Harper moved quickly to accept Rory from Liam, and she immediately grabbed fistfuls of Harper’s hair, babbling nonsense sounds while staring at Harper’s face like she was memorizing it all over again.
“Hi, baby girl,” Harper whispered into Rory’s short brown hair that was slightly lighter than mine. “I missed you so much.”
Rory responded with more excited babbling, her hands patting Harper’s cheeks like she was making sure Harper was really there. From her tone, I also got the distinctimpression she was chewing her out for being absent for so long.
“I know, sweet girl. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” Harper’s voice cracked on the last word. I rubbed her lower back, offering her comfort.
From across the room, Liam caught my eye and gave me a chin nod, and Ava was grinning like she’d personally orchestrated our reunion.
“Well,” Liam said, clapping his hands together. “I guess our babysitting duties are officially over.” He grabbed his keys from the coffee table.
Ava was still smiling wide as she walked up to me and gave me a hug. “Try not to traumatize the kid with all your making up, yeah?” she whispered in my ear.
“Shut up,” I said, but I was grinning.
Liam ruffled Rory’s hair as he passed, with Ava following close behind. “Night, Ro. Be good for your dad and Harper.”
And then it was just the three of us.
Rory was still chattering baby gibberish at Harper, who was nodding along seriously like she understood every word, saying the occasional, “Oh, really?”
“She got a new tooth,” I said. “Bottom front. Came in a few days ago.”
Harper gently touched Rory’s chin, and Rory grabbed Harper’s finger, trying to bring it to her mouth like she did with everything.
“Look at you, getting a new tooth,” Harper murmured. “What else did I miss?”
“She’s been extra fussy during teething. And she gets excited when we drive past certain places. I think she recognizes things, even if she can’t say it.”
Harper’s eyes filled again. “Really?” She focused backon Rory. “I guess people aren’t joking when they say kids grow up fast.”
We spent the next hour playing with Rory on the living room floor. Rory showed Harper all her toys by grabbing them and babbling at Harper, who responded like it was the most important conversation she’d ever had.
I couldn’t stop staring at my girls.
My family.
I would do anything to keep this. Them.
When Rory started rubbing her eyes and getting fussy, Harper automatically reached for her. “Come here, sleepy girl. Let’s get you ready for bed.”
The three of us made our way upstairs, falling into the routine we’d established months ago as if no time had passed at all. Harper changed Rory into her pajamas while I got her bottle ready. Then we settled into the rocking chair in my room, Harper holding her while I dimmed the lights.
Harper’s voice was barely above a whisper as she started singing the lullaby that never failed to soothe Rory straight to sleep. God, I’d missed hearing her voice over these past two weeks.
Sure enough, by the second verse, Rory’s eyes were drooping. Her little fist had curled around Harper’s finger, holding on tight even in sleep.
“She’s out,” Harper whispered.
I took Rory carefully and settled her in her crib. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her breathing evening out into the deep rhythm of sleep. Harper and I stood there for a moment, watching her. My arm found its way around Harper’s waist, pulling her against my side.
“I can’t believe I almost lost this,” Harper said quietly.
“I thought you needed space, but there’s no worldwhere I wouldn’t have chased you and fought for you, Tins.”
I cupped her face in my hand, wanting to soak in every moment with her. The longer I held her, the harder it became to ignore the heat simmering between us. And her eyes—Christ, her eyes burned with hunger that mirrored the ache in my gut.
“I missed you,” she breathed, palms sliding up my chest like she was re-mapping familiar territory.
