Chapter 46

　　My daughter’s dark eyes skimmed my face seriously, and I felt the quiet weigh me down as I waited for a second time to see if this little girl that I already loved would accept me. 　　“I like you very much,” Fern said decidedly. “So I’m pleased you’re my dad.” With that, she hugged me, and I squeezed her tight. She asked excitedly, “Can I put on my party dress now?” 　　Cherry had designed and made her a special princess dress just like Elsa’s, her favorite Disney princess, and she’d been desperate to put it on since waking. But Cherry had rightly said she could wear it after pancakes. The syrup stains on Fern’s pajamas showed what a wise decision that had been. 　　“Go ahead, Sweetie,” I said, borrowing Cherry’s endearment for her. Because she was mine too, and she now knew it. 　　As Fern rushed off excitedly, I collapsed back into the sofa, feeling flattened by the huge wave of relief that hit me. Cherry stroked my face, smiling at me tenderly. 　　“You’re a great dad, by the way,” my mate