Page 107 of Emerson

“You and my daughter have on matching hats.”

He snorts, skittering around the other way when I change direction. “Matching nails, too.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you spend time with her?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”

I pause, flattening my hands on the flour dusted surface. “I wanted to surprise you.”

He mirrors my stance on the other side. “Same.”

“Is Sabrina picking her up, or do you have to drop her off?”

He blushes more and licks his lips, “She’s picking her up.”

“Good. That's good.” I smile, narrowing my eyes at him. “Nice apron, baby.”

He looks down at the apron and squawks, trying to take it off with shaking hands.

I've never wanted him more.

“Leave it on,” I breathe. He pauses with the strap half over his head. I smile and inhale deeply. “I'm going to go see what she's doing. Then we're going to hang out until Sabrina comes to get her. Then, Emerson…” I let my eyes track over his pretty face, over the apron covering his front. I swallow, and rasp. “Then we're going to talk, baby. Your four months are up.”

Emerson

If looks could get a guy pregnant, I'd be carrying an entire litter right now. And he wants to talk. I adjust the apron, needing it more now than with the flour chaos in the kitchen. I need the extra layer of fabric to shield me from his damn eyes every time he looks at me.

He's being the perfect dad. Playing with dolls, letting Penny run the show. He brushes her curls away from her face, kisses her chubby fingers every chance he gets. His smile is so warm, so real, I can't stand it.

So I vacuum. I switch loads. I change her crib bedding, then change the sheets on his bed. I blush when he shoots me a glance when I walk through the living room, then take my anxious energy out in the kitchen.

When it's as spotless as I found it earlier this afternoon, I take a cupcake on a plate out to them. Dillon makes monster noises, getting the ugly as fuck colored frosting all over his mouth, making Penny laugh.

I'm searching for another chore when my phone vibrates in my back pocket.

Sab: be there in ten minutes

Okay…Dill is home.

Sab: already??

Yep.

I make my way to the living room, and Penny toddles over to me with her little uppy hands. I pick her up, familiar now with how to hold her.

“Mommy is on her way, Pen. But I'll see you on Tuesday, okay?”

Dillon clears his throat, and I shoot my eyes over to him. My stomach drops, “Or, well, maybe I'll see you Friday. I'm sure Daddy will want to get you.”

Dillon only offers a little smile, and I blush for the hundredth time.

Of course I won't have to get her from daycare on Tuesday. I probably won't be needed for Friday babysitting anymore, either. My chest tightens, but I kiss Penny's hair before setting her down.

“Gonna go to the bathroom."

“Em…”

I ignore him, moving down the hall and closing the bathroom door behind me.