Lacuna (Book two to Attraction)

23.

Hazel is the happiest child, in the five years that we have had her she's been a complete joy to be around.
She's just such a happy child... Even her "terrible twos" phase wasn't that awful as I've heard most mothers describe it to be. She's extremely smart for her age, and she loves to talk and be vocal. Hazel loves anything to do with Barbie, glitter, and the color pink. She takes ballet classes now after school after begging Paul and I for two days after she watched Barbie And The Twelve Dancing Princesses. She is the light of our life, and everyone that meets her adores her. She calls Quil "uncle Quil" and even he is one of the many that spoils her. She doesn't know that Paul can shift as we haven't told her that yet, but she knows all about the Quileute legends and she loves hearing them for bedtime stories. She prefers me to tell her those for bed, even the ones she's already heard.
And she grows more and more beautiful the older that she gets. Her teeth are perfect and eggshell white, she has long dark wavy hair—she doesn't want any haircuts so it reaches to her ribcage, and her eyes stand out from the dark color her hair. Her skin is bronze and smooth, and when she smiles she has two cute dimples on her cheeks. She's just such a beautiful little girl, so full of confidence and happiness.

I pull my car out of the parking lot after picking Hazel up from her ballet class. She calmly sits in the back seat in her pink leotard and tutu with her little slippers on. She has the option to change into her regular clothes after class is over, but she prefers to wear her ballet clothes until she gets home.

"Did you have fun today?" I ask her as we begin driving on the main road.

"Yes. I can do so many new moves now, momma." She proudly remarks from the backseat. I smile.

"I know, I saw you in there. You're getting so good!" I tell her. She's only been in ballet for a month now, but she loves it.

"Is daddy having his party today?" She curiously asks changing the subject. She's referring to Paul's Super Bowl party, he's hosting one for the first time this year. Normally we don't do much for the Super Bowl unless Sam invites us over.

"Yes, he is." I reply.

"Can I have cookies?" She asks with hope in her voice. She knows Paul is going to buy a bunch of snacks and food for today.

"Yes, but only if you eat something else first." I remind her. She's allowed to have something sweet if she eats her dinner, but she really just loves cookies rather than candy.

"Like carrots?" She inquires, it's one of the only vegetables she likes besides cucumbers with ranch. I make a few more turns until we reach the driveway of the house.

"Yes, but you need to eat your dinner too."

She doesn't say anything else after I park the car and we get out of it and head inside the house from the sprinkling rain outside.

"Apollo!" She happily chimes as he rushes towards us. Apollo and Hazel are best friends, she really bonded with him when she was two but he's always been very protective over her. Hazel pets him and hugs his large fluffy body. "I missed you." She tells him.

I set my purse down and make my way to the fridge before I begin setting out the rest of the snacks on the kitchen counters as I prepare for the Super Bowl party.

"Momma?"

"What is it, baby?" I ask turning to face her.

"Can I have a snack?" She asks peering up at me.

"Sure. What would you like?" I puzzle, she ponders for a moment.

"Can I have a apple?" She grins showing off her pretty teeth. I open the fridge and pull out an apple from the fruit drawer.