He could feel the emotion choking him as he said the words.
Corinne stared at him. “I have a daddy? For real? He didn’t die.”
“He’s right here,” Harvey said, hugging them.
“Where were you?” Corinne asked.
“It’s a long story. But just know I’m here now. And I love you two more than anything.”
“I didn’t have a dad for the dinner at school. Max went with me. But he’s not my dad. He’s my mom’s boyfriend. And I don’t think he likes us that much.”
“I promise you that you’ll never have to do that again. I will always be there for you. And next year, I’ll proudly attend.”
He smiled.
“Okay,” Harvey said, remembering how little they were, “let’s get you tucked in.”
“Can you tell us a story like Mom does. Please!”
“Fine, get in bed and—”
“We don’t have to brush our teeth?” Corinne said brightly.
“Brush your teeth.”
Harvey was secretly pleased that she was picking up the slack until he got the hang of this. He was looking forward to the bedtime story and snuggles, and also to them being asleep so he could get some sleep. After tooth brushing and drinks of water and a book about some kind of aardvark or anteater or something, he tucked them in.
“Aren’t you going to sing?”
“Do I have to?” Harvey said.
“Yes,” Caden said, “Mommy and Maria always do.”
“What do they sing?”
“You know, everybody knows that song—you got eyes of the bluest kind…” Corinne crooned. He grinned. That was what Bella sang their babies every night. The song he’d sung to her so long ago.
His heart melted.
Bella had truly never forgotten about him.
So he shut his eyes and sang Sweet Child of Mine to Caden and Corinne, and it felt so right.
Goodnight, Dad,” Caden said.
Hearing his son call him ‘Dad’ was emotional and he tried to keep it together. He didn’t think they’d call him Dad so soon. It was a wonderful surprise!
“Goodnight,” he said.
Corinne then hugged him again. “Goodnight, Dad.”
Harvey’s eyes swelled with tears. “Goodnight.”
He shut the door, took a deep breath, and leaned up against the wall. Hearing them call him Dad was nothing short of amazing. Very emotional. Very heartfelt. He’d never been a father before, and it was exhilarating. He’d take this father thing step by step. He was sure he’d make an excellent father. And he vowed to be a better father than his own was to him. He was going to be there for his kids, love them, and give them his undivided attention.
After they went to sleep, he called the ICU and they told him Bella was awake and had been able to sit up enough to take some clear liquids, and she kept asking coffee. He laughed, relieved that she was herself, that even in pain and adversity she wanted coffee.
Harvey called Greta and told her to have a coffee machine delivered to ICU with a wide variety of K-cup flavors to choose from. Then he stretched out on the couch and went to sleep.