Page 18 of A Lapse in Time

"It's like riding a bike, and that's a skill no one could forget how to do." He lifted my head and kissed my forehead. "Trust me, you didn't forget a thing." He smirked.

"Good to know. What was a typical day like for us?"

I put my head back down and rubbed circles on his chest.

"That depended on the day. If you were training, you would get up early in the morning to work out. Some days, I got up with you and made you breakfast. Before Nia, I would work out with you. Other mornings, we would have quality time together."

"Oh, okay. Can you bring Nia home in the morning?"

It was nice spending time with Noah, but I needed to rebuild my relationship with Nia. I had to learn everything about her, and I was nervous. I didn't express that to Noah because I didn't want him to worry.

"Of course I can. Are you feeling okay?"

I covered my mouth and yawned. "Yes."

"Just checking. Do you have any other questions, or do you want to go to sleep?"

I yawned again. "I'm ready to go to sleep. I want to be rested for Nia tomorrow."

I'd been around kids before, so I knew little kids Nia's age were full of energy. I prayed that I could keep up with her, and my headache stayed at bay.

Noah chuckled. "Yeah, she has a lot of energy. Getting some rest will be good." He lowered his head and kissed me. "Good night, Care Bear."

"Good night, Noah."

I stayed on his chest, and he continued rubbing my scalp. I let his heartbeat lull me to sleep.

"Look, Mommy."

Nia had been home for a few hours, and she'd been nonstop talking and doing stuff. I sat on the couch watching her color but moved to sit on the floor when she wanted to show me her picture.

"It looks so pretty." I had no idea what it was. "Do you want mommy to color with you?"

"Yes." She passed me a piece of paper and a crown.

"Can you count for mommy?"

While Nia counted, I drew a picture of the sun in the corner and a house. I was never the best drawer, but I could draw a house. When she struggled after eight, I helped her with the last two numbers.

"You did a great job." I clapped before hugging her.

My eyes watered when she wrapped her little arms around my neck and hugged me. "Love you." She placed a wet kiss on my cheek, and a tear fell.

"I love you too." I hurriedly wiped the tear before Nia saw it because I didn't want her to worry about me. I remembered the concerned look she had on her face when I was in the hospital.

While Nia and I spent time together, Noah stayed downstairs watching television. He said he wanted to give me the opportunity to bond with Nia alone. He assured me that if I needed him, he would be available, but we had been doing good.

"How about we go over some letters?"

Noah left Nia's learning cards for me to go through with her. He told me she was familiar with some of them but not all.

"Okay, Mommy." Nia sat down next to me as I pulled the cards from the box.

I placed them all on the table and picked up the first one.

"A," Nia recited when I held it up.

I helped her whenever she struggled, but she was able to recognize the letters of her name.

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