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“Addy, give Dada a kiss like Sissy did,” I encourage her, but instead of kissing Eli, she grabs onto my head and gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek.
“Ahhh, you little traitor.” Eli sticks his bottom lip out dramatically before he starts to tickle Addy. We all laugh and Eli leans in to give Addy a kiss on the head before turning back around to finish the pancakes. As I start putting the girls in their highchairs for breakfast, he does a double take, examining the big t-shirt I’m wearing.
Pointing his spatula at me with narrowed eyes, he says, “I always wondered where that shirt went.”
I glance down at the old Yankees shirt. It’s from 2009 when they won the world series. My dad got them for Eli and me, but one summer, mine never made it back from volleyball camp. A few years later when Eli gave his to me to sleep in, I never returned it. Possibly on purpose…possibly not.
“Finders keepers… losers weepers. Sorry, Hotshot.”
“Finders, my ass,” he mumbles under his breath and flips the last pancake out of the pan and onto the plate.
“But seriously, I’m shocked you still have that thing.”
“Oh yeah, it's a part of my Eli Barton collection,” I say, reaching into the cabinet for the formula to make the girls their bottles.
“Is it now? And what does that consist of?” he questions as he starts plating the breakfast for us.
“Several old t-shirts that make up my pajamas for pretty much every night of the week for the past, I don’t know… ten years, probably.”
“Do you still have the one you wore in Mexico that time?” he asks with a raised eyebrow, and I know exactly what he’s thinking.
I nod. “Good, maybe you could wear it while we snuggle on the couch later. We could even reenact that scenario. Ya know… for old times’ sake and all.” He winks at me.
Watching my best friend’s sculpted back as he finishes off our breakfast, I realize how insanely happy I am. This may be our temporary home, but I’m starting to realize these three are my home, no matter where I am.
* * *
The girls are currently destroyingtheir play area. They both woke up from their midday nap with an extreme amount of energy. It’s a beautiful, sunny Florida day, so I plan to get them out on the beach in a bit, but for now, we are waiting to say bye to Dada. He is playing a late game tonight, so we decided it was best if the girls and I skipped out on this one.
Addy chucks one of her toys out into the living room, drawing my attention to the couch. I clench my thighs together at the memory. Let’s just say, nap time was extra fun today with Eli at home.
I stand to go grab the toy before Addy realizes she can’t get out of the gate and has a complete meltdown.
“Yay, Sophie girl,” I cheer as I turn around and see her standing, barely using the walker for balance.
The cute little smile she gives me melts my heart. But then I see the determination on her face as she takes her hand off the toy and stares ahead of herself.
Oh my gosh… oh my gosh.
“E!!! Eli, get in here!” I yell, and Sophie pauses, looking at me curiously.
Shit… she’s my quiet girl. I probably scared her.
But no, the determination is back in her eyes right as Eli runs in.
“What… what’s wrong?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I get down on my knees and hold my arms out… “Come here, Sophie girl, you got it, baby.” I smile encouragingly and feel Eli’s hand on my shoulder.
Sophie looks up at him and back to me… and then, she does it.
She walks the five steps to me, smiling the biggest I have ever seen her as she falls into my arms. I embrace her in a big hug. “You did it, Soph!!! You go, girlfriend.” I turn into Eli’s arms as he smiles brightly.
“Good job, baby girl,” he says, taking her into his arms and spinning her around.
I pick up Addy, who was clapping at our excitement. “Did you see, Sissy? She’s walking just like you.” I dip her in my arms and blow a little raspberry on her belly, causing her to go into a fit of giggles.
Eli moves toward us, wrapping us all in a group hug. “How awesome was that to witness?” he whispers to me.
