??s Bakery? They have awesome pastries.”
I clasp my hands as a loud squeal escapes, startling Raya and Duke. “Yes! That’s the name!”
Raya laughs. “Wow, excited much?”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I couldn’t remember the name of the place. I’m getting carried away aren’t I?”
“You? Carried away? You’ve always been over enthusiastic about the littlest things. Remember our One Direction phase?”
I laugh out loud. “Ha ha! I still love them. True fan over here.”
Duke reaches out to give me a hug. “See you on Monday.” He then bends down to Layla. “Can Daddy get a kiss from his princess?”
Layla steps to him and plants a wet one on his lips while making the kiss sound. “Muahhh for Daddy!”
He wraps his arms around her and throws her into the air. She laughs with delight as she is tossed higher and higher. Raya approaches them, hugs Layla, and blows a raspberry on her belly. Her laughter is so precious and infectious.
Minutes later, we say goodbye to Duke and Raya, watching them drive off into the distance. I hold her in my arms. “So baby girl, what are we gonna do today? Oh, we can go check out the zoo! Do you want to see the animals?”
She claps her hands. “Oooh, see monkeys and ewefants?”
I carry her inside the building and up to the apartment. “Yes and maybe we’ll even see tigers.”
She squeals and kicks her legs in my arms. I plant kisses on her cheek and squeeze her tight. “I love you baby girl.”
Her soft tiny hand touches my cheek. “Wub Teetee Mewanie.”
******
The warm sun shines on my face, heating it up as the cool morning breeze blows throughout my bedroom. My eyes slowly open as I wake up from a deep sleep. I look over to my bed partner and find her snuggled up against me. Dark strands of hair cover her soft rosy cheeks and she shudders as I move them out of her face. I rub a finger along her head and plant little kisses on her face.
She snuggles closer to me and lets out a little growl. “Mama?”
“No, baby girl. It’s Melanie. Good morning.”
She jerks her head up. “Mama?”
I see tears building in her eyes and quickly take her in my arms. “Mama will be here soon. She’s with Daddy right now.”
I feel her sniffle against my chest and look down to see tiny tears spooling down her face. She cries for a few minutes as I continue to caress her and snuggle with her. After she calms down, I pick her up and bring her to the bathroom so we can use the potty and wash up for breakfast.
We play airplane as I feed her a homemade waffle. “We are going to get some cookies today.”
She gasps. “Cookie?”
“Haha, yes! Cookies and maybe some cheesecake!”
She lets out a shriek. “Cake! Oooh, yummy in my tummy!”
“Yes, we will go a little bit later okay? After you take a bath.”
We finish breakfast and I tidy up the kitchen as she plays with the new Barbie I bought for her yesterday. Watching her brush Barbie’s hair is so sweet. As I wash the dishes, she sneaks up behind me and wraps her arms around my leg.
“What is it baby girl?”
She reaches up to me. “Cookie?”
I let out a small laugh. “Not yet. It’s a little early. Let’s watch a movie. How about Mickey Mouse?”