From across the hallway

Part 23

Barely an hour had passed, but for the merc it had been one of the most difficult of his entire life.

Emily was in a foul little mood.

She had glared at him almost the entire way home, and had pulled herself from his grasp the moment he had tried to get near her to take off her tiny red coat, mittens or hat.

There had been barely any point anyway, because after a second to two of her detaching herself from his arms, Em had hidden behind his couch and tugged the articles off, flinging them to the floor angrily.

Wade had at first laughed it off, but as the minutes ticked by, it was obvious that he had a very, very angry toddler on his hands.

"Hey, hey, hey," he muttered crouching down in front of her as she folded her arms across her tiny puffed out chest and scowled at him. "What's wrong, Baby Bear?"

But Emily just continued to stare him out, a furious look plastering itself across her features.

Was this because of Vanessa?

Wade frowned at her curiously, before letting out a puff of air, as she swiftly kicked him in the shin and ran off to hide underneath his dining table.

"Women..." he mumbled, getting to his feet.

He would leave her to cool off for a while he thought.

But as the afternoon slipped by, it seemed that Emily was not shaking her irritable mood.

Wade fixed her up one of the mac and cheese pouches that Missy had left for her, but to his dismay, she had refused to eat anything, trying to wriggle from the seat and out of his clutches the moment he drew near her.

Finally, after an age, catching her around the middle, he plonked her back down in front of the plate of food, picking up a forkful.

"Look...." he said lifting it to his own mouth and taking a bite of the gloopy orange tubes. "...yummy.." he uttered with his mouth full.

But Emily pursed her lips together hard, turning away from him every time the fork made it near her face.

"You gonna tell me what's wrong?" he asked, eventually giving up and tossing the fork down loudly, causing Emily's frown to deepen further.

If looks could kill, Wade would definitely be six-feet under right now.

But the toddler did not reply, she merely continued in her scowling as there came a knock on the door.

Wade checked the small cartoon watch at his wrist. Jeez was it really four o'clock already? Time really did fly by when you had a two-year old to take care of...

Wade strolled over to the door and tugged it open, to see Missy standing nervously on the other side.

He felt his heart begin to pound just that little bit faster, as usual..

She, as always, looked gorgeous, with those lovely green eyes...and amazing legs...and those soft, pink lips...

In fact, Wade was so lost in thought, he barely had the chance to say a word, as two little legs ran past him.

Missy gave a surprised look down at her feet, as Emily appeared, making grabby hands for her.

Missy quickly obliged the tiny girl, and lifted her up into her arms.

"Ohhh, Mommy missed you," said the caramel haired woman smiling gently and pressing three or four kisses to Emily's little cheek.

But to Wade's horror, Emily was still scowling and she suddenly pointed a chubby digit up towards him.