Blake picks up a sleeping Lilly. He can't believe she slept through the landing this time, however it had been a long day including multiple delays, countless snacks, stuck for hours upon hours. He carries her off the plane while Amanda grabs any of their remaining things. By the time they make it back to Blake's mom's house its well after 10 pm. Blake takes his little girl down the hallway to the room that Dot had transformed just for her into every princess's dream room. He laid her on the bed and covered her up with the blankets. Leaving her was ripping his heart out, or at least what was left of it. Just as he turns to leave her room he hears a tiny, "daddy?"
"Hey princess." He says smiling at her
"Do you have to go again?" She asks and he can already hear the tears in her voice
"Yeah Princess. Remember we talked about this. Next weekend I'll come back to get you and you will spend the week with me again."
"But I'm gonna miss you so much daddy!"
"I'm gonna miss you more princess. Now you need to get some sleep, it's been a really long day and I need you to be good for grandma ok?"
"Ok. Can you lay here with me for a few minutes?"
"Yeah I can do that."
Blake lays down and Lilly cuddles into him. He lays there until he can feel her calm and her breathing even out. He slowly works his way out from under her and makes his way down stairs. Blake heads into the kitchen and slumps onto one of the stools running a hand through his wild curls.
"Need a drink?" Blake hears his head snapping up
He hadn't realized anyone was in the kitchen. He shows his mom a weak smile and says "yeah thanks mom. I hate this leaving her thing. She cried twice today! How am I supposed to leave when she is so upset?"
"I know you have built a strong relationship and that is what's making this hard but it can also be what makes it easier to. That little girl has no doubt in her mind anywhere that you love her. She is very attached to you and honestly I think it will be a good thing for her to have some time when you're not right there with her. She needs to develop some independence. She also needs to gain some trust. Trust that you will always come back and trust that even when you aren't right next to her that you have made sure she is going to be well taken care of and safe."
"It's just with everything that happened with her mom I never want her to feel abandoned. She can never feel that way."
"I know son. I know how hard the whole situation has been on you; but look at that little girl. Is she sad?"
"No."
"Does she ever tell you it's not fair that she doesn't have a mom? Or cry about where her mom is?"
"No."
"It's because of you. She gets what she needs from you. You are an amazing father and that little girl is lucky to have you."
"And I'm lucky to have her." Blake says flashing a sad smile at his mom
"Ok! So; now tell me about the writing sessions. Are they what you wanted them to be?"
"Mom they are amazing! We have written at least a song a session and Gwen is amazing! She helps get out what I want to say but words it in a way that makes it sound perfect in the song."
"Sounds like you are a perfect match. How does she feel about you?" Dot asks smiling. "How does she feel about the fact that you have Lilly?"
"I'm not really sure and I haven't exactly told her about Lilly yet."
