Within minutes, Joy arrived at home. She walked in, carrying the groceries in one hand, and Betty in the other. Bob sat on the couch, reading a magazine. She smiled automatically when she saw him.

"How was grocery shopping?"

"It went well. I got everything we need. And several people complimented me on my baby. It used to make my day to hear a man tell me I was hot, but hearing people fuss over this little one is so much nicer!"

"Well, just so you know, you are hot," Bob said, coming toward them.

Joy kissed him. "I've got to put these away, and then it's time for someone's nap." She turned to her daughter, and was rewarded with a smile. The sight warmed her heart instantly.

Joy made her way into the kitchen. After putting Betty into her highchair, she began putting the groceries away. Even a small domestic chore such as this was new for her. Melanie usually kept the household running.

Ever since Betty was adopted, Melanie had been calling Joy repeatedly, offering tips on caring for a baby. Joy appreciated Melanie's help, but she wasn't used to taking others' advice. Even though she'd never done this before, she felt sure she'd figure it all out somehow.

Soon, the groceries were put away, and Joy picked up the infant, carrying her upstairs. For now, Betty slept in Joy and Bob's room. Bob had suggested giving the baby a room of her own, but Joy wouldn't hear of it. She wanted to be near their daughter, in case anything happened during the night.

The next few days were a blur. Betty rarely left Joy's side, while Bob did a bit of detective work, for which he did not need a honeytrap. On Saturday night, while Bob and Betty were asleep, Joy slipped out to a local liquor store and bought a bottle of wine. It would be Betty's "gift" to go with the card. Joy knew Bob would love it, and hopefully, it would lead to a romantic night for both of them.

On Sunday morning, Joy woke her husband with a kiss. "Good morning, Dad."

It took Bob a moment to realize. "Oh, is it Father's Day?"

"It is. Betty has something for you. Let me go get her." Joy walked over to the crib, and lifted the baby out. Miraculously, Betty was apparently already awake. After kissing her, Joy put the baby into her father's arms. "Now, we have to give you our presents."

"Presents? We just got married. I don't need another gift."

"Rubbish," Joy protested. "Betty and I picked this out just for you, because we love you." She opened the drawer where she'd hidden the card and the bottle. She handed them both to Bob, leaning over to kiss him.

"Now, the bottle was Betty's idea, but I bought it. The store seemed to frown on selling alcohol to infants." She and Bob laughed.

Bob opened the card. Just as Joy had, he melted when he read what it said. "Oh, sweetheart, you don't have to thank me," he said to the baby. "Your mom and I are so lucky we got you." He kissed her forehead.

Joy's heart warmed at the way Bob was with the baby. Sometimes she could hardly believe this was real. For so long, Bob had hit on her relentlessly, causing her to resist him as much as possible. But somehow, it seemed she was just getting to know him now. It was clear that Betty had already stolen his heart, and she would likely get away with murder when she got older because of it.

"I hardly know what to say," Bob said, when he finally tore his attention away from the baby. "I mean, between us getting married, adopting this little angel, and then my dad marrying Elka, we've barely had time to breathe, much less celebrate anything. I wasn't expecting a big deal today."

"Well, we figured you deserve it, for everything you've done for us. Right?" Joy tickled the baby's stomach, and the laugh that resulted sounded like music to her and Bob's ears.

Bob sat up, kissing Joy one more time. "Well, since it's Sunday, and the agency is closed, what do you say we...continue the celebration? If Betty doesn't want to join us, it's all right. We can figure out how to have fun without her, right?" He raised an eyebrow, making his meaning clear.

For perhaps the umpteenth time, Joy wondered how she'd managed to waste so many years chasing after the wrong things, never believing that a life like this was possible. I guess Melanie was right after all, she thought as she kissed Bob. Everything worked out perfectly.

The End