Day 3
Mick felt his palms get sweaty as he walked into the Science Museum. He couldn't figure out why he was so nervous. Did you take it too far with the kiss? Wait, she initiated it, but you got lost in it. Great, now she only thinks that I want to shag her. Ugh you are such an idiot. How can she think a guy like you would actually be serious about a relationship?
Emily walked into the Science Museum and saw Mick having yet another mental battle with himself. She chuckled as she saw the different expressions go across his face in the span of a few seconds. She shook her nerves off and walked over to him. "Overthinking things like a chick again?", she asked with humor in her voice. Mick turned around at the sound of her voice and felt like a love-struck teenager all over again. "Mick this is Kehlani" Mick watched as Emily grabbed the tiny little paw of the babbling baby girl and cooed, "Lani this is Mick. Can you say hi?" Mick smiled nervously at the one-year-old and she gave him a slobbery smile back. "Don't be so nervous around her Mick. She doesn't bite; uh actually on second thought, she'll bite you with the few teeth she has." Emily said with a smile. In that moment, Mick knew he was a goner.
After a few hours, some of the exhibits for children were more accessible for Emily and Mick. There was a children's science lab set up. "You mind?" Mick asked timidly and blushed slightly when Emily gave him a curious stare. "Um sure." Emily looked on part in fear and part in amazement. The mom in her was paranoid about letting her little girl out of her sight. The rational cop in her knew that Mick was more afraid of Kehlani than it being the other way around. She took pictures of everything. She got pictures of Kehlani trying to mash Mick's face together, Mick helping her go through the mock science lab, and even the both of them simultaneously yawning. After nearly an hour, Mick looked down at the nodding baby on his chest. Emily had insisted more than once that she could take her, but Mick assured her that he was fine holding her.
Right now, they were leisurely walking in a park and Mick spotted a gelato stand and then sat down on a picnic blanket. Mick stared at Emily as she attempted to feed Kehlani the gelato. Mick saw the complete beauty that Emily was in spite of the various stains Kehlani managed to add to her outfit. Mick looked down at a sticky Kehlani that had more gelato on her clothes than in her mouth. Emily turned to rummage through her bag for baby wipes. Kehlani took the opportunity to crawl over to Mick and he welcomed her with open arms. He lifted her up and she giggled and babbled loudly. Emily looked at the sight in front of her and had to fight the waterworks. He's really good with her. He won't hurt her. Maybe he does care about us. Doyle cared about you and look how that turned out. He didn't care about you; he cared about a part you played. Mick is here and he is genuine so just give him a chance. Who are you kidding Em? Long distance will never work. Emily snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Mick waving his hand in front of her face. "Sorry, what did you say?", Emily asked while hiding her blushing cheeks. "The wipes?" "Oh yeah, I can do it." "I don't mind. Honest." Emily reluctantly handed the wipes over to Mick.
She watched as Mick crossed his legs and sat Kehlani down in-between them. He started to tell her an animated story about when he lived in Wales. He gently wiped Kehlani's face and them her tiny pink hands. Mick looked over to her and she smiled widely at him. He helped Kehlani stand while she attempted to walk to Emily. After a few shaky tries, she made it to Emily's open arms and toothy grin and exploded into high-pitched giggles and squeals. Emily helped her stand and she attempted to walk to Mick. When she made it, he picked her up and lifted her above his head. He brought her down and blew raspberries on her stomach, making her laugh harder. Emily joined in on the laughter and didn't really pay attention to the older couple approaching them. "I'm so sorry to interrupt but your family is beautiful." Emily couldn't respond before she walked off with her husband. Emily looked over to Mick and saw no embarrassment on his face.
Mick saw how uncomfortable the comment made her and tried to smooth things over. "She didn't mean anything by it." Emily started to shove her things into her bag and reached for Kehlani. "Emily-"
"Mick hand me my daughter please!" Mick swallowed back sadness and handed the little girl back to her mother. "This was a bad idea.", Emily said before brushing past Mick.
Mick stood dumbfounded long after Emily and Kehlani had left. He also made up in his mind that he wouldn't let them go without a fight. He still had 4 days to win Emily over and he planned to do just that…if she'd let him.