Page 86 of Skye's Fall

“That’s how my story goes,” I tell her.

“Tomorrow I tell the story,” she tells me.

“Okay, you’re the boss,” I tuck her in and kiss her forehead.

“Don’t forget to check the closets,” she says.

“No monsters coming in my house,” I click my tongue but still check.

“I love you, Daddy,” she whispers.

“I love you, too, princess.” I turn to walk out the door and Skye is watching and smiling.

“It’s not nice to stare,” I tell her as we close Stella’s door.

“I like watching you two together,” she says as we sit down on the couch and pick a movie, it’s a ritual we’ve started. Brick and Ariel will probably join us when they get home.

I get up to pop some popcorn and check on my dad. He’s been a great help with Stella. It’s been good having him around. I never thought I would ever say that, but he’s done well with staying clean. His garden is huge now, and even Stella likes helping him. We love that she wants to help and bond with him.

I hand her a beer and she turns to me with tears in her eyes, refusing.

“You don’t want a beer?” I ask as Ariel chimes in.

“Oh shit,” Ariel says from behind me, as Brick starts laughing.

“What oh shit?” I’m dumbfounded. Ariel takes a seat on the other couch as Brick laughs all the way to the kitchen.

“Brick, stop,” Ariel warns him. Doesn’t help any and I’m still trying to catch on to what is going on. Skye is crying and smiling, Brick is laughing, and Ariel is just staring at me. I’m guessing that all are waiting for me to catch on.

Brick brings waters for both Ariel and Skye, snatching the beer out of my hand as he sits next to Ariel.

“I don’t take you for a stupid man,” Brick chuckles.

I glare at him and then shake my head, turning back to Skye, “Wait, are you?”

She nods, taking my hand and covering her stomach.

“Yeah, I found out today. Was looking for the right time to tell you,” she says. I’m overjoyed, elated. I’m going to be a dad. Again. Couldn’t be happier. I don’t care how she tells me. I don’t care if she has peanut butter cravings at four in the morning or she bites my head off. Personally, I like the challenge and Skye is beautiful pregnant.

“Hell yeah, but can we please have a boy?”

“That’s up to your swimmers,” she teases. I love Stella, but I know that when she gets older, I’m going to be THAT father. I don’t know if I can handle two girls. Skye is right on about the shotgun and dances. And if a boy breaks her heart, he will wish he moved three states over. See, THAT father.

“There’s going to be a lot of hormones going on in this household,” Brick laughs.

We turn to watch Ariel slap Brick’s arm, but there is tears in her eyes as well.

“Oh shit,” Skye’s eyes widen.

“You too?” I ask Ariel, who nods. Well, fuck.

“This will be fun,” I chuckle. I don’t think it will. Brick and I will be walking on eggshells for nine months. But then again, Skye might be different this pregnancy. Whatever happens, I will love her no matter what.

“We’re going to need to build a bigger house,” Brick laughs.

“Don’t you know a guy?”

He just laughs. The girls talk about a joint nursery, and make plans to go shopping. Brick just rolls his eyes. He’s like me, though, whatever either of them wants, we will provide it or get it or figure it out.

We argue over movies for a while before settling on one. Ariel goes and makes some hot tea for her and Skye and I hand Brick another beer.

I look around the room and down the halls and know this is home. This is everything. This right here is what I’ve always wanted. Family and friends. Love and life. Perfect.

If someone tells you fairy tales aren’t real, don’t believe them. I have learned that they are. It’s whatever version you want it to be. But if you lose your shoe, you’re drunk. But doesn’t mean you can’t have one. Who knows, your prince could be the one to scoop you up and carry you home. My princess was the villain for a while, but we found our happy place. I might not have won season two ofChicken Fried Love, but I won the girl and here we are years later, happy. Nothing in life goes as planned. Some things I never thought would happen. For a while I thought I would never love again. I’m forever grateful to fate for bringing us back together. I will always remember until I die that I was Skye’s fall and I wouldn’t change that for the world.