“I’ve got her,” I tell him and enter the bathroom.
Something flickers across his features, and I close the door to give us privacy.
“Did you have fun?” I ask her as we get her into pajamas.
“So much fun. The babies were so cute.”
“They were. What was your favorite cake?”
“The chocolate one,” she tells me as she brushes her teeth, and I grab the brush to work on her long hair. She’s loaded with tangles, and this is why I keep my hair shoulder length. I try to be as gentle as possible, feeling bad every time she winces.
“I liked that one too.”
She spits into the sink and washes out her mouth. “Are you my stepmom now?”
Oh shit. That pulls me up short. I’m not sure why I didn’t expect her to ask that. Aston had told her that we were special friends who wore rings for each other, but today was our wedding party. I know Aston talked to her about some of that this morning, but clearly, they didn’t address this part. Or she simply didn’t ask until now.
“Your dad and I…” I stop. I honestly don’t know what to say. “Do you want a stepmom?”
“I want my mom.”
I run my hand down her hair and meet her eyes in the mirror. “I know, sweetie.” I kiss the top of her head and set the brush down. “I know you do.”
“But she and my dad weren’t married when she died.”
“No. They weren’t.”
“And you’re married to him now. That’s what everyone was saying today.”
I pick her up and put her on the counter of the sink so we can talk face-to-face. “Yes, your daddy and I are married. But it’s a different kind of marriage. We care a lot about each other and are helping each other. That’s what our marriage is.
“Does that make you my stepmom like it does in the stories?”
“In a way, I guess it does. But more than that, I’m your special friend. Your bestie for life.”
She stares long and hard up at me. “Do you not want to be my stepmom?”
Jesus. Way to get heavy on me after an already heavy day.
“I’d like to be whatever you want me to be. I’d never want you to think I’m trying to replace your mom, though. That’s not something I could ever do. But I love being with you, and if that’s what you want to call me…” I stop. Shit. But looking at her… “If you want me to be your stepmom, I’m okay with that. If you don’t, that’s fine too.”
“I’d like you to be.”
A tingly warmth curls through my veins, and my eyes immediately glass over. I bring her into my arms and hug her fiercely. I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know where any of us are going or what’s next. This could all fall apart tomorrow. But no matter what happens or doesn’t happen between Aston and me, she’ll always have me.
“Then that’s what I’ll be.” I kiss her head again and pull back.
“Why are you crying?”
I laugh lightly and wipe at my cheeks. “They’re happy tears. I get emotional easily these days.”
She shrugs. “Okay.” And just like that, all the heaviness is gone. If only adults were as easy as kids. She hops off the counter and opens the door. “Daddy! I’m ready for bed, and Skylar is my new stepmom.”
He comes out of his room wearing his standard white T-shirt and sweatpants, and yeah, that’s a look that will never get old. Except now his eyebrows are at his hairline.
“Oh. Okay. Um. Great. All brushed and ready?” He throws me a look, and I give him one in return that says I’ll tell him later, and he takes Zoey into his arms and carries her into her room.
“Good night, Skylar.”
