Perfect by Design

3: Aaliyah James

Olivia
In the two days since our standoff in the kitchen with Aaliyah, she's said very few words to Spencer or me.

Her dad takes her to school every morning, and according to him, it's about as pleasant as watching paint dry.

Spencer has a Thursday night game tonight, and we will be going as a family. I don't care what attitude that silly little girl has.

Except I do. I don't want to be in a standoff with my daughter. I want to pick out our outfits together and make signs for the game like we always do. I want us to bake her daddy's post game treat together. I want my Leah girl.

I can't even roll over and whine to Spencer about this because, for some reason, he's already out of our bed. Waking up like this sucks, and he better have a good reason.

After brushing my teeth and doing a quick face routine, I throw on one of Spencer's sweatshirts, a pair of sweats, and head to make breakfast for the kids.

Pausing outside of Kiara's room, I notice a body much bigger than her seven year old frame occupying her bed. Quietly, I make my way closer, confirming that said body is none other than my husband's.

It takes a lot of focus to see my sweet girl curled under her daddy. One of her small hands in covering his eyes, her other arm curled under her head. Her knee is jamming right into his side, and I know they can't be comfortable like this.

I smile and snap a few photos for the next time Spencer tries to claim that I'm the sucker when it comes to the kids. Then, I lean closer to Spencer, brushing my lips against his ear.

"Leaving me for another girl?"

I press one lingering kiss to the stubble on his jawline, and he begins to stir.

Slowly, his eyes flutter open, and a smile grows on his face as his eyes lock with mine.

"Shh, can't have my new girl waking up to find my old girl in her room." He whispers, and I actually laugh out loud.

"Keeping both girls under the same roof... you're getting extra bold in your old age, Mr. Trouble. Haven't learned your lesson, I see."

"First of all, I'm not old." He whisper yells. "Second of all, you know I've only ever really had one girl." He grabs hold of his sweatshirt that I'm wearing and pulls me close, stealing my lips with his own.

"What are you doing in here?" I whisper as I reach over and gently brush Kiara's hair out of her face.

"She's not feeling well, and I didn't want her to wake you up." He pries their tangled bodies apart, then promptly tucks the blankets back around our baby girl.

Wrapping his hands around my waist, he pulls me closer and rests his head on my shoulder. "I slept like shit. I told you I don't like sleeping without my wife."

I chuckle this time as I trace silly patterns with my thumb on the back of his neck.

"You know you didn't have to stay once you got her to sleep, babe."

"She asked for me. They always ask for you, but this time, she asked for me."

"Awe, Spencer!" I bend down and kiss the top of his head.

"Plus, I need to make sure she doesn't grow up and turn on me like that traitor Aaliyah."

"You are so unserious." I grab his hand and tug him out of the room before he really does wake Kiara up.

I try to let go of his hand once we're out of the room, but he just squeezes tighter attempting to pull me back to our room.

"Oh no, Mr. James. No time. I have to make breakfast for your children."