Page 69 of Perfect Imperfections

“Are you going to tuck me in tonight, Ellie?” Charlotte asked as they cleaned up the empty brownie plates and milk glasses.

“Of course, sweetie.”

“Yay!”

The past few nights Ellie had been over, she’d always stayed to tuck his daughter in at the girl’s request. Tonight, Ellie would stay much later. At his request. Some people might frown on a single father asking the woman he was dating to stay over in the same house as his young, impressionable daughter. Those people could take their opinions and shove them. Ellie was an amazing role model for his daughter. He hoped she made an impression on Charlotte. And as for the reason for the sleepover? It wasn’t like he would explain that to his eight-year-old.

Placing the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, they all headed up the stairs, with Charlotte racing ahead. He wished his daughter would be this eager when he told her it was time for bed. Nope, the youthful enthusiasm was reserved for Ellie tuck-ins. He chuckled to himself, wondering how long it would last. How many nights of Ellie tucking her in before Charlotte saw it as old hat and started asking for drinks of water to delay the inevitable. A month? A year? Forever?

The word hit him like a punch to the gut.

Forever with Ellie.

He’d be lying if he said the idea hadn’t popped into his mind once or twice. But always fleeting, like the dream of winning the lottery. Nice to imagine, but no one ever actually thought it would happen. That’s how he viewed getting into another long term relationship. Another marriage. He couldn’t risk it.

Then why have I been waxing on about Ellie all night long in my brain and thinking of permanence?

He had, hadn’t he?

No. We agree to keep this thing light and fun.

If he were being honest with himself, it was fun, but it stopped being light long ago. He was in this deep. He hadn’t meant for that to happen, but it did.

“Sullivan?”

He glanced up to see Ellie standing at the top of the stairs staring down at him, a worried expression on her face. When had he stopped moving? Man, he really needed to get his shit together. The impending death of a patient was always difficult for a physician, but coupled with tonight’s realization of just how deep his feelings for Ellie were getting had really set him off kilter.

“I’m fine,” he responded, forcing his feet to move. When he reached the landing, he cupped her cheek, placing a soft reassuring kiss to her frowning lips. “I promise. I’m okay.”

“Daddy! I can’t find my toothbrush.”

Chuckling, he dropped his hand from Ellie’s face, grasping her hand instead and linking their fingers together.

“Come on. We better go help her before she destroys the entire bathroom looking for the light up toothbrush that’s where it always is. The mirror cabinet.”

They helped Charlotte brush her teeth and hair. Or more accurately, Ellie did at his daughter’s insistence. He stood back and watched, trying not to feel put out by being shoved over for the nightly routine. There was comfort to be had in watching his young daughter preen over the attention of Ellie. She’d had almost zero female influence in her young life. Ellie provided something to Charlotte that Sullivan never could, no matter how hard he tried.

Ellie had once been an eight-year-old girl.

After teeth, hair, and pajamas were taken care of, he read a bedtime story. About elephants, naturally. Then Ellie tucked Charlotte in, giving his daughter a kiss on her forehead.

“Goodnight, Charlotte.”

“Night, Ellie. Thanks for playing puzzle with me tonight.”

“My pleasure, sweetie.”

“Night, Daddy.”

“Night, Angel.”

He leaned over for a hug and cheek kiss, returning it with an extra raspberry blow he knew would make his daughter giggle. He loved that giggle. It lit up his entire world. Rising from the bed, he took Ellie’s hand once again and headed for the door. As he flicked off the light switch, Charlotte’s soft voice rose from the dimly lit room.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“Love you too.”

“I love you, Ellie.”

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