She nods her head against my shoulder before burying her face in my neck. “I have a tummy ache.”
She sounds sad. I hate that. I need to fix that because that only makes me feel like I’m failing, and I refuse to fail Stella.
“She might have eaten too much chocolate,” Stella’s babysitter says, coming into the hallway.
Rubbing her back, I sigh. “Stella, you know not to do that. Every time you eat too much chocolate, it always hurts.”
I wish I had problems like this.
She shrugs her tiny shoulders and replies, “It was too yummy. I didn’t want to stop.”
Smiling down at her silliness, I nod at her babysitter.
Wait, what’s her name again? Nora. That’s her name.
“You can go home now, Nora. Thanks for today. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble for you.”
She waves me off as she gathers her stuff and walks to the door. “She’s an angel, too sweet for her own good. Have a great night.” With one last wave, she closes the door behind her.
I swear she doesn’t know who I am—just the way I like it.
Making my way through the house, I stop in the kitchen. Dropping my keys on the kitchen counter, I carry Stella to the living room.
“Do you think cuddling will help your tummy ache go away?” I ask playfully.
She shakes her head.
“Then, do you want medicine?” I ask her, already knowing the answer she’ll give me.
“No,” she mumbles, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists.
On days like this, I don’t know what to do. How can I help her when I don’t even know how to help myself?
“How about some tea? It’ll make your tummy feel nice and warm,” I ask gently while running my hand through her curly brown locks.
She shakes her head, and her sleepy eyes close as I pull her closer. Placing my chin on the top of her head, I relax at the feeling of her breathing against my chest.
“I missed you today when I was playing Barbies by myself,” she suddenly whispers in a small voice. “I don’t like when you leave me.”
Shit, if that doesn’t break my heart, then I don’t know what would.
“You know I wish I were here with you.” I pause as I place a delicate kiss on her head and take a seat on our couch. “Lee has to go to work. That way, we can eat, drink water, bathe, and have a house. I’ve told you this many times, Stella.”
“I still don’t like it,” she grumbles.
Placing her tiny arms under mine, which are around her waist, she snuggles her cheek into my chest. Holding her like this is the best part of my day.
“I don’t like it either.”
“Can I come to work with you tomorrow?”
She technically can, but I try not to bring her around the team as much as I can.
“Maybe,” I hum as she yawns.
Her soft voice breaks with emotion. “Don’t leave me, Lee.”
“I won’t, princess. I won’t.”
