Hearing her call me daddy, even in this context, is way fucking hotter than I expected. I start to count backwards from twenty to try and contain my physical reaction.
“Do you have a hairbrush here?”
I lift Violet’s bag, letting the back of my hand run up Serena’s leg as I do. It’s subtle, the touch hidden by our bodies, but she doesn’t miss it. Guaran-fucking-teed she stood close enough to me on purpose, and I’ll take any opportunity to feel her skin against mine.
“Thanks.”
If I’m not mistaken, there’s a breathy note to her voice that definitely wasn’t there before. Mission accomplished.
I eat my breakfast and help Violet eat hers while Serena’s hands fly over Vi’s head, twisting her hair into a way more complex braid than what I could have done. The entire time, my eyes are bouncing between the daughter I love more than life itself, and the woman who has always owned my heart.
I want this. Shit, do I ever want this to be my life.
“There you go, missy.” Serena sinks down gracefully into her chair and takes a sip of her tea.
“What do you say, Violet?”
“Fank ‘oo,” Vi says around a mouthful of pancake.
“You are so welcome. I better go and get ready for class.” Serena stands again just as Aunt Claire walks up.
“Well, look at this, what a wonderful breakfast you’re all having.”
I don’t miss the innuendo in her words and give my aunt a pointed stare that hopefully tells her to let it go. “Hi, Aunt Claire. We’re just finishing, then Vi is all yours. Can I get you a coffee?”
“Oh no, I’m fine.” Aunt Claire bends down to press a kiss to Violet’s head. “Your hair is so pretty Vi, did Daddy do that?”
“Rena do it.”
If her eyebrows could go any higher, they’d be off her face. “Really?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just quickly braided it while she was eating,” Serena says hurriedly. She’s blushing, and it’s making me want to pull her into my arms even more. Just so everyone knows she’s with us. Like, really with us.
“It’s lovely.” Claire puts a soft hand on Serena’s arm, and I see Serena relax visibly. “Oh, Leo, I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to stay with the little miss on Sunday. I completely forgot Dennis and I have plans to meet friends in Victoria for the day. Do you think the chief will let you switch your shift?”
Shit. Serena really did ruin me last night; I completely forgot I’m meant to attend a workshop in Westport on Sunday as part of my conditions of employment. The workshop is part of a program aimed at building leadership skills, and Chief basically said it was a requirement for me to complete it as a new deputy chief. It won’t look good to cancel so last minute, but hopefully the chief is understanding.
“Ah, no. It isn’t a regular shift. But I’ll cancel.” I pull out my phone to send an email requesting a meeting with the chief.
“I’m so sorry, honey,” Aunt Claire twists her hands together and I can see she’s about to give up her plans for me.
That’s the last thing I want. If anyone is sacrificing something for my kid, it’s me.
“Don’t worry about it, Aunt Claire. She’s my kid, my responsibility. I’ll figure it out.”
“Leo, I can spend the day with her.”
I look up at Serena, who’s fidgeting with her tea, looking at me nervously, as if she expects me to refuse. The truth is, I’m staggered that she’s offering.
“Really, Tippy? It’s a full-day workshop, and I have to drive to Westport and back. I’ll be gone the entire day.”
She lifts her shoulders and gives me a cautious smile. “We’ll have fun. If Violet is okay with spending the day with me, of course.”
“Vi, what do you think, are you okay staying with Serena on Sunday?”
Violet’s head doesn’t even lift from her plate of pancakes. “Otay, Daddy.”
“Well, okay then,” I say with a smile at my little girl. I shift my attention back to Serena and my aunt.