Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

17

Elizabeth had been consistently sleeping with Lyle for a couple weeks, because he was good. But today, she decided that she didn't really want that anymore. She got bored pretty quickly, especially recently, and it was really weighing on her.

She never got bored of good dick.

So that's where she stood - bored out of her mind, trying to think of what she could be doing instead, and instantly her mind wandered to Christian and Ivy. She loved spending time with them. Every day she woke up and asked herself what she could do with them that day.

It was mid June, so it was hot in Milwaukee at this point. So she pulled on a basic white and blue striped romper that had a small cut out just below her chest, and she went to knock on Christian's door.

"Ellie!" Christian smiled a bit, heart fluttering as he took her in. The cut out showed a hint of underboob, which drove him crazy, and that romper definitely hugged her ass perfectly.

"Hi," Elizabeth smiled, holding back her laugh. She was confident in her body. She knew she looked good. And Christian was a guy, she didn't mind him appreciating her.

Her voice broke through Christian's run down, and he looked up with wide eyes. "S-Sorry! Come in, come in," he smiled, letting her in.

"What's up?" He said quietly, a bit nervous. He didn't really know why; it had been two weeks since he saw her with Lyle and he was still hurt. And he knew that he had no reason to be. Elizabeth was his friend. His very best friend. And that's it.

That had to be it.

"What's up?" Christian said again softly, unable to shake the nervousness he felt.

"I was wondering if we should go to the zoo! I don't think Ivy has ever been, and it's below 90 for the first time in a week," Elizabeth smiled brightly, picking up the 6-month-old.

"I think that sounds wonderful. I'll go change and we can head out," Christian smiled, unable to keep his eyes off her ass as she took Ivy to the nursery to be changed.

Christian changed into a deep olive green shirt and khakis, throwing on his white converse and going to where Elizabeth had grabbed one of the wraps that Christian loved to carry Ivy in.

"Can I do it today?" she smiled, running over the slight curls that were starting to form at the ends of Ivy's hair.

"Yeah, of course, Ellie," Christian smiled. He still didn't understand Lizzy. No originality and Elizabeth was the most original.

***

Christian should not have said yes. Because now he was watching Elizabeth wearing Ivy and talking to her about all of the animals they passed.

"This is a lion, Ivs. They go roar," Elizabeth grinned at Ivy's giggle. She did it every time Elizabeth made an animal's noise. She couldn't wait until they went to the monkeys.

Christian needed to stop thinking about this. But he couldn't. Not when he could practically see the sparkle in her eyes every time Ivy laughed, even through her sunglasses.

"OAWOAWOAW!!" Ivy did her best to copy the roar of the lion, causing Christian to melt a bit. His daughter was the light of his life.

That made him think, though... What would Sloane think of Elizabeth? Would he even have met Elizabeth?

Those things consumed his thoughts as Elizabeth went through all the animals and made their noises as they passed them.

"This one? It's a monkey," Elizabeth grinned and looked where Ivy's chubby hand was pointing. "It goes ooh-ooh-ahh-ahh-ahh." Her monkey sound was flawless, making Ivy release the most joyous of belly laughs.

"You're good at that. Were you a monkey in a past life?" Christian smiled, a gentle hand on the small of Elizabeth's back. 

"Oh yes. I was in the jungle in all my past lives," she teased and laid her head on Christian's shoulder for a second before lifting her head. "We should go to the dairy section and get some ice cream," she pouted.

"That sounds wonderful. I think someone is ready for a nap," he smiled and looked down at Ivy, whose head was resting on Elizabeth's chest, the baby's eyes half lidded.

"We can eat our ice cream and head back. Movie and dinner?" she suggested, walking probably too close to him.

"I'd love that," he grinned and held the door open for her.

***

Elizabeth's breath caught a bit every time his hand grazed her back. What on earth was going on with her? She never got this way.

By the time they got back to Christian's place, Ivy had woken up from her nap and was sitting on Elizabeth's lap, babbling happily.

"Oh that's dada, huh. Daaaa daaa," Elizabeth grinned and said it slowly. As per normal for her age, Ivy was experimenting with sounds and identifying the important objects in her life. Dada usually came first. Mama not long after... but dada was all this beautiful angel was going to know.

"Daaadaaa," Elizabeth smiled again, seeing the girl thinking and looking at Christian.

"Dah-dAH!" Her voice was bright and sweet, and she 100% knew what she was saying as she grinned at Christian, her two bottom teeth clearly exposed.

Elizabeth turned to Christian and her heart started to flutter. That smile. God that smile was brilliant. It could melt even the coldest of people. Christian looked over at Elizabeth, the grin not leaving for a second and the flutters grew more intense. His eyes were purely happy and that made Elizabeth the happiest she's been in a very long time.

What on Earth? She only had butterflies once before... with her college boyfriend, George. Every time she looked at George, her heart fluttered. But it was never like this. It never consumed her body. She never loved George.

Did she love Christian? No way. She couldn't. She'd be taking advantage of him if she even thought about it - Christian just experienced one of the most painful things imaginable. She couldn't love him.

Except, she couldn't stop herself.

"Chr-"

"Mah-mAH!" That sweet voice... except... she was looking at Elizabeth? Elizabeth's heart was racing. She never even thought of motherhood. Now this baby girl sees her that way?

"I think I have to postpone dinner," she whispered, so many different emotions racing through her. She couldn't look at him. "I'm sorry."

She looked down rushed for the door, heart racing harder once she got to the door and she heard it.

"Mah-mah!!! Mah-mah!!!" Ivy was crying at this point and Elizabeth couldn't take it. She needed air.

She closed the door behind her and stood in the hallway with wide eyes, hands trembling.

What was she supposed to do?