Page 25 of Their Perfect Daddy

SKYE

I have to admit meeting my boyfriend's parents is an unexpected twist to my day. Then again, this week has been a shit show. With me coming back and being inundated with work and then Monty getting injured, we can’t seem to catch a break.

Now as I sit across from Monty’s father while his mother fusses over him, I can detect the scrutiny like it's a living thing between us.

His father's eyes haven't left me one bit. Danny flutters about the room making sure everything is in order as well. His nervous energy radiates through him until I can’t stand it.

"Come here, Danny," I say, my tone demanding yet soft. He freezes, then immediately comes over and places himself in my lap. Monty's father looks at us curiously, then turns to his son.

"I’m not sure how I feel about all of this."

His mother hums, then tells her husband, "It's really none of our business. Monty seems to be happy.”

“I am," my boy says. "They both make me happier than I've ever been."

His mom freezes. “Ever?”

He nods slowly. I know it's because he's trying not to move around too much. The pain flares up worse when he does.

“More than anything,” he adds on.

His dad wipes a hand over his mouth as a smile forms on his lips.

"Well, son, if you found something to make you happy, we won't interfere.

" He sticks his hand out. "Let's start this over.

It's nice to meet you Skye. Thank you for all you've done for our son and all I imagine you'll continue to do considering your relationship with him. "

My smile matches his as I shake his hand. "It's an honor sir. Monty is so talented and charismatic. He could be with anyone in the world. The fact that he chooses us is remarkable."

His dad leans back and chuckles. “Our son has always been remarkable. He and Micah both. Something about the two of them just—I don't know. They've been fiercely independent and go-getters. You couldn't keep them down for long.”

Monty groans. “That was such a bad dad joke considering the turn of events.”

When he waves at his leg, his dad winks. “Consider it a technicality. We aren't gonna count it."

Danny frowns. "I think we have to count it, but if I'm wrong I'll shut up now."

We all burst into laughter at his shy commentary considering how he has been so frazzled since they arrived. It's nice to see him loosening up and teasing everyone.

We spend a couple more hours talking about Monty as a kid and what it was like when they blended the two families together. Micah stays for a while, popping in and out to take work calls. I can feel Danny's guilt rising with each one, so I decide to step in. I am his Daddy after all.

"Have a seat here. I'll be right back." I tell my princess as I ease him down into my chair.

Monty's dad gives me a nod as if he understands what I'm about to do.

Maybe he does. He's been better since we got everything squared away earlier.

Monty tilts his head at me but when I wink at him, he lets me go without a word.

His mom is too busy checking over the chart with my notes on it to pay me any mind.

Even so, I'm sure she knows I'm leaving. The woman is quite observant.

I find Micah pacing at the end of the hall. He's got the phone to his ear and his free hand waves around. There's a tightness to his shoulders telling me whatever it is isn’t good. As I approach, he hangs up with the words, "Just handle it."

I raise my brow at him. "Everything okay?"

He shakes his head. "It's a big mess. Danny was doing way more than I thought he was for this.

It's hard when there's not someone on the ground.

While I'm more than prepared to get on a flight, I need to hold down the store too.

It's still not an ideal time. My boy needs me as well. You know what it's like.”

“Leaving them behind feels like cutting off a limb,” I finish the thought for him. “Yeah I do know what it's like. I walked into an operating room to see mine on the table unconscious in need of my help.”

Micah winces. "Yeah that's... I could never imagine it. I appreciate all you’ve done, but if Jett were hurt in front of me, there would be no containing the level of my rage."

I give him a ruthless smirk. I may not be able to do anything right now; however, I already have my ear to the ground about what's happening.

And by ear to the ground, I mean I've got the Bellports on it.

Bellamy was pissed his teammate was hurt.

It was enough to get him to help me track down the other player and put in complaints with the commissioner.

I intend to convince Monty to go after a personal lawsuit against him as well, especially after hearing Grizzly talk about it.

If he'd lost his sponsorship and the chance to earn money to do whatever it is he wants since he still won't tell me yet, then I would be livid on my boy's behalf.

Micah tilts his head as he looks at me. I want to laugh at the expression on his face because it mirrors the one Monty gave me. While the two may not be blood brothers, their mannerisms are strangely identical at times.

“I'm so glad he has you. And Danny has you too. The two of them needed someone strong to help bring them together.”

“They did, didn't they? Now enough about our boys. Tell me what you need help with. Put me to work. With me on leave from the hospital now, I’m able to be of assistance.

If it's something I can do from home, even better.

Danny is too scattered to focus right now, but I'm more than willing to step in and lend a hand.”

After I completed surgery, I expressed to my team there was zero chance of me getting anything else done while Monty was healing. All my surgeries and follow-ups were split amongst other doctors.

Someone else might have lost their job for being so forward. Because of how skilled I am, they simply accepted the demand. Even if it’s months of me being sporadically in and out, it’s better than me leaving them to find another hospital to work for.

Micah gives me a once-over as if he's not sure the offer is serious.

When I don't pull back, he explains everything going on in Vegas, as well as how he thinks it needs to be handled.

I agree with him. We move over to a set of chairs in the midst of our chat, then spend half an hour going over what I think will help him streamline the processes.

By the time we're done, his shoulders have dropped. He looks relieved. “You're more than a doctor and a pretty face aren't you?” he asks with a laugh.

I shake my head at him. "Don't go flirting with me. I've already got my hands full with your brother and Danny."

Micah scoffs. “I can say someone has a pretty face without flirting. Besides, my brother would throw a fit if he thought I was trying to take you from him. Not that I am obviously. No offense.”

I bark out a laugh. “None taken. I know how good he is at throwing a tantrum.”

At least I thought I knew.

Getting home becomes an adventure of sorts. By the time we have everything set up and get Monty back to his place, he’s a very, very grouchy boy. I know a big part of it is because he's in pain, which I truly hate for him.

I wish I could take it all away. If it were up to me, he’d be back on his feet tomorrow.

Except healing isn’t an instant process. We have to be safe, and safe means he can only have so much pain medicine at a time as well as limited movement. I give him the maximum amount with each dosing window, making sure to ease him around as best we can.

Unfortunately, his home is not particularly built for someone in need of accommodations.

“I can't believe you don't have any bedrooms downstairs,” Danny says once Monty is comfortably propped up in bed.

He scoots close to our boy, as if he wants to snuggle him, but he doesn't know what will hurt him and what won't.

Monty must sense it as well because he opens his arm. Danny dives forward, laying his head on his chest. Monty sighs as he plays with the ends of Danny's curly hair.

“I didn’t really think about it when the house was built.

The bottom floor is meant to be for parties and hanging out, not bedrooms and such.

Besides, I never thought I would need this kind of thing.

Injuries are not something you think of when you're a professional athlete. It's considered jinxing yourself.”

Danny nods against his chest. “Yep! It's like when there's a wedding, and we talk about the weather beforehand. Guarantee it's gonna rain.”

Monty kisses Danny on the forehead as he grunts his agreement. His other hand holds his phone as his thumb swipes across the screen. As I walk over, I notice he's on social media.

I take the device from him quickly, not wanting him to catch sight of the footage from his accident. When he scowls at me, I shake my head.

“We need to be careful about your screen time,” I say as an excuse.

His bottom lip pops out in a dramatic pout. “But it's my phone, and I'm an adult.”

Danny looks up at me, his eyes wide. I hear him whisper “uh-oh” under his breath.

I know Monty hears it too, but the tantrum has begun already. He's not going to pull back. It's the first time I'm getting to see my brat truly let this side out. An eagerness moves through me at knowing he feels safe enough to do this with me.

“I want my phone, Daddy!” he demands.

Shaking my head again, I put the device in my pocket.

Next, I place my hands on my hips as I look down at the two of them on the bed.

“You can whine all you want, but you need rest. To heal, you have to relax and let the medicine do its work.

The more you scroll through social media or try to answer messages from people, the worse you're going to feel. Let your body heal. This is the first step.”

Monty slams a fist down on the bed at the side closest to me. Tears sit at the corners of his eyes. “You don't get to make these kinds of decisions for me.”

Done with this back and forth, I lean down and put my hands on the side of the bed. I'm close enough he can feel me, but I'm not touching him.

“I want you to listen closely to me, Brat.

You can throw a hissy fit all you want. You can scream and cry and shout ‘til the walls come down. It is not going to change my decision when it comes to your health. It is not going to change anything because I am the one in charge of taking care of you. I put everything, every duty I have, on hold because I want you well.”

“We both do,” Danny adds, nuzzling his nose into Monty's neck. The move softens him slightly. Not enough to extinguish the fire in his eyes.

He clenches his jaw, gritting out, “It's not fair.”

I lean closer, my face a mere inch from his.

“I know it’s not, baby. I want you to have everything you want, but this is something I'm not going to back down on.

Why don't you let our princess snuggle you?

You both need to get some rest. I'll get some snacks prepared and make sure everything is set up for when you two wake up. Deal?”

His fist tightens for a moment before he relaxes his hand on the bed beside mine. I slip my fingers into his, then squeezing once.

He nods, then pecks my lips and turns to Danny. He buries his face in his hair and closes his eyes tight. I watch the tear trail down his cheek. As quickly as I can, I swipe it away.

The sight makes me angry. It makes me want to lash out at the world for this happening.

Sadly, it's not something I can do right now. It's not something I might ever get to do.

I have to hope and believe the system Monty works in is going to take care of this for us. If it doesn't, then maybe a civil court battle will.

His recovery is my primary focus. Not only does his body need healing, but his heart does too. Together, his Daddy and his princess are going to help them through it.