And Boyfriend Makes Three ♡ One Year Spin-Off

14. Unwinding

"This is impossible" I exclaim, throwing my hands up in frustration while we stand in the middle of the costume aisle at Target. The month had literally changed to October two days ago and the store was already beginning to get picked over. It was extremely frustrating to say the least as a mother who just wanted the perfect costume for her baby girl. 

Elliot laughs, leaning onto the cart where Leah was content playing with a stuffed animal she had snatched off a display while we were walking around the store. "Babe she's a baby, she won't even remember this so I doubt she really cares. Just pick one."

I cross my arms over my chest, staring at the wall of choices; there were just too many to choose from. "This would be so much easier if she could just tell me which one she likes" I grumble in frustration. I couldn't wait until she was old enough to talk. 

"Have you asked for Jason's input?" Elliot asks carefully and I shake my head. I didn't think Elliot would care or even have the slightest opinion so I didn't even ask him. "Do you think he'll be upset that you're leaving him out? I mean, this is her first Halloween and you're sort of hogging it."

I sigh, turning back to face him.  "Why is this so stressful?" 

"Because honey, you're making it stressful." Leah starts laughing at that and I roll my eyes while Elliot simply laughs at the reaction he's gotten out of my daughter. I loved him but like most men, he could be extremely annoying sometimes...even if he was probably right. "Why don't we just come back another day? We have what? Three weeks until Halloween?"

"I know but I don't want all the good costumes to be gone!"

"What about our costumes? Are we not celebrating this year?" he asks and I bring my bottom lip between my teeth. Halloween was one of my favorite holidays and it was usually a huge deal in my friend group but I couldn't imagine ditching my daughter to go to a huge party.  I had a feeling my Halloween was going to be very G rated this year. 

"I was just thinking we'd trick or treat with her. Jason can come if he wants and then we could go back to our place to watch movies."

"No party with the girls?"

I shrug. "I'm a mom El. I can't do the same things I used to" I admit. Out of all the things that have happened since I had Leah I had to admit that the worst was falling away from my friends. We still talked but we weren't close anymore and I hated it. 

"Okay" he concedes, "but what about tonight? I have to go back to school tomorrow so you'll be home with her all day, the least I can do is give you a night out with the girls tonight."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "You've been watching her nonstop lately" I argue but he simply shrugs. 

"I love her like she's mine Moll. Watching her is no problem and you need a night out with people who won't make you feel judged and out of place."

"You mean like I did to you for the entirety of the beginning of our relationship?" I throw back. I brought Elliot into the chaos almost immediately but then again-.

"I knew what I was getting myself into Molls. Hell, we met at the clinic where you were getting your ultrasounds. I knew exactly who you were and I knew that you're crowd would be a little different from mine."

"A little?" I laugh. "Sometime I still feel like me and my friends all corrupted you somehow" I add honestly. Sure he swore and enjoyed a beer once and a while but he was still so innocent in comparison to me and the rest of my friends when we met; now he was letting me take advantage of him in our living room. 

"Molly, I had urges before I met you; being with you has just made me actually want to act on them" he replies, shrugging his shoulders. "And besides" he adds, taking a deep breath. "I've realized that a little hooking up here and there isn't going to make the world explode."