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“Mommy, I’m thirsty,” Charlotte tells me as she sits down to put her shoes back on. She reaches for my hand and I help pull her up, then swing her so she’s wrapped around my hip. She’s tall for her age, but still light, and I’ll carry her on my hip for as long as she lets me, and I’m physically able.
Her head rests on my shoulder as we head to a table that has water bottles. Dom catches up to us and greets Charlotte with a fist bump. “I’m so hungry,” Charlotte complains, rubbing her stomach.
“I’m ready to leave, if you are,” Dom tells her.
Her head bobbles up and down, and she grabs his hand instead of mine. “Okay. I want a milkshake. Can I get one?”
“Absolutely. What flavor are you going to get?” He asks her.
“Chocolate!” She jumps in the air excitedly, still holding his hand. “Momma, what about you?”
“Strawberry,” I tell her.
Dom looks over at me, winking. “With a side of fries, Mom?”
“Duh,” I stick my tongue out.
We make our way to the car, and Charlotte climbs into the back seat. Dom corners me before I can get around to the driver’s side.
“I’ll drive.” He grabs the keys from my hand and slips into the driver’s seat.
Shake Shack is packed with families as we huddle into a table in the corner with our food. Charlotte sits next to Dom, leaving me sitting alone on the other side.
She reaches over and grabs her food from the tray, then settles into the booth. “So, are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend?” She bluntly asks.
“What do you know about that?” I ask her, biting into my burger.
“Lisa is daddy’s girlfriend, and she wants to move in. Are you moving in with us, Dommy?”
Dom chokes on his shake while I laugh. I knew these questions would be a possibility. She likes to know what’s going on, how it affects her, and I’m always honest with her.
“We’re dating, yes,” I nod. “No. No man will move in unless I decide to marry that person. It’ll always be me and you. You come before Dom.”
Charlotte looks at Dom, then turns back to me. “But, he can still come to Sunday brunches, can’t he?”
“If I’m not working, I’ll be there. Every Sunday,” he reassures her. “As long as you want me, I’m there.”
“Good,” she smiles, and it’s genuine. She is happy. She wants this just as much as I do.
