Beyond Home

Lauren

This is the first road trip where I can't wait to get home. I've gotten used to being gone more than I am home; it's the lifestyle of a professional soccer player. However, this time, this time there's something, or two someone's waiting at home for me, and I can't get there fast enough. Hence the reason why our flight landed forty minutes ago and instead of heading home, I'm headed to them, to my girls. I texted Camila to let her know my flight landed. She's home today and said she and Em are getting ready to settle in and watch last night's game.

I pull up outside her house, her SUV is in the driveway, and although I've never spent a single night here, it feels like home. I didn't tell Camila I was coming. I didn't want to give her the opportunity to tell me not to. Grabbing their surprise, I climb out of my truck and stride toward the front door. I knock twice and wait. I hear Emily yell out that there's someone at the door, then Camila telling her to wait for her.

When the door opens, Emily cheers and wraps her arms around my legs, and Camila, her eyes are soft as she smiles at me. Leaning in, I kiss the corner of her mouth. I know I  should worry about Emily seeing, but I can't stop myself. It's not like this is the first time she's seen me kiss her. Camila is gorgeous in a pair of what looks like sweatpants that have been cut into shorts, and a T- shirt that hangs off her shoulder. Her hair is pulled in some kind of twisted knot on the top of her head.

"You're beautiful," I tell her when her hand goes to smooth her hair that's knotted back. "These are for you." I hand her a bouquet of multi- colored daisies. "And these," I crouch down so I'm eye level with Emily, "are for my princess." I hand her the smaller bouquet that the lady at the flower shop was nice enough to cut down for me.

"These are for me?" she asks, wide- eyed. "I never gots flowers before."

"These are all yours. Every princess deserves her own flowers."

Her mouth falls open, her eyes wide as she looks at me. "Are you a prince, Lo? Do prince play soccer?" she asks.

I throw my head back and laugh. "No, I'm not a prince, but that doesn't mean that you're not my princess. Now," I stand then reach down and pick her up, "I heard you ladies were watching some soccer. Mind if I join you?"

Emily giggles. It's a sweet sound, one I'll never get enough of. "You're going to watch yourself, silly."

I don't tell her that the chances are I'll spend more time staring at her mother than watching the game. "Doesn't matter who we watch as long as I get to hang out with you."

She places one of her hands on my cheek. "I like it when we hang out with you. Mommy said after I had to take a nap. Can you nap with me?" she asks.

"Emily-" Camila starts, but I cut her off.

"You know I love me some naps, Em." I tweak her nose, and her face lights up.

"Come on in." Camila steps back and opens the door for me. "I was just making popcorn. What would you like to drink?"

"Water's fine," I say. "Let's go help Mommy get these in water."

"I want mine in my room. Can I , Mommy?" she asks.

"Sure, Em. Let's get them in some water first."

I follow Camila into the kitchen and sit Emily down on the counter. "What can I do?" I ask.

Camila opens the cabinet and pulls down two mason jars. "You can put the flowers in these and I'll start the popcorn."

"Can I help?" Emily asks. 

"Sure , but it's a really big job. You sure you're up for it?" I ask. Her head bobs up and down. "Okay, so it's really important, once I get water in the jars, to hold it really still. That way when I put the flowers in, it doesn't tip over."