Every Other Memory

His eyes soften. “Hazel, Mommy’s making Daddy soft.” My eyes dart to his crotch, and he is most definitely not soft. “In here.” He taps his free hand that’s not holding our daughter over his heart. “There will never be an issue with soft there.” He looks down at his crotch and back up to me. “Not where you’re concerned.” Those hazel eyes of his show me that he means what he says.

The doorbell rings, and he smirks. “That’s dinner.” He stands, our daughter wrapped up in a thick towel and heads to the door. “Oh, Cadence?”

“Y-Yeah?” I reply.

“You’re dessert.” With that, he leaves me kneeling next to the tub on the bathroom floor, aching for him. I love my daughter, but I can’t help but hope she goes to sleep with ease this evening. Her daddy promised me dessert.

Chapter 10

Trevin

It’s been a month since I moved back home to Indy, and there has not been a single day that I’ve regretted my decision. I get to fall asleep with Cadence in my arms and wake up the same way. I get to hold my daughter, give her baths, and read her stories while her momma feeds her at night. I get to hold both of my girls in my arms, and there is nothing more in this world I could ask for.

Well, maybe one thing. A bigger house. This two-bedroom is cramped with the three of us. I have most of my things in storage. We’ve been looking at houses, but nothing has jumped out at us as being the one. Not to mention, we still have my house in Lexington on the market. As soon as we get that sold, we’ll have more flexibility with what we can purchase. I want a home. I want the big yard and plenty of space for our growing family. I want Hazel to feel settled, safe, and secure, just like Thea and I were as kids.

Not just Hazel, but Cadence too. There is a pain in my chest anytime I let myself think about how she grew up. I want her to have everything she’s missed out on, everything she’s ever dreamed of. I won’t stop until I do. That’s what you do when you love someone.

And I love her.

Not just because she’s the mother of my child, I love her spirit. I love coming home to her, and I love knowing that we’re a team. I could sit here for hours and list off items that make me love her and fall harder every day. However, I don’t need to. I know it’s her. It’s who she is as a person.

Raising my hand to knock on my sister’s door, it opens before I get the chance. “Hey,” Scott greets me. “You’re home early.”

“So are you.”

“Yeah.” He grins.

“What’s going on?”

He looks over his shoulder and pulls the door shut. “Nothing, I came home early, that’s all.”

“You do remember we’ve been best friends since kindergarten, right?”

“Fuck. You can’t tell her I told you,” he says. There’s a smile on his face, and he runs his hands through his hair. A sign he’s excited or nervous.

“Spill it.”

“We’re pregnant.” I swear I’ve only ever seen him smile like he is now when it comes to my baby sister.

“Congrats, man.” I give him a half hug.

“Thanks. We weren’t trying, but fuck, man, I’m stoked.”

“Spare me the details of how my nieces and nephews get here,” I joke.

“We need a bigger place.”

“I know that feeling. We’ve been looking,” I say as my phone rings. “Hello.”

“Mr. Hubbard, this is Alice from Lexington Realty. I wanted to let you know I sent an offer to your email. Full asking,” she says excitedly.

“Perfect. I’m picking up my daughter now. I’ll log in as soon as I can and sign it.”

“That sounds like a plan. I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks, Alice.”

“Good news?”

“Yeah. I sold my place in Lexington. Full asking.”

“Congrats, man.”

“Thanks. I’m going to get Hazel, and you and my sister can celebrate. You want me to take Clint to our place?”

“Nah. I want him close.”

I nod because I know how he feels. No matter how much time I spend with my girls, it’s never enough. “If you change your mind, let me know.”

“Thanks, man.” He opens the door, and I follow him inside their apartment.

“Hey, you’re early,” Thea says from her spot on the couch. She has Hazel in her arms and Clint sitting next to her. Both kids are sound asleep.

“Looks like Aunt Thea has the magic touch.”

Her eyes flash to Scott. “Something like that.”

My sister is glowing, much like my best friend. “I’ll take her.” I gently lift Hazel from her lap and cuddle her in my arms, pulling in her baby scent. If you would have told me a year ago I’d be sniffing babies and finding comfort in that, I would have told you that you’ve lost your damn mind. Now? Now, it’s what I crave.