Gage: Sorry I haven’t gotten back to you sooner. Please, please, please, forgive me. How’s Emma? I know she’s in good hands. One of my employee’s completely fucked up a damn case and I’ve spent all god-dammed day fixing this catastrophic bowl of bullshit he’s forced me to have to clean up for him. Idiots. I have no idea how you handle so many employees. I’ve got twelve that I want to kill half the time.
Gage: Lex, I need you to get back to me. I need to know how Emma is. I texted an hour ago and haven’t heard a thing. I’m worried. Is my daughter alright?
Suit Master: Miss you.
Ignoring the Suit Masters plea. I hit reply to Gage.
Me: Emma is great. She played with My Little Pony’s, we just had dinner, I’m getting her into pj’s right now and we’re going to read and watch The Little Mermaid. Don’t worry. Take your time. I’ve got it covered.
Gage: I’m going to be a few more hours. I’ll try to make it by nine. I won’t blame you for not wanting to watch Emma again. I’m sorry. This doesn’t usually happen. I’m out of here by seven most meeting days.
Me: I love watching her. I want to continue if that’s alright. Oooppss gotta go; my little princess is grabbing my hand right now dragging me into the living room to watch The Little Mermaid. See you when you get here.
Trailing behind the most adorable barefooted-pigtailed little girl on the planet, into the living room she jumps onto the couch and pats the cushion beside her. “You want me to cuddle?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Yes…please.” She bats her eyes and pouts.
Who could say no to a face like that?
Grabbing the blanket off the back of the couch, I sit next to her and she cuddles against my side. Maybe I should change into something other than this dress.
Turning on the movie, I face Emma. “Honey, I need to change. Can you stay down here for a few minutes while I get into some pj’s so we can have a party?” I wink.
Smiling, she nods, and turns her focus back to Ariel.
I run as fast as I can upstairs, change, and I’m back in a silk, jade green tank and shorts set, before Scuttle starts blabbing about dinglehoppers.
Cuddling with Emma is peaceful. She rests her head in my lap and yawns. It’s nearly nine so I’m sure she’s getting pretty tired. I gently tug out her elastic hair ties and slowly comb her hair with my fingers.
“My daddy does that.” She whispers, snuggling her cheek into my thigh, her hands tucked adorably under her cheek, eyes heavy, with the blanket pulled just under her chin. I can see the pictures of the TV dancing off her eyes as I stare down at her, soaking up the memory of her and this perfect moment. Tears well in my eyes on how much this feels right. I never thought being a mother was a huge deal. Now, I see that I was wrong. Everything thing about this little girl feels like she’s a part of me.
“Lex.” A warm hand is gently rubbing my arm. “Lex,” the man whispers.
Opening my heavily lidded eyes, I blink a few times and focus. Gage is crouching next to the couch eye level with me. The TV somehow got turned off and I look down to see Emma curled into a sleepy ball in my arms. I squeeze her tight against my chest and she makes a cute little mewing noise.
“What time is it?” I mumble, my mouth dry.
“It’s midnight. I tried to text you. You didn’t answer.” He smiles and leans in, kissing his daughters head. God he smells so good. Even after working all day. He must have just smoked a Black & Mild because his breath smells like it. It’s a good smell. A smell that reminds me of Gage and makes my heart go pitter-patter.
Opening up my eyes fully, I take in more of this sexy man. He looks like he’s been through hell. Bags droop under his eyes, his normally perfect hair is in shambles, and his white dress shirt is unbuttoned at the top showing me a little peek of some sort of tattoo. I’m not sure where his tie went, but he’s not wearing it anymore.
“Let me take her.” His arms try to lift her and I hold onto her tiny body for dear life. He’s not taking her home at this hour. She has school in the morning and needs her rest.
Shaking my head, I lean up onto my elbow. “No. She stays right here.”
Gage’s nostrils flare and he flashes me a sharp scornful glare. Boring his beautiful eyes into mine, telling me in his own nonverbal way that I stepped over the line and this means business.
“Lex, Emma is mine. I’ve had one woman try to tell me what’s best for her. I won’t fight to gain control again.” His ruthless hard unyielding tone washes over me and I wince. I can’t believe he’s being so harsh, I was just trying to help.