First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 18

  Once all three of us have our plates fixed, with me fixing KK's per her request, we sit down at the dining table to eat. "Dani, this is delicious." I compliment as I savor the flavor of the sauce on the ziti.

  "You like it?" Dani asks as she looks up from her plate.

  I nod as I swallow another bite. "Yes, it's very delicious. I can definitely see why KK loves it, it's perfect."

  Dani laughs. "Are you sure you're not just saying that? Because that's to many compliments for something kind of simple."

  I shake my head as I reach for my wine glass. "I'm serious Dani, it's really delicious. Obviously I'm not lying or giving to many compliments, just look at KK." I laugh at the little girl as I tilt my head in her direction. Dani looks at her daughter and sees cheese and sauce on her face and shirt. Dani shakes her head and we both laugh but KK pays us no mind as she is busy clearing her plate.

  "Told you." I state with a wink causing Dani to roll her eyes playfully. Dani and I chat a little off and on during the rest of dinner but it is mostly filled with KK's chatter which I absolutely love. Dani catches me watching her numerous times as her daughter is talking to her, which in turn causes the amazing mother to blush. I catch Dani looking at me a few times which causes her to smile and blush more.

  As soon as we are all finished eating, KK takes off to the living room to play with her doll. I laugh at the energetic little girl as I stand and start gathering up our plates. "What do you think you're doing?" Dani asks as she reaches out and grabs my hand to stop me.

  I look at Dani because I figure it's obvious what I'm doing. "I'm helping clean everything up. You cooked so it's the least I can do that way you don't have to."

  Dani gives me a stern look and shakes her head then takes the plate out of my hand. "Absolutely not Taytum. You are my guest, I cooked for you and I will clean up. There's not many dishes anyway so if you want to do something then go entertain Kadence for me, please. Or just sit down and relax."

  "Dani, let me help you." I reach for the plate but Dani pulls it away.

  Dani shakes her head again. "No, now go. Get out of here or I will not cook for you again." She says playfully as she shoves me towards the living room. I throw my hands up in surrender and make my way to KK. She is humming as she spins around with her Tiana plush doll so I pull my phone out and turn some music on so she can dance.

  As I am watching KK dance with her doll, she runs up to me and lifts her arms. "Spin me," she says so I pick her up and spin her and her doll around then start dancing with her. KK yells "yay" as we dance and she giggles whenever I spin or dip her and her doll.

  Suddenly we hear "what's going on in here?" I turn around and Dani is leaning against the wall watching KK and I with a beautiful smile on her face.

  "TayTay dance with me and princess." KK yells happily. She wiggles to get down so I stand her down. She looks at Dani, "I go play mommy, please."

  Dani smiles at KK, "sure baby, you can go play for a few minutes then you will have to get a bath and go to bed. Okay?"

  KK nods her head and yells "okay, mommy." The little girl grabs my hand and pulls me towards Dani. "Mommy, dance with TayTay while I play. TayTay spin mommy." KK lets go of my hand and takes off running to her playroom. I laugh at the little girl then glance down at Dani.

  "We don't... we don't have to dance. Kadence is just being silly and wouldn't know that we didn't." Dani says as I see a slight blush on her cheeks.

  I raise my eyebrows in defiance, "come on, I'm not passing up this opportunity" I say while an upbeat song is still playing.

  "I can't dance to that. My clubbing days are long gone." Dani says skeptically so I press skip on my phone to hopefully find a song she is more comfortable dancing to.

  I Lose Control by Teddy Swims starts playing so I hold my hand out. "My lady." Dani takes my hand so I close the space between us and wrap my other arm around her lower back. Dani smiles as she places her other arm around my waist. We sway to the music and just gaze at each other. No words are spoken as we take the moment in. I pull Dani closer until she is flush against me and she rests her head against my chest. I wrap my other arm around her and she circles her other arm around my waist as we continue dancing. Suddenly Dani breaks the silence. "Thank you, for getting that gift for Kadence. You didn't have to do that but thank you and thank you for always being so kind and patient with her."

  I tighten my hold on Dani as we sway. "I wanted to get KK something too. I can't just get you flowers and not get your daughter something as well. Thank you is not needed Dani. I meant it when I told her that I love her, because I do." The song ends and I faintly hear advertisements playing now but Dani and I continue swaying back and forth. She quickly pulls away though when we hear KK running down the hallway. I pause the music so Dani will be able to easily hear KK.

  "Bath mommy. I sleepy." KK says as she makes it into the living room where Dani and I are standing.

  "Yes baby, let's go." Dani says to her daughter as they head towards the stairs. Dani quickly looks over her shoulder at me. "Can you... wait until I'm done or do you need to head home?"

  I see the hopeful look in Dani's eyes and there's no way I'm going home right now. "Of course I can wait. Anything for you Dani." She smiles then heads upstairs with KK to help her bathe and get ready for bed. I decide to sit on the couch and wait for Dani to finish everything upstairs. I uncause my music and turn the volume down then lean my head back against the back of the couch and close my eyes.

  About 25 minutes later I hear Dani walking down the stairs. I open my eyes, turn my head to look at her and she smiles at me. "Sorry it took a little longer than I expected. I had to read Kadence a bedtime story even though she was already sleepy. She fell asleep halfway through the story though. Do you want some more wine?"

  I sit up, "you have nothing to apologize for Dani and I would love some." Dani smiles again and I watch as she walks into the kitchen, grabs two clean wine glasses and the rest of the red wine I brought then walks back into the living room. She pours us both a glass and hands me mine then sits down on the couch.

  Dani tucks both legs under her on the couch then takes a big drink of her wine as she is intensely looking at me like she is deep in thought. "Did... Did you always know you were a lesbian?"