Her Obsession (by Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 139

I’ve Got A Son, And Nuggets.

Connor

:

76

The drive into the city is loud in the best kind of way. Rain misting across the windshield, Sage half–turned in the backseat, showing Diego how the toy’s smoke puffs out like dragon breath while Naomi laughs softly beside them. The kid’s giggling, his little hands covered in glitter from one of the unwrapped toys, and for a second, I almost forget who any of us are. By the time we reach City Hall, it’s barely been ten minutes. Paperwork’s already filled, stamped, and filed before I’ve even had time to process the weight of what I’ve done. I hand over the last sheet, the clerk stamps it without looking twice, and just like that…I have a kid. No waiting. No questions. No hesitation. It feels absurdly simple for something that big. When I step back out into the drizzle, the thought hits me like a slow, steady wave: I’ve got a son now. And somewhere along the line, I started thinking of him like that. The second thought comes right after. Sage. My girl. My storm. My reason.

She’s sitting in the back seat when I return, hair falling over her shoulder, cheeks a little flushed from laughing with Naomi and Diego. She’s pointing at something the boy’s doing, her voice animated and soft, and he’s beaming like she just told him he hung the moon. I stand there for a heartbeat, just watching. The sight burrows into me, deep and warm. Yeah. I’m going to marry her. The thought feels dangerous, impossible, but so damn right. I can already picture the smirk Nico’s going to give me when I ask for his help. He’s the only one I trust to forge the kind of paperwork Sage needs to make her real in every way the law will accept. So that when I call her my wife, it’s not just a promise, it’s something solid. Something no one can take away from her. By the time I slide back into the driver’s seat, I can’t stop smiling. They all look up. Three faces, three shades of light. Naomi, with her knowing grin. Sage with her wide, untamed eyes. And Diego, sitting proudly between them, dinosaur clutched in one hand like a tiny warrior.

“Alright,” I say, starting the car again. “Anyone hungry?”

Naomi hums her agreement right away, but Diego hesitates. He glances up at me from under his lashes, uncertain, like he’s waiting for someone to tell him he’s allowed to want something.

That look slices something open in me.

“Okay, let’s make this easy,” I say, shifting gears and keeping my tone light. “Who wants burgers?”

Naomi raises her hand instantly. Sage follows with a little grin. Diego’s eyes dart between them, unsure, small shoulders tight.

“Or maybe pizza?” I add, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. “Fries? Tacos? Ice cream? Come on, I’m losing track here.”

He still doesn’t move, so I try again, softer this time. “Alright. Everyone, raise your hands if you want nuggets.”

Naomi’s hand shoots up first, dramatic as ever. Sage raises hers, smirking like she’s playing along with a joke only she gets. And then Diego, sweet, cautious Diego, looks at them both, takes a deep breath, and slowly, timidly lifts his little hand.

The grin that spreads across my face feels unstoppable. “Nuggets it is, then.”

Sage laughs under her breath. Naomi cheers. Diego just smiles, small, unsure, but real. As we pull out into traffic, the rain eases and the clouds begin to thin, streaks of sunlight painting the wet roads gold.

The drive–through sign glows ahead, neon cutting through the damp air. The smell of salt and grease hits as soon as I roll the window down–childhood, comfort, the kind of thing I never thought I’d be doing again.

“Alright, team,” I say, glancing in the rear–view mirror. “Nugget meals for everyone sound good?”

Naomi hums in approval. Sage gives a small nod, eyes soft as she watches Diego in the reflection. He’s hugging that mist–blowing dinosaur like it’s a pet. When he hears the word nuggets, though, his head pops up.

1/3

12:41 Thu, Oct 23 A…

I’ve Got A Son, And Nuggets.

“Chicken?” he asks quietly.

:

“Yeah, buddy,” I say, “The best kind. Crunchy. Comes with fries and a drink full of sugar.”

He looks from me to Sage, checking if it’s really okay, and when she smiles, he nods, just once, sharp and shy.

76

When the speaker crackles, I rattle off the order. “Four nugget meals, extra fries. Make one a kid’s meal and make sure it’s got a toy, oh and a soft serve.” I pause, then add, “Actually, how many toys do you have today?”

The teenager on the other end sounds bewildered. “Uh… fourteen different ones?”

“Perfect,” I say. “I’ll take one of each.”

Naomi snorts. Sage hides her grin behind her hand, shaking her head.

The kid at the window blinks when I pull up. “Sir, that’s… that’s a lot of toys.”

“Good,” I tell him, handing over cash. “We’re going all in.”

I take the bags one by one, passing them back. Naomi divvies up fries; Sage opens sauce packets. Diego’s eyes go wide when the boxes pile into his lap. The smell of food fills the car, warm and greasy and perfect. He picks up a fry and looks at me like he’s waiting for permission.

“Go on,” I say. “It’s yours.”

He grins then, a real one, small teeth and joy so bright it almost hurts to look at. When the teenager brings the ice cream cone, I take it and hold it out to Diego. Vanilla swirls high and soft, a tiny drop already sliding down the side.

“For me?” he asks, voice hushed.

“Yep,” I say, smiling. “You can’t have nuggets without ice cream. It’s the rule.”

He licks the edge, eyes going round at the taste, and a little laugh escapes him, a sound so pure it knocks something loose in my chest. Sage watches him, that unreadable mix of affection and ache crossing her face. I know that look. It’s the same one I get when I realise how much the world failed someone before we found them.

I pull the car back onto the road, one hand on the wheel, the other draped over the shifter. “You like it?” I ask.

Diego nods enthusiastically, ice cream already smudged across his chin. “It’s cold!”

“Yeah,” I say softly. “Good kind of cold.”

I’ve never had anyone little to spoil before. But this kid? He’s a clean slate in a dirty world. And if I’m going to do this, if I’m going to be someone’s dad, I’m going to do it right. So I’ll buy every toy. Every damn ice cream. Every small thing that makes him smile. Because he deserves it…to smile.