Page 85 of Creed

After a few shots and a peek at the monitor to check on Addie, I went up and took a shower. I still had lake water all over me, but it just reminded me of what happened in that lake. When I shut my eyes it was like I could still hear Morgan’s laugh. We kissed, and who knows what could have happened if we weren’t interrupted.

I’d never understand how Morgan always seemed to know exactly what to say, and how she was so intuitive. She didn’t judge me, and she seemed to understand me. I never had a connection like that with anyone, not even my dad.

Despite the stress I was feeling about the deployment, the prospect fighting for his life, the disappointment, and the regular stress that came with my job, I was happy the moment I walked up those steps. All I had to do was remind myself that I had two amazing people peacefully sleeping in my home.

I grabbed my towel and dried off, then tied it around my waist before I put on deodorant and brushed my teeth. When I opened the door the light was on, and a little girl sat on my bed holding a little teddy bear with a leather jacket. She even had her glasses on as she looked up at me. “Addie, what’s wrong?”

She looked so sleepy and adorable as she once again pushed her glasses up her nose. I made a mental note to have her better fitted for a new pair.

“I woked up, and…will you hold me?”

Dammit. I hated seeing her scared, but I wasn’t about to let her sleep in my bed. “How about I get dressed and we go downstairs? Maybe a snack will help you sleep. Auntie Morgan made a whole snack shelf in the pantry, and she always makes cookies.”

She nodded real big.

“Okay, just give me a minute.” I went to my dresser and got my clothes then changed in the bathroom. When I came back out she stood on my bed and reached for me. She was my little monkey, she always hung on for dear life. I couldn’t say I minded it, she made me feel like the most important man in the world.

Picture Perfect

Morgan

I freaked out when I looked at the monitor and Addie wasn’t in her bed. I jumped up and went to her room and she wasn’t playing. I then ran to Creed’s bedroom and the door was wide open. His bed was made, and it looked like he never came home. I then raced downstairs and stopped in my tracks when I saw it in the kitchen. Cookie crumbs and two glasses that had milk in them at some point. My heart calmed then I found them in the living room. It was picture perfect. Creed was laying on the sofa and Addie was curled into his side holding a little teddy bear. I noticed her glasses laying on the table and they both looked perfect. I walked in closer and looked at both of them. Creed was handsome and looked more relaxed than I ever saw him. Addie was out and sleeping pretty hard as well. I grabbed a throw and laid it over them then went to the kitchen to start breakfast. For the first time since Callie stopped returning my calls, I felt at peace. Addie was safe in the arms of the man I was…I honestly didn’t know how to word it. Winning me over? Cared for him? I didn’t know but I knew it was a good thing.

I pulled out my ingredients but then remembered I probably looked like hell, so I ran upstairs and brushed my teeth.After putting a braid in my hair, I went back downstairs to act like that was how I woke up looking every morning.

I had the bacon done and was whisking the waffle batter when I felt arms wrap around me from behind. They weren’t little arms, they were big warm and safe ones. “Where’s Addie?” I asked as he kissed my neck.

“Still sleeping.” He whispered.

Jesus those lips, but I wanted those lips on mine.

“Are you still okay with this?” He whispered in my ear, and I shivered.

I shut my eyes and took in the feeling of his lips and his strong arms as I tilted my head. “Consider me diving in head first.” I answered as I let out a breath.

“I want you, Morgan. Not just in my bed but in my life.” He tugged on my earlobe with his teeth. “I can’t promise it’ll always be easy. I’ll have missions, and of course the deployment, but if you’re willing, I’d be the happiest man alive.”

“I have a kid, crazy fans, the paparazzi and the media, but if you’re willing, I’d be a happy woman.”

He turned me and clasped my face in his hands as he studied my eyes. “No guarantees.”

I smiled. “The best things in life never come with guarantees.”

That was when the kiss came. When he brushed his minty tongue against mine, a surge of excitement ran through me.

“Da big guy kiss Auntie Morgan?”

Creed quickly jumped away from me, and I looked down to see a sleepy Addie holding on to her little teddy bear. “Good morning, Addie.” I ignored her question and the heat that Creed left behind. “Would you like some breakfast? It’s almost ready.”

She walked over to Creed and put her hands up. “Hold you?” She asked and he picked her up.

“Addie, do you need to use the potty?” I asked.

“Da big guy take me.” She pouted.

“Its probably best if Auntie Morgan does that because she gets all the potty jobs.” Creed answered.

“Otay.”

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