First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 14

  I stand up after KK runs off to wash her hands and notice Dani intensely looking at me. "What?" I softly question in hopes I didn't do something wrong.

  I watch the woman that occupies my mind swallow before she finally says "n-nothing, come on let's get everything out so we can eat." I follow Dani and as she is getting the plates, silverware and glasses, I get the food out of the oven then the fruit salad from the fridge.

  I watch Dani as she sets the silverware and napkins on the dining table for us and suddenly hear KK running back from washing her hands. Dani scoops her daughter up when she is in arm's reach and starts smothering her little face with kisses. As I watch my two favorite people, it is so obvious that KK belongs to Dani. She has her mothers eyes, nose, face shape and skin tone. The only real difference is the mouth and hair. Dani looks up as she starts walking back to the kitchen and smiles with a slight blush to her cheeks when she sees me watching the two of them.

  I decide to busy myself by getting out serving spoons so we can fix our plates. Busying myself can pull my attention away from Dani and not give any indications of my true feelings for her. As I put the last serving spoon in the fruit salad the mother daughter duo has now joined me in the kitchen. "Taytum, this smells delicious. Thank you again sweetheart." I smile at Dani as she picks a plate up to fix for KK. "Okay Kadence, do you want just chicken and rice and fruit salad?"

  KK makes grabby hands towards me. "No mommy. I want TayTay to help me." She reaches towards me again and Dani glances up at me.

  "I don't mind if you don't." I tell Dani and she slightly smiles as she passes her daughter to me. "Alright princess, let's get your plate fixed and mommy can fix hers too." I look at Dani and wink which causes her to smile appreciatively as she grabs her a plate.

  KK decided she wanted some of everything and once her plate is fixed I stand her down. "Can you hold your plate for me princess so I can fix mine?"

  KK smiles and nods her head, "yes, I big girl." With KK holding her plate, I quickly fix mine once Dani is finished then take KK's plate back so nothing spills on the way to the table. KK walks right beside me with Dani behind us and I hear her chuckle when her daughter grabs ahold of my sweatpants to hold on to as we walk.

  I quickly sit my plate down, pull KK's chair out and sit her plate down. "Hold on," I tell Dani as I hurry to pull her chair out for her as well.

  Dani smiles as her soft hand touches my arm and she wraps her fingers around, giving my arm a slight squeeze. "Thank you sweetheart." I smile and take my seat across from Dani as she takes her first bite. "This is delicious, Taytum," she praises as she gets ready to take another bite. "Someone else thinks it's delicious too" the amazing mother states as she gestures towards KK.

  I turn my attention from the gorgeous smile on Dani's face as I look at her daughter. KK has already finished all of her roasted carrots and potatoes and licks her little lips as she digs into what's left of her chicken and rice. She doesn't notice Dani and I both watching her because she is too content eating. "She's so adorable." I sincerely say as I glance back at Dani. We both smile and finish eating while carrying on light conversation.

  "I done mommy." KK says through a yawn then mumbles "I sleepy."

  Dani gets up and goes to KK, picking her up from the chair she is in. KK instantly wraps her little arms around Dani's neck and lays her head on Dani's shoulder. "Let me get Kadence ready for bed then I will be back." KK quietly whispers something to her mommy and I watch as Dani's eyes immediately find mine. "Umm, Kadence wants to know if you could get her ready for bed. You don't have to, so don't feel pressured."

  I smile as I stand up. "Are you kidding? I would be honored. It's not every day I get to put a little princess to bed." KK giggles as she lifts her head off Dani's shoulder and reaches for me.

  "She seems really tired so just have her brush her teeth and let her change into her pajamas. While you do that I will clean up here then I will be up to tuck her in." I nod as I take KK and make my way up the stairs to the bathroom.

  I watched KK brush her teeth, making sure she brushes them well, then walk her to her bedroom and help her get pajamas to put on. "Okay, I will step out into the hall so you can put your pajamas on. Can you do that for me or do you need help?"

  "I do, I a big girl." KK confidently says through another yawn. I ruffle her hair the step into the hallway to let the little four year old change. As soon as I hear "okay," I walk back into the bedroom.

  KK is already in her bed, on top of the covers, waiting on me. I help her get under the covers as she yawns again. "Do you want a book read to you?" She nods her head so I turn to her bookcase and grab 'The Rainbow Fish' and start reading. Not even halfway through the book, KK is sound asleep but I finish the book anyway. As I am putting the book back on the bookcase, Dani quietly walks into the room to KK's bed and kisses her on the forehead. I watch as the mother whispers "goodnight baby, I love you," then she motions for me to follow her.

  Once we are in the hallway Dani looks up at me with that gorgeous smile. "Thank you Taytum. Do you want some wine while I fix myself a glass?"

  I smile, "that would be great. I'm just going to use the bathroom real quick then I will be down." Dani nods and makes her way downstairs. I head back downstairs after I finish using the bathroom and washing my hands. When I walk into the kitchen, I see Dani on her tiptoes trying to reach a bottle of wine on the top shelf of a cabinet. The bottle of wine has fallen over slightly and if Dani moves her hand the bottle will definitely fall off of the shelf, possibly hit her and of course hurt her or possibly break. "I'm starting to think you are trying to hurt yourself."

  Dani groans, "oh hush. I was trying to reach it without getting my step stool so just come help me smarty pants. I forgot I didn't have an open bottle." I laugh and roll my eyes even though she can not see me.

  I walk up behind Dani to help and as I reach up my body presses against hers. My arm brushes against her arm as I grab the bottle of red wine and sit it down on the countertop. "There you go, short stack," I whisper beside Dani's ear as I put just a little space between us. She turns around and grips the edge of the countertop with both hands as her green eyes meet my blue ones. I watch her swallow hard as her chest is rising and falling at a faster rate and her eyes move down to my lips then back up. I want nothing more than to kiss Dani at this moment but instead I back up, putting more space between us. I think she wants me to kiss her but if that was to happen I want her to make the first move. I clear my throat as I move away, "I will grab the wine glasses." 

~ Thank you all so much for the kind words and feedback so far on this story. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I am while writing. Please feel free to like, comment, share and happy reading!

~Eden Shay