Over the weekend I overheard a conversation between Lucy & Todd. He was explaining to her that one day I would tell her that he was unsure about her, that he didn't really think she was the best idea, and that when she hears that she needs to understand he knows he was wrong. He continued to explain to her that she was perfect in every way, truly awesome, and one of the best things he's ever done. Then he turned to me and said over the course of the last week he could physically feel himself being wrapped around her little finger.
You see, Todd was terrified of having a daughter. When the ultrasound revealed his greatest fear he was in shock for a bit. He loves the kids, but caring for a baby girl and raising a well rounded woman is like knowingly traveling into uncharted waters. Pirate infested uncharted waters.
When the shock wore off the double standards kicked in. Boys need tough names, girls need something pretty and feminine. Roughhousing is for the boys, the girl needs to be treated gently. She will have to have pretty hair. She can only wear Mary Janes. Where can we get her some cute tights?
Then she was born. Through the blood and the gore and the tears, he beamed with pride and satisfaction. He gave her the name I'd desperately fought Zoe for and held her before anyone else. That's when it started.
He loves the boys. He loves their running and tackling, baseball and hockey, video games and burning leaves. But she is different. She can erase a day worth of stress with one smile. Melt his heart with one giggle. She terrifies him and completes him with every little breath she takes.
So when she's older and she asks, I can honestly say he really didn't want her. Didn't want her teenage attitude, shapely body, eager boyfriends, expensive taste. But that the second she got here he decided all of that was a small price to pay for one little smirk that looks so much like his own.
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