Fearless

Chapter 8- With A Push And A Shove

December 3rd

Taylor

It's late and Violet's asleep in my room. The TV is playing almost silently in the background, but I'm far from paying attention to it. We had a quiet day, spending time with my parents and Austin, but that girl from the grocery store has been stuck at the forefront of my mind since we met. I'm just so intrigued, but I haven't found the courage to text her yet.

I know nothing about her, I don't even know her last name, but simply the memory of the Jade green in her eyes gives me butterflies. I'm scared, because the last time I felt this way about someone, we got involved and then we fell in love and eventually, for the sake of my career, we were ripped apart and left broken hearted. I don't want to feel that way again, but more importantly, I don't want Violet to have to go through that.

The baby monitor goes off and I sigh as Violet's cries sound throughout the room. I push myself up from the sofa and ascend the stairs to my room. "Mommy's here, Lottie." I coo as I open the door, hitting the button on the white noise to turn it on and cooing as I pick her up. "There we go, sweet girl." I press butterfly kisses to her temple as I pace the room for a couple of seconds and then sit down in the rocker, rocking us back and forth as she lies against my chest.

"What do you think, Vi? Should Mommy text the pretty lady?" I hum, pressing my lips to the crown of her head and taking in that new baby smell that still hasn't gone away. I never understood what people loved so much about a new baby, not until I had my own. "You're just hungry, aren't you?" I chuckle as she nuzzles her face into my chest and clings to my shirt. I give her what she wants, lifting my t-shirt to let her latch on and rocking us as she eats.

My phone rings and she fusses a little, but I shush her and she calms before I press answer. "Hey." I smile, looking down at the baby as I wait for the familiar voice to come from the other end. "How are two of my favourite girls doing?" Taylor chuckles and I shake my head, "we're good, Vi's just having a late night snack. How are you?" We've gotten quite close recently and he's become an amazing friend to me and he's so good for Violet, he dotes on her. "I'm good too, I was calling to see if you wanted to hang out tonight. We could watch a film?"

I debate with myself, it's late for Violet but it is only nine and I haven't seen him in forever. "Sure, that sounds good. I'm just putting the little one back to bed, so if I don't answer, security will let you up." I smile, I've missed just hanging out with him. "I'll see you soon." He agrees and I nod, "see you soon."

I put my phone back down and keep patting Violet's back, humming gently as I watch her soft features. She's so beyond perfect and she deserves so much love and happiness, just another reason to be scared of starting something new. She starts to fall asleep so she unlatches and I move her against my shoulder to burp, knowing she'll be a nightmare tonight if I put her back down without doing so.

"Sweet dreams, little angel." I kiss her little face once she's properly asleep about half an hour later, and I get up from the rocker, bouncing as I walk towards the travel crib to lay her down. "Is she asleep?" I'm startled slightly when I hear a voice at the bedroom door but when I glance over, Taylor's standing there with food and a stuffed hippo under his arm. "Just, I'm about to put her down." I look down at the little girl sleeping in my arms and he walks over as I smile. "I wish I hadn't missed her, it's been ages since I've seen her." He smiles as he strokes a soft thumb along her cheek and my heart melts, he absolutely adores her.

"I think she misses you too, she won't smile for anyone else- well, almost nobody else." I frown, remembering how the woman in the store made her smile. "Who else is trying to steal my spot as her favourite?" He fakes offence and I roll my eyes as we talk quietly. "That's a long story." I laugh, lifting Violet to lay her down. "You can tell me about that soon, but first, I got this for her, I hope you don't mind." I holds up the hippo and I grin as I nod, "she'll love it."