SchuylerI look at the clock on the microwave. “Mom will drop Tyler off soon. If you stay, you can tell her all about this, and let her tell you it’s not doable.”I open my cell phone to text my man. He’s going to flip out when he hears what Dallas did. Me: Dallas strikes againMe: need to chat get home ASAPMe: not emergencyIf he’s in the middle of something important, I don’t want him to rush. Although I need him here to back me up, I realize starting his business is much more important than convincing Dallas she’s crazy.As expected, Mom arrives right at four like we planned. I greet her at the door and listen to Tyler tell me everything they did today while I place a snack in front of him on the table.“You were supposed to relax today,” my mother reminds me. “You look worse now than you did this morning. What’s wrong?”I swing my arm wide to Dallas, prompting her to explain. She tells Mom about the letter and the contest I won before showing her the website. She explains everyth

CalvinThis is the perfect end to a long, hot day. Sky and Tyler play in the pool when I arrive home. As they already ate, I scarf down the leftovers while watching Tyler demonstrate the skills he’s acquired in his swimming lessons.“You’re like a little fish,” I compliment.He proudly smiles, hanging on to the edge of the pool in front of me.“Sky, show Dad what you’ve learned in lessons,” Tyler prompts with one hand still on the edge, the other motioning to her.“Maybe later,” Sky hedges.She’s shared with me she finds it difficult to learn to swim. She’s never been comfortable in the water and finds it hard to trust she’ll float. I’m glad she agreed to take lessons with Tyler. If nothing else, she’ll feel more comfortable with him in the water.I rise from my patio chair, my empty plate and swim trunks in hand. While Tyler swims to the other side of the pool, I crouch down to Sky.“Maybe you can give me a private demonstration later.”Her light-brown eyes look up at me through her w

CalvinI make sure I leave work right at five, as I promised. In my hand, I carry a large brown sack with a meal our chef practiced preparing today. I figure we need most of the evening to discuss our luncheon. Bringing dinner home will free up more time.During my drive, I flash back to the day I found Sky at the wreck site. She shared her deepest fears, the depth of her pain, and I promised to love her. I shared alternate ways we could grow our family. Since that day, I’ve tried to ease her into becoming a mom to Tyler. I watched as she quickly slipped into the role, and I reveled in the immense joy it brings her. She hoped but never dreamed that she would become a mother; she never thought she’d raise a baby.I love every minute of fatherhood. Sure, it’s scary and stressful at times, but I’ve never regretted my decision to raise Tyler on my own. Part of me believes I owe it to Tyler to allow his sibling to join our family. I worry if he found out as an adult that the child exists, h

Schuyler I pop out of bed, excited the day is finally here. I barely slept four hours last night, yet I rise like the morning person I’m not. I’ve fully embraced the life I once mourned I’d never have. My Prince Charming rode to Mexico on his white horse and turned my world upside down.Calvin slept at Garret’s last night while Dallas stayed here with Tyler and me. I didn’t want a bachelorette party, so instead, once Tyler went to sleep, the two of us drank a bottle of wine and goofed around at my house. Now, the sun is up, and it’s my wedding day.I hurry downstairs to make myself a cappuccino and Dallas a black coffee. Chinook rings the sleigh bells hanging on the sliding door, so I let him out back to do his doggy business. I marvel at his transformation from a nearly bald, shaved dog into a gorgeous golden retriever, his hair growing longer each day. It’s hard to remember why I cursed at my oldest brother, Levi, for springing an ugly mutt on us when I see this beautiful one now.T

SchuylerCalvin’s fear shocks me.“You’ve done this before; I haven’t,” I remind him. “Wash your hands.”When he sits again, I lean forward in the chair, passing the baby to him; she looks tiny in his powerful arms. Instantly, he softens, cooing to her.I point to the card taped to her clear bassinet. I realize Calvin hasn’t looked in the direction I’m pointing, so I read, “Baby Girl Calhoun weighs eight pounds, six ounces, and is 22 inches long.” “She’s perfect,” he whispers. He’s gazing at her tiny face like he’s seen nothing more adorable in his life.“Yep! Ten fingers, ten toes, and healthy,” I concur. “She’s perfect. Can you believe she’s ours?”Calvin smiles at me. “Congratulations, Mommy.”“I’ll never tire of hearing that,” I confess, moving to sit beside him on the bed. I slide her little pink cap off, running my fingertips over her dark, peach-fuzz hair. “I can’t keep my hands off of her.”“There’s nothing wrong with that,” my mom’s voice softly states as she enters the room