Didn't have to be

Didn't have to be

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new it always ends up feeling more like a job interview. My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet some one who wouldn't find about me and then turn around and run.

Melody was sitting on the floor of Zoey's room. Zoey was finally starting to date again. She couldn't understand why something that had been so easy for her in high school was hard now. She had gone a lot of dates in three weeks. Everything was fine until she had them meet Melody. Then they'd turn around and leave without another word.

Met the man I call my dad when I was six years old. He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go. A few months later I remember laying there in bed I heard him pop the question and I prayed that she'd say yes.

Zoey hoped that tonight would be the night. She knew that Melody needed a father. She decided to do a very risky thing. When James came to the door she said "Melody can you come here please? James this is my six year old daughter Melody. She is my world so if you become part of my life you become part of hers to."

James took a deep breath and said "I wouldn't have it any other way. You and Chase are my friends. Melody you're coming with us. That is if it's alright with your mom."

Zoey said "James are you sure it's way past her bedtime? I also think for the first date it should be just us."

James said "Zoey I think I should get to know your daughter. That way I can figure out if you and I are meant to be a family."

Zoey said "Melody it's alright with me as long as you go to sleep with out complaints. Go get dressed and I'll grab your coat."

Zoey and James had the perfect first date. Zoey felt like her dreams were finally coming true. The three of them went out like that for three months. Then one night Melody heard James ask her mom a question. James asked "Zoey I want to ask you something. These past three months have been the greatest of my life. I want them to last forever but in order for that to happen you need to love me. I'm asking you if you want to make a family of two into a family of three."

Melody's heart stopped and she prayed that her mom would say yes. Her prayers were answered because a few minutes later Zoey ran into the room and asked her how she'd feel about it.

Then all of a sudden it seems so strange to me. How we went from something missing to a family. Looking back all I can say about all the things he did for me is I hope that I'm at least half the parent that he didn't have to be. Met the man who is now my husband about three years ago we had the perfect marriage but we wanted something more. Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends crowding around the nursery window as they bring the baby in.

Melody was standing next to her mother and the rest of their family. The nurses had just brought in her baby girl. She thought about James. He had been a great father. She still missed her father something awful but James had stepped in and took care of her. That meant the world to her. She hoped that she would be as good a mother as he had been a father because he had been the best.