Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

But this was something Sherilyn knew she had to tell Jenna sooner or later.

Sherilyn watched Jenna, nervous yet hopeful.

"Mr. Gilbert, Mommy... getting married?" Jenna repeated, not quite grasping the concept of marriage.

"Yes," Gilbert nodded, trying to explain in a way a child would understand. "Marriage means that your mom, you, and I will be a family, living together, never apart." Jenna blinked her big, round eyes, not saying anything for a while, her lips pouting slightly.

Was she unhappy?

Sherilyn's heart tightened, and she shot a glance at Gilbert. "This matter, later on—"

"Mommy," Jenna finally spoke up, looking at her mother. "You're marrying Mr. Gilbert?"

"Jenna..." Sherilyn's heart was in her throat, but faced with her daughter's clear eyes, she nodded, albeit nervously.

"Yes."

"Mr. Gilbert," Jenna tilted her head up and asked Gilbert, "Does that mean you're my dad now?"

Dad.

Both Gilbert and Sherilyn were taken aback!

Neither expected those two words to come so easily from Jenna's lips.

The two exchanged a glance, their mouths dry and hearts racing.

"Yes," Gilbert swallowed, his voice softer, "Would Jenna like that? For me to be your dad and take care of you and your mom, is that okay?" Jenna looked at her mom, and Sherilyn gave her a gentle smile and nodded.

"Yes!" Jenna agreed, diving into Gilbert's arms.

Gilbert felt a surge of warmth in his chest as he bent down to kiss the top of her head. "Thank you, Jenna."

"You're welcome," Jenna replied politely.

Her chubby arms wrapped around Gilbert, her small mouth near his ear, "Mr. Gilbert, can I call you Daddy now?" Gilbert's heart skipped a beat, his throat tight. "Of course."

"Hehe," Jenna giggled happily, resting her head on his shoulder, and shyly called out, "Daddy."

Her voice was soft, but both Gilbert and Sherilyn heard it.

The two exchanged a glance, their eyes growing misty.

"Yes," Gilbert responded, his voice catching in his throat.

"Daddy!" Jenna called out again, louder this time.

"Yes!" Gilbert replied, laughing softly.

"Mommy!" Jenna turned to Sherilyn, "I have a daddy now!"

Sherilyn paused, looking at her daughter's beaming face, her heart both aching and full.

Choking up, she nodded, "Yes."

Blinking rapidly to hold back tears, she managed not to cry in front of Jenna.

She knew just how much her daughter longed for a father.

And at this moment, Jenna's wish had finally come true.

"Let's go," Gilbert said, feeling a sudden weight on his hand.

He looked down to see Sherilyn's hand in his, Gilbert holding Jenna in one arm and Sherilyn's hand in the other speaking to the little princess in his arms.

"All covered in mud, let's get you cleaned up and then have dinner with Mom and Dad."

"Yay!" Jenna laughed, snuggling

closer

to Gilbert. This time, she

whispered, "Daddy! Jenna is sl

happy!"

"Really?" Gilbert whispered back in the same tone, "Daddy's so happy too."

The father and daughter whispered secrets, leaving Sherilyn out of earshot.

"What are you two whispering about?" she asked.

"Nothing!" Jenna and Gilbert replied in unison.

"Oh, really?" Sherilyn pretended to be angry, "You two are already sharing secrets without me?"

"Mommy, carry me!" Jenna, always the clever one, reached for Sherilyn.

"Mommy, let's get Jenna clean!"

"No way," Gilbert held onto her, "Once

ose dirty clothes anet

you'll get your mom all muddy

swno Enet