Davis'P.O. V.
"Good morning, my beautiful wife." I woke Lisa, brushing that long beautiful hair of hers back. We'd just gotten back from our week-long honeymoon, where we stayed in our room for almost the entire trip. We couldn't seem to break apart long enough to enjoy a lot of the things in Hawaii, but I wouldn't change how it went.
"Good morning, my handsome husband."
It was no longer a Viking and his Warrior, no, it was now a husband and his wife. Although, the Viking and Warrior are still there, just hidden for a moment.
"Do you think she's awake?" Lisa asked about our princess.
"Probably, she's missed us, even though she had fun with Izzy." I was surprised that Izzy offered to watch Calliope. At first Lisa's mother was going to, but I couldn't deny this sister bonding moment. Lisa's mom watched Calliope while Izzy worked, but our princess was with her sister most of the time.
"Then let's go greet her." Lisa beamed at me with that bright smile of hers. I kissed her tenderly, unable to hold back any longer.
The moment we stepped out of the room, Calliope collided against us with a big hug. She'd done the same when we had first picked her up from Izzy's yesterday.
"Good morning, princess."
"Good morning, Daddy!"
"Let's go have some breakfast."
Lisa led the way down to the kitchen, and we all shared a meal together. Calliope told us all about how much fun she'd had at Izzy's house and how great Jared was. She clued me in that Jared had not been spending the night at all. Apparently, the kid showed up early in the morning, and came back in the afternoon. Izzy has just been pulling my leg this whole time, knowing I would think they were sleeping together. That little shit.
"I think I know what I am going to do with the money that comes from liquidating my dad's business," Lisa randomly told us after breakfast.
"I'm all ears."
"I was thinking about making tasers, and pepper sprays that don't look like it. I want to make them small, easy to use, and easily accessible to women. Not all of them have a Viking to teach them to fight. These things could help them if they are ever in a bad spot," she said, looking down at her hands, as if she were too shy to admit her plan. "I was also thinking of opening a children's center. I want to have a place kids can go to play safely, and I'll hire trained workers there who can keep an eye out on the children. They can look for signs of neglect or abuse, and help the kids they feel may be needing. I'll keep the place stocked with snacks and food for them. It'll sort of be like a boys and girls club, but it' ll be free. I'll try to get donations and claim it as a charity. I just don't ever want to think of a kid on the streets like our Calliope was."
"I think it sounds perfect, Lisa. It's a great idea."
"Thank you." She blushed, but there was a wide smile on her face that showed me she was proud of herself, too.
"I'll help wherever you need me to."
"I know you will."
_____________________________________
"How is she?" I asked Lucas as we watched Liv and Lisa chatting away.
"She's tired all the time, more than just pregnancy tired. She forces herself to eat for the baby, but she's still not eating very much. Thankfully, it's not any worse than that. The doctors are keeping a close eye on her, and they said we could try to deliver the baby early if needed. We'll know more when she hits her third trimester. They can start giving our baby boy steroids to help him grow in case they have to deliver him early."
"Baby boy? You' re having a boy?" I smiled real wide. Those kids are going to be tough as nails.
"Yeah. We found out yesterday, but I don't know if I was supposed to tell you that or not, so you know nothing." I laughed at the fear that was clear in his eyes. Liv is a scary woman, so I completely understand him not wanting her to be mad.
"My lips are sealed. She' ll get through this and the two of you will raise those kids together. I am sure of it." I nodded as if I could command the universe myself with just my words. If only.
"Thanks. I know she's got a fighting spirit from hell. Nothing can keep my girl down."
I know Lucas wanted to desperately believe my and his words, but it's hard to push those doubts and fears down. She has cancer and it's scary as hell, but it's not a death sentence. She can beat this.
"Hey, I know you guys adopted Calliope already, but are you still looking into getting a surrogate?" He changed the subject quickly, trying to get his mind off it, I guess.
"Lisa said she still wanted to do it. She just wanted to give Calliope time to adjust."
"Well it takes a while to do, so I set up an appointment for her already to see a great fertility doctor to get the process started. She can hit me if she wants, but I know she wants a little baby to hold. Not that Calliope isn't enough." Lucas surprised me with his words as he looked at his sister now. "I've never seen her so loved and so happy. Thank you, Davis. You've done something I couldn't. You've kept her safe and happy."
"No, it's me that should thank her. She's saved me, too. I am just glad we found each other. She' ll probably be mad at first, but then I am sure she' ll go to the appointment, anyway." I chuckled thinking of the face she would make.
"Get a picture of that scowl when you tell her." Lucas laughed beside me.
Calliope joined us later with Izzy, who she has been spending a crap ton of time with here lately. I love it, but I also miss my princess. We all ate lunch, enjoying each other's company. Hell, I even enjoyed Jared's company when he came 10 minutes after Izzy had arrived. Now that I know that he hasn't slept with my daughter yet, I can tolerate him better.
"Can I speak with you, sir?" Jared's timid voice came from behind me as I loaded my plate into the dishwasher.
"I'm listening," I said, not turning around until after I dried my hands. He waited for me to look at him before he started, earning him some points in my book.
"I would like to start a serious relationship with your daughter. Iz is an amazing and strong woman, with the most caring heart. She's sweet and funny, and she makes me extremely happy. I hope that I make her happy too. I think I do, but I'll make sure to do an even better job. I know you don't want her to see anyone that isn't willing to talk to you first. So here I am, give me what you got. I can take it." He said scared but determined. I stared him down for a long while, waiting to see if he'd squirm when he didn't I smiled, let out the deep chuckle I'd been holding back.
"You' re a good guy, Jared. You may date my daughter, but know if you ever hurt her, if you ever break her heart, I'll be coming for you. Not only will you beat you half to death, I'll cut your balls right off. Don't think I'm kidding." I got serious again, seeing him register my threat before I smiled again. "You got my blessing, kid. Just keep my warning in mind."
With that Jared skidded off back to Izzy's side. He didn't say a word to her, which is smart. She would be mad at him for even asking. She doesn't think anyone should ask for permission to date her as she's her own woman. Too bad she's my daughter, and I say otherwise.
"What was that about?" Lisa asked, bringing me more plates.
"Just Jared being a smart man." I winked at her. "He's going to date my Izzy, and you' re going to start IVF treatments so we can have our own baby."
"Wait, what?" Lisa stared at me a bit dumbfounded.
"You heard me, woman. I want to have a little baby with you, so I will stick your ass with a needle and deal with your crazy hormones so that we can make that happen. You have an appointment set up by Lucas." Oh, the face she made was priceless, and I somehow managed to capture it on camera even with my wet hands.
"I didn't even say I was ready. Calliope has only been with us for a few months. What if having the baby makes her feel like we' re trying to replace her or something?" She seemed worried, angry, and excited all at once. Her face kept changing with each emotion.
"Don't worry, we' ll talk to her about it. She will understand. She seems to be enjoying having a sister. I am sure she won't mind another sibling."
I hugged her, trying not to touch her with my wet hands, but holding her tightly against me with my arms. She rested her head against my chest and gave me a small smile.
"Okay. We talk to her first, and if she's okay with it, then I'll go to the appointment." "Deal."
It was getting dark by the time everyone left, having stayed for dinner as well. Lisa and I seem to have a welcoming house since no one wanted to leave. Our attention was now on our princess and the conversation we need to have with her. We sat her on the couch between us, and got ready to have a serious conversation. I have to remember that she's a child even if she is a super genius. She is still learning how to name and deal with her emotions, and this is going to bring up emotions she may be unsure of.
"We wanted to talk to you about us having a baby." I got right to the point.
"You will always be our child, no matter whether we have babies of our own or not. You are the daughter that made me a mother first, and nothing will change that." Lisa held Calliope's hands as she spoke, seeming teary eyed.
"You are special, and amazing, and although we didn't create you, you were made for us. We want you to keep that mind through all this," I added.
"I can't carry babies because of the shape of my womb, but I can have someone else carry my and your daddy's baby. These women are called surrogates. Your father and I would get a surrogate and have her carry the embryo we make. It doesn't always work, but we are hoping it will work with us. That baby will have Davis and my blood running through them, but they would
be just as much our child as you are. There will be no difference between the two of you except how you look. Do you understand?" Lisa tackled the delicate subject graciously.
"I understand, Mommy. I was wondering when you were going to have a baby. You guys are great parents for me to keep you to myself. I really thought you were going to tell me that you were pregnant. I am sorry you can't carry the baby yourself, Mommy." Calliope gave Lisa a big hug, honestly feeling upset for her mother.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Are you sure you are okay with us having a baby? We can wait until you are ready, Calliope. You are a big part of this family and having a baby is a big deal, one that can't be taken back."
"I know, Mommy. I am sure that I want you guys to have a baby." She nodded her head.
"Thank you, princess." I rubbed her curly hair, frizzing it the same way I do Liv's. She just smiled up at me without a care in the world.
Seems I'm going to have 2 adoptive daughters, my first-born girl, and now a new baby. I'll be a father of 4, but I cannot wait to see what Lisa and my baby will look like. I know I'm starting late in life, but it' ll make things better. I know what I am getting myself into and I can be here to better support Lisa through it.
My family will always be my top priority. Thank you, Lisa, for bringing love and happiness back into my life.