Page 83 of Draft Pick
“What kind of movie are you thinking?” I ask Addie as we settle onto the couch, each grabbing a fluffy blanket in the process.
“Hmm.” She taps her chin. “What aboutPeter Pan?”
“Oooo, good choice. Very important question, though,” I tell her. “The new one or the old one?”
“Easy.” She grins wide. “The original. There’s nothin’ like it.”
“Atta girl.” I tap her nose, reaching for the remote to set the movie up. “Have I told you yet how happy I am to hang out with you?”
“Only a million times, Juniper.” Addie leans her head against my shoulder, and my heart bursts. I’ve always wanted a child of my own, and although Addie isn’t mine, it feels so special getting time with her like this. “I have a question,” she ponders.
“Okay. And I have an answer. Let’s hear it.”
“Do you love daddy?”
No reluctance, just confidence. I can learn a thing or two from Adeline Briggs. “Do I love your daddy?” I repeat. “Here’s what I’ll tell you…I really, really, really, reallylikeyour daddy.”
I’d rather Crew not find out how in love with him I am through his six-year-old daughter. I want to tell him myself. I plan to, but the timing just hasn’t been there.
She peers up at me with the cutest blue eyes, oddly resembling mine, and flutters her lashes. “Do you think you’ll love him someday soon? I really hope you will.”
“I know I will,” I tell Addie honestly, leaning my head against hers. “Your daddy is very easy to love. Just like you are.”
“Gigi says daddy is in love and wants to get married someday.”
“Gigi? You mean Mrs. Nonna?” I ask, hesitantly.
Addie nods with pride. “That’s the one!” she cheers. “We visit all the time now. It’s so much fun. Great-Gramps even let me flip a pancake on the cooker. I told him no pancakes beat Dr. Juniper’s!”
Crying. I’m honored.
“That sounds like a pretty special thing you got to do with your great-gramps. I’m a little jealous, actually…your Gigi makes my favorite cinnamon rolls in the entire world.”
“The ooey-gooey center!”
I hum, tasting my favorite breakfast pastry. “And all that icing on top! So good!”
“Gigi is the best cook,” Addie exclaims before looking away, lost in thought. “What about your family? How come I’ve never met your mommy?”
That’s a really great question. Probably because she’s AWOL. Just kidding. Kind of. “Well, I’m not really sure,” I answer honestly. “Hey! I have an idea. How about we change that? I’m due for a call with my mama anyway. What do you say?”
“Oooo, let’s FaceTime! I love FaceTime!”
“FaceTime. You got it.” I reach for my phone in my back pocket and pull up my mom’s number, clicking her contact to call.
The phone rings quietly, Addie checking herself out on the camera facing us. “Let’s hope she answers. Sometimes, she can be a real old lady and go to bed early.”
“Is that my daughter running her mouth about me?” the phone resounds, and Mom’s face appears on the screen.
“I would never,” I answer, doing my best to fake being appalled.
Mom shakes her head. “I know better than that. It’s good to see your face, Junip bear. Who’s this darling little lady with you?”
I peer down at Addie, expecting her to need an introduction, but she takes it away. “Hi, Mrs. Dr. Wilde’s mommy. I’m Queen Adeline of Emerald City.”
Mom gives a look of surprise before a grin spreads wide across her cheeks. It’s her kind smile. The one I’ve missed for so long and feel grateful to experience now. “Oh my. Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Queen Adeline of Emerald City. You sure are a beautiful young lady.”
“Thank you very much,” Addie acknowledges. “I even have pink tennis shoes that aren’t really royal shoes, but my daddy says they are. I know he’s just being silly.” She holds up a foot to the camera for good measure, and, surprising me immensely, my mom falls into a fit of laughter.
