Page 123 of Daddy Claus

Mom was being a bit overbearing with the helping hand she offered, but I knew Ember found it sweet since her own mother couldn’t be around.

"I'm really glad the two of you get along so well." My hand found a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear for her.

"I'm just glad your dad finally likes me. Did you know he offered to babysit?"

"I'm not surprised." I laughed. "He thinks Ryder is going to be a pro football player. Give him time and he'll always come around."

I winked at her again and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Do you want a snow cone or one of those ice cream bars you love so much?" Straightening, I stepped back to give her some space, and she sighed softly.

"What I want is for you to take the little man so I can go get my studying done. I'm ready to finish these last few classes and graduate. I turned in my papers. I'll walk in October."

Ember's eyes sparkled with pride.

After I submitted her paperwork in December last year for the tuition reimbursement program, the board approved her switch to part-time with me while she continued studies.

She'd already been offered a permanent position as associate vice president of human resources at Beacon Hill Memorial, and there was a clear path toward directorship and even more opportunities toward advancement in the larger medical system.

I was so proud of her.

I reached for Ryder and she started unhooking the baby carrier from her body, unraveling the many layers I still didn't quite understand.

"I don't think I'm gonna wear that thing. I'll end up getting my elbow stuck in it or something."

The entire idea of wearing a baby instead of just holding it seemed confusing.

Ember called it kangaroo time and told me attachment parenting was the best way to help a baby learn to be confident and grow independently later in life.

I trusted her.

And not just with our son.

I trusted her with my heart in ways that had challenged me, given my past. And despite the challenges I'd faced with my father over the past year—past several years, to be honest—I felt more confident in my own life and my relationship with Ember than ever.

Because my father could only say kind words about her, which isn't something he'd done for either of my previous serious relationships.

Ember was the one for me.

I might've had to wait until almost fifty to find her, but once I did, there was never a chance that she'd get away from me.

"I love you," I whispered as she handed me the baby.

"I love you too, Daddy…" She grinned. "Now it's your turn to change the diapers. There's a bottle in the diaper bag with breastmilk, and you need to be home by five so we can get him ready to see Mimi and Pappy."

Ember pecked me on the lips and backed away. "And you owe me a glass of wine tonight." And with that she was gone, weaving through the crowd to head home and continue pursuing her career, just the way we planned.

"Well, Ryder," I said to the little man in my arms. "Mommy's off to chase her dreams. Should we get ice cream?" I bounced him, grinning as his eyes blinked open, and then I caught one last glimpse of the woman who changed my life forever before she ducked behind a booth. "Yes… ice cream…"

Sometimes, life has a way of surprising you with exactly what you need when you least expect it.

You just have to have eyes to see and ears to hear, or you might miss it.

God knows if I hadn't paused my busy life to notice the way Ember Harrison kissed, I'd have missed the best thing to ever happen to me.