Pretend hearts, real love

3: A Not

Sullivan pulled into his own driveway. The grate of tires on gravel was a comforting sound, grounding hi

g in her booster seat, nose pressed against the glass,

asked with a smile as he unbuckled h

though her eyes were sparkli

he scent of spring roses mingled through the air, blended with

from her lap, pretending it was heavier than it

gled. "No

corn e

g out of the vehicle. "You're terribl

f Emily. Aiden's world, condensed in every smile she gave to the camera. He tossed his keys onto

dy! Show me this mys

heet of paper. "It's a note

k duty or permission slips. But as he unfolded the paper and r

ay - Nex

ers ran together somewh

tertaining morning of games, a little show, and a pic

aloud. A knot churne

Her hands were folded behind her back, staring at

he paper neatly. "You think I'd miss singing along t

hat half smile she produced w

ve one parent. All the others had mom and d

shing the stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Y

But sometimes I wish I did have a mom too. Just

ssness. He'd done everything he could to give her a happy, safe wo

ome have a single parent. Some have grandparents. Some have two mothers, or fathers, or even just a c

ure. "Can we bake cookies? For Family Day? I wanna shar

." Aiden rose to his feet, ruff

th extra chips.

u're ta

r on Emily's nose, and the timer on the oven going off like a metronome of happiness. Emily sat beside him on the stool

, I sa

ng about. I'm a professional pedi

chocolate

ghing, huge and sl

ecame a pond hero, Aiden tucked Emily in. She held on tightly to her

ad

sweet

ng Family Day. I'm

r forehead. "I'm the luc

tch the up and down of her breathing. Then he went down the hall to his o

hadn't had but also, possibly, a cha

htstand. No master plan or hare-brained scheme. Jus

e. Alwa

talk to Dr. Patel. The older man smiled

y morning off. Be a da

id, the weight liftin

e letter from Emily still safely in his c

t would show up

to get their little family yet, he'd

would be the beginning