She was sweet. And too good for me. She'd realize that when she decided she should head back to school. She'd remember all the reasons why she had a bright future ahead of her and shouldn't waste her time with me.
But selfishly, I'd enjoy every minute I got to spend with her.
"Everything turned out okay this time." I didn't hold out hope that Oakley wouldn't have a tantrum at some point, but right now, her attorney was reining her in.
Blake moved so we could watch Lilliana in the water. She was playing with her toys, not worried about her parents' visitation schedule. That's what I wanted for her. I wanted a nice, stable life where she could look forward to seeing both of us. I hoped it would become reality, and that the mediator, or judge if it came to that, would see through Oakley's bullshit.
Every morning before I left for work, I checked in on a sleeping Lilliana before I grabbed my packed lunch and to-go coffee mug.
Blake sent me messages and images throughout the day, so I felt like I was with them on their excursions to the beach, the library, and the playground. In the evenings, the girls greeted me. Then I made dinner while they played nearby.
I enjoyed our little routine and getting back to work. I felt more confident about my plan to push for more consistent visitation and a legal custody order.
At breakfast on Saturday, I said, "We should do something together as a family."
Blake raised a brow.
I hated to resort to our fake relationship, but I wanted to spend time with Blake and Lilliana. "We haven't done anything together this week. We want people to see us out and about."
Blake nodded in understanding. "What do you want to do?"
"We could go to the beach, ride bikes around the island, or go to the craft fair at the community center."
"I read about the fair in the flyers around town. Let's do that, and then we can go to the beach after her nap."
I winked at Blake. "That sounds like the perfect day."
Her face flushed slightly, and I wondered if I had an effect on her. I was a little rusty on my dating game, but I felt like there was an attraction there that wasn't one-sided. But it was probably the fact that she was living with me. This wasn't a normal relationship, where we dated and then I dropped her off at the end of the night. We were living together, which made things easier and harder.
It highlighted my attraction to her, but I had to keep a tight lid on it because we weren't supposed to be real. I had to remember that her time here was limited. She could decide to go back to school at any time.
She didn't have plans to stay on the island. There was nothing keeping her here.
The predictability of a new visitation schedule coming out of mediation had me hoping for smooth sailing ahead. Maybe we wouldn't end up in a court case. If things were easily resolved, there wouldn't be a reason for Blake and me to pretend to be together anymore.
I'd let Blake out of this arrangement, and she'd be free to do whatever she wanted. There was nothing holding her here.
We finished breakfast, and then I got Lilliana dressed while Blake disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on, and I tried not to think about the fact that she was naked in there. That the water was touching her skin.
I nearly groaned out loud at the thought. Instead of playing with Lilliana in her room like I'd planned, I took her to the playroom where the shelf I'd built had filled with canvases they'd painted throughout the week.
The ones that Lilliana did were mainly splashes of color, but I could see where Blake had taught her a few techniques with sponges and brushes. Whenever I thought about Blake leaving, my chest tightened.
She was good for Lilliana and me. She made me see that I could have a healthy relationship. That what I shared with Oakley was toxic and destructive. I wouldn't fall into a relationship like that again.
But I wasn't so sure I deserved someone as good as Blake. She had her whole life ahead of her.
I pulled out blocks, and Lilliana enjoyed stacking them and then knocking them down, over and over again. I couldn't help but think how nice it would be for her to have a sibling to play with. But that wasn't something that would happen any time soon.
No one would want to date a single dad whose ex caused so many issues. I had to get a handle on this situation with Oakley before I even thought about dating someone new.
I heard the water shut off and then the blow dryer turn on. Did she dry her hair naked? Now why was I thinking about that?
If she knew what I was imagining, she'd walk out of my life.
I snapped some photos of Lilliana, and then a video to send to my parents.
Oakley: You need to send pictures of Lilliana throughout the day or set up a shared photo album.
