Page 171 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection

“You never have to apologize for them, my bumble baby. They should apologize to you.”

“Doan think they ever do that, Oppa.”

“I think they will one day, and I’ll wait with you for as long as it takes.”

She strokes my cheeks. “Even if it takes forever?”

“Even if it takes forever.”

“Not a burden on you? Not ungrateful? Not unworthy?”

“Not a burden. A gift.”

She beams. “A gift?”

“A big gift.”

“Big gift? Jiggly-bottom gift?”

“The biggest, jiggly-bottom gift in the entire world. Roll over and let me bite that jiggly bottom.”

She giggles wildly. “No, Oppa.”

But she immediately rolls over and I dive under the covers to get a mouthful of that infinitely tempting roundness.

thirty-four

The personwho turns up at our door isn’t Cynnie’s father, or brother, or grandmother.

It’s her stepmother.

We’ve had a short respite. A day and a half without any contact from Cynnie’s family beyond a brief call from her father to check in. A day and a half of bliss.

Even those first three days we were together don’t compare to this. Waking up with my bumble in my arms and knowing she won’t be leaving me today. Breaking in our new dining chairs after they’re delivered. Watching Cynnie’s anime series in her hive, surrounded by buzzies. Eating up all her royal jelly afterwards. Taking a stroll through Union Square Park, both of us bundled up in my sweaters against the fall breeze, Cynnie wearing a pair of my running pants that are baggy on her but still taunt me with flashes of that round bottom, without the worry of having unfriendly eyes on us. Picking up hard pretzels and crunchy apples to eat on the walk back. Eating fresh, steamed fish and veggies from the market on my landing with the flowers in my planter waving in the evening breeze, serenaded by the gentle hum of insects, while we plan the rooftop pollinator garden.

Bliss. Bliss. Bliss.

Harmony showing up on my doorstep doesn’t burst that bubble. I know we’re going to have to deal with Cynnie’s family. I know the idea that she’s a burden will weigh heavier and heavier on Cynnie until it ruptures our bubble completely. But I have some ideas about that which don’t involve her returning to her family or her family business. As long as Jun’s running things, he’s going to make her miserable.

My bumble deserves better.

Harmony buzzes the building’s intercom as we’re clearing up brunch. Cynnie’s made me the traditional breakfast her grandmother used to demand. I’ve never had salmon for breakfast before except smoked on a bagel; but I’m already a convert. I’d also happily eat the custardytamagoyakishe serves with it every day.

Holding some of the dirty dishes, Cynnie peers around my shoulder as I answer the door buzzer. When she sees Harmony, Cynnie’s dark eyes rise to me. She shrugs and nods in response to my silent question.

I let Harmony up and meet her at my front door.

She’s wearing a brown and white pants suit. It’s probably designer, but it doesn’t suit her as well as the dress Cynnie picked out for her. The padded jacket shoulders and wide legs of the pants give her a blocky shape. Not nearly as elegant as she looked the other night. Maybe that’s what makes me feel confident, even though I’m just in pajama pants and a T-shirt. Or maybe it’s that new Daddyness filling my chest. But there’s no awkwardness when I shake her hand and invite her to sit on the couch.

I sit on the reassembled futon across from her. Cynnie joins me, tucking against my side and pulling her legs up beside her. I stretch my arm around her shoulders.

“How are you doing, Cynnie?” Harmony asks.

“I’m okay,” Cynnie says cautiously. “Did Papa send you?”

Harmony shakes her dark head. “I began asking questions. The more answers I got, the less I liked them. I came to apologize to you and make sure you knew you had options.”

“Apologize to me? Why?”