Page 67 of State of Grace

“So, are you excited to spend the day with Harper?” Following Alexis into the apartment, Blake watched her take a vase out from under the kitchen sink, fill it with water, and place the flowers inside. “You got these from Maddie’s shop, didn’t you?”

“Of course.” Blake leaned up against the counter. “Best flowers in town.”

“She’d love a Yelp review from you, I’m sure.”

“Yeah?”

“Totally.” Alexis wrapped her arms around Blake’s waist and pulled her close to her body, their lips meeting quickly. “I am so happy you’re going to get to spend time with Harper. She’s so great.”

“Well, she is her mother’s daughter, so of course she is wonderful.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Blake Calloway.”

“Good to know.” Kissing Alexis once more, the two were lip-locked when Harper came into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door without a sound. Alexis pulled away from Blake and looked at her daughter, then back to Blake, and shrugged.

“Harp, honey, what are you doing?”

“Getting a juice box.” Her answer was so nonchalant that Blake half expected a ‘duh’ to follow at the end of it.

“Ok, well, I have all the numbers you could possibly ever need on the fridge, and as you know, Sophia’s right across the hall anytime you need her. The keys to my car are by the door. You can take that if you go anywhere because her booster seat is already in the back. And,” Alexis pointed a finger at herself, “you can call me anytime. I’ll have my phone on me, so don’t hesitate if you have a question or anything.”

“I will, babe, but don’t worry.” Blake booped her nose. “I got this.”

“I know you do.” Grabbing her small bag off the counter, Alexis put it over her shoulder, walking into the living room where Harper was at the coffee table with tons of Star Wars action figures spread out before her. Of course, the TV was playing Frozen. “Harp, Mommy’s going to work now, so be a good girl for Blake, ok?”

“Yup.”

“Promise?” Alexis held out her pinky to her as Harper wrapped hers around it.

“Duh.”

“That’s my girl. I love you, Harper.”

“Love you, too.”

With a kiss on the top of her head, Alexis left Harper in the living room and rejoined Blake by the front door. She kissed Blake square on the lips, and the act of seeing the woman she loved off to work made her feel fiercely domestic. They were getting serious, and Blake was more than ready to see where they would go from here.

“I’ll see you later. Thank you again for watching her.”

“Anytime. I love…” Blake hesitated, and she watched panic flash across Alexis’s face before it softened to a shy smile, “I love Harper. Today’s going to be great.”

“It will be.” One more kiss before Alexis pulled herself away and headed out the door. Blake watched her walk down the stairs and out the door before heading back inside to join Harper at the coffee table.

“So, what are you doing, Harper?”

“Playing.”

“Ahh.” Blake nodded a few times as she sat on the couch. “That’s cool.”

“Here.” She handed Blake a R2-D2 figure. “You can play, too.”

The two played with Harper’s toys and sang along to Frozen songs until the movie ended, and Blake suggested they go on a fun little trip. Harper was excited to get out of the house, and Blake talked about the exciting adventure they were taking. She knew that Harper would love seeing the puppies and had wanted to keep their destination a surprise.

“Is Aunt Isla gonna watch me now?” Harper hopped out of Alexis’s car’s back seat and looked up at Blake with a furrowed brow. “I thought that we were gonna spend the whole day together?” She pouted, and it instantly stole Blake’s heart.

“We are, silly girl.” Blake tucked her dark blonde hair behind her ear then pointed toward the house. “I thought maybe you’d want to see the puppies again now that they’re bigger.”

They walked around the back of the house toward the covered patio in the back as the sounds of puppy barks filled the air. Harper gasped and ran to the patio door and quickly headed inside. The boisterous Golden Retriever puppies were inside a playpen Isla had set up for them and were playing rambunctiously with each other. Isla had one of the eight puppies on the table where she was weighing it and writing it down in a notebook.

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