Called to School for My Son's Fight

: My Dream Daddy

4.

On the way back, my son was leaning against the window, looking uncharacteristically melancholy.

I thought he was upset because of the whole ordeal at the Westbridge Police Department—after all, he's only a five-year-old kid.

I was just about to say something to comfort him.

But then, my son said something that left me completely stunned:

"Mom, I think Officer Thorne from today perfectly fits my fantasy of a future daddy."

I was so shocked I nearly slammed on the brakes.

'Is this what they call "blood is thicker than water"?'

'To think Leo Shaw had such a high opinion of Aiden Thorne.'

I composed myself. "Why would you suddenly say that?"

My son looked dead serious. "Tall, powerful, and devastatingly handsome!"

'That much was true.'

'With a face like his, Aiden Thorne could take the entertainment industry by storm.'

'As for tall and powerful...'

The "tall" part was plain to see. Aiden Thorne really was 6'2".

'Powerful—'

'He was definitely powerful, too.'

'Otherwise, Leo Shaw wouldn't exist.'

My mind started running wild, and the tips of my ears began to turn red.

My son, however, didn't notice.

He sighed. "But I guess there's no chance of that uncle becoming my dad."

'It's not that there's no chance.'

'He *is* your real dad. That's a cold, hard fact.'

But I was curious why he'd reached that conclusion.

I pouted. "Are you underestimating my charm?"

'If I hadn't snagged Aiden Thorne back in the day, this little pipsqueak wouldn't even be here.'

My son shook his head. "I think that uncle was pretty cold to us."

'He had a point.'

'But I felt—'

'After being apart for so long, him not throwing us out of the Westbridge Police Department was already a gentlemanly act.'

'After all, my breakup with Aiden Thorne was really ugly.'