A college fund sounded like a good idea. "Ok, I can do that. Probably should talk to a lawyer about a will too..." The thought randomly popped into his head, and he'd said it before he had time to think about it. All this was just so insane. He needed a will now to make sure his kid was taken care of if anything should ever happen to him! Crazy. "Anyway, I know that money isn't the only thing she needs. I'm trying here, Lani. So cut me some slack. This is all new to me, and I want to do whatever I can to be there for her. I didn't mean to make it sound like I just wanted to pay up or something."
"I don't make promises lightly, Lani. Granted, you don't know me well enough to be able to take my word on that, but it's true. I'm just asking you to give me a chance. I mean, beyond this. I know you didn't have to tell me, and I'm glad you did, even if I wish you'd done so sooner."
The idea that Lani was trying to spare him some sort of burden was absurd to Starbuck. Having kids was a responsibility, absolutely, but he didn't think of it as a burden. It was a joy. Kamea didn't equal the end of his life, but the beginning of a new chapter.
He forced himself to not be upset by her refusing to let Kamea meet Vegas right away. Lani didn't want Kamea getting hurt, and neither did Starbuck. "So, no beach visits yet. What's the next step then?" She was calling the shots, even if he didn't like it. "I wanna spend more time with the both of you, let us all get to know each other. I want Kamea to know who I am, what I am to her now." He picked her up from his lap and held her more at his eye level. Starbuck just looked at her for a second, letting her eyes focus on his, and he smiled before giving her a quick kiss. "Kamea, I'm your daddy, and I'm gonna do my best to be a great one. You are welcome to throw up on me and scream your lungs out and make me change the most disgusting diapers imaginable if I screw anything up. Even if I don't screw anything up!"
He looked over to Lani, the smile still on his face, "I mean it. I'm gonna work hard. Nothing matters more than family. So, I'll baby-proof my room, stock up on the necessary supplies, get some books about how to take care of a kid, and let you run me through a boot camp of sorts... if you're willing."