unconditionally. **completed**

#20 turning 5

it's no surprise that joseline is my princess. for her birthday I had a custom princess dress made for her and a new tiara. every princess needs multiple tiaras. she was currently dancing around the apartment in her mini ball gown telling her mom and I she is a real princess. she really is. Emma finally agreed to set a date for a week after the party. she wanted to make sure that joseline got her birthday first before anything. the prenup was signed. I didn't want one. Emma refused to marry me unless we had one. she didn't want anything. just for mento make sure both kids were well cared for. she doesn't know it but I did set a trust up for her and the kids for if we do divorce or something happens. I wanted to make sure that she always had something. the fact that she doesn't feel entitled to the money makes me love her even more. women I was with in the past just wanted me for my money. they saw everything it could give them and they would try and get me to fall in love and get married. Emma was different. she just loved me. the money wasn't a factor in her loving me. it was a nice to have that and to feel that.

" baby we have to go. are you feeling ok?" the pregnancy had definitely been taking a toll on Emma. she was sick a lot. we found out she was almost four months. in a few weeks we get to know the gender of the baby. I wouldn't mind another girl. having joseline has given me a whole new perspective on how I treated women.

" I'm feeling better. at least I'm not throwing up on anyone. that reminds me the board meeting to sign those contracts is tomorrow. I promise not to throw up on Mr Stanton." that was definitely a surprise. when she did that I wasn't sure what to do. I just sat there for a few seconds registering what just happened. when I got it together I ran right to her not even seeing if Mr Stanton was OK. funny thing is he had throw up all over him and he was also there seeing if she was OK. I am willing to admit I was a little put off by the attention he gave her. I pushed the she is mine crap aside but it was the first time I have ever felt like that.

" baby are you sure you are ok?" she shook her head and got up away from the toilet. it's probably a good thing the cleaning service comes 6 days a week now. Emma insisted subways they get a day off. I watched as she fixed her clothes and got herself back together. this girl never ceases to amaze me.

" Come on let's get our princess and go. tomorrow after the board meeting steph, my mom and I are going to find a dress for the wedding. make sure you get the marriage license." she went in giving her teeth a quick brush and then we were headed out the door for our little princesses fifth birthday.

the banquet was filled with everything a little princess could ever want. there were kids running around from station to station. most of the girls were playing tea party or doing make overs. it was a glitter bomb explosion all over the place. it was a little girls dream come true. I grabbed Emma by the waste and kissed her lips. " I wouldn't mind having another little princess."

she smiled at me and shrugged. " what if we have a prince?"

" I want to play baseball with him. take him all his sports games and teach him how a woman should be treated. you know dad and son stuff."

" I think you are an amazing dad. you go overboard but I love you for it. boy or girl I have no doubt you are going to be amazing." i grabbed her into a hug just as our little princess came running up to us with glitter all over her hair and face and the Pinkett lipstick I had ever seen.

" daddy! mommy! do I look pretty?" we both chuckled.

Emma grabbed her from my arms kissing her make up face. " so pretty little princess." I still can't believe it had been a year since this precious little girl came into my life. an all nighter definitely had an entirely new meaning for me now. " Josh we should get the cake going."

the last thing I wanted to do was give this many five year Olds sugar but who am I to say no. " alright baby. I'll be right back. come on princess joseline. let's get your cake set up." I walked away just as her phone was ringing. joseline and I got the cake set up and went to go find Emma to start singing happy birthday.

when we made it back to her I got the tail end of her conversation. " look it's her birthday today and we are celebrating it right now..... yes I know she is..... joseline please...... it's not up to you..... you are more than welcome to come to her party. I sent you and Derek invites and you chose not to be here....... no he is adopting her and so he is her dad...... you know what I have had enough of this. you chose not to be in her life because it's too sad for you. Luke is gone and no one is replacing him. as a matter of fact Josh talks about him to her all the time. she even has his picture in her room it is you both that have failed his memory so if you will excuse me I am going to go help my five year old blow out her candles. you know the precious little girl you haven't seen since she was three. have a good day."

she hung up the phone and closed her eyes holding her stomach. she was trying to breath and keep down the nausea. " you ok baby?"

" yeah, it's just Luke's parents. they are refusing to come because you are Herr. they said you aren't her dad and have no right to be raising her." I think she saw my look of sadness. I tried to hide it but someone saying I wasn't her dad just kind of hurt. I tried very hard to show her how much I love her. " Josh looked at me." she reached up cupping my face staring me straight in my eyes. she always looked so beautiful. " you are more than just a father. you are her dad. her hero. you help her when she falls and have been teaching her to ride a bike and you throw her princess parties. you are her dad. honestly I pitty the first boy that ever breaks her heart because I know you are going to try and break his legs. you have every right to be her as her dad and those two have no right. they are chosing to stay out of her life amd you have chosen to keep her in yours. I love you." I smiled like a big goofy kid. she was amazing. she was right. anyone dares to break my girls heart I'm breaking their legs. " Come on let's go eat some cake before I feel like I'm going to thrownit all back up."

" is Mr Stanton here?" she smacked my chest as we both laughed getting our princess to her cake. I wouldn't trade any of this for the world. I would choose her every time. that little girl had me wrapped around her finger.