And If You Ask Me, I Will Stay.

Chapter Three.

Saturday arrived all too quickly.

In the days before, Declan kept his promise to September and came by whenever she asked--which was every day.

  It didn't really surprise me how quickly she warmed up to him, but then again, it did.

 Normally, September was painfully shy, and practically mute around strangers and people she didn't like. But with Declan, her caution waned on their first day spent together. I understood why; it was hard to not feel comfortable around Declan. He had a way of putting people at ease, and a playful, child-like energy that matched September's perfectly.

 I knew he was growing on her when she began to talk him into joining me and her for some of her favorite things; watching her favorite movies, coloring, reading. She wanted him to be apart of it all.

  By Saturday, she looked forward to his visits. I found myself looking forward to them as well.

 My discomfort at being around him was slowly dissipating. We developed a routine; Declan would meet me at the playhouse and follow me home, then spend the evenings with September. Often times I left them alone, but joined in whatever they were doing when my daughter asked me to. In those moments, I felt like we were the family Declan and I had planned on having, all those years ago.

As expected, a knock sounded at the door, right at ten o'clock Saturday morning.

"Come in!" I yelled before returning my attention to September. I heard the door open and close, followed by the sounds of footsteps padding against the carpet, as I gently pulled a hair brush through September's still wet hair. She'd insisted on taking a bath as soon as she woke up.

"Can you braid it, Mommy?" She asked me.

"I sure can. One or two?"

"Two!"

Smiling, I exchanged the brush for the comb sitting on her dresser and parted her hair down the middle to prepare for twin French braids.

Suddenly, September gasped.

"Declan!" She crowed, "You're here!"

I glanced at the door way to see Declan leaning against it.

"Morning," He greeted with a small smile.

I returned the smile. "Morning."

Declan looked at September and let out a whistle. "Look at you! Don't you look gorgeous!"

She let out a giggle as he came and crouched in front of her. "Momma's braiding my hair," She informed him, her fingers curling around the hem of the ruffled pink skirt December had put her in.

"And I'll bet they'll look beautiful on you."

I smiled softly as I worked on the first braid. I didn't have to see her face to know she was grinning.

"Are you ready for today, pretty girl?" Declan asked with a smile.

"Yeah! I wanna see the lions and tigers."

"Yeah? Then we'll save those for last, since they're the best."

September nodded, forcing me to halt the braiding so she could.

Once I finished the French braids, I planted a kiss on the crown of her head. "Alright, Love Bug, go find Emma and get something to eat. Mommy's gonna get dressed."

"Kay!" September said. "C'mon, Declan!"

That little ball of energy bounded off her bed and out the door.