He flips a pancake onto the stack next to the stove, and I walk over to Willow’s bouncer chair. She smiles and kicks her little legs as I approach, making me feel as special as ever.
“Morning, Willow.” I pick her up and lean her on my shoulder, giving her chubby cheek a few nibbles.
“She took the world’s biggest shit this morning. Don’t let the cuteness fool you.” Warren points the spatula at Willow.
“Good job pooping on his time, kid. Noted.” I wink at Warren as Luke’s door opens.
“Something smells good.”
“Good morning to you too,”Warren signs back.
“Nice shirt.”Luke points to me, wearing a knowing smile.
“Thanks.”I do a slight curtsy, and he shakes his head.
“So are you two official now?”he asks, looking between Warren and me.
I look at Warren as he looks at me, the same expression on both of our faces, longing to hear the other answer. I owe him one for sparing me from saying “I love you” first and for the lie-in.
“Yeah, we are. Is that okay with you?”I ask.
Warren turns to the stove, hiding his smile, as Luke signs his response just for me.
“Anything that makes Warren this happy is fine by me. Just go easy on him.”
“I will.”I put Willow down and sit across the table from Luke as Warren brings pancakes and toppings over.
“Thank you,”we both sign to him.
This is it, I think. Our new normal. We sit, exchanging light-hearted, teasing blows as we eat delicious pancakes. Luke takes our dishes as we finish up breakfast. I move to feed Willow her bottle on the couch as a slow Sunday morning passes us all by.
Warren leans back on the couch, catching the sleep he lost getting up with Willow earlier. Luke lies down next to her play mat as she kicks and tries to push up.She is so strong.As midday approaches, I take Willow upstairs for her nap, rubbing her back until she falls asleep.
“Hey,” Warren says from the top of the stairs. He fits up here after all.“I’m realising I haven’t been in your room during the day before.” He looks around, taking in some of my art hanging above my dresser, then turns to look at my bed. He swallows.
“What?”
He snaps out of his thoughts with a quick shake. “Oh nothing, just—not what I pictured.”
“The bed?”
“Yeah, I imagined you sleeping on plain white sheets with a wooden headboard. This makes more sense.” My floral sheets and white metal bed frame glare back at us both.Cutesy.
“You imagined me sleeping?”
“Uh, sure—sleeping. Let’s go with that.” He winks as he sits down on my bed before groaning and lying down entirely. “Why on earth were we in my room last night? This bed is like a fucking cloud.”
“The thought did occur to me.” I lie down next to him. “But your bed smelled like you… I couldn’t give that up.”
“So I’m the weirdo who pictures you in your bed to fall asleep, and you’re the weirdo who likes my scent more than comfort.”
“Love makes fools of us all,” I sigh out. “I’ve pictured you too.” I turn my head on the pillow beneath me as he looks straight up to the ceiling, smiling.
“Yeah?”
“Mm-hmm.” I turn to look up too, cheeks burning.
“So, by Saturday…” His voice is quieter than usual, awkward and unsure. It’s endearing.
