32
I press the doorbell and wait impatiently, the gentle fizz of excitement setting my body on edge. I hear footsteps approaching and I'm smiling before the door's even fully open.
"Hi! Look, baby, Daddy's here!" Kate stands aside, passing me our daughter as I step through the doorway. I hand her a bag in return.
"Hi, Princess!" I kiss her on the cheek and she giggles loudly, trying to push me away with her pudgy little hand. "Daddy's missed you!"
"We were only gone for a week," Kate says, smiling as I bend to kiss her cheek too.
"It felt like a lot longer," I say as I follow her through into the living room. I sit down on the couch, and Sasha struggles to be released from my hold. I watch proudly as she toddles away from me. "She's so much steadier on her feet in just a week," I comment.
"She is, I think she'll be running soon. Won't you, pretty girl?" I smile as I watch Kate cooing over her. As though she feels my eyes on her, she turns and looks right back at me.
"What?" she asks, a smile on her own face.
"She has you wrapped right around her little finger," I say.
"Ha! Look who's talking. Is this another gift?" she asks, raising her eyebrows playfully as she lifts the bag I'd handed her. I shrug, aiming for nonchalance.
"Ah, it's nothing really. Just a little something I happened to see."
She reaches into the bag and pulls out a cuddly Minnie Mouse. And a Hello Kitty t-shirt. And a book. She shoots me a stern look.
"Edward …"
"I know, I'm sorry. It's kind of a celebratory gift," I say.
"Oh yeah? Well that's a new excuse."
"Hey, it's true," I protest.
Sasha moves to Kate and reaches for the book she holds in her lap. Kate gives it to her and she brings it to me. I lift her up onto my knee and open the sturdy board cover for her to look at the pictures.
"I got a job," I say, smiling proudly. "As a physio. Finally all that studying paid off."
"You did? The one you had the interview for last week?" she asks.
"Yeah, it's based in Port Angeles, but they have a clinic here in Forks too. Hopefully if a job comes up in the future, I might be able to transfer."
"That's great news, well done!" She comes over and hugs me. Sandwiched between us, Sasha squeals loudly and Kate pulls away, laughing.
"As soon as I have my salary and benefits worked out, I'll adjust Sash's payments," I promise as she sits back down.
"Really, there's no hurry. We're doing okay," she says.
"I know you're doing okay, but I said I'd help you finish college and I will." I cuddle Sasha in to me. "I promise."
~S~