Just A Little While Later

47

After a long and eventful day, Skye's birthday party finally came to an end.

While the kids and parents left with their gift bags filled with toys and treats, I couldn't help but feel satisfied. I knew that they would all be even happier with what I had set up for them in those bags.

I even made sure to include some extra goodies for the hardworking parents who had to deal with energetic children that were probably still going through a sugar rush.

The backyard was still a mess from all the decorations and activities, but I planned on hiring someone in the morning to clean it up.

For now, all I wanted to do was tuck my little girl into bed and get some much-needed rest.

Luckily, Domenic had already taken care of getting Skye ready for bed, but I still wanted to say goodnight to her before she fell asleep.

After saying goodbye to the last family member who left, I locked both doors, front and back.

With a heavy sigh, I trudged upstairs to Skye's room and found her already in bed, waiting for me with a tired but happy smile. Even though her dad had tucked her in earlier, she always wanted me to do it again.

I smiled and made sure she was snug under the covers before sitting next to her. She immediately snuggled into my side, making my heart swell with love.

"So, did you enjoy your birthday party?" I asked, running my fingers through her slightly droopy curls after a day filled with running around and having the time of her life.

She paused for a moment, deep in thought, before finally responding. "It was..." she trailed off, searching for the right word.

I raised an eyebrow at her expectantly. "Absolutely fantastic?" I suggested with a playful smile.

A gentle giggle escaped her lips before she lifted her head to meet my eyes with a beautiful smile– a smile that I knew I would always love, nad never get tired of.

"It was the best birthday ever," she exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air with excitement.

My heart was overflowing with happiness at her words. "Which part did you enjoy the most?" I asked in a softer tone, noticing how close she was to falling asleep.

"You," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

A tender smile spread across my face as I looked doddly at the little girl curled up next to me, her eyelids heavy and struggling to stay open.

It was a surreal moment, one that I never would have imagined—sitting in bed with a child who wasn't mine but feeling an overwhelming sense of maternal love wash over me.

I couldn't help but wonder if this was what my own mother felt for me in those early years of my life.

It was a truly beautiful feeling, one that made me consider the possibility of having of maybe having a child with Domenic, just so that I could experience this kind of love again.

The warmth and innocence radiating from the little girl nestled against me filled my heart with pure joy and contentment.

In that moment, nothing else mattered except for the two of us intertwined in a bond of love and affection.

"You are the most amazing little girl in the whole world."

"I hope you know that," I whispered, giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

She laughed and snuggled closer to me. "Thank you, mommy."

"You're welcome," I replied as she shifted to get more comfortable. "Goodnight, sprout."

"Good night, mommy," she murmured softly.

With a gentle sigh, she drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Her body, exhausted from all the running around and sugary treats, finally surrendered to the sleep it so desperately needed.

And in her dream, she was probably reliving every moment of her incredible birthday, savoring all the memories as if they were happening all over.

I cautiously shut the door and made my way back to our room. I flopped onto the bed, collapsing into Domenic's strong arms as he chuckled.

He held me close in a way that was both comforting and reassuring.

Over time, I had come to realize just how fiercely protective this man was of me.

He may have been an idiot about it at times, but he was my idiot and I loved him for it.

It was a humbling experience to have to stop at a gas station and explain to several police officers that my phone had died while I was simply picking up a cake, and not because I had been kidnapped by a crazy ex-wife.

From now on, I'll always bring a charger with me when I'm with Domenic.

But I can't fault him for being protective of the people in his life and wanting them to be happy and safe.

"It's been the longest day, ever." I groaned in exhaustion. Domenic chuckled and comforted me by rubbing my back, a gesture that I didn't realize I needed until now.

"But it was all worth it," he said with a satisfied nod.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Worth every penny, every night without sleep, and every missed meal," I agreed wholeheartedly.

He looked down at me, his arms still wrapped around me in a warm and tight hug. His familiar scent calmed my racing thoughts.

"Are you going to finally return to normal now?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowed in a worried manner.

I couldn't help but give him a teasing smile and roll my eyes. "I guess I can try to be normal again," I playfully replied.

But as I looked into his loving stare, I couldn't resist adding, "At least until your birthday." I chuckled.

He smiled and shook his head at my antics. "All I want for my birthday is to have you in my bed," he said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

A contented sigh escaped my lips as I snuggled closer to him, already feeling drowsy. "That's something I can definitely deliver," I murmured, letting my eyes close.

We both smiled as we settled into bed, enjoying each other's company and talking.

Domenic pulled out his laptop and started working on some extra stuff while I stayed on his chest, listening to his heart beat and his lungs breathe in and out.

As much as I wanted to stay awake for our conversations, my tiredness was catching up to me. But I fought through it, determined to spend more time with him, before eventually the sleep won and overtook me.

I moved off Domenic and comfortably snuggled into his side, smiling softly as I drifted off.

It was a perfect way to end the night with my amazing family.

My amazing and wonderful family.