“He’s an idiot,” I murmured. “Your pancakes are great. Come. Let’s eat.”
I released her, and she hobbled wordlessly back to the stove. The fact that she kissed my cheek and wasn’t telling me to fuck off meant maybe we were making progress.
Ellis came into the room in her My Little Pony pajamas.
“Hey, Ellie-gator,” I greeted her.
She wiped the sleep out of her eyes and crawled onto my lap as I settled at the island. I smiled at the gesture. She pulled my pancakes toward her and began to eat.
Rosalie glanced back at her and gave me an apologetic look.
“It’s fine,” I said immediately. “She can have them.”
Rosalie went back to cooking, and within minutes, she’d made a big stack of pancakes along with some scrambled eggs and toast. We all dug in.
I smiled at my two girls, my heart full.
I had a family of my very own.
Maybe wishes did come true.
“No, Daddy! Like this!”Ellis instructed later that evening as she tried to show me a ballet step. I kept fucking them up. Rosalie watched from the couch, a little smile on her face.
She was supposed to get her nails done. Ryder was going to take her, but I begged her to hold out for a few days before running off and leaving me. I had to work tomorrow, so we agreed she’d go with Ellis while I was gone. I just didn’t want to miss a minute of time with her and Ellis.
“Like this?” I asked, trying the move again.
“Yes. Just like that! Very good, Daddy. Now do this.” She made a little arm movement I tried to mimic. It made me lose my balance, and I stumbled again.
“Damnit,” I muttered.
“It’s OK. You will get it. Just keep trying.” Ellis twirled around me.
I didn’t know fuck all about ballet, but I could tell my little girl was talented. She moved so gracefully for someone so small.
“Daddies should be calling soon,” Rosalie said.
Ellis stopped dancing and sat next to Rosalie.
“Want to get ready for bed, Ellie-belly?” I asked.
She nodded, and I scooped her into my arms.
“I’ll be back for you,” I promised Rosalie. She smiled at me, which only made me grin as I swept from the room. We’d had a good day. Rosalie hadn’t said a lot, but it was a comfortable silence. I knew she had a lot on her mind, and I didn’t want toforce her to be present. I was happy to hang out with Ellis. We’d watched two princess movies, danced, and colored.
I got Ellis into the bedroom, and she quickly took her pajamas and went to the bathroom to put them on. While she did that, I went back to Rosalie.
“Want a ride?” I asked, opening my arms for her.
She gave me a small smile and let me pull her into my arms. Effortlessly, I cradled her against me and walked her back to the bedroom.
“I had a good day,” I said softly.
“Me too.”
I smiled. “I can’t wait to get home from work so I can see you both again.”
She rested her head against me, and I practically melted.
