Every Other Memory

“It’s not just her, Cadence. It’s you too. I want a life with you. I want us to be a family.” He pauses, letting his words sink in. “I know we’ve not really talked about us, we’ve kept it all about me moving to be closer to Hazel, but, babe, it’s not just her I want to be closer to. It’s you too.”

Tears burn my eyes as they threaten to fall. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come, so instead, I give him a watery smile and nod. “O-kay.” I manage to push the words out after swallowing back the lump in my throat.

“Although I think we’re going to need a bigger place. I don’t see all of my stuff fitting in your small apartment.”

“You’re probably right,” I say with a smile.

“I’ll start looking for houses. We’ll need to research the schools and surroundings areas. It’s going to take us some time. Plus, we want it to be a convenient distance to both of our jobs.”

“You’re buying a house?” My heart stammers in my chest. Is this really happening? Every dream I’ve ever had for Hazel and me, to find him one day, is finally happening.

“No. We’re buying a house,” he corrects me. “It’s going to be our home, Cadence. All three of us.”

The words I love you burn on the tip of my tongue. It’s crazy to even think about saying that to him, but he gave me Hazel. He gave me the most incredible gift in this life and a night that I know I will never forget. He’s handing me my dreams—for me and my daughter—on a silver platter, and my heart is full. Each night after we put Hazel to bed, he makes love to me. I feel our connection in my bones, and he’s so tender, so gentle, it couldn’t be described as anything else.

“Since the kitchen is packed, how about we go out to eat?” he suggests.

“Order in?” I motion to my short shorts and an old T-shirt. “I’m not really dressed to go out.”

“Whatever you want.” He leans over and kisses me. His tongue slides past my lips as he deepens the kiss. I lean in too, wanting more of him, but tiny hands tugging at my hair have me pulling back and yelping in pain.

“No, no, sweet girl,” Trevin coos. “That hurts Mommy. We don’t pull hair,” he tells her. “You good?”

“I’m fine. Not the first time, and I’m sure not the last.” I tap Hazel’s nose with my index finger. “This one has an iron grip.”

“Any preference for dinner?”

“Nope. Surprise me. I’m going to take this little one and give her a bath.”

“I’m going to order, and I’ll be up to help.” He bends to give Hazel a kiss on her cheek, and then a little further pressing his lips to mine.

“All right, little lady. It’s time for your bath.” Before I can lift her off the floor, Trevin is on his feet and taking her with him.

“Did you grow today while Daddy was gone?” He lifts her into the air over his head, and she babbles like she always does when she’s the center of her daddy’s attention. He blows a raspberry on her belly, where her shirt has ridden up, and her tiny hands fist his hair, making him laugh. “All right, baby girl. We need to work on that,” he tells her with a smile. “Go to Momma so I can order us some food.” He kisses her cheek once more and places her in my arms. “I’ll be right there,” he says, kissing me too.

I stand still and watch him walk toward the kitchen. I can’t believe this is my life, that everything I ever dreamed of is coming true.

I have a family.

“We love Daddy, don’t we, Hazel?” I whisper to my daughter as I turn and head to the bathroom to give her a bath.

I’ve barely gotten her undressed when Trevin appears beside me. “I ordered Mexican. It will be here in about thirty minutes.”

“Perfect. That gives us enough time to get her bathed and into some pajamas.” I place her in the small bathtub that we had to buy because, of course, I forgot to pack it. Together we sit on the floor beside the tub that holds her baby tub and give our daughter a bath. This has become our routine. I tell him he doesn’t have to help, but he claims he doesn’t want to miss another moment of her life. I melt into a puddle every time he says things like that, which is pretty much any time he’s talking.

“Trev?”

“Yeah?” he asks, lifting Hazel from the tub and wrapping her in a towel.

“I’m glad it was you. I’m glad you were my first, and that this situation—” I motion between the three of us. “I wouldn’t want it to be anyone else.”