I Don't Want To Lose My Best Friend [ON HOLD]

But, oh my God, I've been looking

Throughout the night when I would occasionally wake up to shift positions or bundle the blankets around me more, Tony remained curled to my side and holding me close. I felt safe with him holding me like no harm could come. And that made me really happy.

The next morning when I woke up Tony wasn’t in bed and I checked the time to see I had slept in: 9:45. I rubbed my eyes and then rolled off before making the bed quickly and then heading downstairs. Tony and Charlotte were watching cartoons and eating bowls of cereal.

“Momma! Good morning!” Charlotte giggled. Tony smiled over at me and I smiled back tiredly.

“Hey love bug, sleep okay?” I asked as I walked over and kissed the top of her head. She nodded.

“I did! And then daddy and I been watching cartoons and waiting for you! We’re going costume shopping today right?” I had promised Charlotte we’d go look for Halloween costumes since it was only about a week and half away. Tony’s face lit up at the sound of that.

“We sure are, I bet your daddy would like to come.” I prompted.

“Daddy come with us!” Charlotte exclaimed and turned to look at him.

“I’d love to Charlie.” She giggled and nodded her head.

“Okay good! Momma go get cereal and join us!” Our toddler was so demanding, she clearly got that from me. I ruffled Tony’s hair before heading into the kitchen. I made myself a bowl of the Berry Captain Crunch and took a moment to stretch. My back needed to crack so I twisted around until it did.

“Momma I don’t hear you moving!” I laughed to myself.

“I’m coming baby!” I grabbed my bowl and walked back over to the living room and sat on the other side of Charlotte. She drank the milk from her bowl and Tony placed his and her empty bowl on the coffee table as I continued to eat mine.

“What do you want to dress as Charlie?” Tony asked her pulling her onto his lap.

“I want to be something cool like a pirate!” Tony nodded.

“So no princesses?” Charlotte scrunched her nose up in disgust and shook her head.

“No!” Tony and I both laughed.

“Guess your mommy wasn’t joking when she said you weren’t like other little girls.”

“I like being different!”

“I do too babygirl.” She starting tracing the different tattoos on his arms and Tony smiled down at her as she did so.

“So we’ll go shopping and then go to your mom’s?” I asked nervously.

“Yeah…I talked to her this morning, told her you were back in town and she immediately demanded she get to see you…and I told her that we had some news to share with her.” He explained softly.

“Well…okay…”

“It’s going to be fine, I promise.” He grabbed one of my hands gently and kissed the knuckles before he took Charlotte upstairs to get changed for the day while I finished eating. I went into the kitchen and cleaned up the bowl before heading upstairs. I jumped into the shower and moved quickly so Tony wouldn’t have to wait long. I knew he wanted to clean up too, so I was hoping he’d realize

Charlotte was okay to be on her own so he could get ready too.

After I hopped out, dried off, and did my whole routine, I picked out an outfit suitable for the day we were going to have.

I clipped my bangs from my face and did my usual hairstyle and then applied my makeup before going back into my bedroom. I tossed my lanyard, phone and wallet, throwing the latter two items into my satchel and then gripped the lanyard in my hand. I left the room and Charlotte came running over, dressed in navy blue and white striped long sleeved top, a denim vest, and tan skinnies with navy blue TOMS. Her hair was pulled up in a bun with her bangs back with a navy blue bandana Rosie the Riveter style.