MAX'S POV-

Fang stayed that night. It isn't safe to fly here too early at night, for risk of being seen. By the time it was late enough to fly safely, we were all asleep.

When we got home I started to wake Americus, but he lifted her and carried her to her room. We went to the family room and turned on the t.v., but neither of us watched it. I fell asleep before him, curled up next to him on the couch.

Americus and Fang seemed to be bonding well, which made me happy, because it was as if the old sparks were instantly rekindled with Fang, but stronger this time. It was like after him believing I was dead and me thinking I'd never see him again, being reunited had created a connection we hadn't had back then- dependence. Neither one of us would admit it, but we were now dependent on each other. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Two months after Knott's Berry Farm I learned how valuable having Fang around was.

"Mommy, is Fang going to live with us?" Americus was helping me cook dinner one night while Fang spoke with Iggy outside.

The question took me by surprise- I'd just been thinking about that theory when she asked. "I don't know sweetie, why?"

"I like him. I think he should move in with us." She started listing all of the pros/benefits of having him around, but I didn't hear them. I was thinking about what she'd said- "I like him." My stubborn little one, whom had hated Fang passionately at first, now liked him. Another sentence of her's broke through my thoughts. "I wouldn't mind if he was my new daddy."

Tears formed in my eyes as I knelt to talk to her. "Oh, baby. Do you really like him that much? He'd have to be a daddy too, not just fun."

"I know, that's why I want him. I think he'd be a better daddy than my daddy. My daddy didn't even want me."

"Sweetie…" I'd been dreading this talk since the day my winged angel was born.

Tears sprang to her eyes at my hesitance. "That is why he left, isn't it? Because he didn't want me." Her voice wavered and she started crying. "He hasn't even wanted to meet me! Does he even know I'm a girl? NO! He doesn't want me, because I'm a freak."

"Oh, baby…you're not a freak."

"But I'm right aren't I? That's why he left! He didn't want me!"

Fang came in just then. He looked down at us on the floor in surprise. "The dad talk," I mouthed over Americus's shoulder.

"He doesn't want me. Nobody wants to be my dad. I'm a freak." The little girl sobbed her heart out into my shoulder.

Fang sighed and scooped her into his arms. He sat down with her in his lap. "Now, you listen to me Americus Fayden Ride. That man is a useless jerk. He doesn't deserve to be the father of a girl like you. If I were him, I'd be proud to call you my daughter. You're special- not just because of the wings. Look around you. You've got a whole flock of bird freaks that love you.

"Now, I don't know much about parenting, but I'm pretty sure that the rule is the man who raises the child is the one they call the father. He hasn't been a father. He was a sperm donor. And as long as I'm around…I can't take your real dad's place, of course not. But I can sure as hell try."

"Language," I said. He ignored me.

"See? You were wrong. He may be too stupid to realize how great you are, but I know. You are wanted in this family."

Americus stopped crying and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back with a few tears in his own eyes. She slid off his lap soon and dashed off to her room.

I leaned against the counter and smiled. "You know how to make those tears go away and you aren't even related to her!"

"Just trying to help."

"So, how many of your shirts have my daughter and I ruined?"

"I lost count years ago."

"You promised my daughter you'd try to be a dad."

"Yeah. I will."

"Well…don't dads usually live with the kid?"

"So? Some parents are divorced."

"Well I was just thinking…maybe you could be one of those parents that aren't divorced."

"Huh?"

"I mean…maybe you could…you know…move in?"

"Is that what you want? Or are you doing this for your daughter?"

"Both." I went to him and kissed him. He seemed surprised, but went with it.