Page 69 of Falling Together

Erin laughed and shook her head as she pulled away from Blair. “Another day, another interruption.”

Blair booped Erin’s nose to let her know it was okay. “At least he’s averycute interruption.”

“He really is, isn’t he?”

“Mommy! Why aren’t you talking to me?”

Erin rolled her eyes. “He kind of has to be, though. It keeps me from killing him.”

Nolan pushed through the door at that very moment, hair sticking out in all sorts of directions, as he put his hands on his hips and glared at the two of them. Blair tried her best not to laugh since a little boy in Bluey pajamas was probably the least threatening sight in the world.

“Why won’t you come get me?” he asked angrily.

Blair left Erin’s side and knelt down in front of Nolan. “Sorry, buddy. You know how you’re feeling so much better now?” When Nolan nodded his head, Blair continued. “Well, that’s because your germs left you and jumped onto me. Now I’m sick. Your mommy was trying to help me feel better, so that’s why we couldn’t come get you right away.”

Nolan brought his hand to his mouth and giggled. “My germs jumped on you?”

Blair widened her eyes and nodded. “They did.”

Much to Blair’s surprise, Nolan stopped laughing and wrapped her in a tight hug. “It’s okay. I take care of you.”

Erin walked over to Nolan and put her hand on his head. “Youneed to go to school today, mister.”

With just one sentence, the sweet little boy was gone and the feral monster returned. Nolan jumped up and down, stomping his feet hard on the ground. If Blair’s head wasn’t already pounding, Nolan’s meltdown definitely would’ve done it. “No! I take care of Bear! I went to school tomorrow.”

Blair was sure this was the side of things Erin was talking about when she said she was worried dating a single mom would be too much for her to handle. This only proved even more that shewasready to handle it. Sure, shekind ofwanted to throw Nolan out a window right now, but she also knew the moment would pass and he would do something to steal her heart all over again.

She needed to think fast, because the more he shouted, the worse she felt, and she might actually yell at him if she didn’t think of a way to calm him down.

“Sweetie, Blair just needs sleep. If you’re here, she won’t sleep at all because she’ll be so excited about hanging out with you. If she doesn’t rest quietly, by herself, it will take her longer to get better, and until she’s better, she won’t be able to do fun things like carry you on her shoulders and run around with you. Wouldn’t you rather she gets better faster so you two can do all of that?”

Saved by the mom.Thank you, Erin.

Nolan was quiet for a moment as he wrinkled his nose as if he was deep in thought. “No.”

“No?”Shit.Blair really thought Erin had won this battle.

“No. I want to play NOW!”

“Well, that’s not happening.” Erin picked up a screaming Nolan and carried him out of the room. “You can see Blair when you get home. You’re going to school.”

Blair tried to follow them, but Erin turned around at the open doorway and pointed a finger at her as if Blair was her second child. “Notyou. You need to get back in bed.”

Blair brought her hand up to her head and saluted Erin. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Unfortunately, Nolan must’ve had her super stressed because she didn’t even crack a smile at Blair’s teasing. Blair got back into bed and shut her eyes, but it was no use. It was impossible to sleep when she could hear Erin struggling so much downstairs. She had to admit, though, she was pretty happy Erin had demanded she stay in bed, because shereallydidn’t want to be dealing with that right now.

Is this what it’s like to be a parent? Feeling both guilty and relieved all at once? Having a child get on your last nerve but also doing everything in your power to protect that child?It certainly wasn’t for the weak. Blair was sure of that, and it explained why her feelings for Erin just continued to grow stronger. The fact that Erin could do this on her own was mind-blowing. Blair knew she never could.

After an hour of shouting and what Blair could only assume was a ton of tears from both parties, Erin and Nolan finally left the house, leaving Blair in complete silence for the first time since waking up.Why do I love this but also hate it at the same time?

She didn’t have much time to think about that question, because without the distraction of Erin and Nolan, her tiredness took over and she drifted off to sleep.

***

When Blair woke back up, it was to the sound of someone typing on a keyboard close to her. She opened her eyes and found Erin with her work laptop open, sitting in bed right beside Blair as if she were waiting to see what Blair needed from her.

Before Blair could say anything, Erin snapped her head around to look at her. “Hey there, sleeping beauty. How are you feeling?”

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