Nikki sat beside the tub giving Anna a bath. It had been a long day, but a pretty good one. They had stopped on the way home and got something to eat. Anna was a perfect little angel. When they had got home Anna had loved her room. Nikki had helped her pull the toys out and Nikki had spent the better part of the day playing with her. She had even convinced Mark to join them and play dolls with them. Nikki smiled at the memory of Mark holding the dolls and trying to make girl voices. She had snapped a lot of pictures today too. Mark had a swing set put up outside and while Nikki had fixed dinner Mark had took Anna out side to play. Anna was still a little Skittish around Mark, but Nikki knew that would change with time and patience. At first Anna had just sit in the bathtub and let Nikki bathe her. But Nikki had given her some bath toys and in no time she was splashing and playing. Nikki smiled as she watched Anna splashing water around with some cups. Anna splashed some water on the floor. Nikki watched as she backed up and started trembling.
"Sorry." Anna said looking like she was about to cry.
"Hey it's no big deal, in fact watch me." Nikki said and took a cup of water and dumped it all over the floor.
Anna's eyes got big as she watched Nikki dump the water on the floor. Nikki smiled at her and Anna started laughing.
"Young lady, why did you dump water all over the floor?" Marks voice came from behind Nikki.
Nikki turned around and smiled.
"I was just showing Anna it's not the end of the world if you get a little water on the floor." Nikki said winking at him.
Mark looked at Anna who was looking at him to see his reaction. Mark scooped up Nikki and sat down with her on his lap.
"A little water aint going to hurt nothing." Mark said smiling at Anna.
Anna relaxed and started playing again.
"She's real scared of doing something wrong." Nikki whispered in Mark's ear.
Mark nodded. He would have to be careful of his quick temper around her.
"Don't worry she'll get to know you soon and learn your bark is worse than your bite." Nikki said grinning.
Anna looked up. "Teddy bear bite?" she asked looking at Mark.
Nikki started laughing and so did Mark.
"Only sometimes, but it don't hurt." Nikki said still laughing.
Anna held out her finger a few inches from Mark's mouth and he playfully nipped at her finger. Anna squealed and started giggling. Mark laughed. She was so sweet. Anna settled down playing again. Mark watched her amazed that this little person was apart of him. Mark looked down at Nikki, he was so grateful to her. She was so good with Anna. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the lips.
"What was that for?" Nikki asked.
"Because I love you." Mark said.
Nikki felt Anna tugging on her arm and turned around.
"Want kiss." Anna said leaning toward Nikki. Nikki leaned forward and gave her a kiss.
"I bet your daddy would like a kiss too." Nikki said.
Anna looked at Mark a minute then planted a big kiss on his cheek. Nikki looked at Mark he was beaming. Mark cradled Anna's small head in his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Daddy loves you." Mark said.
Nikki smiled.
"Ready to get out, and have a bedtime snack?" Nikki asked.
Anna nodded and Nikki got up and got a towel and wrapped it around Anna and pulled her out of the tub. Mark watched as Nikki dried her off and tickled her causing Anna to laugh.
"Alright let's get you dressed for bed and then we go have a snack." Nikki said.
Mark looked down at the soaked bathroom floor as they left.
"I guess I'll clean this up." He said to no one in particular.
Mark found them in the kitchen eating doughnuts and chocolate milk.
"Think it's a good idea to get her hyped up on sweets before you put her to bed?" Mark asked.
"Poor little thing didn't even know what a doughnut is. What the hell? It's not going to kill her." Nikki said shrugging.
"What the hell?" Anna said shrugging her shoulders doing a pretty good impression of Nikki.
"Opps, my bad. I guess I'll have to watch my mouth around her." Nikki said.
Nikki looked up at Mark.
"I'm a bad influence on her; I knew I wasn't cut out to be a mother." Nikki said.
Mark sat down beside Nikki.
"That's bull, your great with her. You're going to be a wonderful mother, hell you already are." Mark said.
"You really think so?" Nikki asked.
"I know so." Mark said.
What do you think Anna, Nikki's a great mother Huh?" Mark asked.
Anna nodded and grinned.
"Doughnut?" she asked pointing to the box.
Nikki grinned and handed her another one.
"Thank you." Anna said and shoved it in her mouth.
"A little over indulgent maybe." Mark said smiling.
Nikki got up and cleaned Anna up.
"Ready for bed?" Nikki asked.
Anna nodded.
"How about if daddy carries you up to bed?" Mark asked.
Nikki lifted her arms for Mark and he swung her up to set in his arms.
"Come on Mommy; let's go tuck her in for the night, so daddy can have some one on one time." Mark said leering at her.
Nikki grinned and followed them upstairs. It was a great first day as a family for them; Nikki hoped it continued that way.