“Someone’s in a good mood this morning.” Tara laughed.
“She has something she wants to tell you,” I said, remembering Paisley’s excitement from the night before. She came home from school with a wide smile, demanding to see Tara. I promised her she would see her in the morning, but she was disappointed. Her news was just too good to wait.
“Well, tell me,” Tara said eagerly. “What is it?”
“My report card came in,” Paisley said. “And I got straight A’s! Even in math!”
“Wow!” Tara said. “That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you, honey.”
“Thank you!” Paisley grinned. “And I got moved up to the next level on swim team. I’m now the anchor, which means I’m the fastest swimmer on the team! Me! Out of everyone, I’m the fastest!”
“I’m not surprise,” Tara said firmly. “You’ve been practicing nonstop. You deserve that spot!”
“I know!” Paisley said.
She was still bouncing up and down on the bed, excitement practically seeping through her pores. Tara listened attentively while Paisley told her all about her week at school. Getting her report card and becoming the anchor were just the beginning. She had friend drama and school projects to share with Tara. I watched them talk with a smile on my face. Lately, it seemed like I was always smiling. I couldn’t be in the same room with Tara or Paisley without grinning from ear to ear. They both had a direct line to my happy button.
Tara only had eyes for Paisley while they talked. She stared at Paisley with rapt attention, never once looking away. I knew this was why Paisley loved talking to Tara so much. They were best friends, and Tara was quickly becoming like a mother to her. It warmed my heart to see Paisley opening up to someone. She needed a woman in her life, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than Tara. I loved them both more than I ever thought I could love anyone. The more they grew to love each other, the stronger my feelings for Tara became. I knew I could never be with her if she and Paisley didn’t get along. I was grateful that I would never have to worry about that. Tara could listen to Paisley talk for hours, and Paisley could spend hours just hanging out with Tara. They were inseparable.
“Come on,” Paisley said. “Let’s go make breakfast!”
“What should we make?” Tara asked as she climbed out of bed.
“Something special,” Paisley said.
“Absolutely,” Tara agreed. “After all, we’re celebrating.”
“Chocolate chip pancakes!” Paisley squealed.
I followed them out of the bedroom and down the stairs. We all stepped into the kitchen together, and I flicked on the light. Paisley moved to the pantry and pulled down the bag of pancake mix. She searched for the chocolate chips while Tara grabbed the milk and eggs from the fridge. They both moved around the kitchen easily, never second guessing where they were going. This kitchen was theirs. This house was their home.
Tara wasn’t living with us, but sometimes it felt that way. If she didn’t spend the night with us, I missed her. I could barely sleep without her warm body next to mine. She’d become such a vital piece of our lives that I couldn’t imagine her ever being gone.
As I watched them cook together, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. I knew I should get up to help them, but I wanted to watch them a little longer. The way they laughed and talked so naturally was amazing to me. I could have spent the entire day just sitting in the kitchen, watching them interact. They barely knew I was there. They were so absorbed in their own conversation and in what they were doing that I knew I was right. They truly were the best of friends, and Paisley loved Tara just as much as I did.
Finally, I stood up and walked over to join them at the stove. Paisley was standing on a stool, pouring pancake batter onto a hot skillet. Tara watched and instructed carefully, making sure Paisley didn’t burn herself or the pancakes. I moved to Tara’s side and wrapped my arm around her waist. I kissed her temple and smiled at her brightly.
“What was that for?” Tara asked with a smile of her own.
“Because I love you,” I said simply. I kissed her lips.
“I love you, too,” she said.
“And,” I said, turning to Paisley. “I love you, my little munchkin.”
“I love you, too, Daddy,” Paisley said.
My heart melted as I let go of Tara’s waist. Moving across the kitchen, I pulled down three plates from the top cabinet and grabbed a few forks from the cutlery drawer. While Tara and Paisley finished making the pancakes, I set the table and got the syrup out of the fridge. I warmed it in the microwave before I set it on the table beside a block of butter. Just as I finished laying out napkins, the girls finished making the pancakes.
Paisley carried the giant stack to the table and set it down in the middle. We each got a glass of milk and sat down to eat. Paisley dove right in, gorging herself on the delicious chocolate chip pancakes. She groaned happily, and I laughed. Chocolate chip pancakes were her favorite.
By the end of breakfast, the food was gone, and we were all happily full. We cleaned up quickly, ready to spend the day together.
EPILOGUE
Tara
Paisley wiggled away from me as I tied her hair back at the base of her neck. She usually loved when I did her hair, but tonight, she was anxious to leave. I smiled at her impatience and hurried to finish her hair. It was curled slightly and braided down the sides. I tied it back and let the curls cascade down her back. She looked beautiful in her little yellow dress. I couldn’t believe how big she was getting.
With her tenth birthday right around the corner, she was already turning into a little lady. She’d come so far from the little eight-year-old I met almost two years ago. Her entire life was different now. Living with Sean was now normal for her. She started calling him Dad a long time ago, and it was obvious that she couldn’t imagine living with anyone else. They were closer than ever, and I knew that they would only grow closer as time went on. I loved to watch them together, knowing that I was there for their beginning.
Paisley was finally ready, and I quickly checked myself in the mirror. My black dress was long and almost reached my feet. I adjusted it, making sure it laid down flat, before I fluffed my curls and checked my lipstick. When I was sure everything was perfectly in place, I grabbed my purse and turned back to Paisley. She watched me closely with curious eyes, the way a daughter would watch her mother get ready. Butterflies erupted in my stomach at the sight. I didn’t ever want to assume anything, but I already felt like Paisley was my daughter, too. After nearly two years of spending time with her, I loved her like she was my own.
“What are we celebrating again?” Paisley asked with a frown as we made our way downstairs.
“You know the company I run?” I asked.
“Yes.” Paisley nodded.
“Well,” I said. “We just made the top ten of the fortune 500 companies.”