This Love

23

A/N ^Daniel just because ^ ☺️

The next morning I'm woken up the same way as the day before. I'm smiling as Emily and Cooper giggle while jumping on my bed. My alarm suddenly goes off making the two kids stop, I rub my eyes and put my glasses on furrowing my brows as I try to remember why I set the alarm this early. My mind catches up and my thoughts go to Daniel, I gasp sitting up, "last one to the living room is a rotten egg" I exclaim while getting out of bed. Emily and Cooper chase me to the living room, where they catch me around the legs. I squeak at the added weight but stay upright as I grab the remote off of the end table, "okay let's sit on the couch now you rugrats" they laugh and climb onto the sofa, me sitting between them. I'm biting my lip as I flip through the channels, I stop when I see the title of Dan's race, I select the channel before putting down the remote. I sigh in relief when I see that we just made it for the start, "what is this Aunt Callie?" I look down at Emily with a smile, "a race, Daniel is in one of those cars, he needs to be the fastest to win" I explain to the little girl who nods and curls into my side her eyes moving to the TV.

An hour later I sit straighter as Dan skids off the track, my eyes wide as his car hits the barricade. "Is he okay?" Cooper asks while winding his hand around my arm, I watch the Australian climb out of the car, "yes he's okay Coop, look he's walking back to the pits" he smiles but keeps his grasp on me as we continue watching the conclusion of the race. My phone buzzes a few minutes later so I look away from the TV grabbing the device from where I put it last night. A sad smile comes to my face when I see that it's a text from Dan.

Daniel
Did you see?

Callie
Yeah, are you okay?

Daniel
I'm fine, just frustrated

Callie
You scared the kiddos a bit there, they're both holding onto me like their life depends on it

Daniel
Pictures or I it didn't happen

I laugh quietly and gently lift the phone to an angle where I can get all three of us in the photo without Emily and Cooper noticing. Once I've taken the picture I send it to Dan.

Daniel
You're such a great Aunt Cal, look at them cuddle up to you

Callie
Stop you're making me blush

Daniel
And that is what'll get me through today :)

Callie
I'm sorry it didn't work out today, next time you'll do better :)

Daniel
It's not your fault so you don't need to apologize Cal, plus I'll forget about it by tomorrow

Callie
I'm here if you need me Dan

Daniel
I know ❤️ I'll let you go, have a great day with Em and Coop

I grin at the heart emoji he used, but before I can overthink it Cooper pulls my arm. "Look Aunt Callie he won!" I look up to see Lewis Hamilton winning the race in France, the crowds cheering and the announcers spouting out some other amazing stat tied to the Brit. "He sure did" I reply watching the little boy stare at the screen in awe, "I want to be a race car driver" he tells me with a grin, "you'll have to talk to your mom, she gets the final say" he pouts but doesn't add anything more. "Okay time for breakfast you two" Emily cheers and hops off of the couch, I laugh and follow her and Cooper to the kitchen where Jill is in the process of making food. "How was the race?" She asks me, "Dan didn't finish, Lewis won" she nods and I sit at the counter bringing Emily onto my lap so that she can see what Jill is doing.

——

As two o'clock approaches I start to gather Emily and Cooper, "come on let's go pack up your stuff" the two young kids whine but follow me. I crouch down next to the duffle Leia left with me, starting to pick up various toys and clothes scattered in the room they were sharing this weekend. "Aunt Callie do we have to go?" I look over at Emily, "yeah, but I'll see you soon so don't worry" she smiles and comes over to hug me, I smile and Cooper joins the hug. After a few minutes we have everything packed so I lift the duffle and lead the two kids towards the front door where Leia will be any second. "Promise to be good for you mom" I tell my niece and nephew, they nod and I stick out my pinkies, the two of them smile and wrap their own pinkies around mine to seal the promise, I kiss each of their heads just as the doorbell rings. I stand up from my crouched position to open the door, "MOMMY" Emily yells before running towards my big sister, I watch her scoop the little girl into her arms smiling, "I've missed you sweetheart" she tells the little girl. I hand over the duffle as they take the kids, "Callie" I look up at my sister who gestures for me to come closer, I step closer to her, "we need to talk about this Formula 1 driver you're seeing" I groan, "you saw the article?" She nods, "next girls day you're spilling everything about how this happened" I sigh, "okay" she kisses my cheek before her and Teddy leave the house, "thanks again girls" she yells. Me, Lexi and Jill wave as their car leaves our driveway, "what did she tell you at the end there?" I shrug, "she wants to know lore about Dan" I reply as we walk back into the house, "fair enough, I don't think you've talked to her since it all happened so must suck to see it in the media before hearing it from a family member" I huff, "stop making me feel guilty" they laugh and I go to my room to have some privacy before we eat dinner together.