Ellie sat in front of her canvas, completely lost in her sister’s memory. She hadn’t seen her in over four months. She worried how she was, if she was finally happy, if she was fine and especially if she still hated her. Ellie had tried to contact her, but after a few times of rejecting her calls, emails and letters, Ellsa changed her phone number, her email and her mailing address. She’d shut Ellie out of her life completely, as if she had been wronged, when it was the other way round!
But that didn’t stop Ellie from missing her or feeling guilty. Ellie had a family, but she was all Ellsa had. Her parents would be disappointed in them, fighting over a man.
But he isn’t any man! He is the father of my daughter and my fiancé! Ellie thought to herself.
She raised her left hand and looked at the big, but subtle diamond ring on her finger. Dale had proposed only days after the incident. Ellie felt like it was his way of ensuring himself of her love. She said yes, but it was a hesitant yes. But there was nothing hesitant about the intense lovemaking after. That was his way of ensuring her of his love. She was reassured alright, five times.
“The canvas is still blank. You are either thinking of a wedding date or you are thinking of Ellsa.” Carson spoke, behind her.
He’d been standing there for a while, watching her inner turmoil reflect on her face. He wished there was a way he could comfort her, but he knew nothing would help, except seeing Ellsa again. He didn’t want that, ever.
Ellie turned around on her stool and gave him a quick tight smile, “Where is Stacey-Ann?”
Carson moved to stand next to her, “In her room trying to climb her dresser. She’s been doing that a lot lately. And to think she’s just learned how to crawl.”
She leaned her head against his belly and wrapped her arms around his waist, “She’s eight months old. She’s getting curious.”
Carson rubbed her shoulders, “At least she’s not putting bugs in her mouth anymore.”
Ellie chuckled, “You wish!”
Carson took a deep breath. He wished he didn’t have to bring it up, but Ellie being down was bringing him down too. She should be in the nursery, taking a video of her daughter trying to climb her dresser and then most definitely fall on her ass! But she was here, staring at a blank canvas, pouting. “You want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“It might help.”
“It won’t.”
He unclasped her hold, pulled another stool over and sat across from her. “I just told you, your daughter is trying to climb her dresser and all you did is hug me and tell me she’s curious. You need to get out of this rut, for Stacey-Ann’s sake.”
She blinked back the tears, “I’m not doing this on purpose.” She whispered.
He stroked her cheek, “I know you love your sister and you miss her desperately, despite what she’s done. But do you think she is moping around as much as you are?”
She shook her head.
“Then, why are you making us suffer for her selfishness?”
“Dale…”
He placed his palms on her cheeks. “We are here. Your friends are here and your family is here. Be here with us Ellie. Please. If it will make you feel better, I’ll invite Daniel over more often.”
Ellie chuckled, wiping a stray tear away, “You two don’t like each other.”
“Like is an overstatement, but I’m willing to do anything to make you happy again. Even if it means… finding your sister.” Carson tried to sound like he really meant it.
Ellie’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at him, “I can never tell if you are lying or telling the truth.”
Carson smiled, “It is part of my day job.”
“Aha,” Ellie said, climbing onto his laps and then kissing him deeply, “Well, your other shift has started, soon to be hubby.”
Carson smiled. He never thought he’d liked hearing that word. But from Ellie’s lips, anything she called him would sound like precious music to his ears. “So when would you like to get married?”
She rubbed her nose against his, “As soon as possible.”
“How does tomorrow sound?”
She kissed him lightly on the lips. “Too soon, not enough time to plan. How about this weekend?”
He pulled away slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, “Are you serious?”
“Very.” She slid closer to his hips, as the desire to have him ravish her increased.
Carson ran his hands up and down her thighs lightly at first making her shiver. The sound of her purr made his desire more urgent. He tightened his grip on her, his fingers digging into her flesh as he pulled her harder against him. Suddenly all the clothes they had on began to feel like a barrier. Ellie echoed his thought when she hurriedly began to unfasten his belt. He moaned, glad she was wearing a dress.
And then it was all over.
Ellie whined as she pulled away prompted by Stacey-Ann’s crying. “But right now your other, most important boss is calling you.” She moved back onto her stool.
Carson grunted as he stood up, “Five more minutes, that’s all I wanted.”
Ellie laughed, “Make sure she isn’t badly hurt and then come to the bedroom. We’ll turn those five minutes into half an hour.” She teased.
Carson smiled, giving her a quick kiss before he left, “I can’t believe we missed that.”
“No we didn’t. There are wide angled cameras in her room. We can watch her fall on her ass as many times as we want.”
Carson laughed, “A gag video at the expense of your daughter!”
“That… and the fact that daddy has a very scary day job.” Ellie spoke, her voice coated with worry.
Carson recognized it immediately, because he too was having nightmares about his day job. Ellie didn’t know, but he had a gun strapped under Stacey-Ann’s bed and other furniture around the apartment. The alarm and the motion sensors were fine, they gave Ellie a sense of security, but he knew better.
He picked up his daughter and kissed her wet cheeks. “Girls are supposed to play with dolls not climb stuff.” He held her close, stroking her tiny back. He felt his heart melt when she hugged him back, holding onto his large neck with her tiny hands. “But it’s okay. Daddy is going to be here to pick you up every time you fall, and then laugh as he watches it on tape over and over again. But I still love you very much.”