His signature grin appears. “I’m not sure that’s going to be difficult.”
He’s right. I’m not sure Lola ever grasped the dynamics of living space. I wave him off. “Meh, you have a pool. She’ll be in heaven.”
He yanks down his shirt as he approaches the bed and crawls onto it quickly to kiss me. “I think her mom is too.”
The back of my knuckles run along his rough cheek as I smile. “How observant of you.”
One more quick kiss, and he disappears.
Sighing, I fall back and rest my head on the pillow. Somewhere in my head, a list develops of laundry, breakfast, and where we left the pool floaties. But it’s quite noisy because I’m still relaxed after the last five minutes.
All because I’m no longer hiding anything, my heart is no longer hidden, and I’ve laid my heart bare. Lola is where she should be, and I’m where I want to be.
EPILOGUE : HAYES
4 MONTHS LATER
"Can’t we try just one? Maybe the pink one—or the bunny-shaped balloon? I mean, she’s okay with Easter eggs. That’s the same shape, just doesn’t float in the air," I ask Elodie quietly, snaking my arms around her waist from behind as she leans forward to peek into Lola’s room. Together, we watch Lola sleep, Bagel clutched tight, sprawled on her bed beneath the big nap blanket. Her pink dress is laid out on the chair in the corner. A dress that Elodie made herself.
“I mean, be my guest. She does need to learn. Any meltdowns are your responsibility, though.”
I smile because I have a feeling that Elodie is my mirror, looking on with pure affection. “Our little girl is three,” I remind us.
“Yeah… she is,” Elodie laments.
It’s also my first birthday celebration with Lola. She had her birthday already, but with it being so close to Easter, we decided to combine the occasions. Bunnies are her favoriteanimal, after all. Last week, a wave of sadness hit me. I’ve missed all of this stuff the last few years. Elodie noticed my quietness every single time—she always gently placed her arm around me and whispered, "You’re here now." Only now will Lola actually begin to remember celebrations.
Hence, why I’m going a little overboard.
Elodie took a stand when I nearly hired a magician—more for me than our daughter, honestly. Who doesn’t love reliving their childhood? Instead, she convinced me a face painter with unicorns was the better bet.
We're keeping it low-key at our house: some kids from daycare and her dance class, plus close family and friends. My mom was here a few weeks back for St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago, and now she has returned and blessed us with another stay. I’m going to get her own place once an apartment a few floors down becomes vacant. We are very thankful that my driver drove her to the grocery store because she wanted to inspect avocados herself for a salad she wants to make. Gives us a little breathing space.
Elodie let me hire a caterer for the adults but insisted on spending three hours cutting toddler food into shapes. Apparently, bunny-shaped, crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are essential.
The smell of Elodie’s coconut shampoo invades my senses as she closes the door. I kiss her hair above her ear, then guide her aside and press her gently against the hallway wall.
“Careful there. Lola will wake soon, and we still have things to do,” she purrs. True.
My response is to pull her tighter, the heat between us immediate. “And,” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear, “we don’t need a lot of time… for now.” My heart pounds with anticipation at her closeness.
The sneaky little vixen brings her hand between us to cup my bulge that is hardening. “Ooh, someone wants me.”
“I do. So will you be a good girl and let me take off your panties underneath this dress?” I’m already beginning to drag up the fabric, and she gives me a firm squeeze.
“I mean, it would be a nice de-stressor. There have been so many things to do.” Her voice is sultry.
My nose nestles into her neck. “That sounds promising,” I rasp.
“Uh-huh, just a shame that we have...” Her hips buck into me, causing our middles to touch. “Toomany things to do.” She pouts before her finger boops my nose. Her smile straightens, and her rejection stings.
I grin at her as she wiggles out of our bubble. “I’ll get you for that later.”
“Please do,” she says over her shoulder as she heads in the direction of the kitchen. “Plus, don’t you have a ring to find somewhere?” she casually adds as she turns the corner.
My grin falls. “Wait, what?”
I move fast, straight to the kitchen, where Elodie seems to have been waiting for me. She has a wry smile as she leans against the long counter, where, at one end, appetizers are covered, prepared earlier by the caterer.
