Forced Reconciliation

5.

THIS IS PART OF A TRIPLE UPDATE. make sure to read chapter 4 before this :)

Andi Rhoades

"C'mon little miss, let's get you dressed," I run to pick up the little girl as I enter Max and Lila's home. She giggles as I tickle her on my hip and we ascend up the stairs. 

I had passed the living room where Harry was sitting on the couch feeding Rome a bottle when I came in. We didn't say anything to each other, he just gave me a quick nod to acknowledge that I was here before I grabbed Ellie to get her dressed for the day. 

Once we had reached Ellie's room, she had run off to her small table in a hurry to show me something. "Look auntie dee! I made dis!" I take the piece of paper she was trying to show me, a bunch of scribbles of different colors over an outline of what looks like five people and a small little blob. 

"Oh wow! What's this a picture of?"

The little girl points to each figure, "That's Mommy and daddy, this one is you, uncle Harry, me, and baby Rome!"

I try my best not to simultaneously laugh and cry over her sweet mispronunciation combined with the thoughtfulness of her drawing. "Did uncle Harry help you draw this?" She nods as I suspected. 

I hum and rise to my feet from my previous crouching position, setting her drawing on her table. Walking over to her closet, I rummage through it trying to find something for her to wear today while we spend some time together. Ever since Elliot was born, I've always loved choosing something for her to wear whenever I got the chance. I loved to spoil her and treat her as my own little baby doll to dress up.

"Want to wear this babe? It's a little cloudy and chilly out today." I hold up a matching sage green sweat set that I bought for her for Christmas. It's so cute, and since we're just going to be hanging out at my apartment today, she doesn't really need to be dressed up in anything more than something comfy. 

Ellie nods, "Oh! Can you do my hair too?" I chuckle and nod my head. We quickly slip her out of her nightgown and into her little outfit for the day before I let her pick out the shoes she wants to wear. This kid has more shoes than I do. 

After much debate, Ellie finally decides she wants to wear her black and white checkered slip-on Vans. Ellie has a lot of hair for not even being three years old yet. It's dark brown and has a tiny bit of curl that I assume she must have gotten from Max since Lila's hair was pin-straight. 

I messily tie her locks up into a little bun on top of her head just how she likes it before she looks in the mirror and gives me a thumbs up and a huge cheesy grin. 

God, this kid is too pure for this world. 

As I grab her hand to help her down the stairs, I see Harry waiting at the bottom with a sleeping Rome in his arms. 

"You look very pretty today Miss Ellie," Harry says with a soft yet raspy voice. 

"Thank you uncle Harry!" She replies excitedly. 

The tension in the air is thick, Harry and I have yet to speak about what happened yesterday. I know we need to figure out when we're going to continue this conversation because it's one that can't be put off for long, but I truly don't know what to do. 

Harry clears his throat, "Um- what are you guys going to do today?"

"I thi-" I go to respond before I'm cut off by Ellie. 

"Can we go to the park? Please please!" Harry and I both look down to Ellie before I give in and nod. 

"Sure, babe. Um, do you mind watching Rome while I take her to the park and then I'll come back and get him? Or I can take him with me if you have things to do." I ask Harry.