Annabelle felt things were going well. Oscar was so much fun. She had never really thought too much about having kids of her own but she seemed to always get along with them, especially the little ones. She read the rainbow cat story to him for a third time before Stella announced it was time for Oscar to go to bed. He had already had his dinner and Stella had placed the order for her and Annabelle's to arrive shortly.
Stella got Oscar ready for bed, he tried to escape before having his teeth cleaned but generally cooperated until it was time to say good night to Annabelle.
"I don't want to go to bed!" He protested, "I wanna play with Annabelle!"
"Hey buddy, it's ok," she said, "I can come and play with you again soon! Ah if that's ok with your mum?" Annabelle laughed nervously, shooting Stella a look that said sorry. Stella smirked back at her and rolled her eyes playfully.
"Come on buster, let's go!" Stella shepherded the three year old towards his bedroom. She turned back to Annabelle and said, "Um this could take a little while. You right to sort the food out when it arrives? Plates and stuff shouldn't be too hard to find," Stella gestured towards the kitchen.
"Oh yeah all good," Annabelle smiled back.
As Stella took Oscar to bed Annabelle had a look in the kitchen to find what they needed for the meal and a couple of wine glasses. When the doorbell rang she collected the food from the delivery person. Annabelle wondered if she should dish up their dinner or wait for Stella. How long is a little while? She wondered.
Annabelle decided to pour the wine. She sat the glasses down on the coffee table, leaving their takeaway dinner still in its wrapping on the dining table with plates and cutlery set out. Annabelle sat on the couch and took a big sip of her wine. She waited and sipped. After what felt like an eternity, but was probably only 15 minutes, Stella came back out to the living area.
"He's down!" She declared in a victorious whisper. Stella sat down on the couch next to Annabelle who handed her the glass of wine.
"Hungry?" Annabelle asked.
"Starving," Stella replied with wide eyes.
They moved to the table and dished out their food. As they ate and sipped their wine the conversation flowed easily again.
"So uh, it's really nice that you stay with Oscar till he's asleep. I know some parents just shut the door, haha." Annabelle laughed nervously.
"Oh, ah yeah, not like I have a choice haha. He would just keep getting up or scream the house down if I left him alone."
"Don't blame him."
"It's worth it though. He sleeps through the night these days. But I do almost miss the first two years of cosleeping and cuddles all night… almost."
Both women laughed. Annabelle thought to herself what an amazing woman Stella was. Not only did she work two impressive jobs (one of which was running her own business) but she was a devoted single mother who seemed to have such a beautiful gentle connection with her son. Annabelle couldn't help but wonder what Stella saw in her. Maybe she feels sorry for me and will want to fix me?
Stella paused and looked deeper into Annabelle's eyes, making Annabelle feel slightly uncomfortable with the intensity of the fluttering in her own stomach.
"Thank you for being so good with him. He really likes you. I err, I know it must be weird to … to date a woman with a kid. I mean I haven't dated since before I had him and I wouldn't normally invite someone new into his life so soon. But err, I like you and feel like I can trust you and hope if this wasn't going to end up, um, being a thing, that we can still be friends and…" Annabelle leant in and kissed Stella on the mouth. Stella's eyes widened with surprise, but then closed as she melted into the kiss. Annabelle fought back the urge to smile as she felt Stella's soft lips embrace her own.
The two women kissed softly yet with increasing passion. Annabelle felt her heart racing as she held Stella's face gently and their lips caressed together. Stella eventually pulled away, out of breath and red faced, once again peering into Annabelle's eyes. Annabelle smiled "Sorry, you ok?"
"Yeah," breathed Stella with a bewildered smile, as she learnt back in to continue the kiss.
YOU ARE READING
Stella and Annabelle
RomanceHard working, driven Stella was too busy with her career, running her side business and raising her son to worry about anything else. She didn't need anything else. Sure she had hoped she would have met the right woman before she settled down, but t...
