KAYSEN*

Cora walked into the room crying; that was close. Two minutes earlier and she would have walked in on us while we were naked. However, I’m glad she walked in after Tanner had finished dressing. It would have been mortifying if Cora had caught Tanner and me in the act. 

I could kick myself for giving in to Tanner so quickly, but I couldn’t help it. My mind, body, and heart go haywire any time he’s around. I thought if he came here, it would make it easier for me not to attack him like I did tonight. But apparently living with my parents and having my two-year-old down the hall didn’t seem to keep me from having sex with him, anyway. And it wasn’t just sex this time, either. Tanner has actually made love to me and it was amazing. Everything is so much more intense than when I was with Michael. Maybe because I was so young and Michael was my first love.

Tanner removed himself from my belly and sat up, and Cora rubbed her eyes. I got up from my bed and walked over to Cora.

“Mommy, who’s he?” Cora asked as she pointed at Tanner.

“His name is Tanner; he is a good friend of mommy’s; you will meet him again soon. For now, let’s go change your pull-up and get you some milk, and mommy will rock you,” I said as I ushered Cora out the door.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t forget the water I got for you on the nightstand,” I told Tanner as Cora and I made our way to her room.

Cora’s pull-up was dry, so I took her to the bathroom, and then we made our way to the kitchen, and I made her some warm milk. After I had heated the milk and put the liquid into a sippie-cup, we made our way back to my room.

Tanner walked around looking at all of my books and High School achievements as I rocked Cora back to sleep. Then I took her back to her room and laid her in her bed. I walked back to my room to see that Tanner had gotten back in the bed, waiting for me to return.

“Cora is a beautiful little girl; she’ll have me wrapped around her finger in no time,” Tanner said as he patted the bed for me to lay next to him.

“Cora has that effect on anyone who wanders into her path,” I said and smiled.

“I bet you all have her spoiled rotten. My niece Adelaide is her age, and she’s a handful; she wants for nothing,” Tanner said, and yawned.

“We need to get them together so they can have a play date. Cora has friends at church, but other than that, she’s home with me all the time. It would be nice for her to have a friend to play with more than twice a week at church,” I said and cuddled up next to Tanner.

“So you are the church-going type, then I take it? My cousin Blaze and brother Jace have been trying to talk me into going with them, but church isn’t my thing. More power to you, though; I wouldn’t dream of keeping you from going, Kaysen.” 

“Since before I was born, I’ve always gone to church. I got saved and baptized when I was twelve years old, the most fantastic feeling I’ve ever had in my life. Having Jesus in my life is essential; I would be lost without him. Don’t worry, I would never pressure you into going to church, but you should try it, Tanner. You would find that life is much easier to live with Jesus in your life,” I said, and Tanner nodded his head in acknowledgment.

“Maybe someday I’ll go with you; I’m not ready right now, though.” 

“I understand; I’m here for you when you feel you are ready. You would enjoy my church; they have a live band and everything. It’s so big that they have two services. My parents and I go to the latest service which starts at noon. Most people go to the eleven o’clock service because they go to Bible study beforehand.”

“Anyway, it’s getting pretty late; I would let you stay since Cora has already somewhat met you. But I’m not sure how my mom would react; not good, most likely. My mother is high-strung and judgmental; I fear for your safety if she catches you here,” I said as I sat up so that Tanner could leave.

“I understand. I’m due at the office at eight, and I brought nothing with me, so I would need to go home anyway,” Tanner said as he moved to the edge of the bed and put his shoes on.

“Ok, that’s perfect then; I’ll walk you to the door. I would walk you out to your truck, but I have nosy neighbors. I’m sure they already saw you coming in the back door, but it is what it is,” I said as we left my room and made our way to the kitchen so that I could let Tanner out.

I quietly opened the door for Tanner, and he took my lips to his.

“Perhaps tomorrow night I could come to get you and Cora, and we could go to Mr. Gatti’s for pizza and fun?” Tanner asked me after I broke the kiss.

“That would be great. We don’t have any plans, and it would give you and Cora a good chance to get to know one another,” I said, and Tanner and I both smiled.

“It’s a date then. I’ll be here after six sometime. It depends on when I’ll have a chance to leave the office,” Tanner said, and I watched him walk off.

TANNER*

I can’t believe I’m going to be a father, and Kaysen had agreed to go on a date. Our relationship is evolving so quickly. If it were anyone else other than Kaysen, I would have blown a gasket.

Cora was cute, with her curly auburn hair and Kaysen’s sky-blue eyes. Her chubby cheeks must get pinched by old ladies all the time. I can already sense that I’ll be spoiling her beyond what she already is. I can’t wait to get to know Cora better. That can be difficult with a two-year-old because of their limited vocabulary; luckily, I have had a lot of practice dealing with two-year-olds.

*****

By five-thirty, I could leave the office. I busted my ass today to get all of my calls and paperwork done quicker than usual. I texted Kaysen to tell her I got off early and would be there by six.

I hurried home and changed into a t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes and then took off towards Kaysen’s house. She doesn’t live too far from me, which was nice. I could see us having some late nights now and then.

KAYSEN*

I’ve gotten Cora and me ready, and we sat in the living room with my parents as they watched the five o’clock news. I will never understand how they could sit here every night and watch two hours of the news. It drives me crazy.

I jumped up quickly when the doorbell chimed and ran to answer the door. Tanner stood there in a t-shirt and blue jeans that showed off his corded muscles perfectly. If things work out between us, I’ll wake up to seeing his perfection daily. I can’t wait; he better not screw me over again. I might just go insane if he does.

“Hi Tanner, come in. Maybe my parents will turn off the news long enough to meet you and chat for a moment,” I said as I grabbed his hand and brought him through the door.

“Mom, Dad, I would like for you to meet Tanner Cunningham, my uh, good friend. He going to take Cora and me to get pizza,” I said, and my dad turned off the flat screen.

As predicted, my mother embarrassingly gushed over Tanner. It took us thirty minutes to leave, and I wanted to get away from there as soon as possible. My dad eventually saved us both by turning the television back on and telling mom to let Tanner and me leave.

Cora has taken a shine to Tanner; it seems he was good around children. She had stuck to him like glue once he had arrived. I saw that as a good sign. If something happened and they didn’t get along, that would be a deal-breaker for me. But I don’t think I’ll need to worry about that.

Tanner had brought me a single rose and Cora a doll. I never saw him as being a romantic, but obviously, I was wrong.

Tanner put Cora’s car seat into the back seat of his massive truck and put Cora into her seat, securing her in the restraints and then helped me climb in before getting in himself, and we took off.

***

The night was perfect. Tanner did all the right things and had dropped Cora and me off by eight-thirty so that I could get her down for bed. When he left, I felt a longing for him to stay.

I know Tanner has talked about us moving in with one another, but I’m not ready for that. I do, however, think it’s a good time for Cora and me to have a place of our own. That way, Tanner could come over and stay the night at any time he wanted. It’s time for me to move out of my parents’ place. I never should have stayed so long anyway and I want Cora and me to spend uninterrupted time with Tanner, without my mother being so clingy.