Braxton

"Where mommy?" Cora wakes up and stretches in her bed.

"She's taking a little nap, are you hungry?" I can tell she would rather be with Emily and that kills me, but it's who she really knows.

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll grab some soup." I walk to the kitchen and warm up a small bowl of the chicken noodle soup I brought over.

When the microwave beeps, I grab some napkins and bring it up to Cora.

"Help me?" Her tiny voice shows her exhaustion, so I spoon feed it into her mouth.

She eats quite a bit of the soup that I brought and then she shakes her head, to tell me she's done.

"Thank you, Daddy."

Did she just? Did she say DADDY?

"Buttercup, did you just call me Daddy?" I swear I probably look crazy, I'm smiling like a lunatic. I can't even try to care though, she just called me her dad!

"Yeah, is that okay?" her voice is getting softer, so I know she's gonna fall asleep soon.

"Of course it is. I love you, Cora." She doesn't hear the last part though because she is already out.

I watch her sleep for a little while, before I go check on Emily. She has been asleep for a few hours now, so I'm glad I came and gave her a break. Especially, since Cora called me 'daddy'.

I walk into the Em's room to find her cuddled up in a ball. I decide to take a nap with her.

I crawl in behind her and wrap my arms around her, she instantly curls into me. Even in sleep she knows we are the real deal. Now I just need to get her on board when she's awake.

I fall asleep quickly to the calming breath of Em.

***

When I wake up, Em isn't in my arms anymore. I paused for a moment, listening for her, but then I heard the sound of puking.

I rush to her bathroom to see her hunched over the toilet.

"Go away please, I don't want you to see this."

"Nope, I'm here for both of you. Tell me what you need." My voice is strong and unwavering, I'm not going anywhere.

"Ugh, fine. Maybe some saltines and can you check on Cora again?" She's finally leaning on me and I'm incredibly relieved.

After making sure Cora is still deep in slumber, I collect the box of crackers and go back to the master bath.

I find Em leaning against the tub.

"Here are some crackers. Let me get you a washcloth, hot or cold." I walk to the closet and pick up one of the teal washcloths.

"Cold, thank you." She opens the crackers and eats a few.

I run the water until it turns cold and then rinse out the rag.

"Here, are you done for now?" I lay the cloth on her forehead and she sighs.

"I think I'm done." I lean over and pick her up bridal style.

"What are you doing?" She asks completely dumbfounded.

"I'm carrying you to bed."

"I can walk." She is so determined to push me away, but eventually she'll learn nothing could drag me away from them.

"Please, just let me help you. I enjoy having you in my arms, right where you belong." She stops arguing, so I take that as a good sign and lay her in the bed. I crawl in behind her and wrap my arms around her again.

"I want to make us official. I want to be able to call you my girlfriend and know that you understand how much I care about you."

"Are you serious?" She seems to doubt my words, so I kiss her forehead.

"Yes, I want this Em. I want you and Cora. Will you be my girlfriend?" She waits for a beat and it kills me.

"Yes, Braxton. I want that too." Her voice seems to get even softer.

She drifts off again and I lie there content to hold her.

I imagine the future we could have together. Asking for her father's hand, getting down on one knee, watching her walk toward me in a white dress. I can even picture her with a round belly, carrying our second child. I never thought of that as something I wanted, but now that I know my girls, everything changed.

I want to marry Em and grow our family with Cora.