“I guess we’d better get used to that.” He smiles, his hands coming down to rest upon my hips. In that exact moment she begins crying.
“Shall we?” he asks, pulling me up from the couch with him. I nod, following him into Rosie’s room. She beams at the sight of him.
“I think she might be obsessed with you,” I whisper as he goes to get her.
If possible, the smile eating up his face only grows. “The feeling is mutual,” he whispers to her. My chest feels heavy as Owen speaks with such love and care for her.
Not having to say anything else, he pulls me into him, my head resting upon his shoulder while he cuddles Rosie on his other side. We stand together until Rosie begins to squirm, clearly wanting to have some mat time. Owen leads us over to the floor as we’ve done a million times. Only this time, it’s different. We are different.
Over the next few days, things between Owen and me just fall into place. Nothing has really changed, our day-to-day routine and interactions still the same, except now there is hand-holding and kissing. Stealing little moments together when Rosie is asleep.
If the past week has confirmed anything at all, it’s that Owen and I were living the life of two people in a relationship without the benefits.
I come clean to the girls about Owen and me the day after we get together, not wanting to keep secrets anymore. They understand, telling me they’re surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
A few days later, while Owen’s at work, I’m waiting for the girls to drop by. Around five on the dot Em and Stana buzz in, their arms filled with presents and food. My eyes instantly lock onto the box of Maltesers and I’m happy. Chocolate will win my heart over any day.
They each give me a quick hug before rushing over to Rosie, her fist in her mouth as she eyes them both.
“Look at those rosy cheeks,” Em coos.
“And that head of hair. What baby is born with blonde hair all over!” Stana throws in.
“She really is perfect, Lottie,” Stana says as I rip open the chocolate container and shove some Maltesers in my gob.
“She’s pretty special,” I try to say over all the munching. I think they get the gist due to their grins before they go back to fawning over her.
“You know,” Em begins, “I was going to say I’m sorry you can’t come see the guys perform tonight, but I think you win for plans. I’d way rather be with this little angel.”
The guys have a show at Saint Street tonight, and despite Evie offering to babysit, I just didn’t have the energy to leave her.
“I can’t disagree,” I joke. I walk back into the kitchen and place the Maltesers down. “Gals, do you want a drink?”
“No, I’m okay, thanks,” Stana says.
“Are the lads keen for the show tonight?” I ask, filling up my own glass before joining them on the couch.
“I think so,” Stana says, her attention still on Rosie. “I know Owen is bummed you can’t be there, but it’s Owen so of course he understands.”
“Speaking of Owen,” Em cuts in, “can we get some more clarity on that specific situation?”
I playfully roll my eyes. “It’s complicated, that’s for sure, but at the same time it’s so easy with him. I mean, does that even make any sense?”
“Kinda?” Stana says, not looking entirely sure.
“I guess what I mean is, look at the situation we’re in. I’ve just had a baby; I’ve birthed a literal child and should be in absolutely zero position to be dating, yet I am. Like the situation itself has potential to be extremely messy, but somehow it isn’t.”
“So, you’re officially a couple now or are you still taking it slow?”
I look to Em. “Honestly, we’re taking it day by day. Not a whole lot has changed since we first met, except now I guess we are affectionate with one another. I’m so busy with Rosie that I don’t have time to overthink things. The great thing about Owen is he just gets it. Never puts pressure on or anything.”
“But doesn’t that tell you everything?” Stana grins. “The fact that not a lot has changed since you started your friendship, doesn’t that show you it was more than a friendship to begin with?”
“She’s not wrong,” Stana says.
I nod. “I know you’re right. Owen has always given me that emotional support I’ve needed, even when we weren’t together. Plus he’s amazing with Rosie. You really should see him.” I rub my lips together as I think about the trip we took to Hyde Park yesterday. He’s a natural.
“Oh, trust us,” Em says, “we’ve seen the two of them together. Give Rosie a few years and she and Owen are going to cause you some trouble, Lottie.”
“Oh God.” I laugh. “I just worry I’m putting too much on him too quickly. Like he’s not Rosie’s dad and I would never want him to be giving up everything he loves just to take care of us.” Ugh. I shake my head. “I’m getting ahead of myself. This is still so new.”
Stan’s hand comes to rest upon my own. “We know Owen, and we know he would never commit to something he wasn’t ready for. My advice, don’t overthink it. Keep doing what works for the two of you. It’s no one else’s place to judge that.”
I smile, knowing she is right. In this moment what Owen and I have works, and if that ever starts to change, well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
“God, you should have seen him the other day. He came over here telling me all about this amazing girl he was into, going on and on about her, and despite the fact that I pushed him to be dating, I nearly broke right there!” I
