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Waffles licks her face, leaving a slobbery mark on her cheek. I wrinkle my nose as Lola wipes it off on her pant leg. Those clothes are going straight into the washer, and Lola is getting a bath as soon as we get home.
Lola hugs Marlow next. “See you in the morning.”
“See you soon,” Marlow says, avoiding looking at me.
“Come on, Lola, we have to go now.” I scoop her up in my arms and hightail it out of the loft, locking Marlow’s front door on our way out.
“Unicorns or rainbows tonight?” I hold out the two pairs of pajamas for Lola.
“Those.” She points to the set with rainbows.
“Excellent choice.” I hand them to her.
Once she’s changed into her pj’s, she jumps into bed, and climbs under the covers. I tuck her favorite stuffed animals around her and grab her copy of Madeline from the nightstand.
“Hey, Daddy?”
“Yeah, ladybug?” I sit on the side of her bed.
“Can we hang the picture Waffles and I made on the fridge like you promised?”
“Yeah, sure. I just need to get it from Marlow.” I was in such a hurry to get out of there that I totally forgot about Lola’s painting.
I shouldn’t have said those things to Marlow earlier. She didn’t deserve it.
She might not have done things the way I wanted her to, but Lola’s happiness matters most, and it’s obvious that spending time with Marlow makes her happy.
“Thanks, Daddy. You can leave now,” Lola says quickly.
“Um, ladybug? We haven’t read Madeline yet.” I hold up the book to show I’m ready to start.
“I’d rather go to sleep.” She lies down on her pillow, snuggling deeper into her blankets.
That’s odd, because she usually rushes through her bedtime routine so we can read, and when I finish, she begs me to stay for just five more minutes.
I tilt my head. “What’s the real reason you want me to leave?”
“Marlow’s coming in the morning, and I hate waiting. If I go to sleep now, she’ll be here sooner.”
A lump forms in my throat. Lola never acted this way with Kendra, or anyone else for that matter.
“Makes sense.” I stand up and put the book on the nightstand. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“I won’t,” Lola assures me. “Goodnight, Daddy.” She turns to her side and closes her eyes.
I turn off her unicorn lamp on my way out and close the door behind me.
I linger in the hallway, pondering my predicament. My daughter is more content than I’ve seen her in a long time, and I can’t bear to be the one who takes that away.
There’s a soft knock on my front door precisely at 6:00 a.m. I swing it open to find Marlow on my porch, nervously fidgeting with her hands and wearing an apprehensive expression—a noticeable contrast from her usual cheerful and bubbly personality. I don’t like it.
“Is everything okay?” My voice is filled with concern.
She bites down on her lower lip. “Honestly, Dylan, I wasn’t sure you’d want me back after what you said last night,” she says softly. “I almost didn’t come, but couldn’t risk upsetting Lola.
Dammit, I should have called her after putting Lola to bed last night, but I wanted to apologize in person so she knew I was sincere.
“Can you come inside so we can talk?”
