I Thought You'd Never Ask
Anna emerged from the shower and slipped into her bathrobe after drying herself off. She dipped her body forward to place a towel over her head and wrapped her hair in the towel before standing upright once more. Anna rubbed lotion on her hands and legs before retrieving her wedding band from the soap dish on the counter. As she slid it on, she heard the sounds of gurgles coming from the other side of the bathroom door, followed by John's voice. Instead of intruding on the moment, she listened by the door in silence.
"Come now, my sweet pea. Play with your little lamb while I read the morning paper. Eh?"
Anna could hear the familiar rattle of the stuffed animal being wiggled about and she managed to crack the door open, undetected. She continued to watch as John attempted to entertain their little girl and read the paper at the same time.
John sat up in their bed dressed in sweatpants and a zip up hoodie. His hair was still mussed up from sleep; a loose lock of hair draped across his forehead. Their flat wasn't anything to brag about and sparingly decorated. After his divorce from Vera, they hadn't had much to start with. But that mattered little to either of them. Their most valuable treasure was nestled safely in John's arms. Emma. She had brought more light and love into their life than they had ever imagined.
Anna withheld a giggle as she watched John do his best impression of a lamb to make their daughter light up with laughter. Their daughter, who had taken after her father in nearly every way, would be turning one in two months time. It was hard to believe that time was flying by so fast. Anna could never have foreseen the way their baby girl would affect their lives, but now she couldn't see a life without Emma. Anna was pulled from her thoughts when she heard their daughter coming to life with laughter once more.
"Alright, Miss Emma. Daddy will put the paper down. What would you like to do?" John asked as he reached for his cup of tea. He blew on it gently as he took a small sip of it, before Emma grabbed his attention. Her hands slapped gently against his chest as she reached for the cup. "I don't think so my darling, this is far too hot for you," John warned as he set his cup back on the small table beside their bed. He lifted their baby high above his head and proceeded to blow raspberries on her belly before placing a kiss on each of her chubby cheeks.
"What are you two up to in here?" Anna asked as she opened the door completely.
Both father and daughter stopped their antics to turn and look back at Anna. A smile gracing both of their faces and Anna thought her heart might burst with love for them both.
"Nothing, love," he answered back with pure adoration written across his face. "Just enjoying one another's company. Care to join us?" John asked.
"I thought you'd never ask," Anna replied.