Picture Perfect
Morgan
I freaked out when I looked at the monitor and Addie wasn’t in her bed. I jumped up and went to her room and she wasn’t playing. I then ran to Creed’s bedroom and the door was wide open. His bed was made, and it looked like he never came home. I then raced downstairs and stopped in my tracks when I saw it in the kitchen. Cookie crumbs and two glasses that had milk in them at some point. My heart calmed then I found them in the living room. It was picture perfect. Creed was laying on the sofa and Addie was curled into his side holding a little teddy bear. I noticed her glasses laying on the table and they both looked perfect. I walked in closer and looked at both of them. Creed was handsome and looked more relaxed than I ever saw him. Addie was out and sleeping pretty hard as well. I grabbed a throw and laid it over them then went to the kitchen to start breakfast. For the first time since Callie stopped returning my calls, I felt at peace. Addie was safe in the arms of the man I was…I honestly didn’t know how to word it. Winning me over? Cared for him? I didn’t know but I knew it was a good thing.
I pulled out my ingredients but then remembered I probably looked like hell, so I ran upstairs and brushed my teeth. After putting a braid in my hair, I went back downstairs to act like that was how I woke up looking every morning.
I had the bacon done and was whisking the waffle batter when I felt arms wrap around me from behind. They weren’t little arms, they were big warm and safe ones. “Where’s Addie?” I asked as he kissed my neck.
“Still sleeping.” He whispered.
Jesus those lips, but I wanted those lips on mine.
“Are you still okay with this?” He whispered in my ear, and I shivered.
I shut my eyes and took in the feeling of his lips and his strong arms as I tilted my head. “Consider me diving in head first.” I answered as I let out a breath.
“I want you, Morgan. Not just in my bed but in my life.” He tugged on my earlobe with his teeth. “I can’t promise it’ll always be easy. I’ll have missions, and of course the deployment, but if you’re willing, I’d be the happiest man alive.”
“I have a kid, crazy fans, the paparazzi and the media, but if you’re willing, I’d be a happy woman.”
He turned me and clasped my face in his hands as he studied my eyes. “No guarantees.”
I smiled. “The best things in life never come with guarantees.”
That was when the kiss came. When he brushed his minty tongue against mine, a surge of excitement ran through me.
“Da big guy kiss Auntie Morgan?”
Creed quickly jumped away from me, and I looked down to see a sleepy Addie holding on to her little teddy bear. “Good morning, Addie.” I ignored her question and the heat that Creed left behind. “Would you like some breakfast? It’s almost ready.”
She walked over to Creed and put her hands up. “Hold you?” She asked and he picked her up.
“Addie, do you need to use the potty?” I asked.
“Da big guy take me.” She pouted.
“Its probably best if Auntie Morgan does that because she gets all the potty jobs.” Creed answered.
“Otay.”
He put her down and she took my hand. “We’ll be right back.”
“Okay, I’ll just make the coffee.” He said as we walked away.
After breakfast, Creed took Addie to the living room to watch cartoons while I cleaned the kitchen. After that, Creed had to leave and said something about being outside the gates for a bit and would be home as soon as possible. He had taken a few days off for Addie, but something happened the night prior, and he had to take care of it. I took Addie upstairs and we both got ready for the day. I let her choose her own clothes and she chose a pair of blue shorts with a white tank top and a pair of flip flops. We then went to my room, and I chose jean shorts, a tank top similar to hers and also a pair of flip flops. I unbraided her hair and she wanted pigtails again. They were curly because of the braid and looked adorable.
Hours went by and there was still no Creed. Addie and I planted a few fruit trees, and she played on her play set. I was thankful she was willing to play instead of constantly holding on to me. I hoped it was a sign that she was feeling safer. The only issue was that she asked for Creed about every ten minutes.
We had peanut butter and jelly for lunch then started dinner. I decided to take Valerie’s advice and keep Addie home with me and Creed for a few days. Just to let her establish some trust and start bonding before introducing her to anyone else. My parents, Savannah, and Patrick probably would have been alright because she already knew them, but mom said she thought we should have time to bond first.
“This is a magical place. In a few days our friend Stephanie will bring her kids over for a play date. Would you like that?”
She set her sandwich down. “Boys?” She Scrunched her nose. “Or girls?” She smiled.
“She has a boy and two girls. My friend Zoey has a baby. Do you like babies?” I asked.
She scrunched her nose. “Babies poop their pants.”
“Well, there are lots of kids and you’ll have plenty to play with around here.” I told her all about the community center, the swimming pool and the children’s programs.