“Do you mind staying with Dani girl while I shower?” I brushed my lips across Bec’s cheek as I leaned over her.

“Nick, I...we...we should talk."

"Can't we talk later?" I pouted. "I've got a full schedule today and we've already slept in."

"We need to talk." Bec emphasized the word talk. "But go shower." Bec pulled Dani over closer to her and tickled her tummy. “We’ll cuddle while you get clean.”

Thoughts zinged around in my head as I showered. I knew Bec and I still had things to talk about and deal with, things that shouldn’t be put off, but not today. I, and I think Bec too, was still basking in the glow of our makeup from last night. Makeup sex was more like it, or maybe even rebound sex once again, but at least we were talking now. I didn’t want to spoil it so soon. Not to mention, I had so much on my schedule today, sitting down and talking things out would have to wait for a better time when I actually had the time to devote to it. I had to get the house ready for Heidi, meet the race crew, and hit the recording studio. And spend time with Dani. Ah, the life of a single father. I groaned again and stepped out of the shower, somewhat ready to face the day.

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“So Heidi is arriving sometime today?” Bec confirmed, looking in her schedule.

“Yeah, later this afternoon.” I struggled to wipe clean Dani’s face after her morning banana. Who knew tiny pieces of fruit could make such a huge mess on one little girl? “After lunch, I’m pretty sure.”

“You’re taking Dani to the race meeting?” It was more of a statement then a question.

I shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so. Mom and Dad are in the middle of getting Aaron ready for his tour, so they aren’t available.” I held Dani up off my lap and placed her in the bouncy seat with her mobile. I laughed as more banana pieces tumbled from her lap when I lifted her. Definitely my daughter, she was as messy an eater as I was!

“The meeting shouldn’t be too long, she’ll be fine.” Bec assured me. “And then what about recording?” As she looked at me, I could see one eyebrow rise with the question. Bec knew as well as I did, that she needed to be at this particular session and couldn’t help out with Dani.

“I guess Dani gets to spend time with her sitter alone for the first time.” I noted with a tinge of regret. I didn’t want to leave her this soon. I didn’t want to leave her at all, but it had to be done.

I’m sure Bec noticed my tone; she was quiet for several minutes, tapping her pencil on the table. “What about having them come with you? Heidi can get an idea about your career and what you do, and you can see Dani on your breaks.”

“Don’t you think they’d be in the way?”

“No, they can stay in the back with me while you work. I don’t think you should make a habit of it, but for the first day…” Bec let the sentence hang for me to grab.

“For the first day, everyone should understand that I’m a new dad and I can’t let her away from me or out of my sight for one second.” I finished.

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After helping me tidy up from breakfast, Bec left to get ready for the recording session later, promising to return so that we could talk to each other about last night and “not too early and interrupt darling Heidi’s arrival” – in her teasing words. Obviously, Bec was still not happy about my choice of sitter, but I still thought it would work out fine. I put Dani down for her morning nap and toured the house, hoping it would be up to Heidi’s standards, whatever they might be. Probably higher than my standards, I imagined. I put random clothes away, tidied up piles of video games and cds, made sure all the beds were made, the dishes were done and that Dani’s room was neat. The last thing was to make sure Heidi’s new room was ready for her. Mrs. Hudson didn’t have time to mess up too much, I noted, glancing around. Nothing really looked out of place. I put new sheets on the bed and ran a dust cloth over the dresser and bed table. Bec had put bunches of artificial flowers out to dress up the room so I gave them a shake and then nodded in satisfaction. Looked all right to me, she should be pleased. I hoped.

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The race team meeting went without a hitch. Some of the wives were there and they fawned over Dani, taking her over with their babies to play and keeping her out of my hair while I got business done and out of the way.

I had got interested in racing a few years before and then caved in and bought a boat last year. I wanted to race the boat myself, initially, but management had a freak out. They were worried I would get killed or hurt. It was a dangerous sport, but I knew what I was doing. Anyway, my Dad and I got together a team and the racing season had been going great for us. About the only hitch was that Dad wanted to drive the boat and he couldn’t because of an old injury. But the team we had to drive the boat was awesome and we had successfully won all but one of our races. Our only loss was due to a mechanical malfunction; we still managed to finish third. Our next big meet – to be held in a couple months - was close to home, here in Florida, and was for the National and World titles.

We cracked some beers and discussed strategy, accommodations; other teams and just relaxed and shot the breeze for a couple hours. I had decided to stay on my yacht for the weekend. That sounds so goddamn pretentious when I say that, but that’s what it was, a yacht. There was plenty of room for Heidi, Bec and Dani, as well as myself. I jotted a note to remind myself to get the rooms ready on it. Some stuff would have to be transported there for Dani so she could sleep and eat. We would also be having a concert after the World championship race. I would be performing some solo stuff for the first time and Aaron would be kicking off his US tour there. Should be fun times.

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Dani was totally ready for a nap by the time the meeting was finished. All the playing and meeting so many new people wore her right out. Her little head was nodding and falling on my shoulder as we said our goodbyes. Everyone congratulated me on her, telling me how awesome she was and how lucky I was. I just smiled and nodded. I knew how lucky I was. We finally got away and Dani had fallen fast asleep in my arms. I tucked her into her car seat, and then grabbed drive through lunch for myself before Heidi arrived. Dani was still sleeping when we got home, so I settled her into the bouncy chair to continue her nap. I finished the remnants of my fast food lunch and tossed the garbage. Nothing left to do but wait anxiously for Heidi, the next new addition to our lives to arrive