Page 57 of Falling for the Unexpected

I went over to the rocking recliner in the corner and sat with her in my arms. I rocked her while gently rubbing her back. After a little while she settled down and seemed to fall back asleep. Not wanting to risk waking her up, I quietly lifted the leg of the chair and reclined so I could close my eyes while still holding her to my chest. Before long, we were both asleep.

At some point, I felt someone lifting Stella out of my arms and my reflexes pulled her back toward me.

“It’s just me,” Simone said quietly. “She’s starting to wake up.”

“Oh… Okay, what time is it?” I yawned and allowed Simone to take Stella from me.

“Just a little after seven,” she answered, her voice soft and her expression unreadable.

I was surprised Stella and I had managed to sleep in the recliner most of the night.

“What time did you come in here?” Simone asked, holding her daughter. She’d put her hair up in a messy bun and was wearing my T-shirt from last night. She had never looked more beautiful.

I stretched, stiff as a board. “I think around one,” I answered, standing up from the chair.

“Thank you for taking care of her. It’s been rough going since she started teething again,” she said, putting a hand to my chest and raising herself up to give me a quick peck on the lips.

That quick kiss had me thinking of a quickie in the shower, but Stella started to get a little fussy, which immediately put an end to my dirty thoughts. The two of them headed into the kitchen and I walked to the bathroom. Guess a solo shower would have to do. While cleaning up, I thought about how much I truly enjoyed being the person to help Simone with Stella. While I wished Stella wasn’t in pain, I was happy to be the one to provide them both with some comfort. It was at that moment that I realized I was falling in love with both of those girls—and there wasn’t anywhere else I wanted to be.

Now that I knew I loved Simone, I needed to decide when to tell her. I had never said those three words to anyone in a romantic sense before. And I wasn’t sure Simone was ready to hear that type of sentiment from me yet. We had only been dating a few weeks. But we’d known each other for a while now, and if I was honest with myself, my feelings had started to develop the minute I offered to help her through her divorce.

I got dressed in my same clothes from yesterday, sans T-shirt, swished around some mouthwash, and headed into the kitchen. Stella was in her highchair, eating some cut-up banana and a piece of toast, and Simone was pouring each of us a cup of coffee.

I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, kissing her cheek gently.

“How are you this morning?” I asked.

“I was able to get some sleep, so I’m good,” she answered while turning around to kiss me again. “Thank you for your help last night.”

“I didn’t do much. She fell back asleep right away,” I said, releasing her when the toast popped up in the toaster. She moved away and buttered them for us then we moved over to the kitchen table. “After we’re done eating,” I added, halfway through our quick breakfast, “why don’t you take a shower and I can get Stella ready to go to her grandparents.”

“You don’t mind?” she questioned, her voice sounding wary.

“Not at all.”

We finished breakfast and Simone went to her room and I took Stella to hers. “We need to find something for you to wear, kiddo,” I said as I looked through her closet for an outfit to change her into. I pulled out several options, all of which Stella frowned at. We finally settled on a pair of jeans and a purple and pink sweater.

I found her brush on top of the dresser and we sat in the middle of her room as I brushed her hair back into a ponytail. It brought back memories of me doing the same thing for Addie when we were young. For a while, our mother had decided she didn’t need any help with Addie and me and had moved us out of our grandmother’s home. Unfortunately, our mother was usually passed out when it came time for school so it often fell on me to help my sister get ready. That living arrangement was, thankfully, short-lived. I was now grateful for that skill so Simone wouldn’t think I was completely helpless.

“Now we just need shoes,” I stated.

She stood up and ran back to her closet. “Ky, I wanna wear these ones!” she exclaimed, grabbing the purple Converse her Uncle Trent had bought for her. I had her completely dressed and sitting on the couch watching a kids’ program when Simone made her way out to the living room.

“Thanks for getting her ready. You’re really good at taking care of her,” she said, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Simone, you need to stop being shocked that I enjoy helping you out with Stella. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the two of you. And I’m happy to be the one here to help,” I said. Sure, I’d been thinking those thoughts in my head, but saying it—to Simone—added a level of intimacy to our relationship that took even me by surprise. And from her glowing smile, she understood.

“I’ll get used to it, I promise,” she said solemnly, even though her eyes were smiling. “So, what do you have planned for the day?”

“I have a few errands to run and a little bit of paperwork I brought home from the office. Call me as soon as you’re done there?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound too pushy.

“Okay,” she said without hesitation. She leaned down, kissing me deeply like it was the most natural thing in the world. She then picked up Stella while I got up to grab Stella’s bag, and the three of us walked out to our cars together.

I helped her load up her car and opened her door for her. “Remember to call me as soon as you’re done. If you need anything, I’ll be here,” I said, leaning down to kiss her one more time before she climbed in. I couldn’t get enough of this woman’s kisses. I had seen doting, head-over-heels couples before, but never understood the appeal. Now I did.

“Thank you,” she said, a big smile on her face.

“Bye, Ky,” Stella shouted from the backseat.

“Bye, baby girl. Be good for your mama,” I told her.

Then I shut the door. I stood in the parking lot, watching them drive off. My life felt right, like I’d finally found the missing pieces, and they were Simone and Stella. I hadn’t expected it or even asked for it, but here I was, lucky in love. I headed to my car, counting down the days ‘til I could finally share my happiness with my family and friends.