“Can I show you something?” I ask her and she nods.
I slip past her and open my bedroom door. Stepping inside, I move over to let her in, and her intake of breath has me holding mine.
I watch her take in the rainbows of pastel colors and the baby’s furniture all set up. My bed is still by the wall but it’s the only thing of mine that’s still in here.
“It’s beautiful, Darius.”
“Thanks. You think she’ll like it?”
“I think she’ll love it… when she’s old enough to tell us that.” She laughs. “Where’s all your stuff?”
“I didn’t have much, it’s in the closet out in the hall.”
She opens the drawers, finding them empty, I explain, “When she starts staying over, I’ll buy her the clothes she needs.”
“I can just pack her a bag.”
“I don’t want to feel like I’m babysitting my own kid.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t, I just want her to feel like this is home too.”
Oh shit, she looks like she’s about to cry.
“What?”
“Nothing,” she says wiping her eyes. “Of course she’s going to feel at home here, you’re her dad, home is wherever you are.”
I release the tension building between my shoulders. She turns and looks at the stuffed animals lined up along the top of the dresser.
“These are cute,” she murmurs.
“My Ma’s been picking bits up. Any time she leaves the house, something new comes back with her.”
“She doesn’t hate me so much anymore then?”
Shaking my head, a weight has been lifted having her seal of approval on the bedroom.
“What will you do when she’s older and needs her own room?” she asks.
“I’ll be on the couch till I get my own place.”
“Are you thinking about moving out?”
“Not any time soon, it’ll be easier having my mom and grandma to help out. I’m sure you’d feel better about that too.”
“I haven’t thought about it like that. I do believe you’re going to be an amazing dad, Darius.”
Yeah, I just suck at being a boyfriend.
“Come on, we should go and save your dad from my grandma. She’ll talk books all day with him otherwise.”
“Trust me, he’d love it.”
Ma is pouring him a tea when we join them and lets us know dinner will be half an hour.
“How are you feeling, Amelia?” Grandma asks as I hold my hand out to help her sit on the couch.
