Page 29 of Loved By You

“Oh yeah, absolutely. Just no M&M's for me… ever again.” I wrinkle my nose.

We settle down on the couch, Lexi in the middle of Ria and I while we watch Cinderella, and by watch, I mean Lexi talked through about three-quarters of it. She was either asking me questions about my favorite princess or telling me what was about to happen and then, just as the prince was placing the glass slipper on Cinderella's foot, she crashed out with her head in Ria’s lap.

“Wine?” Ria mouths and gestures a drinking motion with her hand.

“Absolutely,” I mouth back.

Ria gestures for me to pass the gray scatter cushion that’s next to me. I pass it as she slowly gets up and gently places Lexi’s head on the cushion, pressing a light kiss to her cheek, and thenheads out in search of wine. I can't help but stare at Lexi snoring away and smile.

Warmth fills my chest. I've never had the burning desire to have kids. Sure, I like them, but I’ve always been okay if I had them or not. I’m an only child, so I never grew up with siblings, but looking down at little Lexi and watching Ria with her girls, I think I could see them in my future.

I’m taken away from my thoughts by Ria handing me a glass of red. That first sip goes down so smoothly, the perfect mixture of acidity and fruit. I let out a slow breath, leaning back and resting my head against the couch.

“Isn’t it too early for wine? It's like 4 pm?”

She manages to squeeze herself on the end of the couch next to Lexi, careful not to wake her. Raising her glass. “Well, it's 5 o’clock somewhere, right?” she laughs.

“Can't disagree with that,” I say, clinking my glass with hers and taking another sip. “Do they usually nap this late in the day?”

“They should have woken up an hour ago,” she sighs. “We had a rough night last night. Lexi peed the bed and Elle was teething so it was musical beds. They can sleep a little longer.”

I look at her in awe. “How do you do it… do this?” I gesture at Lexi and around the living room full of toys.

“I don't know, I just do. I don't have a choice, but even if I did, I’d still want to do it. It’s hard work, but they are amazing, and being a mom is the best thing I've ever done.” She looks down at Lexi stroking her hair, a smile spreading across her face.

Watching her, I get it. Why she reacted the way she did to our kiss, why she panicked about losing her job. These girls are her world and she wants to be able to take care of them on her own.

“You're a great mom, Ri. They are lucky to have you.”

“Thank you,” she says with genuine appreciation, because I get the feeling Alex never told her.

We talk until we hear Elle wake on the monitor and Lexi wakes asking for more M&M's.

“I should probably get going. I've intruded on your day enough.”

“No, stay,” Lexi mutters sleepily, grabbing hold of my hand.

“Mommy is getting us pizza from the pizza shop. Do you like pizza?”

“I love pizza. What’s your favorite topping?”

“Pepperoni,” she says proudly, raising her hands in the air. She really is the cutest kid I've ever met.

I give a dramatic gasp. “Mine too.”

She giggles and her little face beams with excitement.

“Can he stay, Mommy?” she pleads.

“Of course he can, but Jack is very busy, so he might not be able to.”

My eyes find hers, never breaking contact because I need to know she hears what I’m saying. “I'm never too busy for you, Ri.”

Chapter Twelve

Ria

We have been in our new house for a couple of months now. Work is going great, and the girls are thriving. We've found a ballet class for Lexi and I've met a couple of ’mom friends’. We go for coffee after ballet and we've found a cute little library with a park that is within walking distance of our house. Dare I say it, but we've fallen into a nice little routine and for the first time in a long time, I'm starting to feel a little more like myself. Don't get me wrong, I’m exhausted. I’m pretty sure I am running on eighty percent iced coffee and twenty percent prayer, but I am doing it.

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