"Good morning, Larky." I called out to him before turning the light switch on. He was still in bed, all cuddled up with his stuffed animals. I smiled as I walked over to him.
Lark yawned, looking up at me with a sleepy look. "Hi, Lili."
"Are you ready to get up?"
He nodded, pushing some of his blankets down. I helped him out of bed and got him changed into today's clothes. He helped me pick them out, as usual, seemingly having his dad's good taste in clothes.
"Lili." He gently held onto my hair as I carried him downstairs.
"Yes, Lark?"
"My ear hurts."
"How long has it been hurting?" I rubbed his back, carefully walking down the stairs.
"Early."
"When you woke up?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, Lark. I'll call the doctor and get you an appointment so you can feel better." I set him down on the hardwood, walking over to the kitchen. "What would you like for breakfast?"
"Crepes!" He smiles widely, crawling up onto the couch.
"You had crepes yesterday, Larky. You can't possibly want more."
"I do!"
"Fine, but you'll have some explaining to do to your daddy."
"What is there to explain?" I glanced over to see Marco walking down the stairs.
"Lark wants crepes. Again."
Marco chuckled. "I suppose I can deal with that. But we can't have them three days in a row."
"Aw." Lark pouted. "But I like them."
Breakfast went over fine, other than Lark complaining about his ear still. I wasn't sure what else to do but call the doctor and set up an appointment. Marco went off to work, and after cleaning up, I called the doctor, scheduling an appointment for next week.
Lark and I settled down with watching TV while I did some homework that was due today. Lark was cuddled up next to me like a cat in a little ball. I found it particularly endearing.
I wasn't sure I really wanted a kid until I took care of Lark. Taking care of my siblings was a chore more than anything, but taking care of Lark was genuinely enjoyable. I wouldn't even mind having another one with Marco, building our own little family.
My eyes widened as I realized what I just admitted to myself. We hadn't had any conversation taking about us having more than sex, and yet here I was, getting my hopes up. I sighed, shaking my head and turning my attention back to my homework.
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My knee bounced nervously as I glanced over at Lark. He was holding his ear, tears still welling up in his eyes. His cheeks were tear-stained from crying for so long. After watching TV for a while, Lark began crying about his ear. I called Marco and asked him what I should do since the doctor's appointment wasn't until next week. Marco told me to take him to urgent care instead. So here I am in the urgent care room with an injured toddler.
I looked over at the door as a woman walked in and not Marco. He said he was leaving work early to meet us here but had yet to show up. I had already filled out the paperwork, so that wasn't the issue, but I'm sure Lark would feel better with his dad by his side.
Lark pulled on my sleeve, causing me to look back over at him. "Lap." He simply said, causing me to huddle him into my lap and against my chest. Lark buried his face and began crying again, soaking my top. I ran my fingers through his hair gently, trying to keep him calm with coos, but nothing seemed to really help the poor kid.
"Lark Wolfe." The front desk attendant called his name. I got up and carried him over. We were lead to a room where Lark was checked up. Part way though him getting his ears checked, Marco made his way into the room. He smiled gently at me and mouthed a thank you. He took a spot in the seats next to me, reaching over to gently take my hand.
After the check-up and getting the prescription, we were let out. Marco and I headed home separately, as he headed to the store to pick up his prescription ear drops from the pharmacy.
"How are you feeling, Larky?" I asked as I hoisted him out of the car seat.
"It hurts."
"I bet." I nodded. "But you'll be feeling better soon enough. Daddy's gonna get you your medicine, and then you'll be feeling normal again."
Lark and I huddled back up on the couch, waiting for Marco to get home, watching some TV. Eventually, he got home with the prescription, which, as a team, we administered to Lark. Lark eventually winded down and started his midday nap, leaving Marco and me alone for a little bit.
"Are you going back to work?" I quietly asked as Lark was currently asleep on my lap.
"I…" He thought for a moment. "No. I'll take the rest of the day off. I might have to do a few things, but I'll spend the rest of the day home with you two."
"That sounds nice." I smiled, liking the idea of a lowkey day with him.
----
After a nice casual day of the three of us hanging out at home and doing some art and crafts, it was time for Lark to go to bed. Marco and I read him a story, reading in different funny voices that seemed to get a kick out of Lark. After some time and finishing the story, Lark finally drifted off to sleep, prompting Marco and me to pack up and leave him to his sleep. In the hallway, after closing the door behind us, we were left close to each other, uncertainty in the air.
"Lili." Marco finally broke the silence. "I'd like for you to sleep with me tonight. No sex needed."
"That…" I rubbed my arm before smiling up at him, "would be really nice."
"Good." He smiled back at me, leading the way to his room. "You'd make a wonderful mother, Lili." He turned to face me as he began unbuttoning his shirt.
"I think you make a wonderful dad, Marco." I laughed quietly. "But thank you. I'm glad you took a gamble on me, and it paid off."
"In spades." He nodded, walking over to me to kiss me gently. "I'm lucky to have found you."
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