High on Zipping into Love

High on Zipping into Love: Chapter #9

Lunchtime rolls around the next day, when Erica brings Olivia home, Derek having headed home after breakfast.

"Daddy?"

"In the kitchen Liv!"

She runs inside and throws her arms around his waist. "Did you have fun Daddy? How was your date? Is Mr. Derek here? Are you gonna go on another date?"

"Woah, slow down kiddo."

Erica closes the front door and makes her way to the kitchen. She eyes the wine glasses in the dish drainer and sends a smirk at Stiles who silences her with a look. She raises her hands in a placating gesture and smiles. "I'm sure your daddy had fun. You need to put your laundry in the hamper Livvy."

Olivia huffs. "Okay but then I want to know how daddy's date went."

Stiles waits until Olivia is in the laundry room before giving Erica a go ahead gesture. "So how was it, Batman? Is he sculpted all over?"

Stiles makes a face even as he blushes. "That's none of your business. He's gorgeous and I had an amazing evening."

"Well good. So where is he?" She glances at the stairs. "Bedroom closet?"

"No," Stiles says with a snort. "He left after breakfast."

Erica looks like the cat that got the cream. "So, he stayed the night then. Get it, Batman. Do I need to call Boyd to do any repairs to the bed?"

"Erica!" he hisses. He checks to make sure Olivia hasn't returned and then fixes Erica with a glare. "We didn't have sex." His admission is followed by a one shoulder shrug.

"Why not?"

"Because I have Olivia to think about and he has Zeke. Being a parent means we have to take our kids into consideration when it comes to relationships." He waits until she looks ready to argue before continuing. "That being said, we're going to a movie this weekend. He also asked about stopping by after he gets off work. I told him he was welcome anytime. I think he mentioned getting dinner on Wednesday night and then depending on how the movie goes we're going to go out to dinner at the diner with the kids."

Erica is stunned and then lets out a shrill squeal before hugging him and spinning him around. "Holy shit, Batman!" She smiles and pinches his cheeks. "My little Batman is all grown up."

Stiles rolls his eyes but he's wearing a soft smile. "About time huh?"

"I'm happy for you, Stiles. You deserve to be happy. Boyd and I are happy to have Olivia stay with us anytime."

Olivia chooses that moment to run back out slipping on her socks and barely stops herself from falling. "Olivia Claudia Rose!"

"Sorry, Daddy."

"What have I said about running in the house?"

Olivia wrings her hands. "No running in the house and never in socks because that's how you get concussions, and you would know because you got one."

Stiles nods. "Exactly." He sighs and opens his arms pulling her into a hug. She melts into the embrace and accepts the kiss to her forehead. "So, how did Boyd do with braiding your hair?"

"He did okay for his first try."

Erica beams. "He may even get to be as good as you one day."

Olivia looks at Erica and shakes her head. She frowns and looks up at Stiles who quirks a brow. "Nobody will ever be better than daddy at braiding my hair." She buries her head against Stiles's stomach, and he puts his hand up to stop Erica from trying to backtrack. He's pretty sure he knows what's wrong.

"Livvy, angel?" he says softly. "I planned for us to watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi this afternoon. Do you want to go get the couch movie ready?"

"Okay," she mumbles.

Once she's out of earshot Erica looks at Stiles with guilty eyes. "I'm sorry."

Stiles shakes his head and hugs her. "Don't be. It's okay. I think I know what's wrong."

"Really? Was it something I said?"

"No. Not really. I haven't dated anyone since..." he trails off.

Erica cups the back of his head and rubs his back. "Oh, Stiles. I'll leave so you can talk to her but if you need me don't hesitate to call. Okay?"

Stiles relaxes in her arms. "Okay."

They hug for a few minutes longer before Erica heads out and Stiles joins Olivia on the couch. She crawls into his lap and rests her head on his shoulder, her eyes on the movie that's playing. Stiles wraps his arms around her, one hand playing with her hair. He doesn't say anything, just letting her calm down.

It's not until the credits roll that Olivia starts talking. "Will you always braid my hair daddy? I don't want Boyd to do it better than you."

Stiles turns off the tv and coaxes her to look at him. "I will always braid your hair. I think it's really cool that you're showing him how but that doesn't mean he's going to do it better than me. I don't think it's bad if he gets really good at it."

"You don't?"

"Nope. Do you know why?"

She shakes her head. "Why?"

Stiles brushes her hair out of her eyes. "Because one day Boyd might have a little girl of his own and when she asks him to braid her hair, he'll be able to do it because you taught him how."

Olivia's eyes widen and she smiles. "Oh. Well then that's okay. You're the only one I want to braid my hair though. Okay, Daddy?" she says with a yawn.

With a smile and a kiss to her forehead Stiles nods. "Of course."

"Can we take a nap now, Daddy? I'm sleepy."

Stiles pulls a blanket over them and adjusts to lay down with her head on his chest. "Go to sleep, Livvy. I'll be right here when you wake up."

Her eyes close and her breathing evens out as she falls asleep. Just like the time Stiles has with her when he braids her hair, moments when they cuddle like this are just as precious. He kisses Olivia's forehead and tucks a loose golden blonde curl behind her ear, smiling at her sleeping face. She looks so much like her mother.

Sometimes he has to stop to catch his breath. He and Gracie, Grace, were kindred spirits, platonic soulmates and he'd do anything for Grace, including raising her daughter as his own no matter how much it hurts sometimes to see her in her.

Stiles feels his own eyelids grow heavy and doesn't try to fight it when he too drifts off. He's glad they have today and tomorrow to themselves.