Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
We watched a movie, AJ marveling at the size of the screen. He was crazy for the big chair he sat in that had a cupholder and a wide arm to put the bowl of popcorn I’d made in the microwave. I was certain I had impressed Rosie with my skills when I made it for us, adding the butter with a flourish as I informed her I was a microwave genius. Her laughter was music to my ears.
I sat beside her on the sofa, a blanket over our knees. I turned on the fireplace, the flames dancing in the low light, the heat making the room cozy. She sighed in contentment, nestled against me, a bowl of popcorn on my lap, her head on my shoulder. At one point, I glanced down at her. She was asleep, her eyelashes resting on her cheeks as she slumbered. I looked over at AJ, amused to see he, too, had fallen asleep, one hand still in the popcorn bowl. I felt a rush of tenderness for them, plus the internal pride that they were comfortable and safe because they were here with me. The condo was warm, they were content, and somehow that was all that mattered. I let the movie end, then shut it off, easing from Rosie. I picked her up and carried her down the hall, frowning as she stirred when I laid her on the bed. “Go back to sleep,” I whispered.
“AJ,” she protested sleepily.
“I’ll put him to bed.”
She mumbled something incoherent, falling back asleep. I stood over her, brushing her pretty hair off her forehead, pleased that she trusted me enough to let me handle the task.
Then I returned to the living room and repeated the same thing with AJ, wiping his buttery fingers with a damp cloth, grateful Rosie had put on his pajamas before we started watching the movie. I turned on a night-light and switched on the monitor in case he woke up. I left another light on in the living room and headed to my room, stopping at the little voice I heard call my name.
“Ash-er.”
I hurried back to AJ’s bed. He was asleep, burrowed deep in his covers already. I brushed his hair back and bent to kiss his head. He muttered in his sleep, and I remembered his teddy bear, tucking it close to him. He let out a long sigh and made a contented sound in the back of his throat. I gazed down on him fondly. He had called me tonight, not Rosie.
I wanted to be there for him every night. To make sure he was safe and warm. That they both were.
I slipped out of his room and stopped in the doorway of mine, grinning. Rosie was a curled-up bundle under the blankets, reminding me of AJ. She was tiny and perfect on the large mattress. I got ready, slipping in beside her. I reached for her, and she came easily, resting her head on my chest, her arm snaked around me. I held her close, pressing a kiss to her head. I had longed for her to be here with me in this bed. To feel her pressed against me.
It wasn’t how I had planned for the evening to end, yet strangely enough, it was even better. The little family I thought of as mine were with me. Sheltered, content, and happy.
It was all I needed.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ROSIE
I woke in the early morning, confused. The last thing I remembered was watching a movie with Asher and AJ. I vaguely recalled being carried and put to bed, Asher’s lips on my forehead telling me to sleep and he would look after AJ.
Currently, I was draped across Asher’s chest, the steady beat of his heart under my ear. He had one arm around me, holding me tight to him. I lifted my head, studying him in the low light. He had his other arm tucked behind his head, his face turned slightly. A low sound escaped his mouth every few seconds, his breathing deep and even. His hair was tousled, and his face was relaxed, his mouth pursing and releasing with his breaths. I carefully eased away, slipping from him, and I used the bathroom, then checked on AJ, who was sleeping hard, curled up in the middle of the bed, his blankets pulled tight around him and his favorite teddy in the crook of his arm.
Then I headed back to Asher. He had frowned in his sleep when I moved away, but he was flat on his back, still slumbering.
Well, most of him was. The comforter was tented, and I bit my lip, holding in my grin. Someone was up and ready to say good morning.
I carefully climbed in beside him, settling close. This bed was heaven, plush yet firm, and I had slept better than I had in months. That deserved a reward.