𝑳𝑨 𝑭𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑬 𝑨𝑼𝑿 𝑭𝑳𝑬𝑼𝑹𝑺

୭̥⋆*｡✽ 𝐥𝐱𝐯𝐢𝐢.

Rose tears open the wrapping paper and squeals in delight when she sees the little wooden jewellery box that is now in her hands. I found it in an antique shop for less than $5. The little painted details, the felt red interior and the golden scrap convinced me to buy, and five minutes after promising myself not to purchase anything, I came out with this in my hands. I spent an entire afternoon thoroughly cleaning it, knowing it'd make a perfect gift for Rose as she always snoops around her mother's jewellery box. Now she has one of her own.

"What do we say sweetheart?" Scarlett pushes her daughter who's a bit too stunned to think or speak, apparently. Though, her reverie passes quickly, and excitement takes over.

"THANK YOU I LOVE IT." She runs out to her room, telling us how she's going to take good care of it and keep it on the bedside table with the rest of her favourite things.

For the first time, Scarlett and I are finally alone. We don't waste any more before leaning in for a kiss. Even though Rose knows, we decided to keep the PDA to a minimum until we're all a bit more comfortable.

"You didn't have to get her something. You're already spoiling her on a daily basis." Scarlett playfully scolds me but I shrug it off. I'll buy Rose anything she wants if that means I get to be on her good side, within reason, and we both know this.

Besides, today is a special day.

"Of course I had to! I'm taking both of my girls on a date, so I had to go all out!" I reason.

Rose comes back with her shoes on this time, but they appeared to be on the wrong feet. It takes a lot of convincing from Scarlett and I to reassure her that it is all okay, we all make mistakes like this and she isn't dumb. She's still learning. "It happens to me too sometimes when I don't pay attention." I eventually say to the sniffling child.

"It does?"

"Yeah! And I'm not dumb, am I?" She shakes her head quickly, almost as if she was taking too long I would be hurt.

We end up ready to go, finally. Shoes are on, last visits to the bathroom before leaving, coats are zipped u– "Rosie, your coat."

Scarlett holds out the pretty pink coat to Rose, who is not having it one bit. "But my outfit!" She whines, stomping her foot.

"Coat. Now." Scarlett holds it open to make it easier for Rose to put it on. The girl begrudgingly slips her arms through the sleeves and watches her mother with a scowl on her face as Scarlett buttons it close to keep her warm enough.

Scarlett slams the door shut behind us before locking it, and we walk behind Rose towards the exit of the building. "I didn't know you had a teenager." I tease with a small smile.

"Ha ha, you're so funny."

"I know, that's my secret talent that made you fall in love with me." She feigns annoyance with an eye roll but the subtle blush apparent on her cheeks and the cheeky smile on her face betrays her almost immediately.

We make it to the busy streets of the city. People are rushing to get back to work from their lunch break, and by fear of losing the small child in between us to the large crowd of passer bys, Scarlett and I opted to hold both her hands. They let me guide them blindly through the streets, but not without Scarlett pestering me every five minutes to ask me where we're going every time to turn a corner. "Ask Lita where we're going. Because she won't tell me, but maybe she'll tell you!" She demands, not so quietly, to the four-year-old who just does as she's told.

"Litaaaaaa?"

"Yes Rooooooose?" I mirror.

"Where are we going?" She voices for Scarlett. She looks up at me with those big doe eyes and her pouty lip, but I won't fall for it. Not this time, I can't. Dates are always a surprise and Rose joining us is not a good enough reason to break this little tradition I have.