descends the stairs, extending a hand out for Sadie before twirling her in a spin. Her giggle is pure magic.

“Sadie Girl, you are so beautiful. How did I get so lucky to have you as my daughter?”

Then his gaze lands on me. Just like that I forget how to breathe. His tongue darts out, licking his lips as he takes me in, eyes dragging over every inch of me before he leans in, blessing me with his amazing scent and whispers in my ear.

“I know I didn’t put a baby in you this month but I sure as fuck will put one in you wearing that.

” My entire body short-circuits as his voice ricochets through my body and makes my limbs go weak.

He adjusts himself before announcing its time to go, like he didn’t just completely eye fuck me.

I take a minute to gather my thoughts. The three of us grab our things and head for Luke’s truck.

This man is going to ruin me in all the right ways.

The auditorium is a winter wonderland. Twinkle lights strung across the ceiling.

Snowflakes floating about the audience like soft whispers of winter.

Candy canes line the aisles, and the stage is decorated with giant Christmas trees.

Cara truly outdid herself. With the entire school and families in the auditorium, the program starts without a hitch.

The program flows seamlessly, each grade bringing their own touch of holiday magic.

Surprisingly, Luke didn’t sound like a dying cat.

In fact, he even smiled. After his class walks off stage, he gets them settled down into their seats.

Once they’re all set, Luke takes a seat with his in-laws.

Sadie’s uncles have homemade posters ready, holding them up proudly as she walks onto the stage.

“Let’s go, Slim Sadie!”

“That’s my niece!”

When she spots them in the audience, they show her the posters they made.

Her uncles love her so much. Those two were the loudest in the room.

She waves to her family and covers her mouth in a fit of giggles.

Matt and Nick’s enthusiasm is contagious, their voices booming.

Nina swats at them, scolding their volume but Luke just shakes his head, shoulders shaking from laughing.

It’s nice to see him like this. Smiling and being with his family.

Because they’ll always be his family. Thoughts creep in uninvited, unwelcome.

I feel like an outsider looking in. Have I moved too fast?

Moved in too soon? I took a pregnancy test in the same week I moved in. Am I doing too much, too soon?

Pulling me out of my unwanted thoughts, Cara signals to me that I have 10 seconds until I need to press play. With that warning, I bring out my phone again to record Sadie’s performance as I did for Luke’s. Liam asked for us to record them so he can watch it when he gets a chance.

I press play on cue, Caleb comes out in a green dinosaur costume and the crowd erupts into laughter.

His class along with the other first grade class sing their own rendition of “Santa Bring Me a Dinosaur.” Caleb trips over himself and the crowd of students bursts into a fit of giggles.

William slings an arm around Luke in a full fatherly embrace and that feeling of uncertainty leaks back in.

The music begins to fade and that brings me out of my thoughts.

Then just like always, I feel Luke’s eyes on me.

I look towards him and he smiles and winks at me.

That makes my heart flutter and takes flight out of my chest.

Cara steps onto the stage, grabs her microphone, her voice ringing with pride. “Let’s give a big round of applause to Mr. Grant and Mrs. Collins’ class for their excellent performance.” A wave of cheers, applause, and laughter sweeps through the room.

The Anderson family cheered proudly for their Sadie.

Turning in her seat, she looks back at her uncles, her grandparents, her dad and blows them a kiss.

As I watch her, she spots me and her smile beaming like the twinkle lights above us and she blows me a kiss as well.

I return the kiss and think maybe I’m not an outsider, maybe I belong here more than I ever thought.

The auditorium lights dim on slowly and months and weeks of planning, it ended in an hour and fifteen minutes. This year tops every year because I have those two in my life.

Most of the kids leave with their families and those who stayed got to have a special activity with their teacher. Luke has plans to make hot chocolate and decorate stockings with his students that do stay.

I finally met Luke outside, to say goodbye to Sadie. She’s wrapped in his arms, her small shoulders trembling, face buried into his chest.

“I’m going to miss you Daddy.” He presses a kiss to the crown of her curls. He leans back to face her, and she looks into his eyes with watery tears. His voice is thick with emotion.

“I’m going to miss you more, Sadie Girl. But you’re going to have so much fun with your cousins this weekend. Before you know it, Dayna and I will be there to pick you up.” That earns him a watery giggle, but her grip on his suit jacket doesn’t loosen.

I spot Nina and William making their way toward me. They know I’ve moved in— Sadie told them the other day when we were unpacking. They noticed the stack of boxes in the background and had asked about it. “We’re really happy for you,” Nina had said over the phone.

Now, standing in front of me, she reaches for my hand and pulls me into a warm hug. I return her embrace and her voice soft with understanding. “I know how much those two are going to miss each other.” I nod, my throat too tight to respond.

When Sadie finally pulls back from Luke, she wipes at her damp cheeks, then turns to me with a bright smile— one that shatters and rebuilds my heart at once.

“Hi Sweet Girl. ”

“I’m going to miss you so much, Dayna!” Her voice cracks but doesn’t lose the composure she has found.

“I’m going to miss you too, Sweet Girl, but you know what?”

“What?” She says softly.

“You’re going to have lots of fun and you’re going to be too busy to miss me.

Don’t worry about your Daddy. I’ll take care of him.

” I wink, trying to lighten the moment. She giggles, but her eyes still shine with emotion.

“Promise me this okay? Promise me, you’ll enjoy every second with your mommy’s family and tell me all about it when I see you next weekend? ”

“I promise.” She said with a smile and her voice reassuring that she’ll be okay.

I pull her into a hug, pressing my lips to her temple, breathing her in and then it’s time.

William takes her hand, and we watch as she climbs into the SUV.

She waves one last time before they drive out of the parking lot.

A tight, aching weight settles in my chest. I turn away, wiping at tears I didn’t even realize had fallen. Before I can completely lose myself in my emotions, Luke is here. His hands frame my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks. He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead, grounding me.

“She’s going to call us once she gets there.”

I nod. “I know.”

“We’re still going tonight?”

“Of course,” I answer, trying to shake off the lingering sadness. “It’s the one night a year everyone goes all out. No kids, no stress. Just the staff letting go of their inhibitions.”

Luke thinks for a second, “I guess that’s why it’s at a bar instead of the usual spot at Alfredo’s .”

“Cara made it up, it was her excuse to see the other teachers drunk without any of the students seeing them wild out.”

That earns a full-bodied laugh from Luke, his head tilting back in amusement.

“I should have known.” But then his gaze sharpens. His playful smirk fades, replaced by something gentler.

“How are you doing? ”

I know what he’s really asking and honestly? I don’t even know how to answer.

“I’m okay, Luke.”

His eyes study mine carefully, like he’s searching for any cracks. I know he doesn’t believe me, but for now, he lets it go. We pull apart from each other and Luke’s fingers trail down my arms as he steps back.

“Let me know if you change your mind tonight. I have to get back to my students. Caleb and I will be joining our classes. I’ll see you after school. Love you, Baby.”