Page 36 of Saving You

“Okay, what do you want?”

She holds her finger to mouth like she’s thinking; I have no idea where she got that from. “Grilled cheese and tomato soup,” she says.

I pat my thighs before getting up off the floor. I turn to the kitchen, but Caleb stops me.

“Why don’t you go do the laundry you said you needed to do and I’ll make lunch?”

“I’ve got it,” I say.

“I know you do, Bails, but let me help. I make a mean grilled cheese.”

He grins, and I relent. I make my way upstairs, gathering both Charlie’s and my laundry before heading downstairs to the laundry room. After I’m finished, Charlie and I play in the living room while Caleb makes lunch.

CHAPTER 13

Caleb

Today has been eye-opening. I don’t think I fully appreciated my mother the way I should have after my dad passed. I always knew she did a lot and there was no one around to help her with a lot of it, but today, listening to the list Bailey had on a Saturday, made me appreciate both women so much more. I make a mental note to drop by my mom’s place and do something for her so she knows how much I appreciate her.

I butter the bread and get everything ready to make lunch. Bailey thinks she needs to do everything herself because she has for so long, but I’m going to show her that if I’m around, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Once the food is cooked, I get the table set and call the girls. We settle at the table, and Charlie makes a loudMmmmmmas she takes a bite of her grilled cheese.

Bailey dips her sandwich into her soup and moans. I close my eyes as I remember her moans from last night. That voice message surprised me, but in the best way. The first moan I heard had me pushing down my boxer briefs and pulling out my cock. I jerked off to her sounds and hearing her call my name made me even harder. Listening to her come drove me over the edge, and it took everything in me to not just get in my car and drive over to her place right that minute. I had to settle for bringing her and Charlie breakfast and finessing my way into their day.

I clear my throat and take a spoonful of soup as I push the memories out of my mind. We sit and eat in relative silence, but it feels natural. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be than sitting at this table with these girls.

It pisses me off to think that Bailey’s douchebag ex gave all of this up. That he laid his hands on such an amazing woman. That he had such a lack of concern for his smart and loving daughter. I clench my fists, but the feel of Bailey’s hand on my arm immediately has them relaxing.

I grab her hand and smile at her. She smiles back, and we continue eating. When we finish, I clear the table and load the dishwasher, turning it on.

“Caleb, will you watch a movie with me?” Charlie asks.

“Yeah. What movie do you want to watch?”

She jumps up and down on her tiptoes. “Inside Out!” she cheers.

“How about some popcorn, then?” Bailey asks.

“Yay!” Charlie squeals as she runs into the living room.

I follow behind her, settling on the couch. Charlie climbs into my lap, and I pull the movie up on Disney Plus. A few minutes later, Bailey joins us, sitting right beside me with a bowl full of popcorn, and I press play. We watch and pick at the popcorn until we reach the bottom of the bowl. Bailey puts the bowl on the coffee table then comes back and cuddles into my side.

I’m content. Charlie cuddled in my lap and Bailey cuddled into my side. When the movie finishes, Bailey sits up and I immediately miss having her so close.

“I should go transfer the laundry,” she says before getting up and leaving the room.

“Caleb,” Charlie whispers.

“Yeah, Little Bear?”

“You won’t hurt Mommy, will you?”

My heart breaks in my chest at this wonderful little girl asking me that question. No child should have to ask someone if they’ll hurt their parent. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her as close to me as possible, and kiss the top of her head.

“No, Little Bear, I’ll never hurt you or your mom. I promise you that. And if anyone ever tries to hurt you, you tell me, okay? I’ll always protect you.”

And I mean that with every fibre of my being. No matter what happens between Bailey and me, I will always protect this little girl. I would protect both of them with my life if I had to.

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