I lean against the edge of my desk. For all my years working with children, I’m suddenly unsure of what to say to this particular child. “Do you want a snack or some water?”
She shakes her head, then cocks it to one side and looks at me closely. “You kissed my mom.”
The fact that I don’t fall off my desk is no small feat, that’s how shocked I am. But fast on the heels of surprise comes a flash of understanding. Damn, I wish Abby had said something, anything, so I could know how to respond. But I’m flying blind, so I proceed cautiously.
“I did. You saw us?” She nods. “Did that upset you?” She shakes her head. C’mon kid, give me something to work with… “Has your mom talked to you about what you saw?” She nods, and I take my first deep breath in a while.
“I really like your mom,” I say tentatively. That turns out to be the right thing to say, because finally Layla smiles.
“Good. She likes you, too.”
I grin back at her, filled with relief. “So does that mean you wouldn’t mind if I kissed her again?”
“Nope,” Layla says, popping the p. “Are you gonna have sleepovers at the farm? Melissa’s dad started kissing someone and then they had sleepovers and now Melissa says she’s her stepmom. I dunno what that means, but I guess you would be my stepdad if you did sleepovers at our house.”
“Right, well, we’re not moving that fast, Layla. But I do like spending time with your mom.” Oh shit. I need to change the subject away from sleepovers and stepparents. This is way beyond my comfort zone. “What are you looking forward to the most about winter break?”
“Makin’ gingerbread houses. But Mom hasn’t got the stuff yet. She keeps sayin’ she will, but she’s busy helping Unca Steve.” Layla frowns, and it tugs at something in my heart. I don’t like seeing this little girl upset. Not even over something as trivial as gingerbread. My mind starts going a mile a minute with a plan to win over both Layla and her mom.
I hear the front door to the school open, and smile warmly at Layla. “Sounds like your mom’s here.” She jumps to her feet and grabs her stuff before running out of my office. By the time I catch up to her, she’s got her arms around Abby, who’s crouched down to her level, murmuring something in her ear. Layla nods, and I hear her whisper, “It’s okay, Mom. Mr. Corser took care of me.” Only then does Abby look at me. She stands up and places her hand on Layla’s shoulder.
“Can you go and wait in the car, baby? It’s nice and warm, I promise.”
“Is there a snack for me?”
Abby gazes fondly down at her daughter and I’m smiling, too. The innocence of children is amazing. You’d never guess that twenty minutes ago, Layla was worried about her mother not picking her up on time. Now all she wants is a snack.
“Yeah, there is. But it’s a surprise.”
Layla lets out an excited whoop that has me chuckling before running out the door. Abby stops her just before she gets there. “Layla, what do you say to Mr. Corser?”
Layla spins around and runs back to me before flinging her arms around my legs. It catches me by surprise, but only for a second before I’m breaking every rule in the principal handbook, and hugging her right back. “Thanks, Mr. Corser. I hope I see you soon.”
“Me too, Layla, me too,” I say to her, but my eyes are trained on her mother who’s watching us with something indescribable brimming in her eyes.
When the door closes behind Layla I don’t waste any time walking over to Abby and cupping her face in my hands. “Are you okay, baby? Areweokay?”
She nods, a faint blush covering her cheeks. “I’m sorry I disappeared. It’s just…Oh God. This is so embarrassing.”
I let out a low laugh. I know exactly what’s got my beautiful woman tied up in knots. “Layla told me she saw us kissing at the nativity. I’m sorry if that made things awkward for you, but I’m not sorry she knows.” I hesitate before continuing, but I know it’s now or never. “She told me she’s okay with it, with us.”
Finally, Abby’s eyes meet mine and she nods. “She is. She, uh, she asked if you’d be coming for a sleepover.” Her lower lip disappears between her teeth, and I lean down to gently kiss it free.
“I know. Gotta admit, I kind of like the idea of a sleepover with my two favourite girls.”
Abby’s breath comes out in a whoosh. “I do, too, trust me. But Reid, dating me isn’t like dating a regular girl. I’m a package deal.”
I can’t stand the uncertainty in her voice, so I do what I do best, and kiss her again. “I know, baby. And it’s the full package that I like. A whole hell of a lot. If we need to go slow, we go slow. Whatever you say.”
Abby’s shoulders drop and finally her beautiful smile comes back. “Whatever I say?”
I nod.
“What if I say…you should spend Christmas Eve with us?”
My heart pulls a grinch and grows three sizes right then and there, expanding with what must be love for this woman and her daughter.
Love. Me. I’m in love. Never thought that would happen, but it has, and I couldn’t be happier.
