Page 116 of Always Been Yours

Vivi sits back and rubs her hand down Daisy’s head. “I’m here to take care of you, little lady.”

Daisy nods but doesn’t look convinced. “Next time you’re sick, we’ll take care of you. You’ll need to be snug as a bug too.”

“Deal.”

Stella watches the entire exchange from my arms with me. She lightly taps my cheek to get my attention and whispers, “I want to go lay down with Dais.”

Vivi turns around at the sound of my feet moving across the hardwood floor. “Hi, Stella girl, do you want to be a bug too?”

Stella climbs out of my arms and goes to Vivi. Without thinking about it she throws her arms around her neck and whispers so quiet I almost can’t hear it, “Can I be in a rug too?”

I can see Vivi’s arms tighten around her back, and she closes her eyes, trying to hold the tears at bay. “Of course, you can. Let’s get you comfy so we can watch the all-time feel better movie.”

She doesn’t have to say it for me to know for certain—The Princess Diaries. She got the flu in elementary school, and I wasn’t allowed to see her for days so I wouldn’t get sick too. At that point in my life, I’d never gone more than maybe two days without seeing her so after four, I couldn’t handle it anymore. I snuck into her room with one of those old portable DVD players that were popular in the early 2000‘s and we stayed up all night watching the movie three times in a row.

Not saying that’s what cured her but the next day, she was feeling well enough to at least move to the couch and be around people.

I leave my three favorite girls in the living room while Vivi helps to get them settled and I go warm up the soup Vivi made.

When I return, Vivi’s lying next to Stella—who is holding her hand—but there’s just enough room on the other side of Daisy forme. I crawl in and get settled with one bowl of soup for Daisy while Vivi helps Stella hold hers.

And the rest of the afternoon goes much the same way.

The girls only get sick once or twice more before their stomachs settle, but don’t feel well enough to do much else. So, we stay in the fort Vivi built, taking turns picking movies in between soup breaks and naps well into the evening.

I hope my girls are feeling better, but I knowIam.

Chapter Forty

Grady

Vivi and I were standing in the kitchen, talking about when she should leave for the night and if she’d come back in the morning. We haven’t crossed the line of sleepovers when the girls are home, but a timid Stella walked in with Daisy’s hand in hers and, confidently asked Vivi if she would be staying for breakfast.

There was a mutual relief that flowed between the two of us. Just the thought of being away from her after everything she did for us today feels wrong.

Most days I can find comfort in knowing Vivi’s only five miles from me and a phone call away whenever I miss her, but tonight’s different. Ineedall three of them under one roof with me more than ever.

That’s how Vivi ended up taking a bath while I got the girls ready for bed.

When I make my way back into the master bathroom, I find Vivi lounging in the tub just like I left her. A couple weeks ago I had her order extra of her berry hair products so she could keep them here, but I also stopped by Lush for some of the different bath products I know she loves. Tonight, she chose the bubbles.

Her hair is dry and piled on top of her head—she’s probably too tired to deal with it tonight. When she notices me through the light wall of steam and the quiet music of her nighttime playlist, she turns on her side to get a better look at me. She doesn’t say anything. Instead, she gives me a small grin. I strip off my shirt as she watches, her lips spreading further across her face.

I stop on the side of the clawfoot tub and brace my hands on each side. “Stay right here while I shower.” She nods and I reward her with a possessive kiss.

I start the shower before stepping out of my pants and briefs. Vivi’s eyes are on me throughout the process but every time I take a peek at her, I see nothing but affection and a hint of heat. I let her look, never shying away from her. If anything, it’s these moments that I love the most. These quiet, intimate moments that in some ways mean so much more than sex. I wouldn’t trade the feeling of her wrapped around me, moaning my name, and scratching down my back for anything in the world. But this isn’t something you would share with just anyone, in the way you might share your body with a stranger. These moments are saved for the person who makes you feel like they are your home.

And Vivi makes me feel like that. I’m home when I’m with her.

I let the steaming water run over me for a couple minutes before working through my shower routine. I turn the water off and wrap a towel around me when I step out. Vivi’s eyes slowly crack open, and she watches me with a lazy smile again. I dry off enough to slip a clean pair of briefs on. She sits up, preparing to stand up but I stop her with a hand to her shoulder.

“Not yet.”

She gives me a confused look but leans back in the tub, watching as I pull a stool over. I’m sitting behind her, so she has to turn her head to track my movements.

“MayI?” I tap her head. She knows I mean her hair, so she pulls the hair tie out and drapes it over the outside of the tub. I use my fingers to work out the knots and she sinks a little deeper into the water. I take longer than what is necessary, reveling in the feel of her silky auburn strands sliding along my hands.

She is silent for a few minutes, but I can practically hear her mind whirling with too many thoughts. “What are you thinking about, love?”

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