Page 64 of Saving You

Max: Count Sarah and me in too.

As I’m finishing my bagging, a man walking by bumps my shoulder. Lifting my head, I see it’s Derek. He’s standing there glaring at me.

“They’re mine,” he growls.

I ignore him. I don’t want to start a scene in the middle of the store, especially while wearing my uniform.

“You just going to be a pussy and not say anything?”

He steps right into my personal space. I take a step back, but he follows.

“You’re not man enough for her. She’s mine, always has been, always will be.”

I’m done. I snap. “She’s not yours. She’s not a possession to be owned. She’s a person, and she chooses who she wants to be with and seeing as she divorced your ass, that obviously isn’t you. You need to leave her and I both alone before you wind up back in jail.” I turn and leave the store before he can say anything.

When I get home, Charlie is playing with some toys in the living room and Bailey is dancing to Taylor Swift while cleaning the kitchen. Her black leggings hug her curves and show off her perfect ass. Her T-shirt rises slightly, showing just a sliver of skin as she reaches across the kitchen counter with a rag and shakes her ass to the music. I lean against the doorjamb and watch her with a smile on my face.

This view makes me realize I want to come home to this every day for the rest of my life. I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve completely fallen in love with these two girls. That thought also scares the crap out of me because I’m not sure how long I’m going to be able to keep them.

Bailey turns and when she sees me, she yelps as she jumps before laughing. My smile grows as I walk up, wrap my arms around her back, and pull her into me before leaning down and kissing her. She melts into me when our lips touch. Her arms wrap around my neck. I kiss her slowly, taking my time. Charlie’s in the living room, so I have some time with just Bailey. I lick across the seam of her lips, coaxing her to open for me, and she does. Our tongues meet, and I grab her ass before breaking the kiss.

She smiles up at me. “Welcome home.”

With her head tipped back like this, her beautiful blonde hair cascades down her back. I run my fingers through her long strands, enjoying the feeling of it between my fingers.

“How was your day?” I ask.

“It was a day. Nothing special. You?”

I sigh, knowing I need to tell her about my run-in with Derek, but not wanting to ruin the mood or upset her. I hold her tight to me. “I ran into Derek at the store on my way home.”

Her hands fist the back of my uniform shirt.

“He still seems to think he has a chance with you. He tried to warn me away from you and Charlie.”

Her face is etched with worry.

I tuck her hair behind her ear and kiss the tip of her nose, forehead, cheeks, and lips. “But I’m not going to do that. I’m not going anywhere. You need to be watchful when you’re out. If I had it my way, you wouldn’t leave the house without me. I know I can’t do that, so I want you to be vigilant. Program speed dials, make sure you always have your phone on you, and try to stay in super public places. If you can, I’d like for you to be with other people as much as possible.”

“I’ll be careful, but what about you? I’m worried that he’ll take it too far.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m trained to be vigilant and protect myself.”

She looks deep into my eyes, concern filling hers, but mine outmeasures hers tenfold. I’ve been in worse situations and been able to handle myself, but this is completely new for both her and Charlie.

“I grabbed some Christmas decorations on my way home. I thought we could decorate together.”

Seemingly thankful for the subject change, she smiles, and her face lights up. I let go of her and move to the bags I brought in and pull out some Christmas ornaments and other nicknacks. As she pulls out each item, her excitement increases. Ilove seeing this side of her.

We take everything into the living room, and I say hi to Charlie, giving her a hug and forehead kiss and listening as she tells me about her day at school. The two of us decorate the tree, and Bailey puts the other decorations in their place.

When we finish, I take a step back. My house now feels like a home. I’ve noticed that ever since the girls moved in. I walk in the door and everything feels warmer, happier. I used to love the solitude of my place; it was where I could escape the noise of the world. I never would have let someone move into my space. Then I met Bailey, and she pulled me in with her strength and resilience, her determination and independence, her capacity for love and understanding, her beauty and intelligence. Charlie pulled me in the same way. She has all the best traits of her mother, and they both have me wrapped around their little fingers. I would and will do anything for them.

When we finish decorating, Bailey and I make our way into the kitchen and get started on dinner. Tonight, I’m making a quick pasta and Bolognese and Bailey is making a salad.

“My mom invited us for dinner this weekend,” I say, stirring the sauce.

Silence fills the room. I no longer hear the subtle sound of the knife hitting the cutting board. Turning, she looks at me with a strange look on her face.

---