23. Asher #2
“She’ll be fine. We can see her and it’s good for her to play by herself.” She let me go once we were in the kitchen and leaned against the counter where she would be able to keep an eye on both of us.
“Do you want wine or lime sparkling water?”
“Water. I need a break from wine. Do you need help?”
“No.” I passed her the glass of sparkling water I’d already assumed she’d pick.
“Well, I would argue but whatever you’re doing looks complicated.” She watched as I started to chop vegetables.
“Jane made it a rule that we all had to cook once a week. Knight and Noah grumbled a lot and did the bare minimum, but I liked it.”
She smiled softly. “That’s a very good skill to teach a kid.”
“I needed to be kept in control. The woman was a genius.”
“So, you like to cook?”
I didn’t really, or well I didn’t when it was just for myself. The idea of feeding Sutton, though, that idea I liked. “For you, I do.”
Honesty might do me some good here.
“So tell me, Asher…”
I stood very still as Sutton slid off the stool and came up into my space. I dropped the knife and gripped the edge of the counter as she pressed her chest against mine. Her eyes were dancing with mischief and she smiled.
She was getting more comfortable with me which I fucking loved but if I touched her now, I would never be able to stop.
“I—”
I looked over her shoulder and frowned. “Sutton, what is your daughter doing?”
She whipped around and the tension between us broke.
Sophie was on all fours and she was rocking back and forth, her eyes locked on us with a smile on her little face.
“Oh my God, oh my God.” Sutton’s voice was high and she took two steps forward and then dropped to her knees. “Come on, baby, you can do it.” She held her arms out and smiled at Sophie.
“Is she about to crawl?” I practically choked on the question as I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and opened the camera, keeping my eyes on Sophie.
I held my breath as I watched her rock backward one last time before she started crawling toward us.
“Come here, Sophie, you can do it!” Sutton clapped her hands together and I snapped as many pictures as I could.
Fuck, my chest expanded with pride as I watched Sophie crawl happily toward us.
“Ahh!” Sutton squealed as Sophie made it to her.
“You did so good!” She hugged her to her chest and I caught that too.
She put her back down and then Sophie looked at me and started my way.
I dropped the phone on the counter and went to my knees, holding my arms out for her. When Sophie made it to me I picked her up off the floor and tossed her in the air as she squealed. When I caught her again, I pressed a kiss to her cheek and she giggled.
“Good job, sunshine.” I kissed her again and then put her back down. This time she crawled to her mum, who had tears in her eyes. Sophie made it to her and then sat back on her butt, done for the moment, it seemed. Sutton grabbed her off the floor and ran to me.
“She crawled!” She wrapped her free arm around my waist.
“That was incredible.” I pressed a kiss to both of their heads.
She pulled back and looked up at me. “I was so scared when I got pregnant but I have never for a second regretted being her mom. Getting to see her grow is the best part of my life.”
I reached up to wipe a tear from under her eye. “You’re an amazing mother, Sutton. Your daughter is happy and healthy and thriving.” I wiped another tear with my thumb.
“Thanks, Ash,” she whispered with a smile.
“I’m honored that I got to be here to witness this,” I said just as Sophie grabbed my finger.
“I’m really happy you were with us.” She pressed a kiss to Sophie’s cheek and then nuzzled her neck. My smile slipped off my face and I scowled. Sutton caught it and looked at me. “What happened?”
“She’s going to be so much harder to keep safe now.” I didn’t like that idea at all. I might have to call the baby proofer back to double check that everything was safe.
Sophie kicked her legs, proving my point when she got on the ground, crawled back to her mat, and started playing with her toys once again.
“That is so crazy,” Sutton muttered as she shook her head, watching her daughter in awe.
“I got pictures.”
Sutton stayed at my side and rested her head against my chest as we watched Sophie shake a toy.
“I didn’t even think about that! Thank you.” She gave me a little squeeze.
We finally got around to dinner, eating and chatting. I asked her anything I could think of to get her to keep talking so I could keep her around.
I refused to allow Sutton to help me clean up, instead making her sit with Sophie in the other room. She tried arguing that I’d cleaned when she cooked for me but with enough glaring, she finally held her hands up in the air and did as I said.
Once I joined them in my living room, it wasn’t long before Sophie started rubbing her eyes, getting a little grumpier. Sutton decided it was time to head out despite the fact that I asked them to stay.
I helped her get Sophie in the car and then watched them drive away.
Going inside, I sat on the couch to send pictures to Sutton while I waited to hear that she was home safe.
I scrolled through the ones I’d taken and smiled as I watched Sophie crawl for the first time. The feeling in my chest was intense.
I loved that little girl so much.
Fuck, that’s scary.
I paused on the picture of Sutton on the floor, hugging Sophie to her chest. They both had smiles aimed up at me, the light shining in from the setting sun. It was a perfect moment. So before sending it to Sutton, I made it my lock screen and background photo on my phone.