“Her ears did, and she was all wrinkly and scrawny like Dobby.” Dylan laughed, then a serious expression came over his face and he turned back to Luke. “Do you like babies?” he demanded. I froze.

“I like babies,” Luke answered. They both looked at me, Dylan with a satisfied grin, and Luke with a hopeful smile. I remained frozen in my seat as I dipped my head low to snuggle Calla and avoid Luke’s eyes. He kept attempting to catch my sight. To connect? To discern my feelings?

“Good. Even though she has huge ears and smells like poop sometimes, my sister is cute. She smiles a lot and hardly ever barfs all over my mom. If we’re going to get to know each other, then you need to get to know her too. It’s not fair if I’m the only one with a dad now,” he said as he eyed Luke with a determined expression.

“I would be happy to get to know your sister as long as it’s okay with your mom,” Luke answered, then glanced up at me with a soft look that I caught out of the corner of my eye. “I can do whatever makes you comfortable, Lily. Anything you need.” I was too busy trying not to cry to give an answer. My lower lip trembled, so I bit it. Too hard. Ow.

“Should I call you Dad? Can I?” Dylan asked, breaking the awkward silence with a potentially awkward question.

“I would love that,” Luke said and beamed his beautiful white smile at Dylan. “As long as it’s okay with your mom.” He looked at me, hope shined in his eyes, it blinded me. He used to look at me like that all the time. Oh, how I had missed his smile. I shut my eyes briefly against the sight of it before steeling myself so I could respond.

“You can call him Dad if you like, Dylan. It’s up to you,” I managed to say as I tried to discretely switch Calla to the other breast to nurse. Luke quickly averted his eyes back to Dylan. I guess I failed at being discrete. I could feel my face turn red with embarrassment.

“Do you think it would hurt my dad Will’s feelings?” Dylan asked, finally showing a little uncertainty.

Luke answered, “I’m not trying to take Will’s place, and I don’t want you to forget about him. Love makes a father, not blood. Will loved you and took care of you when I wasn’t there to do it myself. He was a good man, and I liked him a lot.”

“I didn’t know you knew my dad. Why weren’t you there? Why have I never met you before now?” Dylan asked.