Worth Waiting For

By Stacy Kristen

Max: At 32, I've checked a lot of boxes, achieved every goal I set for myself.
Career as a nurse anesthetist, check.
Financial security, check.
House and white picket fence, check.
Kid, check.
You may have noticed that I'm a daddy. That's right, I am. When Maddie was born via surrogate four years ago, it was the best day of my life. The best decision I ever made.

But there's still one thing missing from my life—a woman I can call my wife and Maddie can call Mom. I'm ready to meet her, to fall in love. But at this rate, I'm never going to find her. The dating world is a crazy place, but when you're a dad, it's a downright nightmare.

Luckily for me, all that changes when I meet Ashlyn. She's one of my patients, whom I never thought I would see again. But our paths crossed as if we were destined to be. Now, all I have to do is convince Ashlyn she's the perfect one for me. And for Maddie.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stacy Kristen
• Release date: Mar 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9798224323920

Book preview

Chapter

One

MAX

As I’m brushing my teeth, Maddie appears beside me. Daddy, I need help.

I rinse out my mouth and drop my toothbrush back into its holder. With what, baby girl?

I can’t find my book. I smile. She never leaves home without her favorite book.

I take her hand. Let’s go find it together.

We walk down the hall, hand in hand, to her unicorn and glitter themed bedroom and begin the search. It’s going to be hard to find, as everything is the same color. Pink. And more pink. Pink is everywhere. Even her books are pink. To say that my daughter loves the color pink is an understatement. And it’s completely okay. Maddie can like whatever she likes. I’d move Heaven and Earth for her.

As we begin the search, Maddie looks in a pile of teddy bears, then in the closet, and finally in a pile of coloring books on her play table. She’s about to give up when I reach for the blankets on her bed. I’m rewarded when I hear a clunk, as it falls between the wall and the edge of her bed. I bend over and retrieve it, finally finding her favorite book. I run my thumb over the uneven surface. It’s seen better days. Even though she’s listened to me read it to her a million times, Maddie still loves it. If it involves princesses and a snowman, count Maddie in.

Thank you, Daddy, she says, taking it out of my hand, running from the room. I follow her to the living room, where I find her stuffing it in her backpack, which sits next to the front door.

Zip it up good, I say to her and watch as she does what she’s told. Maddie’s an amazing kid. It’s hard to believe she’s only four years old.

She sits and waits for me to help her put her shoes on. Bending down, I help her slip them on, loving that she puts her little palms on my shoulders as I do so.

Straightening up, I say, Wait for me, okay?

Okay, Daddy, Maddie replies, waiting patiently.

I walk into the kitchen and grab my protein shake. I need to fuel up for the long day ahead, because lives depend on it. And not just Maddie’s. You see, I’m a male nurse. A male nurse anesthetist, to be precise. People trust me with their lives. And I need to be alert and ready, every single minute of the day.Walking to the front door, I snag my keys, phone, and wallet.

Ready, baby? I ask, taking her hand, guiding her out the front door, walking to my truck. I open both doors and sit my stuff down in the driver’s seat. Maddie crawls up into the back seat, tosses her bag next to her, then plops down in her car seat. I buckle her in and check to make sure she’s safely secured. She is.

Ready, Daddy. I smile and give her a wink. Her pint-size laughter follows me. I love when Maddie smiles and laughs. As I back into the street, through the rearview mirror, I see her grab her backpack and pull out her favorite book.

Dropping Maddie off at daycare is always interesting. I pull up and place the truck in park. Getting out, I unbuckle her car seat and help her out. Reaching in for her backpack, I haul it out and hand it to her. As I shut the door, I see the straps are twisted and she’s struggling to get it over her shoulders. I bend down to help her and just as I’m about to stand back up, I feel it. People staring at me. I know what it is, even without turning around. I’ve gotten them enough times to know what they feel like. Let them stare. I know I look good, I take pride in it. I’m not any more vain than the next guy. I do, however, use what God gave me: dark brown hair that’s a little on the long side, green eyes, a full beard, nice white smile, and muscled body, including my ass. The daycare workers try not to stare, but I know they still do. Even if they try to be discreet about it.

It all started on Maddie’s first day, when I escorted her inside. As I held her tiny hand in my larger, calloused one, everyone stared. Why? Because I’m six-three and 230 pounds of pure muscle, with both arms covered in tattoos. The black of the ink stands out against the paleness of my skin. I wear scrubs, so my arms are exposed. And it leaves people speechless. I get that a lot, actually. But Maddie doesn’t even pay attention. To her, I’m just Dad. But, what they don’t know is that there’s only one lady in my life—Maddie.

You may be wondering where Maddie’s mother is. Maddie was born the natural way, but not with a woman I was ever with. I chose to have Maddie via surrogate. I provided my sperm, then it was matched with an egg. I waited nine months to hold my beautiful daughter. And I would do it all over again. Why did I choose surrogacy? It’s pretty simple—At 32, I’m not getting any younger and I want a family. I haven’t had any luck dating and the clock is ticking. Surrogacy was the perfect option.

We walk to the front door and I grasp the door handle to open it. But before I let Maddie slip inside, I keep a hold of her hand.

Bye, baby girl. Daddy will pick you up later. I love you.

I know, Daddy. You say that every time. Love you too, she says, excitedly, slipping her hand from mine, almost running to her classroom.

I think I hear a sigh from one of the ladies.

I smile as Maddie walks out of view. I’m a proud Papa. And I am extremely glad Maddie loves going to daycare. It makes it easier on me. Because every time I drop her off, my heart breaks a little bit. I love Maddie so much, it almost kills me.

Chapter

Two

As soon as I’m at work, my organized schedule becomes chaotic. In addition to my appointments, I also have whatever comes my way via emergency surgeries and unplanned labor and deliveries. So the day is pretty much the norm for me.

Good morning, I say in greeting to the nurses, giving them a small smile, adjusting my stethoscope around my neck. I try to keep it as professional as possible. But again, I know. I have exceptional hearing. I know they whisper about me and they stare. Whatever. I’m a professional so I don’t let it bother me. You’d think after a few years, they would’ve gotten used to seeing me. I’m easily here over 40 hours a week. But seeing me never gets old, I guess.

My first patient I put under anesthesia is an elderly man going in for a knee replacement. The second patient I follow up on is a hip replacement. The third is an expectant mother who is scheduled for a c-section.

The morning goes by quickly and it’s lunchtime. I take a quick lunch and I’m back at it. I check in with my patients, then head to the next scheduled surgery. Everything is going well, when I’m diverted to an incoming female who is being prepped for an emergency appendectomy.

I walk up to the patient and I’m blown away. Even though she’s obviously in distress and in