Page 188 of Steeling Her
She’s The One That Got Away
Carter
There’s nothing quite like going to a birthday party full of screaming little beasts that are pulling on you and dragging you in all directions. Nothing quite like it if you ask me. I love kids, but dear God, these kids have me driven mad with their high-pitched squeals and tantrums. I now understand why the parents were glad and in a rush to leave their kids at the house.
They did not want to deal with this chaos.
“Remind me why you wanted to come here?” Ted jokes while observing the little children running around with water balloons in their hands outside and yelling at one another that they’re faster. Danielle warned them that they couldn’t come into the house unless they were bone dry. Which means, they have to stay outside.
“It’s my niece’s birthday, Ted.” I smack him on the arm playfully. “Be nice,” I tease him and he leans in to kiss me on my lips.
“I’m always nice.” He grins and squeezes one of my butt cheeks. I giggle and bury my face into the crook of his neck, embarrassed that someone might have seen us, especially the kids. He squeezes it again and I pull back, laughing.
“Stop it! There are kids around!” I swat his hands away from that area as I return to the oven to check on the food Danielle has cooked for the little munchkins running around and causing havoc.
“We could disappear upstairs?” he offers but my brother kills that idea in an instant.
“You won’t be going anywhere near upstairs.” Chris still hasn’t really warmed up to Ted. They’re not each other’s cup of tea, and that’s fine. I’ve learned to live with that and so has Ted. They’re civil with one another. I know they’ll never be each other’s best friends.
The rest of the boys in my family bite their tongues. They know what they want to say will upset me. Only my mom likes him, but my mom likes everyone.
All that matters is that I like him, and I do.
“Daddy!” Taylor screams at her gigantic father standing in their massive kitchen that was recently completed. The finishings are truly beautiful; white marble with dark-black oak cabinets. Not one, but two touch screen refrigerators because my brother does eat that much. All the domestic gadgets that you can imagine are inside most of those cabinets with the largest pantry I’ve quite possible ever seen, and I’ve seen a few. Top of the range for everything in this house, courtesy of my best friend.
The only thing ’Danielle is missing is a ring on her finger, and boy, has she been trying to get my brother down on one knee, but he likes things the way they are. He’s comfortable; a little too comfortable.
In the words of Chris, “Why do I need a piece of paper to show someone that I love them?” I can assure you, it made a few women melt when he said that on TV. Some were heartbroken that he gladly took himself off the market when those words slipped out, followed by an announcement to tell the world that he knocked up Danielle too.
That story was a little more controversial thanks to him and his big fat mouth, but he did it for her and to stop the crap the media were writing about her. He put it all to an end in an instant, both the women chasing him and trying to bag him as a boyfriend and the rumors that were growing day by day. As soon as Taylor was born, nothing mattered to him other than his family. He was ready to be a father and he knew it.
“There’s my birthday princess!” He lifts her up easily into his arms to give her a loving kiss on her forehead. I have to admit, Chris is an amazing dad to her, and I know he’s dying to have another one. Danielle promised him another later down the line, but right now, they’re getting the hang of having a diva for a daughter.
“Mommy got me a princess cake. It’s pink and yellow with stars and flowers on it!” She points at the cake still in its white box sitting over on the table Danielle had set up outside for the kids to have some snacks while they play in the water. At the moment, it remains inside, waiting to be piled up with the other treats for them and for the guys to lift outside for her. “I got a new swimsuit, too, do you like it?” she asks him, and I could see him starting to melt at his own child. I love watching them interact with each other because it’s truly the sweetest thing.
“You look so beautiful, princess. You wanna show aunt Carter how it’s done in the pool?” he teases me and I stick my tongue out at him, making her squeal in laughter.
I’m a nervous swimmer; always been one. The water makes me nervous. Ever since that night in college, it’s made it worse. I hate swimming because of it. I panic in the water.
“Yay! Are you coming swimming with me?” she yells and leans forward in her dad’s arms, nearly wriggling herself out of his hold.
I shake my head and watch her pout, her cute bubbly lip protruding for dramatic effect.’That’s not going to work on me, sweetheart.
“Why! We can swim together. You can have my floaters and hold my hand!” She claps but I still shake my head.
“She’ll be in later, sweetheart.” He kisses her head and promises her. I tilt my head to the side and glare at him for promising that to her. Now she will keep hassling me about it.
Like her mother, she’s stubborn.
Chris sets her back down on her feet and she models her swimsuit for us. Pink with yellow polka dots and a peplum frill wrapping around her tiny waist. Modeling in her finest, I couldn’t help but laugh at her as she strikes a pose like her dad taught her to do. It’s exactly what her dad would do. She loves being the center of attention.
“Go out and show aunt Carter how to swim.” He slides the door open for her and we all watch her run and play with her friends. Taking one of the little girl’s hands, they both walk down the steps to the pool and sink into the water while holding onto the side bar for stability and balance. I know if she was about to go under, Chris would be out there like a rocket.
“Is Dad on his way?” I ask while watching the little princess show me how she swims. It’s all very adorable, and I can’t stop watching her kick her legs as she giggles hysterically in the pool with the others.
“Yeah, he’s at the gates now. Mom texted me, saying they had to clear it with security first. They recognized Austin but not them. It’s been a while since they’ve come here. We usually go to New York to see them, you know?” He watches his little girl mess around in the pool with the largest grin on her face. He has the same look my dad has with me. He’s in love with that little blessing out there in the water.
I couldn’t help but lean my head against his bicep as he chuckles at Taylor splashing the other kids floating in the pool.
