Page 74 of His Long-Lost Baby

“I know,” I reply softly. “And I don’t expect you to feel the same way right away. I just wanted to be honest with you about how I feel. I want this to work, Billie. I want us to be a family. To be there for Quinn together. If you don’t want that, I understand. I hope you’ll still allow me to be a part of her life.”

I wait for what seems like an eternity for Billie to respond. Her eyes are still locked on mine, but I can see her mind working behind them. Finally, she takes a deep breath and speaks.

“You have no idea about how crazy I am for you, do you?”

I feel my heart skip a beat. Did I hear her right?

“I…I didn’t know,” I blurt out, unable to contain my surprise and joy.

Billie lets out a small chuckle and reaches out to place her hand on my cheek. “Well, now you do,” she says, her voice filled with affection. “I’ve been trying to fight it for a long time, but I can’t deny it anymore. I love you too.”

I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. A family. Love. Stability.

I lean in and press my lips to hers, pouring all of my emotions into the kiss. I can feel her responding, her arms wrapping around me as we deepen the kiss.

Finally, we pull apart, both of us gasping for air.

“I’m sorry for springing all of this on you,” I say, looking into her eyes. “I just couldn’t keep it in any longer.”

“I’m glad you did,” Billie replies, a smile spreading across her face. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I didn’t…” She shakes her head, tears filling her eyes. “I didn’t know how I would go on.”

I brush my thumb across her cheek. “Please don’t go on without me.”

“I won’t,” she whispers. “I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”

We embrace each other tightly, our bodies molded together in a moment of pure joy. It feels like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders, and we can finally be the family I’ve always wanted.

“I love you, Billie,” I whisper into her ear.

“I love you too,” she replies, her voice filled with emotion.

“Mommy?” a little voice says.

We both turn our heads to see a little girl standing in the grass. She blinks her big blue eyes and studies me with curiosity.

I freeze. This is her. This is Quinn.

Sara’s daughter.

Billie’s daughter.

My daughter.

I freeze, not knowing what to say. I’m giving the reins to Billie, waiting for her to take the lead.

Billie gently disentangles herself from me and reaches out to take Quinn’s hand.

“Quinn, this is James.”

I swallow against the knot of emotion in my throat. “Hello, Quinn.”

“Hi,” she says in a small, shy way.

“Remember the other day, when you asked about your father?” Billie asks.

Quinn nods her head, her eyes still locked onto mine.

“Sweetheart, this is your daddy,” Billie says softly.