We Just Need Us (Second Generation Book 5)

Chapter 25

ROBBIE

Happy.

It’s a single word that gets thrown around a lot. How many times does somebody say they’re happy over a situation or with their life, but that is just their default response? Nobody wants to hear about being ‘content’ or ‘okay.’ There are just too many questions that can arise. Nobody has time for that so we say we’re happy.

That was me for the longest time. Of course, I was happy. I was happy moving around to do all the different trainings I had to do. I was happy moving up the ranks. I was happy following the path that was set out for me so many years ago. The truth though? That wasn’t happiness. The darkest moment of my life, the months I spent recovering from my accident, could possibly have been the best thing to happen to me.

The accident set me on the path to reconnect with Eli, to be in that group text, to be invited to Coach’s funeral, all those steps that led to me standing on the front porch in front of Clementine’s house and my life taking a turn I didn’t see coming. Now I’m lying in her bed, her back flush against my chest. Our lovemaking session in the shower turned into two more rounds in bed. She fell asleep about fifteen minutes ago, but I’m wide awake.

Sleep isn’t something that comes naturally to me anymore, but my inability to sleep right now has nothing to do with the replay of the accident that almost took my life or the soul-crushing depression realizing that my only life plan had been blown to smithereens. I was awake because I was too fucking happy to sleep. I had the woman who was missing from my life for seven years too long tucked into my arms. I had a smart, sassy, and beautiful six-year-old daughter in the room right next to us. I had a path, a new plan. 

I wanted to soak of every second of Clementine that I could to make up for all those moments missed, so rather than get some much-needed sleep, I bury my face into the crook of her neck and just taken in her scent. I was fully enthralled with her cute sleep sounds when I heard the pitter-patter of little feet in the hallway. Thankfully, Clementine suggested that we should put on some clothes before falling asleep, so when Vivienne slowly opened the door to the bedroom, I was sitting up in bed wearing flannel pants and not buck ass naked.

“Daddy?” Her small voice squeaked out.

“It’s me, baby girl, are you okay?” I put my feet on the floor and open my arms. Vivi shuffles over and wraps her arms around my shoulders for a hug. I pick her up and set her into my lap, letting her tuck her little body into mine. “What’s the matter, Vivi?”

“I woke up and now I’m thirsty and can’t get back to sleep.”

My fingers run through her long strawberry blonde hair as I attempt to comfort her. “Okay, was there no water in the cup on your bedside table?”

She shakes her head no, “I drank that already. I’m too scared to go get more water. I was going to ask Mommy to get some for me.”

“I see. Mommy is sleeping, do you think it is something I could help you with?”

She nods her head, yes, so I pick her up and prop her on my hip. I know she’s getting a little too old to be carried, but I missed all those prime carrying years, so anybody who judges this can kiss my ass. We make a stop in her room to grab her cup and then walk through the house until we get into the kitchen. I set Vivienne down on the kitchen counter while I fill her cup from the water dispenser in the fridge.

She takes a sip and gives me the nod of approval, so I pick her up once again and walk her back to her room. Vivienne makes a quick trip to the bathroom while I get her bed ready once again. She climbs into bed and I pull the blankets up to just below her chin.