Whitley sighs. “Now we figure out a way to tell Leo he’s going to be a dad.”
LEO
I’m happily whistling as I walk up the stairs to Ella’s apartment. I’m sure if any of my siblings saw me, they’d be concerned I’d cracked my head open, because I’m absurdly happy. I’m so close to getting what I want, what I need, and I can’t help but feel so damn optimistic about the future.
I didn’t intend to go into Purrfect Books today. I’m not entirely sure how I ended up there in the first place, as I was a couple of blocks away, then suddenly seemed to almost materialize in front of the bookstore. All I remember was seeing red when I looked in to find Ella’s neighbor bugging her. I could tell by her expression that she didn’t invite the interaction, and I was all too eager to assert some dominance over the jerk. Again.
How I ended up behind the counter and kissing Ella is a bit of a mystery, but I’m not mad about it. That lip bite, and I was a goner. And then, she fucking melted into me. It wasn’t an especially sexy kiss, and it definitely wasn’t an “I licked her, so she’s mine” kiss, but it was perfect for us. There’s nothing quite like feeling the world disappear around you, knowing your woman is fully invested in your kiss, and getting to make her feel how much she means to you. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that kiss.
Shifting the six-pack of beer so I can balance the pizza on top of it, I knock loudly on Ella’s door. I hear Oliver excitedly shout, “Leo’s here! Hurry,Auntie Ella! Let my Leo in!”
I can’t help the wide grin that breaks across my face. My Leo. Wow.
When the door opens, I barely glance at Ella before Oliver tackles my legs. “Leo! Can we play with my Play-Doh again? Will you have a sleepover? I don’t think you can fit on my bed, but we could build a tent and sleep on the floor. Oh, pizza! I’m so hungry. Hurry up, come inside!”
“Wow,” I blurt out, chuckling.
“He’s a little energetic tonight,” El says quietly. Looking up, I find her paler than she was at the bookstore, her face somber.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “You look like you don’t feel well.”
“Upset stomach,” she murmurs, then motions for me to walk inside. I hear a squeal, and find Violet jumping in some kind of contraption that I’ve seen my nieces and nephews have.
“Hi, baby girl,” I coo, walking over to Violet. After placing the beer and pizza on the table, I gently scoop her up from the bouncer. “What is that thing called?”
“A Jumperoo. I’m glad my sister saved it from when Oliver was a baby, because Violet loves it even more than he did.” Ella watches me with a faint smile as Violet grabs onto my beard hairs, making me wince. “If you put her in her high chair, I’ll get plates for everyone.”
“Is she doing better with food?” I ask as I place Violet into the high chair. As soon as I attach the table part, she slaps her hands against it gleefully.
“She’s done a little better, but she still prefers a bottle. I’ve gotten her to eat a bit of solids though. Your mom was right, as Violet does really like avocado,” Ella says over her shoulder as she pulls three plates from a cabinet. As she walks back to the table, she grabs a container of baby food, and a spoon, then calls for Oliver to come eat.
“Do you want me to feed her?” I ask, sitting beside Violet.
“I can do it,” Ella says with a yawn.
“I know you can, Ladybug. I’m offering. You look dead on yourfeet. I got this. You can go take a nap, if you want,” I tell her. Our talk can wait. El looks like she could fall asleep sitting up.
“Normally, I wouldn’t, but honestly, I’m just so tired, Leo. I could really use an hour,” she admits.
“Go, baby. We’ll be fine.” I give Ella a smile as she stands up, but as she walks past me, I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her into my side. “We’re gonna talk later, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispers. I watch as she pads down the hall into her bedroom, closing the door quietly behind her. I turn back to Oliver and Violet, who both smile at me.
“You ready to eat?” I ask.
“Did you get cheese? I like cheese,” Oliver replies as he sits beside me.
Opening the pizza box, I pull out a slice of cheese, placing it on one of the plates. “It’s your lucky day, my man. I got extra cheese.”
“More cheese,” Oliver whispers reverently, his eyes wide as he takes in the slice. “Are you gonna cut it?”
“Uh, no?” I pull out a slice for myself, then open the container of pureed bananas Ella set out for Violet. “Just pick it up and eat it.”
“Auntie Ella always cuts mine into little bites,” Oliver states.
“Auntie Ella is asleep. Eat it like me,” I tell him. I pick up the piece, then wait for Oliver to mimic me. Once he does, I take a small bite. “See? We don’t need knives for pizza.”
“No knives!” he shouts, making me chuckle.
