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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS

STACEY

My heart is hammering when Owen and I walk into the house together and immediately hear Millie laughing. A mixture of warmth and anxiety pulses through me. It’s just like any other day coming home to her, but the anticipation hanging over me makes everything feel so much more intense and significant.

When I glance up at Owen, he’s giving me a soft smile and grabs my hand.

“I’m home!” I call out.

The rushing of little feet on the hardwood floor precedes Millie appearing from down the hall. She skids to a stop in front of us, her eyes going wide when she sees Owen.

“Owen!” she exclaims. “You’re back! Can we make ice cream sundaes again? Oh, can we get a cake from the store? No, cupcakes! Pink ones!”

I chuckle, recognizing a sugar high when I see one.

“Hey, sweetie,” Owen replies, grinning as he bends down to swoop her up into his arms. “I’m here to hang out for a bit, yeah.”

“Why don’t you go and change into your pajamas,” I say, wanting to give Millie something to do while we get ourselves settled and prepared for the conversation to come.

“Okay,” Millie nods before wiggling out of Owen’s arms and darting away. I release a breath, trying to slow my heart rate and not appear as nervous as I feel.

A few moments later, Lilah appears at the entrance to the hallway, her black book bag slung over her shoulder. Her purple hair is pulled back in a clip that’s shaped like a big spider, and her dark eyeshadow has violet sparkles in it. She pauses and looks between me and Owen, her lips curling into a sly smile.

“I was wondering where you’ve been all day,” she says, shooting me a wink. “Hope you were having some fun.”

My cheeks heat up. I dig some cash out of my purse and hand it to Lilah.

“Thanks for staying late,” I quickly tell her as I start to herd her out the door. “I’ll talk to you later and let you know when I need you next, okay? Bye-bye.”

Lilah giggles and waves over her shoulder as she steps out the front door.

“All right, see you later. You kids have fun now!”

I shut the door behind her with a loud groan. We really need to have a conversation about that girl’s total lack of filter.

It’s quiet for a moment, and I slowly turn back around to face Owen. He’s smiling, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“I like her,” he says.

I snort. “Yeah, Lilah is…something. She’s great with Millie, though.”

Owen’s grin dips and he suddenly looks nervous.

“Should we, uh… should we just tell her? I don’t think I can wait until after dinner.”

Licking my lips, I nod. “Yeah, let’s do it.”

“Millie?” I call, my voice steady despite my racing heart.

She comes bounding back down the stairs, her hair a wild mess and her pajamas mismatched. She skids to a stop in front of us, her wide eyes flicking between Owen and me.

“Can Owen and I play now?”

I kneel, pulling her little hands into mine.

“We want to talk to you about something important first” I say, glancing at Owen. I can tell he’s trying hard to look cool and calm right now. “Let’s go in the family room.”

Standing, I keep hold of Millie’s hand as we make our way further into the house. When we reach the family room, Owen sits down on the couch first and pats the cushion next to him.

“Come on up here, bug,” he says.

Millie hesitates, her gaze sharp and curious. She knows something is up. Sometimes she’s too smart for her own good. At length, she lets go of my hand and clambers up next to him. Seeing the two side-by-side hits me hard. They look so similar, I don’t know how I ever thought I’d be able to keep Owen from finding out about her. The full significance of this moment suddenly sets in and I realize that from this point onward, everything will be different. Our lives will be changed, entwined together forever. Their identical blue eyes stare up at me expectantly, and I sit on the other side of Millie, my chest tight. The silence stretches between us for several moments as I struggle to come up with the right words.

Owen clears his throat, but I can see that he’s having a hard time saying it also, so I take a deep breath and calmly gaze down at Millie. “Sweetheart, there’s something I’ve been waiting to tell you. Do you remember how I always said your daddy had to be far away and that’s why we never saw him?”

She arches a brow and nods. “Uh-huh.”

I glance up at Owen, and he gives me an encouraging look.

“Well, I’ve got some really good news for you,” I manage to continue. “You get to see him now because he’s moved to Denver.”

Her eyes go wide and she gasps, “Really? When do I get to see him?”

My hands are shaking so I clutch them tight in my lap. “That’s the thing, baby. You’ve been hanging out with him already. Millie… Owen is your daddy.”

Her mouth falls open, and her bright eyes dart between us. Her expression twists in confusion, and then she tilts her head with a frown.

“Are you sure?”

The question catches me off-guard. I bite my lip as tears threaten to spill. I hate that she’s so cautious at such a young age…as if she already knows that she needs to question people’s honesty. Will she lose trust in me after this? Will she be angry that I’ve lied to her for so long?

To my surprise, however, I’m not the one she focuses her temper on.

Millie crosses her arms, her voice sharp as she turns to Owen, “If you’re really my daddy, why haven’t you been around?”

Her words stab into me, and I can’t hold back the tears. I cover my face with my hands, trying to keep from breaking down completely. Owen reaches over Millie to rub my back, and I take comfort in the feel of his big hand and the warmth it produces.

When I’m able to get myself back under control, I look back up at Millie and stammer, “It’s not his fault, sweetheart. I was trying to give you time… I mean, I wanted you to get to know him… what I’m trying to say…

Owen reaches over and takes my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.“It’s okay, Stace,” he says. “I’ll take it from here.”

He then turns his focus to Millie. He pulls her into his lap, his face full of regret. I sit quietly and watch the exchange, feeling as if this is a moment I shouldn’t interrupt. This is the moment that marks the beginning of Owen and Millie’s relationship as father and daughter, and they need to navigate it together.

“Because Daddy got lost,” he says gently, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t know about you, Millie. If I had, I would’ve been here. I promise you that. I’m so sorry, but I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere again.”

Millie studies him, her small hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “Did Mommy find you?”

Owen smiles, glancing at me with a look that makes my breath catch. I press my lips together, my heart in my throat, as I wait for his response.

“Yeah,” he says softly. “Your mommy’s pretty amazing. She found me, but she wanted to make sure I would be a good daddy before she told you.”

Tears once again roll down the corners of my eyes and my chest feels tight. I press my hand over my heart.

Millie looks between us, her lips pressing into a tiny pout. Finally, she wraps her arms around Owen’s neck, burying her face against his chest.

“Okay,” she mumbles. “But you better not leave.”

Owen’s arms tighten around her, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “I won’t, sweetheart. I promise.”

Millie nods and says, “Good.”

Oh my God, this moment is more powerful than I imagined it could be. It’s like a weight has been suddenly lifted from me. All these years holding on to my pain and regret…they fade into the background as I gaze at Millie and Owen together. She’s clutching him, as if she’s afraid he’ll disappear, her little fingers curling into his shoulders. Owen is smiling down at her, his gaze bright with adoration. I suck in a deep breath. I’m not alone anymore. Millie has her father, and he’s not going to take her from me. I don’t know how exactly, but we’re going to be a family.

I think back to that terrible day all those years ago when I went to his house to tell him I was pregnant and he was gone. The devastation I felt that day pales in comparison to the joy of this moment. All the pain and sadness I’ve felt over the years starts to fade, and I’m overwhelmed with a sense of relief. The truth is out there, now, and I don’t feel that familiar fear at the back of my mind that I could lose everything with the snap of someone else’s fingers.

As the moment with Millie settles into a comfortable silence, Owen claps his hands together, breaking the tension.

“Alright, kiddo,” he says, flashing her a grin. “Have you had dinner yet?”

Millie shakes her head, her curls bouncing around her face. I grin, amazed at how easily he’s able to shift the atmosphere from serious to lighthearted in an instant.

“Perfect,” Owen says. “What do you say we make Mommy’s favorite meal together?”

Her eyes light up, and she tilts her head. “You know how to make lazongya ?”

I just manage to hold back my laughter at Owen’s surprised expression. It’s not just the fact that Millie can’t pronounce lasagna, but also the fact that I know what he’s thinking. It’s been years, though… it’s reasonable that my favorite food would’ve changed. It’s a bittersweet thought, realizing that he doesn’t know that anymore. It highlights how much we need to learn about each other, and I’m eager to do so.

“Well,” he says, scratching the back of his head. “Eww, not really, but your mommy’s favorite meal when we were kids was something else.”

Millie wrinkles her nose in curiosity. “What was it?”

“Kraft Mac and Cheese,” Owen announces like he’s revealing some grand secret.

Millie claps her hands, giggling. “That’s not fancy at all!”

“Nope,” Owen says, scooping her up as he stands from the couch before spinning her around. “But it’s delicious. Let’s do it!”

I follow them into the kitchen and lean against the counter as I watch them dive into the task. Owen gets Millie a chair to stand on by the stove. He gets a pot of water boiling and the two chit chat as they cook. She helps, watching for the water to boil, taste testing the pasta, and handing Owen the neon orange packet of cheese powder like it’s the most serious job in the world. Owen pretends to mess everything up, holding the pot at odd angles and nearly dropping a spoon just to hear Millie’s squeals of laughter.

“Are you sure you’re a grown-up?” she asks, hands on her hips like a tiny adult.

“Debatable,” Owen admits, grinning as he stirs the pot.

The sight of them together — so natural, so easy — makes my chest ache. I’m grateful he’s here. Grateful that Millie has her dad now.

In my wildest dreams, I’d never have imagined the scene in front of me. Owen, in my house, comfortable and at ease as he and Millie cook together. It seems almost too good to be true and I actually give my arm a little pinch to make sure I’m awake.

When the macaroni is ready, we sit down at the table, eating and laughing as if we’ve been doing this all along. Later, Owen takes Millie to bed, reading her a story about a fearless girl and a dragon while I step out onto the porch to get some fresh air, taking a blanket with me to wrap around my shoulders to ward off the worst of the mid-October chill. So much has happened, that I just need a quiet moment to myself.

As I’m gazing up at the starry night sky, my phone buzzes. I grab it from my pocket and when I see that it’s Gram’s number calling me, I feel a surge of panic.

Answering the call, I gasp, “Hello?”

“Hey there, sweetie,” Gram says, her voice raspy but strong. “Is everything okay?”

Relief washes through me and I sag against the porch’s railing to keep me from sinking to the floor.

“Yeah, sure,” I say quickly, as tears slip down my cheeks. “How’re you feeling? Are you okay? Did you?—”

“I’m doing much better, sweetheart,” she says. “Your mom hasn’t left my side.”

I raise an eyebrow, though she can’t see me. “Mom? Really? Are you sure you’re not hallucinating?”

She chuckles, the sound warm and familiar. “I’m very lucid. Your mom has been very attentive to me. I think this heart attack has kind of brought us closer after all this time. Life’s funny like that.”

That’s…good. Right? Mom and Gram have been so at odds for years. Gram was always hurt that Mom refused to let her help when she got pregnant with me, and Mom has held onto a lot of resentment toward Gram because, initially, Gram didn’t respond well when she found out. Especially because Mom was a bit of a troublemaker and never took anything that Gram warned her about seriously. To this day, mom’s promiscuous ways are why I never knew my dad. She didn’t know who he was, nor did she ever care to find out. Regardless, Gran deeply regrets how she responded, and while she’s apologized numerous times, Mom has never been one to let go of a grudge easily. So, it’s a good thing that they’re making peace. I should be happy about that, but I feel a pang of jealousy. Why can’t Mom make that kind of effort with me? Do I have to almost die for her to actually give a shit?

Shaking my head, I focus on what’s most important. Gram is okay. Mom doesn’t matter right now.

She clears her throat and asks, “So, have you worked things out with Owen yet?”

“Yeah, actually,” I say softly, my lips curling into a small smile as I lean against the porch railing. “I think we have. We told Millie the truth, and she’s thrilled. He says he’s all in, and I… I’m hopeful. I think we’re going to be okay.”

“Good,” she says firmly. “I’m glad you’re giving him a chance. That you’re letting Millie give him one too.”

“I want this to work, Gram,” I confess. “I really, really want this to work.”

“Just be open and honest with your feelings,” Gram advises. “You two are meant to be, I know it. When you’ve got everything settled, bring that boy by so I can see him again, all right?”

Gram’s easy acceptance of Owen is a relief. It’ll be more difficult with Mom, but so long as I have Gram in my corner, I’m not as worried.

“All right,” I chuckle. “I will. You get your rest now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Good night, sweetheart.”

“Good night, Gram.”

Hanging up the call, I turn and make my way back into the house, upstairs, and pass by Millie’s room. When I peek inside, my heart swells at the sight of Owen sitting in her bed, reading her storybook as she cuddles into his side. She’s fighting sleep, but I can tell she’s not going to be able to for much longer.

Not wanting to disturb them, I tiptoe away from the door and go to my own room. I’m exhausted physically from Owen’s kinky fucking all day, and exhausted emotionally from this evening. Climbing into bed, I curl up on my side, hugging my pillow. I don’t bother to change my clothes or anything. I just want to lay here for a little while.

I don’t realize I’ve dozed off until I wake up to Owen’s body pressing against my back and his arm wrapping around my waist.

“Don’t wake up,” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. “Just sleep. I just wanted to steal a moment before I went home.”

I turn slightly, my face brushing against his chest.

“Don’t go,” I whisper. “Stay.”

He grins, squeezing me tighter to him.

“All right,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Honestly, there’s no place I’d rather be.”