Summer Nights (RE-WRITTEN)

25

A:N This story includes themes of mental health and eating disorders, please only read if you feel ready too, you are beautiful always x

I beam at Violet as I finish getting her dressed into the cutest little outfit I've ever seen in my entire life, "You're the most beautiful baby, I've ever seen. Yes you are."

Today was Rocky's medal ceremony and my heart ached wildly with pride just thinking about it.

"Oh you're just so cute." I coo as I stroke one of her cheeks, "Just the cutest person in the entire world."

"And you sound really creepy when you talk like that." A voice behind me says in a mocking tone.

I roll my eyes, "I've heard you talk like this, don't even try to deny it."

Rocky scoffs, "I would never."

"Hmm." I murmur as I gently scoop Violet into my arms and turn around.

My jaw nearly drops when I see Rocky standing there in his uniform, he looked heartbreakingly handsome. The type of beautiful that caused pain to look at.

"Doesn't your daddy look pretty?"

He gives me a blank look, "Stop that."

"It's really hard to stop."

"Just give me the baby and go get dressed."

My eyes widen briefly, "But what if she throws up on you?"

"Then I'll just wipe it off, shoo shoo."

I frown, "Don't shoo me."

He flicks his hand at me sassily, "Shoo."

"You've got a lot of attitude this morning buster."

"You know what will stop my attitude? You getting dressed."

"Fine, fine. I'm going."

,,,

I glance anxiously at my reflection in the mirror, I was wearing a baby blue flowy dress which thankfully hid all the parts of my body which I wanted to hide. I was still adjusting to my post-baby body but I was trying, I was really trying.

I've got to admit, it's really nice to feel more put together, this was the first time I've applied make up and curled my hair since giving birth. I felt like a different person entirely.

I turn my head when I hear a small knock on my bedroom door before Rocky and Violet come inside.

Rocky eyes rake slowly down my body before his lips twitch ever so slightly, "You..."

"I?" I prompt, holding my breath embarrassingly desperate to hear what he think.

His cheeks tinge with a slight pink, "You...look really nice."

My heart flutters an incredible amount, "Really?"

"Yeah. Really nice."

I don't think anything could stop this goofy grin now engraved onto my face.

...

Hot tears roll down my face as I watch the father of my child stand up on a podium to receive a medal that celebrates his bravery. I clap loudly as Brooke sits beside me wearing a delighted smile, gently rocking Violet in her stroller. If I didn't have my newborn child next to me, I would scream the roof of this place with pride.

Oh Rocky James, you are just one of the best people on the planet and you don't even know it.

Sammy squeezes my shoulders as his grin nearly splits his face in half, if I looked further down the row, I almost positive I saw Luke's eyes mist over.

The rest of the ceremony goes incredibly quick but I still feel extremely restless until I get to greet the man we've all gathered here to see. With our daughter firmly nestled into my arms, I approach him beaming entirely. His eyes are heartfelt when he meets us.

"Hey Sam?" He asks, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Yeah."

"Can you get a picture of us three? You know for Scarlett's scrapbook."

I blink in surprise before I stand next to him, he wrap one his arms around my waist nearly causing me to go into cardiac arrest. I give the camera my cheesiest smile as Sammy takes the picture.

"What a beautiful family." A woman comments as she walks past making my cheeks flush.

"I mean she's not wrong." Rocky teases, "The father especially."

Oh I've said it before and I'll say it again, I utterly adore having these snippets of playful Rocky.

I raise an eyebrow, "And the mother?"

"Meh, she's okay."

I laugh as I playfully narrow my eyes at him, "You dick."

"She's very pretty." He admits, his eyes boring into mine.

My breath hitches as my heart does continuous somersaults, "Oh."

"Don't make it weird."

I clamp my mouth shut afraid to do anything that could kill us this moment, "I won't."

...

I lean against the doorframe happily as I watch Rocky rocking Violet to sleep. I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing them together, it caused me to feel things I didn't even know the human body was capable of.

"You know it's pretty creepy to stare."

I shrug carelessly, "I know, I just don't care."

"Of course you don't."

"I'm sure your probably bored of hearing me say this today but I'm so incredibly proud of you."

"I'm not...bored of hearing you say it."

I raise a surprised brow, "Oh?"

"Yeah. Today, it actually feels kind of nice."

"You're such an amazing dad." I whisper as he gently lowers Violet into her Moses basket.

"You're seriously feeding my ego today Summers."

"And I'm glad to be the chef."

He lets out a low chuckle, "That doesn't make any sense."

"No it doesn't, does it? I'll try and work up a better response."

He rubs the back of his neck, "I was going to watch the office, do you want to watch it with me?"

My heart is practically screaming at this point, I bite down on my bottom lip as I nod frantically.

I'm blushing deeply as I sit down beside him on the sofa, it just felt magical to spend moments like this with him. It felt like we've wasted so much of our lives not acting this way towards each other.

"I forgot to ask."

I turn to him slightly, "What?"

"Did you ever manage to read the books I gave you?"

I wince, "I don't want to lie to you."

"I'll take that as a no."

"I'd pretend that I'll still read them but it seems a little pointless now that she's here."

"Yeah, I'll give you that one."