Watermelon

Maggie Turns 3

"You're on my shit list," Camila joked as she stood in front of the mirror and assessed the reddish-purple mark on her neck.

"You've just gotta wear it like a badge of honor," Shawn shrugged as he pulled his shirt back on over his torso. "So, what's on your agenda for the day?"

"I've got a few errands to run — mostly picking up some last minute stuff for Maggie's party tomorrow."

"She's so excited," he chuckled to himself. "She reminds me at least once an hour that she's almost three." He sighed heavily. "As cheesy as it sounds, she's growing up too fast. It feels like literally yesterday she was just a little baby...and I was absolutely clueless about how to take care of her."

"Must've been a humbling experience," Camila quietly giggled. Shawn's eyes widened as he nodded dramatically.

"It seriously was. I'm good with kids but suddenly having to take complete care of a literal infant was...intense. Thank god for my parents — I honestly have no idea how I would've done it without them." He looked up at the mirror just to see Camila getting ready to dab some concealer over the hickey he had gifted her the night before. "Woah, what are you doing? Don't cover it up!"

"What? You just want me to walk around all day looking like this?"

"Yes. People need to know that you're taken."

"My god," she snorted with an eye roll. Reluctantly, she set the tube of concealer back down onto her dresser. "Fine. Can I at least put my hair in front of it a little bit?"

"I guess that's fine." He walked up behind her and kissed her cheek, his arms wrapping around her waist. 

They both cleaned themselves up and got dressed, stopping by a nearby coffee shop for their morning pick-me-up before he drove her back to her office to pick up her car. They kissed each other goodbye in the parking lot and then Shawn was off to pick up Maggie from his parents. He was greeted at the door by his dad who held a hot cup of coffee in his hand.

"There he is!" he smiled. "There's a little girl in here that's been really missing you."

"Aw, I missed her too." He stepped into the house, immediately spotting his mom feeding Maggie her breakfast in the dining room. "As much as I love having some time alone with Camila, I really do miss the kids when I'm away."

"Yeah, I'm sure you do love some alone time with Camila," his dad snorted. Shawn threw his head back in laughter as he walked towards Maggie and his mother.

"What are you two laughing about?"

"Oh, nothing," Shawn lied. Karen gave him an unconvinced glare but opted not to press further and instead focus on the excited little girl who was squealing and holding her arms out to Shawn. "Hey stinky! Did you have fun?"

"Yeah! And I'm gonna be three soon!"

"I know," he chuckled, picking the small girl up into his arms and kissing her forehead. "Very soon — you're gonna be three tomorrow!"

"Will I finally get to meet Camila at the party?" Manny asked.

"You will! She's actually the one planning everything."

"Now how in the hell did you convince your new girlfriend to plan your foster-daughter's birthday party?" Manny asked in disbelief.

"She offered, actually! She loves the kids and she's so good with them."

"Seems like things are already getting pretty serious," his dad noted. 

"They better be! That girl's a keeper! I knew it from the moment I met her that she'd be perfect for you," Karen said confidently.