Chapter 24

"Well, it was a more pretty different birthday for me than anything else," Brittany giggled the next day.

"Britt, don't start," Paul warned.

"Why not? I kind of knew you were starting to like Mom, but I guess yesterday pretty much confirmed that."

"Okay, not that you need to know this or anything, but what Spanky happened to come upon yesterday was not supposed to happen."

"But it did," Brittany sang. "Daddy's gottttttttttttt a girrrrrrrrrrrrllllfriend. And it's my mommmm!"

Paul put his head in his hands and groaned. "Jesus Christ. It isn't enough I have to deal with this during the times I get to see Spanky, now you're on my ass."

"Come on, Dad; she's far better than some of those stupid girls you go around with and talk to. She's a natural looking person anyway."

"You say that because she's your mother, which is normal, by the way."

"And that she looks like a real person. Dad, you're pushing forty; you're getting up there and gotta think about having someone stable."

"Your mother," Paul guessed.

"Yup."

"Jesus. Why the hell did Spanky have to tell you about all that anyway? Now both of you will be giving me shit."

"He didn't have to outright," Brittany nodded. "I kind of guessed there was something weird going on just from the look on his face. And look at it this way, Mom came down in a real good mood this morning. She's usually all crabby and stuff when she isn't quiet. Not today."

Paul gave her an odd look. "And why do I have the feeling that what happened last night going to be the subject of her next coffee klatch?"

Brittany shook her head. "She discusses stuff with the ladies, but never talks about sex things. So I think you're safe."

"Thank Christ."

"Why are you so hung up on it? Mom isn't mad."

"Obviously. She's down there singing," Paul replied.

"And it's not like you can hide how you feel about her all that good. Besides, if you hadn't already done it with her, I wouldn't be here."

"Oquela. God, Britt, where do you get this stuff?"

"From 'the big talk' I had with Mom awhile back, what else?"

"Remind me in the case that if I have any more kids, not to have 'the big talk' with them until they're thirty. You kids these days are way too smart."

Brittany perked up. "You want more kids?"

"Not right away, but I've thought about it off and on."

"Cool!" she cheered.

"Don't get all excited just yet," he said.

"Why? You're a good dad."

"How can you tell? Britt, I've only known about you for a little over a few months. That doesn't give me much time to catch on to the whole fatherhood thing, considering the kid I have is far past the diaper stage."

"Yeah, it would be kind of funny to see you with a baby," Brittany giggled.

"Well, I don't think any of us has to worry about that for awhile," Paul replied. "I'm already a dad in training with you, and that alone is a handful."