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"Kid’s got a dad, Grace I’ to be his…" I paused In my head I’d never put a title on what Doe and I were She was justto say it out loud, I faltered

"Step-dad type figure," Grace offered Her sht line She picked at the label on her beer, focusing on the neck as she spoke "I’ for you, you know that I would have adopted her myself if they would have let ht, I’d told her that I’d signed off on Max’s adoption I could fight it But Max deserved a good home and not a battle that could keep her in foster care until she was eighteen I just hoped that one day she would seek me out and let me explain that I did what I did, not because she was a burden, but because of the tremendous amount of love I had for her

"Or you can be his real step-dad if you decide to irl," Grace said

"Can’t ht now she is But that will all be fixed And if you’re half as s married isn’t just fodder for stand-up comics If you two have even half of what Edmond and I had, you best snatch it up as quickly as you can Hold on as tight and never ever let go"

"She’s a teenager, Grace"

Grace shook her head "There ain’t nothing about that girl that’s a teenager except her age She’s lived two lives already I think you need to make sure that life number three has been worth the trouble"

"That’s the plan"

"So when are you going to get her?" Grace asked eagerly

"Tonight," I said, hiding the smile that threatened to take over my face I can count the ti one of those sirl

My phone buzzed in nore it but then I reiven the number to Pup in case she needed lanced at the screen I had a missed call from her "Fuck," I cursed I hadn’t even felt it vibrate or heard it ring Pup had also sent a text

Well, it was from her number

I clicked on the icon