Maybe I was, and now we can focus on our solidified relationship status.
25
VAUGHN
Ishake a stuffed turtle over Nora where she’s lying in her stroller while we walk along the stalls of the Saturday market in town. I’m well aware that I’m going to miss her like crazy. Every day she does something different. She’s already holding her head up.
"Gosh, should we be concerned that she really doesn't cry much and just seems to be happy all the time?" I ask Isla, smiling widely at our daughter.
Isla glances sideways and throws me a humorous glare. "Don't jinx the crying part, and this all means that she is happy."
"True. We're lucky."
“I promise that I’ll send you photos and videos every day,” Isla mentions as she sips from her to-go cup filled with tea.
“I know you will, but it’s just not the same.”
“Before you know it, you’ll be back. Your moments with her will be extra special.”
My lips quirk out from her comment, but I have to believe she’s right. “I guess we’ll do an hour more here, then head home before it gets too noisy here.” I have the afternoon free as everyone prepares for our first team flight tomorrow for a preseason game up in Toronto.
“We also have those noise-canceling headphones for babies that you were adamant we get so she can attend the first home game of the season.” Isla twists the corners of lips, clearly finding it all amusing.
“Safety first,” I defend.
She sighs as we continue our stroll. “I fear the day when Briggs will play against the Spinners. My alliance feels questioned.” She’s half serious.
I indicate to the free bench up near the oak tree. We both find ourselves a seat there and continue on from her statement.
I nudge her shoulder with mine. “What if I tell you that I’ll let you have a pass for that game. You don’t need to choose the boyfriend-slash-baby daddy over your brother.”
She scoffs a laugh and brings her eyes to meet mine. “That’s very kind of you. Is that what your new title is? Boyfriend-slash-baby daddy?”
My arm now rests on the back of the bench behind her in a sort of claim to the outside world that we’re together. Trust me, in no part of my past was I this sweet with a woman. “We may need to work on that.”
“Uh, but your offer is… I don’t want you to think that I don’t have loyalty to you.”
I brush it off. “I know you do. But I also know how much you love your brother. So feel free to secretly support him while wearing my shirt. But only one game.” I give her a sheepish look.
Her hand comes to rest on my thigh, her touch already making me untamed. Since we started upgrading our sleep time—and the shower—activities, we’ve both been kind of avid. Before we were orbiting around one another in a peculiar way. Now everything is on the table. We can be parents, lovers, and two people who care deeply for one another.
“Vaughn…”
I’m broken from my spell of thoughts. “Yes, Isla.” I grin because her delicate tone informs me that she has a meaningful question about to hit us.
“We can be something real, you and me, right?”
My eyes widen at her. “How do you do that?”
“What?”
“Read my mind as if you knew exactly what I was thinking.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Coincidence?”
“No, it’s not a coincidence.” It only takes a beat to state the truth. “Yeah, Isla. We can be something real going forward. It’s more than a chance too.” I hear the vulnerability in my voice.
Her face lightens with that gentle smile of hers. “I was hoping you would say that.”
