Wanting What I Shouldn't

Chapter 56 (Bonus Chapter)

My eyes slowly open, the dark clear night sky shining in through the window wall. The bright full moon clear in the almost cloudless sky. The blankets over me keep me warm, the fuzzy material nice against my bare legs. Dark almost black clouds drift across the sky slowly; there is no rush to hurry. The trees sway in the gentle night wind, some birds flying by, but not many. Everything about the image in front of me seems cozy but my brows furrow together when I don't feel any warmth radiating from my back.

I carefully sit up, the mattress adjusting underneath me to the new position. The sheets crinkle and fold, the blankets falling away from me. I shift, looking over at Kingston's side of the bed.

Kingston's not there.

Taelynn must have woke him.

The blankets rustle as I climb out of bed, shivering slightly as my feet touch the cold wood flooring. Everything's quiet up here, nothing out of the ordinary. Shadows cast along the walls, the paintings creating even more shadows that stretch across the room. Everything around me is calm. A small smile spreads across my face. The large t-shirt I have covering my body moves with each step I take, my feet now officially cold from the wood flooring.

The hallway is quiet as I walk out. The door to Taelynn's room is cracked open. Of course I go and check to see if Kingston's in there.

I tiptoe. Just in case she's still asleep in her room. My hand touches the door and gives it a tiny nudge. The door opens a little wider, my eyes adjusting to the dark of the room. Her crib is empty. Kingston must have heard her crying and woke up.

The wood beneath me makes no noise as I slowly and quietly make my way to the stairs.

It's been 10 months since I gave birth to our beautiful daughter. We named her Taelynn Mae. She has Kingston's gray eyes and my brown hair. She's definitely a night owl. I don't think I've slept more than 5 hours a night with her home so far, she's always awake whether it's because she's hungry, or because she just can't fall asleep. But of course some nights are better than others.

She must've woken Kingston.

I make sure to keep my footsteps quiet as I tiptoe down the steps. It's dark down here too, the moonlight shining through the open windows as Roxy and Rogue sleep peacefully on their dog beds.

   They don't pay any mind to me coming down the stairs. They know my footsteps by now.

   And I had nothing to worry about. They love Taelynn. So much, they're always playing with her and barking, jumping around and protecting her.

   Stars twinkle through the windows, the moonlight shining through the large clear windows, stretching far across the living room and wood flooring. The couch is just how we left it, some of Taelynn's toys scattered along the flooring. Different colored toys that rattle and crinkle, anything to get Taelynn's attention while playing.

   Little giggles come from somewhere within the house, my eyebrows furrowing together more as I reach the bottom of the stairs.

   What's going on? It's midnight.

   A gentle glow comes from the kitchen, interrupting the quiet dark night. My footsteps stay quiet as I nudge a little closer to the kitchen.

   I round the little wall to the kitchen. Then stand there as my eyes scan the image in front of me.

   Kingston has Taelynn in his arms, gently swaying her back and forth in the light of the kitchen. The most tender, loving look on his face as Taelynn's big gray eyes gaze up at him.