"Why would she choose to go to the mall the weekend after Thanksgiving?" Luke turns to look at you with eyes that clearly show exasperation. There was a part of you that clearly agreed with your boyfriend but you turn to him with a soft smile, sliding your hand into his as you continue walking along behind Robin and Lex.
"They both enjoy shopping," you tell him with a smile. Following them into the nearest clothing store, you browse the racks for something that you hadn't already bought the child for Christmas. Looking over your shoulder at Luke you hand him a shirt you think she would like, and try not to laugh at the eye roll he gives you.
"Doesn't she have enough clothes?" Turning to your boyfriend you hand him another shirt and a matching pair of pants with a wide smile.
"A woman can never have enough clothes," you tell him.
"Well, why don't you show me something Penny hasn't bought you then, Lexington?" Looking up at Luke, you prepare to stop him from rushing over to the two of them.
"My name is Lex and my parents buy me everything I need!" You can see her stomp her foot and cross her arms while glaring up at Robin, the ponytail you piled her hair into that morning swinging behind her.
"I'm sorry Lexing – Lex, how about we go to the toy store instead?" You watch the child nod her head before holding her hand up to Robin and running over to you and Luke. She wraps her arms around Luke's waist and then yours before racing back to Robin. You look over at Luke, mouthing the word parents before shaking your head.
"I'm going to go pay for these," you tell him. "I'll meet you at the toy store." Luke leans down to press his lips to yours before rushing out of the store, following after his daughter. You try your hardest to calm your racing heart as you pay for the clothing making sure to ask the associate for an extra box.
When you catch up to Luke he's glaring at the outside of a Sephora. "What did lipstick and mascara ever do to you," you ask him, wrapping your arms around his waist. He takes the bag from your hands, pressing a kiss to your forehead.
"Robin took Lex in there and now my daughter is sitting in a chair getting crap smeared on her face," Luke tells you, glaring over at the store again.
"You like it when I wear that crap," you tease him.
"You're not seven."
"Understood, but if it's something that they can bond over...it's not like she's going to be allowed to wear it." Luke looks down at you in relief.
"This is why I love you."
"Daddy, you have to put the Angel on top of the tree," Lex shouts down the hall where Luke was currently pressing you into the wall outside of your shared bedroom. His hands were sliding through your hair, pulling your face closer to his. Groaning he tears his lips away from yours, yelling back to Lex that he will be right there. He presses his face into your neck, sliding his lips across your shoulder. You whimper, your knees growing weak as he slides his hands up your dress. "Daddy!"
"Is it bedtime yet?" You laugh, pushing against his chest and reaching down to grab the box of lights that he had followed you down the hall for.
"Not even close, but we can finish decorating the house for Christmas," you tell him, waving the lights in his face and racing off down the hallway. When he enters the room after you, he wraps his arms around your waist and picks you up, pulling you backward onto the couch with him and tickling at your sides. You let out a loud laugh, "Lex help!" Lex jumps onto the couch with the pair of you, using the Angel to lightly tap her father on the head. He pretends to faint, his grip relaxing around your waist as you break free. You and Lex scramble to the other side of the living room, ducking behind the couch and covering your mouths as you giggle.
"Penny, can I ask you a question?" You nod, looking down at her with a smile. "Would it be...is it okay?" Lex becomes frustrated, her hands gripping the angel. You take it from her, smoothing it and smiling at her. "Sam at school is dopted, and she says that she now has two mommies." She stops, letting out a deep breath and closes her eyes.
"What is it, honey?" Lex tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and leans herself against you, burying her face into your neck. You glance around the chair in order to look at Luke, who is sitting up with a soft smile on his face.
"Robin wanted me to call her mom today, and I tried to make her happy but, Penny...I don't want to call her mom." You smile at her. Your hand rubbing her back softly.
"You don't have to call her mom if you don't want to, you don't have to call anybody anything you don't want to." You look back over at Luke, your eyes hard. You're sure that a part of you wants to hurt Robin the next time you see her for the turmoil she's put your Lex through.
"Good, because I don't want to call you Penny anymore." Staring down at the child you nod your head, your heart suddenly beating faster than you ever remember it.
"Okay," you begin slowly. "What would you like to call me then?" Lex stands up and walks back over to her father who nods at her. You crawl out from behind the couch and coming to sit before them.
"Mom?" she asks, and your heart stops. You look up at Luke who is smiling down at you, your face mirrors his as you reach out for Lex. You pull her into your lap, wrapping your arms around her with a soft sob, you press your lips to her forehead.
"I'd be honored, Lex." You close your eyes softly, wondering how your life could have ever turned out this way after running into this family two years ago in a pet store. Your heard is so full as you hold your daughter, and though she didn't come from you, that doesn't mean that you love her any less. Looking back up at your boyfriend with tears traveling down your face, he nods at you, mouthing a thank you.