NovelTrueChapter : Catching her meaning, Eric let out a warm laugh and gently tweaked her nose. "Silly goose, I'm not saying I'd be your mom..." He swallowed, a nervous edge to his voice, and then ventured, "Joy, how about I becyour dad?" "Dad... Dad?" Joy tipped her head, her tiny brow creasing in thought. What was happening? Eric's heart skipped, a flicker of doubt creeping in. Did Joy not want him as her dad? "Joy, don't you like me?" he asked softly.
"I do!" Joy nodded earnestly, though her expression remained troubled.
"But... my mom has to say it's okay." "Your mom, she..." Eric started, about to explain that her mother had already given her blessing, just waiting for Joy's approval.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut then Joy cut in, her voice small and sweet. “Mom said we have to wait for Dad." What did that mean? Eric's brow lifted. "Wait for Dad?" "Yeah!" Joy bobbed her head, and then flung herself into his arms, whispering, "Dad went away for work. Mom said we wait until he comes back." It was a passing comment Hadley had made to soothe Joy's tears when she had been crying for her father-a fleeting comfort that the little girl had clung to.
Worried Eric might feel hurt, Joy patted his chest gently. "Don't be sad, okay?" Eric's chuckle was soft as he hugged her close. "Don't worry, Joy. I'm not sad." How could he be? His heart was soaring.
The door swung open, and Hadley strode in, rolling up her sleeves. "Are you two ready yet? What's taking so long to get dressed?” Upon spotting Joy already in her outfit, nestled against Eric and murmuring quietly, Hadley's brow furrowed. "What's the holdup? Con, wash up—it's breakfast time.” "Okay, Mommy!" Joy clutched her tummy and scampered off. "Mommy, I need to use the bathroom!" "Go on, then!" Hadley gave her daughter's head a fond pat. At her age, Joy could handle the bathroom on her own.
"Hang on a sec, Eric!" Joy called back.
Your source of stories: galnov☐ls.☐☐☐ "No rush," Eric replied, his eyes lingering on Hadley with a knowing, playful glint.
Hadley blinked, puzzled. “What? Is there something on my face?" "What did you tell Joy?" Eric asked, sidestepping her question, a grin tugging at his lips.
"What?" Hadley frowned, lost.
"You told her..." Eric leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper near her ear, "That you're waiting for Joy's dad to cback?" Joy's dad-that was him.
Hadley stiffened, the memory clicking into place. "I only said that because..." "All these years, you've been waiting for me?" Eric's grin widened, practically glowing. "Hadley, I get it now. I know how you feel."
"Don't read into it," Hadley said, was caught between amusement andh exasperation, Joy was crying for her dad, and I was just trying to comfort her." "Doesn't matter." Eric tilted his chin, a touch of smugness in his tone. "I'm her dad, and you were waiting for me."
"Oh, please." Hadley rolled her eyes at his cheeky pride. "What are you sa proud of? Lonly said it so Joy wouldn't feel like her father ditched her."
Eric's gaze darkened briefly, and he reached for her hand. "I messed up before, but not anymore ve.
Hadleym let's get married. I just spoke with Joy-she's okay with it. Let's pick a day to visit my grandmother and have her help plan the wedding." Search the website on Google to access chapters of early and in the highest quality.
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