Page 44 of One Hot Daddy

"That was one time," Fletcher protests, flipping a perfectly golden pancake with a dramatic flourish."And it was your fault for suggesting we add food coloring."

"Red pancakes were cool," Josh says, not looking up from his book.Even at breakfast, that boy has his nose buried in something educational.

Fletcher leans forward with that sneaky glint in his eyes that means he's about to give the children a whopper of a tall tale."Did I ever tell you lot about the time when I was just a boy and my paper airplane flew around the world twice?Before landing back in my hand with postcards from twelve different countries?Would you like to hear the story?"

The kids' lean forward, entranced by his wacky story.

I pour coffee into Fletcher's mug, letting my fingers brush against his while I hand it to him.Six weeks of being officially together, and my heart still does a little flip whenever we touch.

"Thanks, pet," he murmurs, his voice still morning-rough in a way that makes my toes curl.

Charlotte appears in the doorway, her hair a tangled mess.She rubs sleep from her eyes."Are there chocolate chips in them?"

"Naturally," Fletcher answers, as if chocolate-less pancakes are an absurd concept."What kind of tyrant do you think I am?"

Charlotte grins and slides onto her usual seat at the table.The domesticity of this moment gives me a lovely tingle.I can't believe how easily I've slipped into their lives, how normal it is to be standing here in pajama shorts and Fletcher's old t-shirt, helping serve breakfast to these children I adore.

"Where's Amelia?"I ask, noticing our eldest is missing.

Josh shrugs."Probably still asleep.She was up late texting with her friends."

Amelia shuffles into the kitchens, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

Charlotte clucks her tongue."Ooh, you're in big trouble, Amelia.No texting during or after dinner, remember?"

"That doesn't apply to me.I'm the oldest, so I get special perks."

Fletcher and I exchange a look, then he turns on his Big Daddy voice."You know that isn't true, pet.No texting before or after dinner.If any of you lot disobey my command, your texting privileges will be revoked permanently."

Josh screws up his mouth."Being a kid sucks."

"No bad language.Remember the rules."Fletcher squints at Josh."No exceptions."

Becoming a parent so swiftly has been a whirlwind, and learning the ropes in my own new family is much harder than I expected.I catch Fletcher's eye again, and this time his expression softens.Being the disciplinarian while also trying to maintain the romantic connection between us is a delicate balance we're both still navigating.

Before I realize it, summer break has arrived.

Fletcher strolls over and drapes his arm casually around my shoulders."So, what's the plan for this first day of summer break, then?Any brilliant ideas?You'll be alone with the children all day long while I'm at work."

"I thought the kids and I might go to the community pool," I suggest, pouring more orange juice for Henry who's already demolished his first glass."It's supposed to hit ninety degrees today."

"Swimming!"Henry punches the air, accidentally knocking his fork onto the floor.

I bend to retrieve it, narrowly avoiding a collision with Fletcher who has the same idea.Our heads bump gently, and we both laugh.These little moments still feel like magic.

"Sorry, love," he murmurs, his fingers brushing mine as he hands me the fork.

"Swimming is sooo boring," Amelia declares, finally joining us at the table.Her hair is gathered into a messy bun, and she's wearing the oversized T-shirt she always sleeps in."We should do something really based to celebrate not having to go to school."

"How about the pool at the rec center?"I suggest, pouring her a glass of orange juice."It's cool.Literally."

"Ha-ha."She plays it cool, but I catch the hint of a smile.Amelia's been warming up to me more every day, our relationship strengthening like a tender seedling finally getting enough sunlight."But the rec center is for old people like you and Dad."

"What would you recommend, then?"Fletcher asks, sliding a plate of pancakes in front of her.

He deftly ignored Amelia's old-people remark.

She shrugs, drowning her breakfast in syrup."I dunno.Maybe the new adventure park?They have zip lines and stuff."