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“How do you shower a kid?”
He blinks.
“Well…”
We both turn to Malia, blinking as we study her. She’s almost three. How do three year olds shower?
“I think I need to shower her,” I add after a moment.
“I’d assume so.” He nods.
At the same time, Malia is looking at us with a mischievous grin.
“Okay, wish me luck,” I take a deep breath.
He chuckles behind me as I swoop her into my arms and take her to the bathroom for a shower. Surprisingly, she doesn’t complain. Instead, she’s all smiles as she compliments the scent of my soap and shampoo.
I may not be too familiar with how kids her age behave, but so far she’s been nothing but easy-going. Maybe it’s the newness of the situation. But the funny thing is thatweare more awkward than she is.
“Look how pretty you are,” I whisper in awe as I brush her hair after I’ve washed it. “I can’t believe how pretty you are.”
I can’t help the moisture that accumulates at the corners of my eyes. She’s the most beautiful thing, her features are a mix of me and Raf in the best way possible. God, but seeing her like this, in the flesh, makes my entire body hum with the most elusive pleasure.
“You’re pretty too, Mommy,” she giggles, and that sweet smile of hers threatens to become my undoing.
I dry and braid her hair before helping her into her pajamas. When we go to the bedroom, Raf is awkwardly pacing around, waiting. When he sees us, he stops, his lips tipping up into a hesitant smile.
“Would you like to sleep with us, baby?” I ask her.
“Yessss!” she exclaims just as she throws herself onto the mattress.
I smile and shake my head as I get in bed on one side, Raf on the other, placing Malia in the middle. She seems very happy with her spot and she cuddles close to us.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Mommy, Daddy,” she murmurs, releasing another yawn. Somehow, I don’t think she realized how tired she was until she got in bed.
“We are too, baby. You have no idea how much,” I say as I meet Raf’s gaze.
We hold ourselves utterly still until she falls asleep, watching over her with the trepidation that we might blink and she’ll be gone.
“This is real, isn’t it Raf?” I say in a low voice, careful not to disturb her.
“It is, pretty girl.” He nods, his eyes glossy. “I think this might be the happiest day of my life,” he confesses thickly.
“Me too.” I reach for his hand, needing his touch and his assurance. “She’s our daughter, Raf. She’s alive and she’s our little miracle. She looks so much like you…” I trail off, swallowing hard. “I love her so much my heart is about to burst,” I admit, emotion clogging my throat.
“I know.” He smiles. “I love her, too. I loveyou. Thank you for the most wonderful gift,” he says as he leans in to lay a kiss on my forehead before doing the same with Malia.
And just like that, all three of us in one big embrace, we go to sleep.
thirty-five
Noelle
The sunlight filtersthrough the sheer curtains. I stretch in bed as I slowly open my eyes, a smile on my lips as I think of the wonderful dream I had.
Yet as I look to my side, I’m shocked to realize it hadn’t been a dream.
I blink once. Twice. My breathing intensifies just as my heart beats faster in my chest.
