Page 39 of This Heart
She pointed to the princess bed I had recently bought for Winnie, before Mary left to return to New York. Transitioning Winnie into that bed had been easy, and I knew it was because it was a princess bed. The heart-shaped headboard was covered in luxurious velvet fabric featuring a diamond pattern, accented with a crystal button to add a touch of princess-like elegance. The headframe had a string of LED lights that Winnie loved, turned on at night. The bed frame was also upholstered in the same velvet fabric and was equipped with a pullout storage drawer at the end of the twin-sized bed. There were also LED lights under the bed that allowed you to change the color if desired. If Winnie ever got up at night, a sensor would detect it and turn those lights on for two minutes. On the wall, I hung a lighter pink fabric tied back with dark pink bows. I had copied it from a photo Hope had shown me for when we upgraded Winnie into a big girl bed.
I shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll change it when it feels right.”
“Change what?” Aurora asked as she walked into the bedroom, Winnie wrapped in a towel, and in her arms.
“Nothing,” I replied.
At the same time, Kim said, “The room theme.”
Aurora’s brows lowered slightly. “You’re changing the Winnie the Pooh theme?”
“Pooh bear!” Winnie cried out with a laugh.
“No,” I quickly replied. “Um, Kim suggested it, but I…”
My words faded, and Aurora’s expression softened, as if she knew I was about to say I couldn’t bring myself to change it. Not yet anyway. Winnie was already growing up too fast, and I didn’t want to hasten the process.
Winnie giggled when Aurora placed her on her bed. “Pwincess bed, Rora!”
“It is a princess bed. I love it!” Aurora stated as she tapped her finger on Winnie’s nose! “Let’s get your jammies on and then I can read you a story.”
“I can read her one,” Kim quickly said.
Aurora glanced back at Kim before her eyes moved to me.
“I appreciate that, Kim, but it’s kind of a thing when Aurora is here at bedtime.”
Kim smiled and looked back at Winnie. “Goodnight, Winnie. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
Winnie nodded. “’Night!”
“Liam, are you coming?”
Surprised by Kim’s tone with me, I shook my head. “I’m going to be a few more minutes.”
Kim nodded and walked out of the room. Aurora busied herself with helping Winnie pick out what pajamas she wanted to wear.
The silence was bothering me, so I said, “She’s just trying to help.”
Aurora looked at me as she slipped Winnie’s shirt over her head. “I didn’t say anything.”
“I know, but Harper thinks it’s strange I invited her, and maybe it was.”
“Strange how?” she asked.
“Well, she’s an employee, and I invited her to hang out with my friends. Do you think that’s weird?”
She shrugged. “I think you’re in foreign territory, Liam. You’ll figure it all out in due time.”
I exhaled as I pushed my hand through my hair. I knew what Aurora was doing. She felt like if she said too much, I would think she was overstepping. “Yeah, I guess I will.”
After getting Winnie dressed, she walked over and said goodnight to her mother’s picture. Aurora held the covers up, and my angel crawled under them. I sat down in the chair in the corner, unable to make myself leave as I listened to Aurora read the new book we got yesterday at the bookstore. In less than five minutes, Winnie was out. Aurora kissed her on the forehead, covered her, and switched on the LED lights on the headboard.
“Goodnight, little one. I’ll see you soon.”
I stood, walked over to Winnie, and kissed her goodnight. Aurora had turned on the monitor and stepped outside into the hall to wait for me.
After shutting the door, I reached for Aurora’s hand, ignoring the zap of energy that ran through my entire body.
