Emilia
I watchedas Elodie crossed over the threshold of my apartment with a curious look in her eyes.
Jensen had sent her driver over to take us back to my place since my car didn’t have a baby car seat. I left my car back at the building, hoping nothing would happen to it tonight.
I would have to Uber to work tomorrow morning.
“My home, little darling,” I said, smiling a little when she looked at me, then back to the apartment.
“This is your house?” I could feel a hint of amusement inside me from the incredulous tone in her voice. “It’s small.”
I laughed, moving inside, and closing the door behind me. At least I had been able to get some furniture beforehand. I couldn’t imagine bringing a two-year-old home to an empty apartment.
I couldn’t imagine opening my door to Jensen later tonight when he’d come over to pick her up in an empty apartment. As much as I told myself I didn’t care what Jensen thought, I fucking did.
“Are you hungry?” I asked her.
She looked at me, nodding. “Yes!”
I noticed, everything about Elodie was loud and rambunctious. And she could never stay still for long. I hadn’t realized how restless toddlers were until I watched her, but if she wasn’t shifting around, then she was throwing herself on the floor and rolling around, and if not that, then she was playing with her legs, holding one or pulling it up her body in some weird position.
It was as amusing as it was tiresome.
I grabbed a hold of her when it looked like she wanted to take off and explore the place. Bending down so we were at eye level, I looked at her. “What do you want to eat?” I asked.
“Cake!”
I shook my head, biting my lips to keep from smiling. “Oh, no, little darling. Cake is not dinner.” I eyed her suspiciously when she frowned at me. God, I hope she didn’t cry. I wouldn’t know what to do with a crying toddler.
“What is your favorite food?” I asked. How hard could it be to cook for a toddler?
“Mac and cheese.”
I nodded. Mac and cheese should be simple. But I wasn’t sure if I had the ingredients to make it.
I was about to stand when she continued.
“And chocolate, and mashed potatoes, and nuggets.”
“Nuggets?”
“Yeah! And chocolate.”
“You said chocolate already,” I said, laughing.
“Can we have chocolate?”
“Maybe after dinner,” I said. A small treat shouldn’t hurt, right?
“Promise?” she asked me seriously, holding out her pinkie. It took me a while to understand what she wanted.
I hooked my pinkie with hers. “Promise.”
She awarded me with a smile. I stood up. “Let’s go find dinner, yeah?”
“Yes!”
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