Page 39 of Despite It All
I’m so stunned at his words that I can’t manage to fight him as he takes the dishes from me. Really, I’m too stunned to move. I feel like I hardly ever get time with Stevie on weeknights. They usually consist of me going to pick her up, finally making it home a little after six on a good day, then it’s like clocking into the second shift. I get to work on dinner, cleaning up where I can. By then it’s nearly 8 p.m., so then I have to get the bag packed for the next day and Stevie ready for bed. At most, I feel like I get the half hour of dinner at the table with her truly.
“Thank you, Jett,” I say, quietly.
“Go, Wy. Do me a favor though, can you put one Barbie back in the wrong spot? Make me look less dumb.” Jett laughs.
I can’t help the smile that pulls at my mouth. “Not a chance,” I reply, then head into the living room to spend some time with my girl.
For the next half hour, I play with Stevie. I know Jett is purposefully moving slow to give me extra time. It does crazy things to my heart but I get to have some much needed quality time with my daughter. When she grabs abook off the shelf, she jumps on the couch and pats the spot next to her. “Read me a story, Mommy.”
I put Barbie Rapunzel in her rightful spot then plop down beside her on the couch. “Hey, why don’t you see if your dad wants to join?”
“Oh, good idea. Daddy! Come read with us,” Stevie yells from the couch instead of walking into the kitchen.
Jett rounds the corner. “Perfect timing, Little Bee. What are we reading?” He strides over to the couch and my only thought is,why does he have to be so damn good?He’s just good. And pretty damn good looking too.
“I want Mommy to readThe Princess and The Frog.” Stevie pushes the book in my lap then leans back against Jett. He lifts his arm, letting her snuggle into his side. He looks at her then at me with pure joy on his face. I think my heart exploded… or maybe it was my ovaries? Probably both.
I somehow manage to read the whole story without stumbling over my words even though I keep stealing glances at Stevie cuddled up with Jett. It helps that I’ve read all of Stevie’s books twenty times each at least, but I’m distracted in the best way possible tonight.
I shut the book, and Stevie’s rubbing her eyes as if she can rub the sleep out of them. “Okay, baby girl, it’s time for bed.”
Stevie snuggles deeper into Jett. “I’m not sleepy, Mommy.”
“Oh no, of course you’re not,” I say sarcastically, and stand off the couch. “Hate to break it to ya, sugar, but ya momma is.”
“But I’m not sleepy,” Stevie whines again.
“Come on, Little Bee. I’m super tired too.” Jett picks the now noodle-like Stevie up and plops her on his lap. “But I had so much fun with you today.”
“I had fun with you too, Daddy. Can you tell me goodnight in the bed?” Stevie mumbles.
Jett looks up at me with a silent question for approval. I nod in response immediately.
“Of course, but you have to be good for your mom and actually get in the bed.”
“Alright.” Stevie slides off him and walks to her room, shoulders slumped from exhaustion.
I hold out my hand to pretend to pull Jett up from the couch but really it’s just an excuse to touch any part of him. When he stands, we’re chest to chest. The scent of his eucalyptus and amber body wash fills the space. It’s so intoxicating.
“We need to put our daughter to bed,” I whisper.
“Yeah,” Jett breathes out. “We do.”
Jett tucks a loose strand framing my face behind my ear and sighs. “Come on, Wy, let’s go.”
He walks past me while my heart beats out of my chest. I’m a weak, weak woman.
As I help get Stevie into her pajamas, she requests some milk so Jett heads into the kitchen to get her a small cup.
“Alright, baby. Head on pillow,” I instruct. She walks gingerly to her bed and crashes onto it. Yeah, not sleepy, my ass.
Jett walks back in with the desired milk. She takes a sip before setting it on the nightstand. I cover Stevie in her hundreds of blankets and tuck her in. “Okay, goodnight, baby. I love you so much.” I pop a kiss to her forehead and she smiles.
“I love you so much, Mommy.” Stevie reaches for a loose blanket to snuggle it.
I smile at my little girl then step back so Jett can reach her.
He sits on the edge of her bed. “Goodnight, Little Bee. I had a lot of fun with you today.”
