Page 19 of A Lapse in Time

We went over the letters a few times, and I showed her how to write her name. Of course, it wasn't neat, but I clapped for her trying.

"How about we go see what your daddy is doing?" I suggested after we finished going over the letters.

"Okay." Nia got up and ran out of the room.

I got up from the floor and met Nia near the stairs. Noah told me she knew not to go down the steps alone, but he put the baby gate up just in case.

"Thank you for waiting for mommy," I said as I moved the gate.

"Welcome, Mommy."

I smiled, then grabbed her hand so we could walk down the stairs.

Noah was on the couch watching basketball but looked up when he heard us.

"Daddy!" Nia ran to him as soon as her foot hit the bottom step.

I stood back and watched the two of them embrace for a second before I joined them. I tried not to get in my feelings, but I felt a little odd since I couldn't remember anything about them.

"Hey, Care Bear. You good?" Noah asked as I sat next to him on the couch.

"Yeah. We just came down to check on you."

"I'm just sitting here watching the game."

I looked at the television and noticed the Woodlake Valley Warriors were playing. My dad watched the games sometimes when we weren't watching boxing. I did remember that much.

"Wait! He looks familiar," I said to Noah.

"Yeah, he went to high school with us. Calil Cooper."

"Oh my God. I didn't know he played basketball."

I remembered Calil from high school, but if I remember correctly, he was a grade or two above me.

"Yeah, he's been in the league for a while now."

"Wow. That's amazing. Is he still with Sloan?"

I remembered Calil dating Sloan in high school. I didn't know them well, but I remembered seeing them around school.

"Yeah. They have a baby and are supposed to be getting married."

"That's good."

I sat back and watched the rest of the game with Noah. Nia curled her little body into his lap and fell asleep. I guess the coloring and learning tired her out. I had gotten a little tired myself. I lay my head on Noah's shoulder and eventually fell asleep myself.

So far, things had been going well, and I prayed it would stay that way.

I wokeand reached for Carsyn, but her side of the bed was empty and cold. I could usually feel or hear when she got up or when Nia came to the bedroom door, but I heard nothing. I must have been getting some good sleep.

I stretched and prayed to God for another day with my family before I got out of bed to use the bathroom.

A few days had passed since Nia came home, and Carsyn easily fell into that motherly role. I believed it helped that Nia was so young, so she didn't see a difference in Carsyn, but I did. I watched her a few times and paid attention when she hesitated about something. I never stepped in unless she wanted me to. I wanted to do everything for her, but Carsyn was independentand wanted to do things on her own. I assured her I was there if she needed me, but I never overstepped.

The three of us had been spending lots of time together, rebuilding and bonding. We hadn't had sex since the night after our date, but we had plenty of intimate moments, hugging, kissing, and cuddling, while she asked me questions about our past and things about Nia. Some questions she asked more than once, but I answered them each time. I didn't care how many times she repeated a question. I was just happy that she felt comfortable enough to ask.

Once I finished in the bathroom, I tossed on a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt. The smell of food hit my nose as soon as I opened the bedroom door, and Nia's cute laugh filled the air. I smiled when my foot hit the bottom of the stairs and saw Nia and Carsyn on the living room floor playing with one of Nia's toys.

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