“That’s right. Well, your grandpa was the one who saved you that day.”
“Wow, that was really nice of him. Can I say thank you? I was really scared, and the smoke was choking my throat really badly.”
“He knows you’re thankful, but he had to go to heaven. Heaven is where people go when they die.”
Bella’s bottom lip juts out. “Like Carl in the movie Up? When he takes the balloons, and goes into the sky?”
Leave it to my daughter to compare her grandfather’s death to a Disney Movie, but she’s nailed it right on the head. “Yes, Angel, like Carl. Grandpa went to heaven so we can’t see him or thank him, but he knows we’re thankful he saved you.”
“Okay, I’m hungry. Can we eat?”
Cooper and his mother release an audible sigh, most likely thankful the conversation is over.
Cooper jumps in and says yes, but first we have to get Bella a dry outfit. In and out of a small children’s clothing store and Bella’s dry and starving.
We find a spot in the grass and Cooper pulls out a large blanket, shaking it open and laying it across the ground. We all find a place to sit and he dishes out the food. Subs, cookies, some fruit, and bottles of water for everybody.
“Ms. Cooper, I’m so glad you were able to join us today,” I tell her, trying to make conversation.
“Oh dear, please call me Lauren. We’re family.”
“Okay.” I feel so blessed that Bella and I have another family member close by. I always miss my parents and brother since they live so far away.
After we have lunch, Bella is rearing to go once again. We spend the rest of the afternoon checking out a cool hedge maze, and then head to a sweet little bakery that looks like one of the playhouses. Cooper lets Bella pick out a treat and then we walk around some of the shops until Bella is so exhausted, she has Cooper carry her while she sleeps with her head resting on his shoulder.
I can’t help but snap another photo. It’s just too darn precious not to. His mom sees me snap the picture and gives me a wink in agreement.
We walk back to the car and say bye to his mom, promising to have her over for dinner soon. Cooper puts Bella in her booster seat, and she doesn’t even attempt to stir. Precious little thing is knocked out from all that playing.
We drive home in a comfortable silence and as we’re getting out, Cooper comes around to my side of the vehicle and blocks me in before I can get out.
“Thank you.”
I have no idea what I even did. “For what?”
“For today. It was one of the most amazing days of my life.”
“Um, Coop. I didn’t do or pay for anything. I was just along for the ride.”
“No, Liz. You aren’t just along for the ride. You gave me a second chance, even though I didn’t deserve it. You gave me that miracle sleeping in the back seat. You helped create priceless memories today. You gave me a family. Thank you.”
Damn this man. I frame his face with my hands and give him a soft kiss on his mouth. “I love you,” I say without meaning to.
Cooper’s entire body stills, and I want to back track. I want to take it back before he shuts me out. It’s not that I don’t mean it. I do. I love Cooper. I think I always have. I know realistically people don’t fall in love when they first meet, but between the time we shared years ago, watching Bella grow up with his beautiful features, and listening to and watching him these past few days, I can feel it. I love this man.
Just when I think he’s going to leave me hanging, he kisses me. It’s not a soft kiss like the one I gave him, but it’s not rough either. It’s a beautiful, sensual combination of both. His lips move over mine with ease, his tongue smoothly slipping in, and I swear this man is making love to me with his mouth. When he ends the kiss, he pulls back and smiles at me with a big cheesy grin.
“Baby girl, I love you, too. I love you so damn much.”
I can’t see myself, but I’m almost positive I’m mirroring the same cheesy-ass grin on my face that he’s still sporting on his.
After Bella’s nap, we spend the rest of the afternoon lounging around, playing Uno. Bella beats us every game. We order Chinese for dinner, and then I give Bella a bath while Cooper excuses himself back downstairs.
After Bella’s in bed, Cooper tells me to get changed into my pajamas and then meet him in the living room. When I ask him why, he tells me he has a surprise for me.