I him while Aster and I eat our lunch of macaroni and cheese, and grapes -Aster's favorite. Ever since she started eating some solid foods, she has loved macaroni and cheese. Because of that, we normally eat it about 3 times a week. She gets so giddy whenever I make it, it just warms my heart.

Later that night, after dinner, I give Aster a quick bath, then I get her changed into her adorable leopard print pajamas. I gently set her down in her crib, and I kiss her forehead. She falls asleep without fussing, which I'm grateful for. It seems like Cole and I wore her out today.

I get changed into a pair of comfy cotten shorts and an old summer camp tee shirt.

I fall backwards onto my bed, which makes a little bit of racket. Oops! Aster makes a little whimpering cry. I silently pray that she'll stay asleep. She does, and after a moment she stops whimpering. I am eternally grateful.

While she's sleeping, and since it's still pretty early, I rummage through the things on my desk and find my job application for a diner that I still haven't filled out. I study it, holding the blank form out at different angles. I still have no idea how to fill out the stupid thing. Maybe I'll ask Cole tomorrow.

I put the form back on my desk, and fall asleep thinking about how a date with Aster, Cole, and I would go. It seems absolutely perfect.

When I wake up the next morning, without thinking, I grab my phone and text Cole.

Me: Yes
Cole: Really?
Me: Yes

I put my phone down and make a breakfast of scrambled eggs and pancakes.

When Aster wakes up, I change her dirty diaper and carry her downstairs to eat breakfast. "That was stinky! How can such a sweet little girl create such stinkiness?" She giggles, and I  place her in her high chair at the table. I walk around the table to the stove. I scoop a small portion of the scrambled eggs onto one of her plastic plates from the cabinet and I set the plate in front of her.

Aster finishes her breakfast, and I clean up the kitchen and we go up to our bedroom. My phone rings. It's Cole, so I pick it up.
"Willow?"
"Hey, what's up?"
"I texted you like ten times immediately after you texted me back and you never replied. I thought something happened."
"No, I'm fine."
"Why didn't you answer then?"
"Sorry, Aster woke up, then I fed her."
"Oh yeah...I forgot about Aster for a minute there."

I hang up right after he says that. I regret saying yes. I can't date someone who forgets about my top priority.

I get Aster and her backpack, and I start walking to the park.

When we get there, Aster plays in the grass for a short while, then I gather up her blanket and toys, and we walk over to the baby swings.

From the moment I put her in the swing, she has been giggling hysterically. I love her tiny little laugh.

Since I've hung up on Cole earlier, I've gotten fifteen calls, which I rejected. I also have gotten nine texts, which I've ignored.

I push the swing Aster is sitting in while I click the reject button again.

After another five minutes, I gently grab Aster's swing to make it stop slowly. I take her out of it.

I grab her backpack, swing it over my shoulder, and get her situated eating a plastic bag full of cheerios. 

I pick her back up and start walking home. I don't care if she drops a couple cheerios, I just can't risk seeing Cole here.

I hurry to the park exit. I know I'm just being paranoid, but I don't want to talk to him.

"Willow? Is that you?" I hear Cole behind me. I walk as fast as I can with a baby on my hip.

It doesn't take him very long to catch up to us. he grabs my free arm, and I stop walking. "Let go. She needs a nap." I say. It's partially true, but if I tried to get her to go to sleep, she probably wouldn't.

"Willow, please," he sighs. "I don't even know what I did wrong." He looks at me with those piercing green eyes. It's like he can see right though me. "Is it about what I said about Aster?" She perks up at him saying her name. "Is it because I said I forgot about her?" I nod. "Willow, I was just joking. I'm really sorry." I smile. "You know I love Aster." She looks between us both, then she reaches her arms out to Cole. "Can I hold her?" He asks, even though she clearly wants him too. I nod, and hand her to him.