Chapter 37

AVERY

“Hi Lexi,” Avery said again, giving a little wave.

“You are my Daddy’s girlfriend?” Lexi asked with wide eyes.

Avery nodded. “I am. Is that okay, Lexi?”

Lexi squealed and ran to the bed, grabbing Avery’s hand.

“YES! You can be my Daddy’s girlfriend! I’m so excited! Are you feeling better? Are you really gonna move in with us?”

Justin saw his daughter’s excitement and laughed. He walked over and picked Lexi up, sitting her next to Avery. “Hey Lex, settle down. We will answer all your questions.”

Avery was actually thrilled that Lexi was taking this so well. Justin tried telling her that it would be okay, but after the turmoil of the last few weeks, Avery hadn’t been confident in that.

“Okay, so let me see if I can answer your questions,” Avery started, taking the little girl’s hand in hers.

“Yes, I am your Daddy’s girlfriend, and yes, I am feeling MUCH better. The medicine is almost done, and when the doctor says that I am healed, I can leave here.”

“Are you really going to come live with us?” Lexi asked again, excitedly.

“Would that be okay, Lex?” Justin asked again.

“That would be so much fun! You can sleep in my room!” Lexi gushed. “I will show you my dollhouse and my Barbies! We will have so much fun sharing them!”

Avery smiled broadly and tried not to laugh at the little girl’s impression of what living with them would mean.

“Um, Lexi, I’m very proud of you for being so kind and wanting to share everything with Avery, but Avery will be staying in my room with me,” Justin informed her gently.

Lexi looked at Avery with a perplexed look. “You want to sleep in a boy’s room? They are gross!”

Avery giggled at Justin mouthing ‘thank you’ to the heavens and said, “Yes, I am going to share with a boy. Not all boys are gross—your Daddy is pretty good.”

“Do you know that he snores?” Lexi asked, still confused as to why she would want to sleep in a boy’s room.

Avery laughed louder as Justin scoffed, “Hey! Watch it, missy!”

“It’s true, Daddy. I hear you, and Uncle Mitch says you do too. He hears you when you go on your bike trips,” Lexi informed him.

“I did know he snores, Lexi. I’ll see if I can’t make him stop, okay?” Avery replied, patting Justin’s hand. He smiled at her and leaned over from his chair, kissing her gently.

“GROSS!” Lexi yelled. “Does having a girlfriend mean you kiss each other?”

Justin nodded. “It does, princess. I really like kissing Avery,” he explained.

Lexi rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I still think it’s gross.”

Avery just smiled. Justin started to speak again when Lexi interrupted, “Oh, I have one more question.”

“You can ask any questions you need to, Lexi,” Avery assured her.

“Do I still have to call you Miss Harper?”

Both adults snickered. “No, Lexi. You can call me Avery if you want.”

Lexi nodded. “Okay!”

They talked for the next hour, answering Lexi’s questions and having a good time together. Justin noticed Avery starting to wear out and announced it was time to go so she could rest.

Lexi hugged Avery tightly and told her how happy she was that she was her daddy’s girlfriend. Avery felt tears prick her eyes and said how happy she was too.

Justin kissed her gently and promised to see her tomorrow. Avery was on cloud nine for the rest of the night until she fell asleep.