We’re leaving in thirty minutes and I’m staring at a bed full of options for daily wear, pajamas, and bathing suits.
This man has seen me naked. Tell me why I’m worried about pajamas.
Ugh. This is hard as fuck.
“Mommy, weady?” A sticky little hand grabs at my leg.
“Almost, love.” I sigh and grab a pair of shorts that have made the cut.
“I lite this one.” She grabs one of my favorite comfy dresses and tosses it, unfolded into the suitcase.
“Thank you. I like this one too.” I pronounce the K in like for her.
Together, we spend the next ten minutes picking clothes for me. She is having a blast picking Mommy’s clothes, and I’m not having to make choices, so it’s a win-win.
“Otay! Let’s go, Mommy! Coopa is waiting!” She runs out to the living room and I hear her talking.
“Love, who are you—”
I stop in my tracks when I hear the low rumble of a man’s voice. My heart speeds up in my chest and my body goes cold. I run to the living room, my flip flops slapping against my heel. How did I miss the door opening? How did I miss my daughter talking to someone?
When I see the familiar blonde shaggy hair, I freeze. It’s just Cooper. We’re safe, she’s safe, it’s just Cooper.
“Hey, you okay?” His eyes snap to me, concern written all over his furrowed brow as he tries to figure out what’s wrong with me.
“I… just… I didn’t know there was anyone in here. She didn’t ask me to open the door, or tell me you were waiting.” I almost accuse him, like he did something wrong.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to come back without an invitation.” He turns to Lily. “Did you forget to tell Mommy I was here?”
Her little head nods up and down. “I saw her pwetty dwess.” Her bottom lip juts out, and I know the tears aren’t far behind.
Kneeling on the ground in front of her, I pull her hands into mine and turn her to look me in the eye. “You aren’t in trouble, baby. But you opened the door without Mommy around. You know the rule is that you don’t open the door without me.
“But, just Coopa!” The tears well in her little eyes.
“I know, baby, I know. But Mommy worries if it’s not Cooper. If it’s a stranger. You just need to come back and get Mommy first, okay? We’ll open the door together.” I reiterate the rule, not knowing how to get her to stop opening the door, short of adding a deadbolt at the top.
Which, now that I think about it, isn’t a bad idea.
“I sowwy, Mommy.” She launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck so tight, I nearly choke.
“I love you, baby, I want you to be safe. Always.”
“I pwomise.” She smacks my cheek with a maple syrup kiss.
Cooper kneels down next to us. “I’m sorry too. I should have called you first.”
“It’s not your fault.” I give him a wobbly smile. “I’m just over protective.”
“Never. She’s your baby. You can be as protective as you want. I should have known. I’ve heard that rule and I still just let her open the door.” He turns to Lily. “I’m sorry that I didn’t follow the rule either.”
She reaches her arm out to wrap around Cooper’s neck as well as mine.
“It’s otay. We’ll do betta next time,” she says, the tears dried up in her eyes and the incident already forgotten.
I chuckle at her ability to move on. “Are we all ready to go? Have a fun time?”
“Sure are! I’ve got the bags and the princess, you just lock up.” Cooper scoops Lily up like a football making her giggle wildly and then wheels the suitcase behind him.
