Title: Unexpected
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Tim woke at five and yawned. Lucy was sound asleep next to him in bed. He'd carried her there around ten last night after she'd fallen asleep in his arms. She hadn't stirred once just snored slightly. Tim lightly ran a hand down Lucy's left cheek overwhelmed with gratitude that she was safe. If that bullet had hit the car at another angle Tim could've lost both his wife and their unborn child.
Baby.
That was starting to sink in too. They'd be welcoming another child into the world. When Ellie had been born it had terrified Tim how much he loved that little girl. Now with his family growing Tim found he couldn't wait to meet this new little one. With a grin Tim kissed Lucy softly on the forehead before slipping out of bed. He took a quick shower and got dressed in his running clothes. Tim left a note for Lucy on the nightstand and headed to Ellie's room. He wasn't surprised to find his daughter awake.
"Morning, little one."Tim greeted. "Want to go for a walk?"
Ellie smiled and laughed.
"Da-da."Ellie replied.
Tim felt his heart squeeze. She'd said Mama before but nothing close to Dad. He scooped her up in a hug.
"Come on, let's find something for you to wear and we'll let Mama rest."Tim said as he went to the closet.
As dawn broke Tim had already jogged a mile with Ellie in her stroller. The neighborhood was quiet but Tim knew being a weekday that would soon change. For now he enjoyed the quiet and the father daughter time.
At mile two the condo came back into sight as they made a circuit. Tim studied their home for a moment and knew he'd have to talk to Lucy about getting a house. The condo had three bedrooms so they could make it work for now. Tim knew moving farther out neither of them would relish the commute. They'd have to decide on city or suburbs.
Stopping for a breather Tim squatted and peered under the blue cover overhang of the stroller at Ellie. Her brown eyes so like her mother's peered back at him.
"What do you say, little one?"Tim queried with a smile. "Do you want a treehouse and a yard?"
Ellie babbled and reached for him with one tiny right hand. Tim caught it gently in his.
"Or a playset with a slide and tire swing?"Tim continued.
Ellie wrapped her small hand around his first forefinger. Tim swallowed hard but smiled.
"Tire swing it is."Tim declared as he released his daughter's hand and stood. "Let's go another mile and then we'll see if Mama's ready for breakfast."
The neighborhood came to life around them as Tim jogged. He nodded to a few neighbors as he passed. It was going to be a good day.
