“It’s nice to meet you too, sweetheart.” I let her down, she takes my hand that isn’t occupied and leads me into Presley’s kitchen. The table is already set, and it looks like we’re in for an early dinner.
Setting down the food on the counter, Clairabella takes her hand out of mine and states, “I’m going to wash my hands for dinner, Auntie Pres.”
“Okay, Bella Bug. I’ll set the table while you do that,” Presley responds. I’m kicking myself in the ass for wanting to take things slow between us. Seeing how amazing she is with Clairabella has my heart aching to have these moments with Presley and soon.
“She’s a trip, she also likes to have dinner early when she’s with me. Dessert is her favorite meal, then when it’s done, she likes to watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. I kid you not, she’s the smartest kindergartner I’ve ever met,” Presley says as she starts to plate our food.
“Come here,” I groan, taking her away from what she’s doing. I only have a couple of minutes before Clairabella comes back out and I want my lips on Presley’s more than anything else in this world.
She comes up to me, her hand finds my chest, and as I pull her in, our lips meet. It’s soft, both of us hesitant, her from shyness, myself from not wanting to get caught by a little girl who’s young and impressionable. My tongue teases the seam of her lips, I nip at them, and she lets me gain entrance for a small taste.
Pulling away from her is always hard, “Wow,” Presley says, her eyes locked on mine.
“That was a heck of a hello,” she finds her words.
“Best way to say hello, babe,” I respond and then help her get everything ready.
“I’m ready for dinner, Auntie Pres and Mr. Lincoln,” she skips her way back into the kitchen, finding her seat.
“Make sure you say thank you and your prayers, Bella Bug,” Presley tells her as we all sit down together.
“Thank you, Mr. Lincoln. Thank you, God, for this food we’re about to receive, Amen,” I peeked as she was praying, her tongue was out while she was saying everything out loud, and it was the cutest thing ever.
“Amen and thank you,” Presley says.
“Anytime,” I wink at both the girls and we dig into our food.
15
Presley
Lincoln saw Clairabella’s eyes start to get heavy after we watched her television shows, “You want to put her in bed?” he asked.
“Yeah, give me a few minutes. She needs a bath and all that jazz.”
“Bella Bug, let’s get you ready for bed,” I tell her.
“Okay. Mr. Lincoln, it was awesome meeting you.” She hugs me and then skips down the hallway like she wasn’t just almost fast asleep.
“It was great meeting you too, Clairabella,” Lincoln says to her back.
“Callie should be here soon. I like to make it easy on her when she’s working late, so all she’ll have to do is read her a story and put her to bed on her late nights. Will you listen for the door?” I give him a quick kiss, pulling away even though I hate to.
“You got it, take care of the munchkin,” his face is soft, the harsh lines he had the other night are all but gone.
“Be back in a jiff,” I tell him and then take care of my Bella Bug.
“Do you want a bath or a shower?” I ask her.
“Bath, please,” her yawns are getting closer together.
“Go grab your jammies out of your drawer, and I’ll get this started. Then I’ll get everything else ready and if Mommy isn’t here when you get out, you can sleep in my bed,” I tell her.
“Yay! I love your bed, Auntie Pres,” she goes off to get her things ready while I start the bath. I’m not sure why she loves my bed so much, unless it’s because she spreads out like a starfish while somehow cuddling into me, or on the rare occurrence she’ll kick me out of my own bed.
I get her in the bath, allow her to do her thing. She used to ask me to wash her hair and play with the bubbles, now she’s too grown up for that, or so she says.
The one thing I can do is turn my bed down, get her toothbrush ready, and turn the television on for her. I’m not sure if Callie will get her before she falls asleep or not.
“How are you doing in there, Bella Bug?” I ask her.
“I’m good, Auntie. Almost done, then I’m coming for your bed,” she says with a giggle.
“Heck yes you are. Hey, why don’t we see if you can spend the night this Friday? You can come home with me after school and we can make another one of your favorites.” We haven’t had one of those days in a long time. “Maybe Auntie Lyla can come too?”
“Yes,” she shouts. I hear water splash everywhere. I’m sure my floors will have water everywhere.
“Okay, I’ll be right back to tuck you in, don’t forget to brush your teeth,” I tell her as I walk back to the living room to check on Lincoln. He’s in the exact same spot I left him in, only this time his head is back, and he looks to be asleep.
Making my way to the kitchen counter to see if Callie texted. “Shit,” I mumble when I see I have a missed call and a text.
Callie: Hey, working super late. Can Clairabella stay with you? Mom and Dad have a function. Love you!
Me: Just now seeing this and absolutely! I have clothes here, her homework is done, and she’s well fed. Love you back!
“Is everything okay?” Lincoln asks coming up behind me.
“Oh, yeah. Everything’s good, Bella Bug is staying with me tonight. She should be ready for a story, then I’ll be back out. Is that okay, or do you need to head home?” I ask him.
“I’ll be here when you’re finished,” he gives me a playful kiss, and I see the sparkle in his eyes.
“Okay,” I reluctantly leave him, Bella bug comes first though. I may only be her Auntie, but I love her like she’s my own. A pact Callie, Lyla, and I made long ago. Each of our children would always be treated like our own. Our moms did it for us, and we want to carry on the tradition.
16
Lincoln
“Mr. Lincoln,” I hear with the soft pitter patter of feet thumping down the hall.
“What’s up, sweetheart?”
“Will you read me my bedtime story?” This little girl isn’t mine and she isn’t Presley’s, but she’s already burrowing into my heart, much like her Aunt is.
“Sure, you have the book you want me to read?”
“Yes, Auntie Pres reads it to me in her bed. Will you do the same?” she asks.
“I will, lead the way.” I follow her down the hall to Presley’s room. Her bed dominates the room, it’s soft and whimsical, much like Presley.
“Hey,” Presley says coming out of the bathroom. Holding soggy towels in her hand, “I’m going to throw these in the wash, then I’ll read to you,” she says to Presley.
“That’s okay Auntie, Mr. Lincoln is going to read to me tonight.” Clairabella climbs in the bed, fluffing the pillows, and spreading the blankets out just how she likes it.