Luka had done what he thought was necessary as well.
The bathroom door finally opens, and Sadie steps out in a deep purple dress. It’s knee-length with a skirt that flares out. Her hair is curled and pinned at the sides. She is gorgeous, and she’s all mine.
“Should we see if Allie is ready?” Sadie asks.
“The kid’s been done for twenty minutes.”
“I’m not a kid!” Allie quips from our bedroom. She’s seated at the edge of the mattress, waiting as patiently as a thirteen-year-old girl can, considering that she’s antsy as hell to go downstairs for cake.
She’s asked four times when the happy couple will cut the cake and she can have a slice.
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” I say to Allie, apologizing for calling her a kid. She is Sadie’s kid, but she’s not a child. “I should have said the young lady has been done for twenty minutes.”
Allie beams proudly and steps down from the mattress, testing her new black heels. They’re not too tall and platforms, but she’s still unsteady.
I offer her my arm, and she gladly takes it. “Thanks, Da—Dmitri,” she says.
I glance at her, curious about the slip-up. Was she about to call me dad? My chest swells, but I don’t want to push. It’s only been a few weeks with Sadie and Allie living with me.
One step at a time.
Sadie steps out of the bathroom and leans against the wall while she slips on her heels. “I’m ready.”
I gesture for Sadie to walk out of the bedroom first as I help Allie navigate the stairs. I don’t trust that the girl won’t fall since it’s her first time in heels.
Allie leans into my ear once her mom is several steps ahead of us. “Weddings are super romantic,” she whispers. “Are you going to pop the question tonight?”
I smile, grateful the kid, or rather the young lady, has my back and wants me to become a permanent part of their family. “I don’t want to take away from Luka and Hannah’s special day,” I say.
Allie nods thoughtfully. “Good point. When you do, you have my permission.”
“Thanks, kid.”
“It’s young lady,” she snaps back with a wry grin.
* * *