#got seven

"Mama!" Y/D/N called. I stopped what I was doing and hurried into her room. I had to keep myself from laughing when I saw her trying to put her pants on over her shoes. "They don't fit." She whined

"Oh, honey. You put your shoes on after your pants." I helped her take off her shoes and dressed her properly.

Today was one of the most stressful days of my life. My heart hasn't pounded this heard since I found out I was pregnant. For the first time since Y/D/N was born, I met the most amazing guy, Jackson. I waited to tell him about Y/D/N because I wanted him to see me as more than a former teen mom. The second I told him, he immediately wanted to meet her. My wish of finding a man who loves kids was granted and today's the moment of truth.

I know my little girl has been wanting a father figure in her life and Jackson absolutely adores kids, but I was worried about the worst case scenario. What if she throws a tantrum and he gets freaked out? What if she doesn't like him?

The more I stressed about it the more it showed. I couldn't get the doubts out of my head. Was this too soon? I didn't want to put too much on the relationship and meeting a child can do exactly that.

I continued dressing Y/D/N until she covered her mouth to cough. I froze when I heard the rough sound erupt from her throat. I looked at her, constructing a loophole.

"You're sick. You can't go out in the cold like this." I quickly took off her little coat and took out my phone.

I called Jackson while putting her back in her PJs. The call went to voicemail, so I just left him a quick message:

"Hey. Y/D/N has a cough and I don't want her to catch anything, so we'll have to postpone the playdate. Call me when you get a chance. Bye."

And just like that, my worries were gone, for the most part. Because I was so caught up in the exaggeration, I wasn't able to realize how guilty I felt. I just gave up at the first way out. I knew Jackson would understand, but I couldn't help but feel impulsive.

The rest of the morning went smoothly, especially since all my girl needed was a little cough syrup. I spent the time checking my phone relentlessly. I hoped Jackson wasn't upset with me. I sent him a text, asking if next week would work for his schedule, but there was no reply. Soon enough, my worries started coming back.

I laid on the couch with Y/D/N sleeping next to me when I heard a knock at the door. Quietly, I walked over to see who it was. I gasped when I saw Jackson through the peep-hole. I had to make a snap decision here and now. Do I open the door and let him in or do I try to get rid of him? Yet, I knew the more I lied, the more I would hurt him. With a deep breath, I opened the door. Jackson perked up as soon as he saw me and handed me a grocery bag.

"Y/n, I know you wanted to cancel, but I figured if she couldn't go out in the cold, I could come by and see her instead. I brought some chicken soup too." If he wasn' the sweetest man alive before, he was now.

"Thank you, Jackson." I hesitated before opening the door wider and stepping aside for him to come in. "Make yourself at home."

"Mama?" I looked over to see Y/D/N waking up from her short nap. She rubbed her eyes and stared straight at Jackson.

"Baby, this is Jackson. Jackson, this is Y/D/N." I waited to see how she would react as Jackson stepped closer. He took off his coat and sat beside her on the couch, breaking the ice.

She looked him up and down with a blank expression before saying "Hi~" Her lips parted with a smile and I sighed in relief.

"Hi! Your mommy's told me a lot about you." Jackson said.

It wasn't long before the three of us went to the kitchen to make some soup and grilled cheese. Seeing her cling to Jackson after just an hour nearly made me cry. They were so natural with each other. Almost like they met before. She sat in his lap at the table and he instantly became her honorary soup cooler. He fed her one spoonful at a time, wiping her mouth when she spilled.

We all spent the rest of the day inside, watching movies playing with toys and getting to know each other. I felt so at ease with the both of them with me. It didn't take long for me to realize where Jackson and I's relationship is going. Seeing him here with Y/D/N felt so right.

Y/D/N fell asleep on his lap when night fell. Jackson looked at me with his big brown eyes and my thoughts burst from my lips.

"I love you." Oh, god. We haven't gone that far into the relationship yet! Maybe it was too soon! What is he doesn't-

"I love you too, Y/n. Both of you." He said looking down at my little girl.

My heart swelled. I leaned in toward him, giving him a kiss and resting my head on his shoulder. I finally found the right guy for me and my daughter.