We are Forever (Book 6 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 29

Nick

I couldn't believe this was my life right now. I played a MMA fighter, earlier, in my career & I kicked major ass, showing the world that I could be a bad ass if I wanted to be. Now, I was sitting beside the most beautiful little girl, in the entire world, as we sipped lemonade with a few dolls at the table with us. I exchanged many amused glances with the other dads I saw here at the American Girl store. First, Mercy got to pick out her very own doll. Okay, so I let her pick two. She got a Bitty baby doll that looked like her & she also picked out Josephina. When I asked her why she picked Josephina, her answer made me laugh out loud.

"Cuz she wook like me & her name is the same as Uncle Frankie calls Uncle Joe, sometimes. So I can call her Jo." Her face was so serious, it was cute. Frankie would call Joe, Josephina when Joe was acting more feminine than he should be. He started calling him that years ago & still called him that today, once in a while. It was to the point where, now, a lot of us would call Joe that, to tease him.

I enjoyed this day with Mercy. It was probably one of the best days of my life so far, with her. She included me in everything she did & she took everything so serious, which was so like me. She was a bit of a perfectionist, too, which Demi hated. Demi was the opposite & learned in therapy, that she didn't do well if she had ideas that everything needed to be perfect. I just liked things to be the way I wanted them, I wouldn't call it being a perfectionist, but Demi would disagree. She rolled her eyes whenever Mercy had to make sure something was just right. I would always give her a look that said, "You knew when you married me that our kids could end up like us." Her response was always a smile that said, "I love you & all your flaws." It was so great having quiet conversations with Demi, without saying a word.

After our lunch was finished, Mercy wanted to shop for clothes & other things for her new dolls. As she shopped, I sat on a comfortable bench, so I could watch her & stay out of her way as she made her way through the racks. I chuckled to myself as I saw her mother in her right now, her eyes lighting up with every piece she picked up & looked at.

A man next to me laughed, so I turned my head. "I didn't think I'd see so many dads here." The man smirked.

I chuckled, nodding my head. "I know." I stuck my hand out. "Nick." I introduced myself.

"Charlie." The man answered. "Good to meet ya."

"You, too." I looked back at Mercy, who was now at the dressing room area to try on the outfit for her doll. I guess she had to make sure the outfit fit, even though I was pretty sure it would. "Is this your first time?" I asked, Charlie.

He laughed & shook his head. "Oh, no." He pointed to a young girl, maybe about 8 or 9. "We've been coming since she was 3 or 4, so I know this place pretty well."

I smiled. "Well, I guess I know who to call with questions."

"Sure. I'm an American Girl pro." Charlie chuckled. "Do you just have the one?"

"No, she's a twin. My son is on a date with his mom at Legoland." I replied.

"Did you lose a bet or something?"

I laughed out loud. "No, just trying to prove to my wife that I'm not a chauvinist."

Charlie laughed, shaking his head. "How's that going for ya?"

"So far, so good. I mean I painted her nails today. I am pretty sure that proved I'm not a chauvinist & that I'm pretty secure with my masculinity."

"Sounds like it."

Mercy came over with her doll. "Daddy, do you like this dress?" She held the doll up in front of her face.