“Okay, Daddy. About Verity?” She says, smiling.
“Why would you think that?” I ask.
“Duh, Daddy. I am seven, not a baby.” She says matter-of-factly. I can’t help laughing. Her little legs are swinging under her and I watch as she tries to spear a meatball with her glittery, pink toddler fork that she refuses to give up.
“Right. My little girl is growing up.” I say, ruffling her hair.
“Stop it, Dad.” She says as she swats my hand away.
“Fine. You win. So, about Verity, I want to marry her. What do you think about that?”
“Oh my gosh!” She squeals, jumping up from her chair, knocking it over.
“You okay?” I ask, laughing. I get up to help her.
“Yes. Oh my gosh! This is, like, the best news ever.” She gushes.
“Really?” I am instantly relieved at her show of excitement.
“Yes. I am going to get a mommy again.” She says. I pick her chair back up and she sits down.
“You already have a mommy. She lives in Dallas.” I say slowly, as I scoot her back under the table.
“No.” She says, squishing her nose up, and shaking her head.
“What do you mean when you say no?” I hold my breath. You never know what kids are going to say.
“I have a mother, who lives in Dallas. Ty has been my mommy for a while now. It’ll be nice for it to be offal.” She says tapping her cheek.
“Awful?” I question.
“You know, forever or something.” She says taking a bite of her spaghetti.
Does she mean official? Sometimes it’s like I am talking to a teenager and other times it’s like she is speaking a foreign language that I don’t know how to navigate.
“I see,” I say. I really am not sure if I do, but at least she seems on board.
I go back to eating as well. That was easier than I thought it would be.
“Can we watch a movie after dinner?” She asks.
“Of course. What will it be tonight?” I mentally prepare myself for yet another viewing of something we’ve seen a thousand times.
“Angels in the Outfield.” She says bouncing into the living room, after putting her plate on the counter by the sink.
“Where did you see that?” I ask. That movie came out when I was fourteen. By rights, she should have no idea what the hell that is.
“Ty. It’s her favorite movie.” That is unexpected, but it makes sense as she was raised by her older brother. Ryder is about my age and a good friend of mine. Which reminds me, I should go and see him tomorrow and get his permission.
“Alright. Angels in the Outfield it is. Go set it up while I do the dishes. You want popcorn?” I ask.
“Duh.” She says, turning back to the DVD player.
“I’ll be right in. We need to discuss my plan for asking her to marry me.”
Tomorrow is going to be a big day for this family.
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