Page 13 of Grumpy Orc Daddy
“Well, for starters, I think you’re way too serious all the time. Seriously, you got to lighten up. Life doesn’t always go by a schedule and you have to learn to roll with it. Let your hair down, have some fun. When is the last time you did something you enjoyed besides work?” I question while sitting and shoving a piece of toast in my mouth.
“Every day,” he says while feeding Lily a spoon full of apples. “I enjoy hanging out with my daughter.”
Well, if I’d had orange juice in my mouth, I would have choked again. Who is this man in my kitchen?
“And if you hadn’t made the comment earlier about me being a party pooper, I might would have included you in that sentiment. But not a chance now,” he says again with that half ass smile.
I take my hand and pretend to stab myself in the heart, acting wounded. The lightest laugh erupts from his chest and my heart does a flip-flop in my chest.
“Go wash off the blood from your beating heart. Lily’s doctor’s appointment is in an hour.” His usual gruffness is very present, but there’s a softness there too. The camaraderie we’ve been cultivating has seemingly taken a turn. What once seemed daunting had brought us to a place of comfort, I think as I run back upstairs and make a beeline for the shower.
My heart flutters as I explore the implications of our hanger and the ease of which it came. But I force down the thought before I can put it into words. He’s her father, we have to get along. But I can’t help but wonder if there were to be more to our dynamic.
As we walk into the pediatrician's office, Lily safely nestled in Janta's arms, I feel the significance of the moment deeply. It’s more than just a routine check-up. It symbolizes the strides Janta and I have made as co-parents. My nerves are palpable, manifesting in my constant fidgeting with the diaper bag and my anxious scanning of the room, alert to every little sound.
Despite the anxiety that bubbles within me, Janta's outward calm provides a counterbalance. He’s distracting Lily with a small toy, her attention caught by its bright colors, which gives me a moment of relief as I watch her play. Our exchange of understanding glances reinforces our teamwork, silently acknowledging each other's efforts and support.
When we’re called in, I scrutinize every part of Lily's examination, standing by as the doctor checks her vital signs and development. Janta takes an active role, asking well-prepared questions that echo the research and care he has put into understanding what is best for Lily.
He has a small notebook out, which initially surprises me. He scribbles down notes rapidly after each of the doctor’s answers, capturing everything important. It’s more than just attentiveness. It is a meticulous dedication to getting everything right. I watch him struck by this transformation.
It’s reassuring to hear the pediatrician's positive feedback, confirming that Lily is healthy and thriving. The shared sigh of relief between Janta and I feels like a victory, a moment of shared joy and pride that we are indeed managing well as parents.
As we exit the doctor’s office, a quiet understanding hangs in the air. It’s clear he isn’t just going through the motions. He is fully invested in his role as Lily’s father and my co-parent. This realization allows me to see him in a new light. The barriers I had unconsciously erected, based on our initial awkward interactions, are crumbling.
Once in the car, Janta suggests we take Lily for a walk in the nearby park. It’s a beautiful day, the sun casting a warm, golden glow over the playgrounds and walking paths. Lily, exhausted from the morning’s events, drifts off to sleep in her stroller moments after arriving, her tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful slumber.
We find a shaded bench away from the playful shouts and laughter of other families. As we sit down, a comforting silence envelops us, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of our daily routines. It's in this quiet, watching other families interact, that the significance of our own efforts truly settle around us.
Sitting there, I glance at Janta, noticing the way his eyes follow a father twirling his daughter around in the air. There is a softness in his expression, a reflective gaze that I’ve come to recognize and respect.
We don't speak, but in that silence, a profound understanding passes between us. It’s as if we both acknowledge the journey we’ve embarked on together, not just as co-parents, but as partners in shaping Lily’s future.
The surrounding park is alive with the sounds of life and laughter, but our bench feels like a quiet bubble of introspection and connection. I find myself grateful for Janta’s presence, his commitment, and the unexpected partnership we’ve formed.
His commanding presence is becoming one that I think I’m starting to rely on. The realization is startling as I glance over at him watching as Lily sleeps peacefully. My leg brushes his as I shift, noticing how closely we are sitting. He glances up at the touch and our eyes meet briefly, filling me with something I don’t yet understand.
I flick my eyes away quickly, as something passes between us causing my heart to flutter in my chest.
As the afternoon shadows grow longer, I finally break the silence. “Thank you,” I murmur, not just for the day, but for all the days he has stepped up, for all the ways he has shown up for Lily—and for me. Janta turns to me, a rare smile touching his lips, an echo of my gratitude in his eyes.
“We’re doing alright, aren’t we?” he replies, his confident voice low and reflective.
“We are,” I affirm, feeling the weight of our shared path and the promises it holds. As we sit there, the world continuing around us, I feel a deep, reassuring peace settle in my heart. We are on this journey together, and somehow, that makes all the difference.
CHAPTER 8
Janta
"Penny!" I call from my cracked office door.
My assistant comes in quickly, phone balanced in one hand and a planner in the other.
I almost feel bad for her workload. But it’s what I pay her for.
“I need a new calendar to draft my schedule,” I command. “Please,” I add for probably the first time since I’ve hired her.
Penny raises a brow in silent question and writes my request down with a nod and closes the office door.