Page 66 of Falling for Autumn
“Me not wike it, Daddy,” Auburn repeated and shoved the plate toward me.
My heart started beating again at full speed. It felt like tiny sunbursts of light exploded behind my eyes. “You don’t have to eat it, princess.”
I grabbed her plate and slowly stood just as the doorbell rang. I took both of our plates and cups to the kitchen.
“I’ve got it,” Autumn shouted from the living room. Auburn padded into the kitchen behind me. Her little bare feet on the floor made little slapping noises.
“Wipe my hands, Daddy.” She held her little sticky red hands up to me, and I couldn’t contain the grin that broke out on my face. I reached down, lifted her onto the counter, and then turned the water on.
We were rinsing the soap from her hands when Autumn came in behind me. “Look who’s here to see you, Auburn. It’s TeeTee Wynter.”
“TeeTee!” Auburn shouted with glee.
“Hey, princess. TeeTee missed her baby,” Wynter, Autumn’s sister, confessed, walking toward us.
I ripped off a paper towel and handed it to Autumn. As she dried her hands, I took another paper towel and wet it before I wiped her face.
“Hey, brother.” Wynter greeted me with a hug.
“Hey, Anne. How’s everything going?” I also called her by her nickname.
“Life is good. Life is great. I can’t complain.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“I wanna go wif TeeTee,” Auburn pronounced.
“And you will. Mommy’s got your bag packed in the living room and waiting to go,” Autumn stated.
“Look at you in here playing tea set with the princess. Aren’t y’all just the cutest?” Wynter declared, rubbing her belly.
“I’m sure Frost has his time coming soon.”
Wynter frowned and twisted her lips. “Can you really see Frost sitting at a tiny table like that, having tea with anyone?” she asked.
“I think every man loses his heart to his daughter. No matter how hard, how much of a thug he may have been, or what he’s got going on, . . . we all become weak for our baby girls.”
“I would love to see Frost become putty in our little girl’s hands,” Wynter announced.
“Girl, three more months and your dreams will become a reality,” Autumn declared.
“How did you manage to keep her so clean in the midst of a tea party?” Wynter asked.
“She doesn’t like strawberry shortcake, so there was no problem with her staining her clothes,” I explained. “She picked up just enough with her hands to sample it, determined she didn’t like it, and it was a wrap from there.”
“You don’t like the cake, princess?” Autumn asked, turning her lips down.
“No.”
“Aww, I’m sorry. I made it especially for you. Next time, I’ll make sure that I make your chocolate cake the same as I always do.”
I kissed Auburn’s head and cheeks. “I love you so much, little girl. You be good for your TeeTee Wynter and Uncle Frost.”
“Otay, Daddy.”
Autumn’s eyes met mine, and she bit back a smile as she lifted Auburn off the counter and kissed her before putting her on the floor. The three of them walked out of the kitchen, and I remained stuck in the same place. I listened as they made small talk and prepared Auburn to leave.
They left the house, and I sat there pondering everything that had just happened. It was several minutes before Autumn returned. I was sitting on the couch, staring into space.
