Worthy (Part 2)

Groceries and Family

And just like that, the female touch was back in my home. 

It didn't take long to get Charley moved in, mostly because I forced all of our friends to help, and because I was so god damn excited, I couldnt wait. 

The girls were excited too, they were such helpers when it came to packing. 

We had a few moments where Charley felt awkward. I told her to change whatever she wanted about the house, move things, paint things, whatever. I knew she wouldn't go too crazy. But she felt the need to ask me before she did anything, I thought it was odd, and also thought she didn't feel like this was her home too. She had spent enough nights over here I figured she'd settle right in. 

After talking to her about it, she told me she wanted to respect anything Annie had done to the house, or bought for it....My heart both shattered and grew at the same time. I hadn't even thought of that when asking her to move in...What was I okay with her getting rid of or changing when it came to the things Annie had decided on? And how did I get so lucky to find a woman so thoughtful? Again? 

We decided to make these sort of decisions together, and she promised to be completely understanding. Not a whole lot changed. We got a new comforter for our bed, and of course new everything for Dannys room. Both girls were ecstatic about redecorating that room. What was once a forgotten spare room, was now filled to the brim with stuffed animals, a fuzzy blue carpet, and so much more. 

The cabinet in the kitchen still had the child lock on it. 

She didn't even ask. It was an unspoken thing, and I was grateful. 

I told her to put pictures on the walls of Brian, along with pictures of Annie. Both girls needed to know about their parents. I never wanted either of them to forget that they had a mother and a father that also loved them more than anything, and I never wanted them to forget what either of them looked like. Charley was hesitant, but soon our walls were flooded with pictures of everyone in both of our families. She even printed out a few of the four of us and hung them. 

I got to spend so much time with my three girls, I have had so much time to bond with Danny too. It was surprising how much we actually had in common. 

Nothing beats the day she and I went to the store together though... This was probably the day that I realized that Danny was beyond her years. 

She was sitting cross legged in the cart while I was zooming in and out of isles. She was laughing, we were having a great time. I picked up a bag of chips

Me: Think fast!

I chucked it towards the cart, it smacked her square in the face. I felt horrible before she erupted into a fully blown belly laugh that filled the entire store. So naturally I laughed too. How could you not? It was contagious, and she was adorable. 

A lady nearby smiled at us

Lady: You seem like such a good dad! It's wonderful to see. 

I choked a little, unsure of how to answer. 

I very well could say "I'm not her dad". Grocery store lady probably would've called the cops. And knowing Danny, she'd take her sweet time getting to the police station, just because she thought it was funny. I also didn't want to say "she's not mine" because she was. She may not be my daughter, but she is my family. I thought of her like a daughter, I loved her like she was my own, but I also didn't know how Danny would take that. She had a dad...

I just kind of looked over at Danny, she smiled at me then turned to the lady

Danny: He is a good dad. 

My heart swelled, and I swear my eyes only stung, tears didn't come out or anything. The lady smiled and walked off. I walked back to the cart, grabbed Dannys mop of curls and kissed the top of her head. 

Me: Thank you. 

She smiled up at me

Danny: Could I call you dad?

Frozen. 

Recover. 

Me: You can call me whatever you want babe. 

Danny: I asked Ella, she said she was okay with it. 

I nodded, and smiled, trying to choke down tears. 

Me: I'd like it, if thats what you want. 

She nodded and smiled before whispering "dad..." and we continued our grocery trip. I couldn't wait to get home and tell Charley, I was so fucking excited. 

The second we got in the house, I set the groceries down, and yanked my freckled babe into the laundry room. She laughed

Charley: What??

Me: Danny asked if she could call me dad. 

Charley smiled 

Charley: Ella asked if she could call me mom. 

holy shit. 

Me: Are you ok with all of this?

Charley: Are you?

I couldn't help but smile

Me: Yeah...actually...I thought it would be weird... but...I'm like, super happy about it. 

She giggled

Charley: Yeah, same. 

Me: Babe....We're a whole ass family now. 

She laughed harder 

Charley: Yeah Em..We are. 

Her face softened, I grabbed it and kissed her, she giggled more and spoke against my lips

Charley: Did you get ice cream?

I rolled my eyes

Me: Yes. Gosh. Let a guy have a moment.