“I don’t know how, angel. It’s a feeling I have in my gut. One I’d never felt before for anyone. But I trust myself. And I know it’s you I want.”
“I want you too, Shaw. It’s just a lot to think about with my kids, and…”
“I know. So let’s just enjoy each other, okay? We can go on dates, we can learn about each other, no pressure. I won’t even call you, my girlfriend. Just my angel.” I teased.
“Okay,” Adilene said before kissing me softly.
I kissed her back, pouring all of my feelings into the kiss before letting her go.
“If you’re not busy, we can spend the day together. My mom is picking up the kids later to bring them to the zoo for a Christmas party.”
“You mean, we get alone time? Just us?”
Adilene nodded as she stood. “Yes. Just you and me.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” I grinned.
I watched her dress into a pair of comfy pajamas, and when she left the room, I already missed her.
It was crazy, the entire thing was crazy, but it was here, and it was in my face. I’d be crazy to turn away from it.
I spent most of my days working, whether on the software I was developing or at my job in IT, and with my parents off traveling and my friends busy with their own families, I often found myself alone.
But Adilene and her children brought me the family I didn’t know I was missing, didn’t know I wanted.
After several minutes, I got up and dressed, freshened up in the bathroom, and made my way downstairs. Adilene was already cooking breakfast. The kids sat at the kitchen table with fruit and milk, the TV playing a kids’ cartoon.
“Hey, guys,” I said as I walked in, the kids’ faces lighting up. “Sleep well?”
“Shaw, you’re still here?” Lenny asked, his eyes wide. “Did you sleep over?”
“Yes. On the couch. The snow was coming down hard last night.”
“Snow, yay! Lots of snow! I love the snow. Do you, Shaw?”
“Snow!” Lolly jumped in with the cheering.
“Of course I do. What’s a better way to spend an afternoon than building a snowman?”
“Mama doesn’t like it,” Lenny announced.
Adilene laughed as she opened the oven and slid a tray of cinnamon rolls in. They looked delicious. “Only when I have to drive in it, buddy.”
“Oh. Mama doesn’t like to drive in it,” Lenny said matter-of-factly as if that’s what he’s said from the beginning.
“Yeah, it can be messy. Lolly, do you like the snow?”
She nodded her head quickly, her pigtails bouncing. “Me love snow!”
Adilene handed me a cup of coffee before sitting at the table with us. She sipped on her mug and smiled at me from above it. Our connection was palpable, and I wished I could take her back to bed.
“After breakfast, Nana is going to pick you up and take you to the zoo. They are having a Christmas party,” Adilene explained, her eyes never leaving mine.
I couldn’t wait for our alone time.
“The zoo? Yay!” Lenny cried, a piece of strawberry flying from his mouth.
“Whoa, Len. You’re spitting your food.” Adilene handed him a napkin.
