I want to know everything there is to know about the woman sleeping on the other side of my house.
It took everything in me Saturday night to let her walk back to her room.All I wanted to do was beg her to come lay in bed with me and watch TV.Anything to keep her close.
After practice is over, I catch Wheeler glancing my way a few times.I know he probably wants to talk to me, but I don’t have anything to say.I just want to get home to my girl.
Instead of taking a shower at the stadium, when Wheeler disappears into the showers, I duck out and climb behind the wheel of my SUV.I’d rather shower at home and get to play with Tali.
Whatever is going on between Winnie and Wheeler, needs to stay between them.I'm not getting involved and I'm not discussing Winnie with him.It doesn’t matter how much our relationship sets him off.
As soon as I walk through the door, a peace settles over me.We made it through the first day of Winnie watching Tali.I glance around the living room and when I don’t find them, I frown.Where could they be?
I stop in the kitchen when a delicious scent whirls through the air, making my stomach rumble.I glance in the crockpot I don’t remember owning and see some sort of roast.Did she make dinner for us?Even though she knows I have a chef prepare my meals?
Don’t get me wrong, if Winnie made me dinner, I'm eating it.I don’t care what it is or if it goes along with my diet or not.I’d love home cooked meals every night, but I’d never expect her to do that too.
Movement in the backyard catches my attention.I smile when I find Winnie running around the yard with Tali laughing in her arms.She carefully falls to the ground, making sure Tali won't get hurt in the process and they both laugh.
I tug the door open and walk out onto the patio.Tali’s laugh swirls through the air and makes my chest swell with happiness.I take in the way both of their dark hair is spread out around them.The way their smiles turn up the corners of their lips and how they both have an olive complexion.They belong together.They really do look like a mother and daughter.
Tali spies me first.She wiggles out of Winnie’s arms and shrieks, “Da-Da!”
She races towards me as fast as her little legs can go and squeals when I lift her into my arms and spin her in a circle.
The pure joy and happiness in her expression makes my heart swell.I swore to Ellie I would always take care of Tali and make sure she was happy.Every time she smiles at me like this, I remember my promise and hope I'm doing a good job.
“Hey, princess.How are you?”I pepper her cheek with kisses.
“She’s quite the handful when she’s tired.”Winnie chuckles as she sweeps her hair into a pony on the top of her head.The ends brush her shoulders, drawing my attention to her thin neck.
“Oh, yeah.She gets giddy and runs away when she refuses to sleep.”I turn my attention to Tali and my tone softens.“Do you want Daddy to rock you?”
She nods her head as she rubs her eyes, a clear sign she’s exhausted.I cuddle her a little closer, ignoring how much I need a shower.She needs me right now and that’s all that matters.In a few years, I’ll be wishing I had this time back with her.
“I can rock her if you want to get cleaned up.I'm assuming you didn’t shower.”She scrunches up her nose, just like Tali does.
“Do I smell that bad?”I chuckle.
“Nah, you actually smell pretty good, but your hair is a sweaty damp, not shower damp.”
“I don’t mind rocking her.I can shower once she goes down.”I stay in step with Winnie as we move through the house and towards the living room.
After grabbing Tali’s blanket off the couch, I cover her up and settle into the rocking chair.She cuddles against me with her head on my shoulder and her arms wrapped around my neck.She’s always loved sleeping like this and I swear I’ll hold her like this for as long as she’ll let me.
“How was your day?”I ask Winnie as she settles onto the edge of the sofa and watches us.
“It was great.She’s such a happy kid.She helped me organize my closet.”
“I'm sure she was a real help.”I chuckle.
“Well, she was good at pulling everything out of boxes for me.It motivated me to work more quickly than I normally would’ve.She has a lot of energy.”Winnie tugs the sleeves of her sweater over her hands.I wonder if she’s doing it because she’s cold or if she doesn’t know what else to do.
She’s gorgeous today.She doesn’t have on any makeup and I think I like her better this way.Her natural beauty is more than enough.
“Are you not wearing makeup today?”I blurt out before I can stop myself.
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back.Her brows tug together and she seems slightly upset.
“Do I look that bad?I didn’t have time to do it before you left this morning and I was chasing Tali all day.”She drops her gaze to the floor, refusing to look my way.
