Page 12 of Love in Design

“Well, your daddy told me that you were sick, and I came to drop off some things for you to eat and drink. I also picked up some coloring books and reading books for you.”

“We’re watching Harry Potter; do you want to watch it with us?” She smiles up at Laura, who looks at me. I nod.

“I’d love to. Harry Potter is my favorite movie. I’ve read all the books.”

“Daddy said when I’m nine, he’s going to read them to me. I can’t wait.”

“You will love them. Books take you on adventures you never imagined you could go. I love to read. It’s one of my favorite things to do after school when I get home.”

“Daddy loves to read, too. He’s always reading books. Daddy, can you order pizza for dinner?”

“Miss Laura made you soup,” I remind her. Victoria frowns, along with Laura. “No, this isn’t fair. You two can’t gang up on me like this. Fine. We’ll order pizza.” They both yell, yay. Ordering the pizza, the girls snuggle up on the couch together, and I stand in the kitchen watching them for a few minutes after ending the call. This, this is what I’ve been missing in my life. Laura makes everything more complete.

Bringing in the apple juice for Victoria, a beer for me, and a glass of wine for Laura, we all settle in for a nice cozy night of Harry Potter. I happen to glance over to Laura and Victoria, and they’re both sound asleep. I pick up Victoria to take her into her room. Laura cuddles further into the couch. Biting my lip, I decide to place her in my bed, so I do as I did with Victoria. I cover her up. I grab a pillow and blanket from the hall closet to sleep on the couch even though I want to be in my bed so bad. I need to know what it’s like to hold Laura in my arms all night. I close my eyes and drift off to sleep with dreams of Laura.

“Shh, we can’t wake daddy up. We need to be quiet,” Victoria says in her loud whispering, which makes me smile. Laura and Victoria are in the kitchen making breakfast. I listen to them talking about school, Valentine’s Day, and me. “Do you like my daddy?”

“Why yes, I do. Your daddy is a very nice man.” Laura answers the questions, clearly moving around the kitchen.

“I mean, do you want to marry my daddy?” She gasps. “He makes the same face when I ask him the question too. He likes you; you like him, so why not marry each other?”

“Honey, you need to love someone to get married to them.”

“So, I have to marry daddy since I love him?” I quietly giggle. “Mommy loved daddy, but she always told me she wasn’t right for daddy, but I would know who is, and it’s you.” I swallow hard. Why did Catherine do that to Victoria? I yawned so Laura could avoid the rest of the conversation. “Daddy! We’re making you breakfast.” She comes running over to me.

“You are! How about you go brush your teeth and wash your hands before we eat?” She says okay. Laura looks like she’s ready to run.

What do I say to her to get her to stay?

Chapter Fourteen

LAURA

Oh my God, what have I gotten myself into by staying over last night? Marriage? Love?

“I hope you don’t run for the hills after that conversation. Victoria’s trying to marry me off for some reason. I think she’s getting sick of me.” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “She doesn’t know the meaning behind a lot of the words she says because I can’t believe Catherine would say those things to her. Yes, we were not right for each other, and out of that came Victoria, which I’m always thankful for but her knowing when I’m ready to get married. I mean, we’ve only been on one date. I need at least three before I pop the question.” Nate winks at me.

“Three dates, huh? It’s usually one for me, and I’m popping the question. Guess you’re out,” I tease. He grabs his heart in dramatic form, mocking how I wounded him. We laugh. “It was a lot before my first cup of coffee, but I’ll manage. She’s looking for a mother figure badly.”

“I think she sees a lot of mother-daughters at the school. Bethani would always fly in for things like that, but with her being so busy with a zillion kids, I’m afraid it’s just me.” Nate turns his head back to Victoria’s room. He has the entire world on his shoulders, and it’s becoming too much for him.

“Would she get the wrong impression if I did things with her?” I ask him.

“I don’t know.” Nate reaches for my hand and entwines our fingers. “Laura, I make it no secret that I like you and want to see where things go. I don’t want to confuse Victoria about us, but I want to keep seeing you.”

“I’d like that too.”

“If you want to spend time with my daughter, you’re more than welcome to, but promise me something.”

“What is that?”

“If what we have doesn’t work out, still be around for Victoria.” I swallow hard and nod. Can I be in his life and not be a part of it? I must answer so many questions before I can entirely give myself to Nate in a relationship because it’s not just him. “Don’t overthink this, Laura. We need to live in the moment.”

“Life is short.” I smile at him. “Now, do you want some breakfast, or am I eating all of this food myself?”

“Oh, I have an appetite for all things, Laura, so buckle up, buttercup.” He winks at me as he walks away to get Victoria.

“The things that man does to me,” I whisper as I set the table for breakfast, like a family. Is this what I’ve been missing out on these past few years? Someone to come home and cook for, a family? Someone to be there for me, so I’m not alone all the time? I sigh as I gather the juice and coffee when Nate and Victoria’s laughter reaches me.

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