Page 80 of Biker Orc Baby Daddy
It's midnight before I stop. I look at the screen. At the careful, ridiculous plan I've built.What if he's not mine?The thought makes my chest ache. But then I remember his laugh. His dimple. The way he reached for me.
What if he is?
Day two.I buy books. I browse in the children's section of the bookstore for an hour. A clerk asks if I need help.
"I'm looking for. Books. For a baby. Nine months. Something that. Encourages language development. And emotional intelligence. But also fun."
She blinks. "That's. Specific."
"I'm thorough."
She pulls five titles. I buy eight. Add a stuffed dragon because Orry grabbed it and laughed.
At home, I arrange them on a shelf I don't have. I'll need furniture. A reading chair. Good lighting.
I make another list.
Day three.I find myself at a toy store. Overwhelmed. There are too many options. Too many bright colors and sounds andchoices.
A sales guy approaches.
"Help you find something?"
"I need. Toys. Developmentally appropriate. Ideally something that promotes cognitive growth without overstimulation for a nine-month-old."
He stares.
"Or just. Something he'd like."
The guy grins. "First kid?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Waiting on test results."
"Ah." He nods. "Come with me."
He shows me blocks. Stacking rings. A xylophone. I buy all of it. Add a plush calculator that plays numbers when you press the buttons.
The guy rings me up. "You're gonna be a good dad."
My throat tightens. "I hope so."
That night,I imagine it.
Orry in my apartment. Playing with blocks on the living room floor. Me reading to him before bed. Cecie stopping by. The three of us. Together.
It's terrifying. It's perfect. I lie awake. Stare at the ceiling. Wonder if this is what hope feels like.
The fever starts on a Tuesday.
I'm restocking the breakroom coffee when Cecie texts.
Orry's hot. Like really hot. Thermometer says 102.
My stomach drops. I'm moving before I think. Grab my keys. Tell Colum I'm leaving. He waves me off.
