Right Where You Left Me | Grayson Dolan

7

Brooklyn

I woke up to the smell of pancakes wafting upstairs, and I smiled to myself as I got out of bed. These are the little things I missed about living with Grayson.

I walked across the hallway to Ivy's room, but the door was already open which meant she was downstairs with Grayson.

It really warms my heart how quickly he stepped into the role of fatherhood. He already loves Ivy more than anything, even though he just barely found out that he was a father two weeks ago. They're already growing an amazing bond together.

Walking downstairs, I found Ivy watching cartoons on the couch while Grayson was in the kitchen making breakfast.

First I went into the living room to say good morning to Ivy. The two of us were used to starting off our mornings slowly, so she cuddled right up to me as soon as I sat down.

"Good morning, sweet girl," I said as I wrapped my arms around her.

"Good morning, Mommy," she said. "Daddy's making pancakes."

"Yummy. He makes the best pancakes."

Grayson walked into the living room, sitting down next to me. "Pancakes are ready whenever you guys want them," he said.

"Thank you, Gray," I said.

Ivy climbed off of my lap before she started cuddling with Grayson. He immediately wrapped his arms around her, smiling as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Hi, sweet girl," Grayson told her. "Getting hungry?"

"Yeah," she said.

Grayson got up, scooping her up before walking towards the dining room.

"Mommy, come eat breakfast with us!" Ivy called.

I smiled as I got up from the couch, following Grayson and Ivy to the dining room.

I helped Ivy get a pancake onto her plate before Grayson cut it into smaller pieces for her, and then the two of us adults made plates for ourselves.

Then we sat down to eat together, enjoying the food and each other's company.

I'm really blessed that Ivy and I are able to finally live with Grayson. I never thought I'd live to see the day. I always thought that he'd be well-off and married by the time I came back, but it turns out that Grayson's been single since the very day I left Missouri.

The two of us had a long conversation once Ivy was asleep, about the last for years and everything we've separately been through. Grayson mostly focused on his studies and football, while I was focused on giving Ivy the best life I could.

Neither of us have dated anyone since we saw each other last. I think that our connection remained standing through our time apart, and that absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. I always knew I'd never find anyone who I'd love as much as Grayson, and nobody who would ever be as good to me as Grayson was and is.

By the grace of God, somehow we ended up here. Living together, and as happy as can be.

After I got Ivy dressed for the day, she hung out with Grayson downstairs while I took a shower and got ready for the day. Grayson was already showered and ready before he made breakfast, so he offered to watch Ivy while I showered and got ready.

At first I thought that this was very generous of Grayson, but then I realized that he's simply putting the effort into being a good father. That made my heart glow.

After I was ready for the day, I went downstairs and the three of us went to the backyard to enjoy some sunshine.

Watching Grayson run around with Ivy was another thing that made me want to cry tears of joy. Ivy's little giggles have always been so adorable, and I figured out that her laugh was so special to me because it was the same as Grayson's.

Grayson was a natural with her, and the two were already growing a special connection as father and daughter. A safe, happy and healthy bond that I wish I could've had when I was younger.

Luckily, that's all in the past now and I can focus on raising my daughter with the love of my life by my side.

After playing outside for about two hours, we went inside to eat lunch. Ivy had a little nap after that, so Grayson and I just sat on the couch to watch some television. We cuddled, and just talked.

There was still a lot we were catching up on, but it was nice. Like we were almost picking up where we left off. Super in love, but also best friends that told each other everything.

We were planning on going to Lisa's for dinner, and everyone was going to be there. Ethan, Kylie, his sister Cameron, and her boyfriend Dalton.

And this was the first time that any of them were going to meet Ivy. I was nervous, but I knew everything would be perfect. The Dolan's have always been nothing but supportive, compassionate, welcoming and understanding.

Grayson was carrying Ivy as we walked into Lisa's, and it was a different house than she lived in before. Now that Grayson and his siblings had places of their own, Lisa downsized to a smaller house that was perfect for just her.

A big smile was growing onto Ivy's face as Grayson introduced her to his family. First Ethan, then Lisa, and then Cam, Kylie, and Dalton. In the midst of all the excitement over Ivy, I was showered with big hugs, and 'welcome back's. It made me feel so happy, and I felt truly at home again.

This family was the first group of people to ever make me feel like I was part of a real family, so I felt happy to be reunited with all of them.

It was still pretty warm that evening, so we all ate dinner on the patio in the backyard. Ivy was having a blast running around with Ethan, Cameron, Dalton and Grayson, and I was having a blast catching up with Lisa and Kylie.

Ivy fell asleep in the car on the way home, and I was still going off of the excitement of visiting Grayson's family.

Grayson's hand rested on my knee as he drove us home, and I couldn't stop smiling.

"Tonight was amazing," I said. "I missed your family so much while I was gone, and it almost feels like I never even left."

"They missed you a lot too," Grayson said. "I'm glad we got to introduce them to Ivy."

"I don't think I've ever been this happy before, Grayson. I have you, and I have Ivy, and I don't have to be scared anymore. Of anyone, or anything. I'm truly safe from the people who have done harm to me now, and I have the best people in my life. Your family truly is the only family I've ever felt like I was truly a part of, and I'm so thankful for that."

Grayson parked the car in our driveway before taking his seatbelt off and leaning over the console. "I love you so much, Brooklyn," he said. "More than I ever have before, and less than I will tomorrow."

Taking off my seatbelt, I cupped Grayson's face in my hands before softly pressing my lips against his in a long, simple peck. Then I pressed my forehead against his. "I love you so much," I whispered.

Grayson smiled at me before cupping my cheek and kissing me again. Our tongues glided together as the kiss continued, his hand moving into the back of my hair.

"We should probably put Ivy to bed," he said before quickly pecking my lips again. "We can continue this in a few minutes."

I smiled, slightly biting my lip as we got out of the car.

Sure enough, as soon as Ivy was tucked safely into her room, Grayson and I locked the door to ours and continued what we had started.