Page 90 of Chasing Fireflies

Piper smiles. “That girl is adorable.” She slides her hands into her apron pockets and leans her hip against the counter.

“She looks like her mama,” I say.

Piper nods in agreement. “You want the usual?”

“Yep.”

*

I’m showered and dressed for work when Sara walks out of the bathroom in a towel and wet hair. “Sleep okay?” I ask.

“Kinda.” She sits on the bed and grabs her lotion from the nightstand. Little Miss walks in with sleepy brown curls and no shirt. What can I say? She’s got a little bit of me in her.

“Good morning, baby girl,” Sara says, and the smile on Ellie’s face constricts my heart. She runs over to her mama and jumps into her arms. “Did you sleep well?” Sara asks Ellie as she kisses her all over her face. Little Miss giggles, and I don’t want to go to work today.

“Somebody turns five today,” I say, getting my girl’s attention. She looks over at me and grins.

“I do, Daddy.”

“Yep, you’re one whole hand now.” I hold up all five fingers and walk over to her. She reaches her arms out for me to grab, and I swing her up into the air, blowing kisses on her little belly just to hear her laugh more. I look down at her mom, seeing she is smiling at us. I then hear Bear as he walks in. Ellie wiggles her feet to get down, so I let her.

“Bear, you snore, but I love you,” Little Miss says as she gives him a hug. Sara gets up and walks to the closet to find some clothes.

She no longer works at the library, choosing to stay home with Ellie now. I make more money as chief, and I’ve paid my mom off so we are doing better than we once were. Life has been okay. Sara went through a little postpartum, but the doctors expected it. We were prepared, and we got her through it. She still has rough times where she can’t seem to get out of bed, and Ellie doesn’t understand why her mommy doesn’t feel well a lot or why she gets mad easily, but all in all Sara is great with her and I see how hard she tries to stay focused and keep her emotions on track. She still visits Dannie and takes her medication like she should. We haven’t had any scares over the last five years, and for that I thank God every day.

Sara grabs her clothes and walks into the bathroom, only cracking the door so she can get dressed.

“Let’s go downstairs and I’ll make you some breakfast,” I say to Ellie as I lift her up from behind.

“Come on, Bear,” Ellie demands. “You’ve got to eat your breakfast, too!”

*

“Look, Daddy. Bear likes cereal just like me and you.” Ellie laughs as Bear licks out of her bowl. I shake my head and walk over to the table.

“He has his own food, Little Miss,” I say, taking it away from him and putting it in the sink. Ellie makes a sad face.

“But he likes it, Daddy.”

“He likes a lot of things,” I tell her and look up when Sara walks in. She has a white tank top on under some black overalls, and she has tossed her curls up.

“What are you girls going to do today?” I ask.

“Today, we are going to the library for story time,” Sara answers excitedly to Ellie. “Does that sound like a fun time to you, Little Miss?”

“We going to see Aunt Maci?” Ellie asks.

“Yes.” Sara grabs the coffeepot and her mug. I hand her the cream and grab my ball cap from the counter.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you two later. I’ve got to check on the Kingsleys. Anne has already called and told me their neighbors have been calling in. Ben is still at home with Shelby and the new baby for a few more days, so it’s just me.”

“Tell them hello for us,” Sara says.

“Will do.” I kiss her lips quickly and then kiss Little Miss before I head to the door.

*

I park my work truck in front of the office and step out, giving a few folks a wave before I step inside, hearing that same bell that’s been above the door for longer than the eight years we’ve lived here.

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