Page 36 of Accidentally Perfect

“We got two daddieth, Bug. Did you hear that? Nafan said he’th our new daddy.” Amanda’s eyes were huge, and she has the biggest smile on her face.

“You married our mommy. Is that why?” Addie asks Nathan. He looks at me to see how to respond, but Amanda continues to talk.

“It’s like howth Emelee wath gonna be our new mommy, but then Daddy thaid she wasn’t gonna come to his houthe anymore. I think she didn’t want to be our new mommy. Do you think, Bug, do you think that’th why?

“Girls, that’s not why,” Brad speaks up. “Emily loved you girls, but she and I didn’t work out. It’s a grown-up thing, Bear; it had nothing to do with you.”

“Oh.” She looks down at her blanket, twisting her fingers within the fabric. “Well, then how long is Nafan gonna be our Daddy then. Until the grown up stuff happenth?”

“The grown up stuff isn’t going to happen, Amanda. I don’t plan on going anywhere.” Nathan gave her a reassuring smile.

“How do you know? How do you know the grown-up stuff isn’t gonna happen? We used to hear Mama and meanie Michael—”

“Adele!”

“Sorry, Mama but me and Bug didn’t like him. He was a meanie to us.”

“Yeah, that Michael was the ewiest of ewies.” Amanda huffed and crossed her arms.

I cannot believe I never saw how Michael interacted with the girls. I knew there was a reason why I didn't like to include him in our lives. We spent more of our relationship either in bed after the girls went to sleep or when they were at Brad's house. The few times he was over with them, I made sure to not allow him to get too handsy. I thought telling them he was just a friend was good enough, but evidently, it wasn't. Brad speaks up. “He is your Mom's new husband, but I will always be your daddy. There isn’t a reason for you to have a new daddy when there isn’t anything wrong with me, right? I don’t think I’m broken, am I? I thought I was a pretty good daddy.”

“You are Daddy; you are.” Amanda sings.

“Our friend Becca and her brother Aaron have two daddies. They get to have two daddies that love them and take them to play games. Becca said it’s great because no matter where she goes she always has a daddy with her. When we are with Mama, we never have a daddy around because you don’t live with us. But now me and Bug will be like Becca and Aaron. When we are with you, Daddy, we’ll have you and now when we are with Mama we’ll have Nathan. We will have two daddies.”

“Yeah, Daddy, when you get married, then we will have two mommieth. Then we will have two mommieth and two daddieth. I can’t wait!” Amanda says holding up both hands showing two fingers each.

The girls are taking this all really well, but they’re kids. They roll with the punches. They just want to be happy, have fun, wear their tutus and play with their toys. I think as long as the adults are happy in their lives, they will be happy as well. “It sounds like you like the idea of two mommies and two daddies.”

“Yes, Mama, it seems super fun.” Addie squeals.

“Then I guess we’ll give it a try with two daddies.”

“Yay!” They yell in unison.

I smile at them because as long as they’re happy then that’s all that matters to me. I’m sure Brad is hurt, but this is the life we live now. The possibility of one of us bringing in someone else to parent has always been there. I was very supportive of Brad’s relationship with Emily. I wanted to make sure that she was right for my girls, and I never had the feeling that she was less than great with them. But, of course, she could have been a complete ogre to them, and I wouldn’t have known it, seeing as though they saw Michael as ‘Meanie Michael’.

“Laney, I think we need to discuss this more before we get the girls involved. Don’t you? I think things need to be worked out a bit more and clarified.” The girls look between us.

“Why don’t you and Brad take a walk before he heads home for the night? I’ll stay here with the girls.” I’m sure Nathan saw the apprehension written all over my face because he gave me a slight nod and wink, letting me know he’s got this.

“Alright. Daddy and I will be right back, okay, babies? Nathan will be with you so nothing will happen. We won’t be long.” I give both of them a kiss on the forehead and hold the door open for Brad to follow me out.

Once we're out of the room, I can feel the anger radiating off of Brad. He was really holding it back while we were in the room with the girls. “Why don’t we head outside, get some fresh air.” I try to keep my voice light so I can control the mood this conversation starts in.

“You think that’s wise with all the damn cameras out there? We won’t have a moment of privacy, not to mention I don’t need to read our conversation all over the tabloids tomorrow, Laney.”

“Okay.” I try to think. We pass a nurses' station. “Excuse me,” I say to get one of the nurses’ attention. “I’d appreciate it if there was somewhere private my ex and I could talk. My husband, Nathan Whitmore, is sitting in with our girls. Their father and I need a moment.”

“Oh no problem, Mrs. Whitmore, you can go to the first floor and ask for the staff lunch room. It’s a pretty large area so you shouldn’t have any problems. I’ll call down and let them know to expect you.”

“Thank you so much.” I give her a smile and walk the rest of the way to the elevators.

We’re silent as I push the button and wait for the car to reach our floor. I stepped in and as soon as the doors shut, Brad let his feelings known. “You did not just throw Nathan’s last name around to get what you want. Don’t turn into something that you hate, Laney. Don’t start to go down that path because you know you’ll hate yourself if you do.” We stand shoulder to shoulder as he makes a point to remind me of the one thing I can’t stand. Being compared to my mother. I will never be like her.

“Don’t you even go there with me, Bradley.” I narrow my eyes at him, warning him to let it go.”

He holds up his hands. “All right, cool it. Just don’t let your apple far too close to your mother’s tree. That’s all I’m saying.”