21
Surprise!
Gwen
Ilifted my hand, rapping my knuckles against Alaric’s front door. Light spilled from the house, and I could see him as he made his way down the hall. I bit my lip, feeling suddenly nervous about the impulsive decision I’d made to show up.
Alaric opened the door, his eyes dropping to the large gift bag and boxes of pizza.
“I might have copied your crafty idea.” I laughed, feeling a little uneasy. He was just—looking at me. His blue eyes drinking in everything. It was heavy and profound and a little disorienting, like I’d just gotten off a tilt-a-whirl.
He cracked a smile, his hands reaching out to take the pizza boxes from me. “She’s quick.”
“Very,” I breathed, lifting the bag. “I come bearing gifts, for Sawyer. They’re big sister gifts.”
“Big sister gifts?”
“Yeah, it’s a thing. Don’t side-eye me. The big sister gets to celebrate, too.” I scolded good-naturedly, stepping into the foyer. Tig and Sawyer both flew towards the door, Tig barking and Sawyer giggling because she’d somehow managed to attach a stuffed Elsa onto Tig’s back by tucking Elsa’s hands beneath Tig’s collar. It did look pretty ridiculous.
“Hi! Oh! What are those?” Sawyer skidded to a stop, her eyes widening at the sight of the gift bag I held.
“They’re big sister presents since you’ve joined the big sister club.” I passed the bag to her.
“The big sister club?” she echoed, taking it from me with a bright smile and sinking onto the floor to open it.
Alaric’s hand reached for mine, our fingers tangling. I glanced at him, and he smiled a smile that said a hundred words. He wanted me here, was happy to see me, and my nervousness about showing up uninvited evaporated.
“Oh! Pretty!” Sawyer exclaimed, drawing out a tote that had two little giraffes on it, one slightly bigger than the other, with the words BIG SISTER embroidered on it. She reached into the bag again, pulling out a pink bracelet that said sister, followed by a pink cheer ribbon that said the same thing.
“See? Big sister gifts. Get it?” I whispered to Alaric when she produced a frame. He grinned at me, turning his chin to look back at his daughter.
“What do you say, Sawyer?”
“Thank you!” she chirped happily, standing and wrapping her arms around my waist tightly. I dropped Alaric’s hand, my arms going around her too. A moment later she backed away, moving to her father have him put the bracelet around her wrist.
“Very pretty,” I said when she wiggled her arm to show it off.
Sawyer paused and sniffed the air. “I’m hungry,” she added, her eyes on the boxes in Alaric’s hand. He chuckled, ruffling the top of her head, and I internally melted.
“Let’s go eat,” Alaric said, his hand moving to the small of my back. Sawyer grabbed the rest of her presents, filling the tote with her gifts. She picked up the ribbon, and I stepped forward, helping her put it on.
Shouldering her tote, she fluttered off down the hallway, the sight of her swallowed up by Tig at her heels. The dog looked monstrous beside such a tiny human.
In the privacy of the hall, Alaric’s hand dropped to my ass, and he squeezed it, leaning forward to capture my lips in a brief searing kiss that made my toes curl delightfully.
“Stay a while,” he murmured, and I nodded, too choked up on the swoons to reply.
Sawyer had disappeared, but slight sounds from the mudroom gave away her location. She was feeding Tig, the tinging of kibble against his tin bowl, and her command to eat followed by Tig doing just that.
“Wash up, unless you want your pizza to taste like dog food,” Alaric instructed, and Sawyer skipped off to the bathroom.
“She’s like, scarily independent for five,” I teased.
“Tell me about it.” He laughed, shaking his head as he sat the boxes down on the counter. He went to the cupboard to grab plates, his eyes flitting to mine.
“Are all kids that easy?”
“Dunno. Only have the one.” He smirked, and I laughed at his factious tone.
