His Daughter

Special Place

Scarlett's POV:
As we pulled into the driveway, I zoned back into reality the days events finally settling in my mind. We're a family. I know it from the bottom of my heart. Call it a mother's intuition or whatever else but Carter is my daughter and, while I hate to admit it, I know she needs me for reasons I haven't even discovered yet.

Colin looked over offering me a small, tired smile which I returned. "I got the big one.'

I nodded and sighed getting out of the car. Walking to the other side I couldn't help but think how I got here. I always loved Carter, way before I met her. I remember the first time Colin brought her up. We had been dating for a month.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. That day I realized there would be one more special place already reserved in my heart. There was just something about the timing that truly threw me immediately embedding small amounts of unease in my gut. I couldn't help the question that boggled my mind for the months leading up to the weekend: Why wait?

I still don't know the answer. I told Colin about Rose before we even started dating. We had been talking for a good bit and I thought he should be aware if things were to continue. He needed to understand that I had important things in my life that would not change and that could easily change one's outlook on the idea of dating. So, how is Carter different?

What could be going through his mind that mentioning he had a daughter would be forgotten. I would like to know and I will find out.

I opened the car door gently, trying not to startle Carter awake. I reached forward undoing the harness of the car seat and watching as she stayed still. She still had her baby cheeks for the most part. Her lips rested in a cute pout with a little part in the middle. Her soft breaths rhythmically coming through. Her brows furrowed slightly from the light of the car.

I couldn't help but take a moment to admire her. She's here. Actually here. My heart felt full. I had my family all in one place. Eventually I realized that she would be more comfortable inside and well so would I. I reached my arms carefully under her armpits and began to lift her out of the seat. She whined but didn't start to wake so I kept going, lifting her into my arms.

I moved one arm under her bottom to support her and used the other one to rub her back, ensuring she wouldn't wake up. She snuggled into me one hand grasping tightly onto my bra strap, taking advantage of the loose t-shirt I was wearing while the other hung freely over my arm. I let her be refusing to deny her whatever comfort she was seeking.

I stepped back, closing the door, not before grabbing BoBo. I don't even wanna know what would happen if we forgot him in the car. I walked towards the house, meeting Colin on the front steps. I could tell Rose was fake sleeping on his shoulder, and I knew there was a small smirk on my face despite my efforts to hide it. Colin opened the door walking in and closing and locking it after I walked through.

Quickly, we slipped our shoes off and worked on getting shoes off the sleeping and 'sleeping' girls. Carter didn't move much as I pulled her shoes off, but I swear I could feel her move impossibly closer against me. Trying to avoid the waking of either girl, we carefully walk up the stairs, turning off all the lights as we go.

We walk into Rose's room, well the girls' room for this weekend and grab their pajamas off their beds. I work on laying Carter down, frowning slightly when she whimpers with her hand trying it's hardest to hold onto my bra strap. I lean down s I pry it from her hand, softly laying her down fully and slowly pulling away to stand up. To soothe her, I rub gentle circles on her tummy, remembering how much the skin contact helped.

She settled mostly, enough for me to start changing her. I wanted the girls to shower or take a bath tonight since they didn't last night, but at this point it would only be more stressful to wake them. Deciding they can clean up better in the morning, I begin with taking off Carter's shorts since it's easier. I quickly replace them with her pajama bottoms, placing her shorts to the side to put with the dirty clothes.

I'll just bring her laundry to her another time or it can stay here for future use. Now the hard part, her top. I pull the shirt up, moving her arms through the holes and bunching it near her head. Gently lifting her head, I work it over placing it to the side as well. I put the new top on, pausing when she stirs some. Just as I'm about to tuck her under the covers, I hear Rose.

'Mama, I thought we were all having a sleepover?' She asks groggily, while rubbing her eyes. It was obvious Colin had 'woken' her up to change and get ready for bed. Remembering my previous promises, I pull Carter back into my arms as she happily finds what's become her spot.

'You're right, baby.'I tell Rose, walking towards the door, 'Go brush your teeth and get in my bed while I get ready too.'

I watch as she tiredly walks towards the bathroom, not missing the smile on her face. Heading to my room, I struggle to put Carter on the bed but eventually she just cuddles up to my pillow. I make quick work of changing and head to the bathroom to do my skincare and brush my teeth. I showered yesterday and while I would shower tonight too, I fear there will be tears if someone wakes up and I'm not there.

After I finish getting ready, I turn off the bathroom light and walk back into my room to find Rose and Colin talking about who knows what. Meanwhile Carter's position has not changed. The only difference is what I can only discern as stress covering her expression. I sigh sadly at it, carefully moving her over so I can slide into the bed.

Although that proves pointless as she immediately cuddles up to me in her sleep, practically laying on top of me. I pull her the rest of the way holding her securely against me. Her cheek rests contently on the bare skin of my chest. The bed shirt I'm wearing providing her with easy access to the comfort of my pure touch.

She rests her hand flat against me, recognizing the lack of bra and obviously dismissing the grasp of my shirt. Her legs lay on either side of me and I pat her bottom rhythmically as if it's so routine for me. Well I guess now it is. I look at her with such adoration. One I've only ever felt for Rose. I feel her small breaths against my skin every time she exhales, leaving small flashes of goosebumps before she inhales again.

The soft sigh that escapes through her parted lips being the only sound I hear. Before I can fall asleep, I turn to the two beside me.

'Alright chatterboxes, it's been a long day and I think it's way past bed time, for all of us.' I tell them. They nod in agreement, Rose more reluctantly but ultimately settle down drifting to sleep rather quickly.

'Goodnight, my loves.' I whisper finally, taking one last look at Carter before I, myself, close my eyes for the last time tonight.

A/N: Wow, consistency is key they say. But we also know that I got through stages of consistency and then disappearance. Thank you endlessly for all your support!! It's crazy to think that this story is almost to 50k reads. I truly do this because of you guys. I honestly never thought my writing was that good and it's still not great but I appreciate all of you and I'm glad to know it has such an immense impact for some of you.
My goal has always been to make an impact on the world around me and to know that this is helping us simply incredible. So truly, thank you.
On another note, as much as I love hearing how excited you are for the next update, please respect that a am human, a young one at that (I don't feel comfortable disclosing my age or whether I'm a minor or not yet), and I am increasingly busy. Therefore, I miss a lot of deadlines I wish to meet and most of the time that means I cannot update for awhile. So just keep that in mind and please be respectful of that, not just for me but other writers as well.
I am very stressed and unfortunately have received some upsetting news recently, so I apologize for any mistakes or if this update was not as good as you hoped for.
Anyways, please interact, comment, share ideas, message me, let me know your thoughts, or whatever and hopefully I'll see you again on Sunday or Monday.
(Wow that was a long A/N sorry)
Love,
EJ <3