First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 15

  When I turn away from Dani to get the wine glasses I hear her release a shaky breath. After getting the glasses I walk back to where Dani is and she's opening the wine. She fills both glasses, hands me one then grabs the wine bottle as well and motions towards the living room. We both get settled on the couch but she is resting one elbow on the backrest as her body is turned facing me. Dani is just looking at me without saying anything and I can't tell if she is deep in thought or observing me for some reason.

  Dani breaks the silence with a question I was not expecting. "Have you ever thought about having kids? I know you're young and I don't necessarily mean right now but is that something you see for yourself?"

  I take a sip of my wine before I answer. "Yes, I would love to have kids. It really doesn't matter to me if they are my own or I meet a woman that already has a kid or kids. As far as the timeframe, I'm honestly open to the idea of kids anytime as long as I am with the right woman. I might only be 21 but having kids doesn't scare me and I do not feel like I am to young. Kids are amazing especially when they are like KK."

  Dani smiles right before taking a big gulp of her wine. "You will be an amazing mom. I'm surprised you don't have girls lining up to date you or wanting to settle down with you. I'm even more surprised you aren't dating anyone. No, I'm not stalking you so don't think that. Your mom mentioned you were single the other day when we were talking."

  I laugh and shrug my shoulders. Of course mom would do that. "Yeah well, I guess I haven't found the right woman yet or the right woman hasn't found me. I'm not looking to mess around or have one night stands. I have never done that, it's not my thing. I would like to date someone I see a future with, you know. What about you Dani?"

  Dani downs the rest of her wine then pours herself another glass. "You see it. I have been on a few blind dates my sister set me up on and all of them were just looking for a one night stand. I'm not looking for that either. As I told you before, I want to find a... someone that I can see a future with and see them being another parent to Kadence. Hell, might as well just be the second parent to her because Chris doesn't do shit. He doesn't get her when it's his time unless his parents want to see her. He hasn't paid child support in two months but I'm keeping track of everything so I can meet with my lawyer."

  I just watch as Dani downs that glass of wine and pours herself a third. Good thing classes are only Monday through Thursday and that tomorrow is Friday or she probably would not make it to work not the rate she's going.

  "Honestly though, I'm just wishful thinking about finding someone. Nobody wants to date someone with baggage and let's be honest, I have a lot of baggage." Dani chugs her third glass of wine then aggressively sits the empty glass on the coffee table with a sigh. She drank the wine awfully quick and at least the bottle is empty now because I honestly don't think she needs any more.

  "Dani, we all have baggage of some sort or things we're not proud of, but that's just life. The right person for you is out there and who knows, they may be closer than you think. I promise you though, that amazing little girl asleep upstairs is far from being any type of baggage. She is a beautiful gift that deserves to be cherished, just like you do. The right person will not see baggage when they look at you and hear your story. The right person will see a truly amazing woman and mom they will fall madly in love with."

  Tears start to form in my favorite green eyes so I scoot closer to Dani to offer comfort, a shoulder to cry or whatever she needs. I reach up and softly wipe away a stray tear as Dani's eyes lock with mine. She slightly smiles then leans in and rests her head against my chest. I wrap my arms around Dani and hold her tight against me and feel her grip my shirt as she relaxes into me. There's just silence surrounding us but it's not long and I hear steady breathing.

  I look down at the sleeping woman in my arms and take in her beautiful features. She is breathtaking when awake but even more so when asleep. All the stress and worry is completely gone from her face and she looks so peaceful. I wish I could tell Dani how I feel about her or that she would realize how I truly feel and be willing to give me a chance to take care of and love her and KK.

  I lay my head back against the couch and stare up at the ceiling. I would love to stay right here on the couch with Dani in my arms but she probably wouldn't be happy if KK saw her like this. It's only 8:30 but I know I should head over to my house in case my moms call so I do not disturb Dani or KK.

  I carefully unravel myself from Dani, stand up and stretch. I quickly but quietly go upstairs and open the door to Dani's bedroom and turn the covers back so I can put her to bed. When I get back downstairs, Dani is laying down on her side with her back towards the back of the couch. I gently slid one arm under Dani's back and my other arm under her legs. I wait just a second to make sure she doesn't try to wake up. Dani hasn't budged so I lift her off the couch and cradle her against my chest.

  As I start climbing the stairs with Dani cradled against me I hear her quietly mumble something but I can't make out what she is saying. "Shhh... I comfort as I reach the top of the stairs and make my way to Dani's bedroom. I walk to her king size bed and carefully lay her down then pull the covers up. As I get ready to turn away to leave I hear Dani mumble something again. I glance at her but her eyes are closed. I turn to walk away but stop when I feel a soft hand grab mine. As I look down at Dani she pulls on my hand and mumbles again.

  I sat down on the edge of the bed, "Dani, what is it?" She groggily sits up and before I know it, soft lips brush against mine. My heart starts beating fast as Dani pushes forward, pressing our lips together. "Dani," I breathe against her soft lips as I try to create a little space between us.

  Dani hums and falls back against the bed. "I've been... wanting... to do that." She mumbles as she turns onto her side. Dani apparently thinks I'm someone else because there's no way she has been wanting to kiss me. She is straight after all. I glance at Dani and start to get up when she reaches out again. "Stay," is the only she says before patting the empty side of the bed.

  I sigh as I get up and go around to the empty side of the bed. I slip my shoes off and lay down on top of the covers. I wasn't planning on leaving but I was going to sleep downstairs on the couch because I didn't want to leave Dani alone like this. I will just get up early and go over to my house to keep her from freaking out with me being in the same bed with her.