Two months or so after I moved it was Maia's eighth birthday. It was the first birthday that I was spending with her and I was so excited. I had been seeing her every weekend since I had moved up.For her birthday I had gotten her a new hoop and a signed NBA ball. We spent the Saturday of her birthday together and then Brooke joined us for dinner. Brooke and I had actually gotten to be friends again since I moved up. At dinner there was a feeling between me and Brooke. It was good to feel like a real family, mom, dad and daughter. When it was time for cake we all got a great surprise when Nathan, Haley, Hannah and Grace showed up, along with my mom and Matt. Maia couldn't believe it; she had a whole family to celebrate her birthday with. She didn't say anything, but Luke and Brooke knew by the look on her face that this was better than any gift she could have gotten.
When we got back to Brooke's apartment, Maia took her grandmother, uncles, aunt and cousins into her room to show them her new gifts and introduce everybody to her puppy Spencer. While everybody went inside, Brooke and I stayed outside and talked.
"You know Lucas; she's changed since you came into her life."
"She is a great kid; don't think that in my two months with her I've had any more of an impact than you. Trust me, she's all you." I smiled at her and Brooke looked up at e with tears in her eyes. "Brooke, what's wrong?"
"I just, I feel like you bring out a whole other side of her that I haven't ever seen. Maybe I, I don't know stunted her?"
"Brooke don't be silly, you raised her. You showed her the world, and taught her everything you knew. Hell, you even taught her to play basketball because she wanted to know. You are a good mother, she is who she is because of you, I just add to it."
"Thank you" she said as a tear fell from her eye. I caught it as I pulled her close and kissed her. It was like we were in high school again. A feeling of warmth flooded my body. I felt love and happiness and I hoped that this could last forever. But, it didn't. The kiss ended and Brooke went inside leaving me alone, outside. I got into my car and started my drive home.