Remember When ↠ l.p.

Wasn't expecting that

"Sorry, I let myself in, I thought it would be fine!" Liam hurries to explain himself as he watches my face. "I would have texted I was coming but it was a it spontaneous." He shrugs and smiles down at Tessie, who is still clinging to him. 

"It's fine daddy," she assures him "besides, now you can help us finger paint!"

"Oh ho, you finally gave in eh?" He raises an eyebrow at me. I've still not moved from my spot by the front of the kitchen. His hand is rubbing his stubble uneasily. 

I break into a smile, I am happy to see him of course. He's my friend-emphasis on friend, it's in bold, brightly colored text in my head-and Tessie always loves when he comes over unexpectedly. There's no reason why this should hinder my plans for distance. After all, I expected to still be around him a lot. I'll just have to sort of make it a mental distance instead of a physical one. "I didn't give in!" I protest, taking on a teasing tone. Everything is easier when covered up with sarcasm or humor. " I knew she wanted to do it very badly and I was happy to oblige, I just didn't have anything to put down over the carpet, until yesterday that is." I grin as Tessie starts jumping up and down in excitement. Which makes Liam wince as she's currently standing on his feet.

"Mommy said that we could paint the whole rest of the day..." She pauses "well just while Cailyn is gone and we'll go pick her up. But," she raises a finger and does this cute little smug look that's half a smirk and half a grin, "then more finger painting with Cailyn when we get back. You'll paint too, won't you?" She beams up at Liam and he drops down into a crouch to be at her line of sight.

"Of course I will, as long as Izzy doesn't think that I'll make too much of a mess." He glances towards me and I wave him off as I start to walk around the dining room gathering supplies. "It looks like I'm cleared to join you!" He cheers with her for a moment before taking her hands and looking at her very seriously. "I have one more condition."

"What's the condition?" Tessie asks, a slight wrinkle of worry appearing on her forehead.

"My last condition," he pauses dramatically "is that under no circumstances can you make fun of my paintings." He leans closer and whispers in a loud, breathy whisper, "I don't think I'm very good a painting." He nuzzles her neck and kisses around her ear.

"What's circumstances mean?" She asks, puzzled by the big word.

"It's like..." he stops to think, "well it basically means that no way jose can you make fun of my painting skills." 

"I promise not to make fun of your paintings." Tessie nods solemnly, taking her oath to heart.

"Good then, let's see what we can do to help Izzy to get everything set up!" He jumps up and swings around to face me. "Put us to work ma'am!" He gives me a salute, which Tessie attempts to copy.

"I much prefer ma'am to Izzy," I scold him as I hand him the large sheet we're putting down on the floor. "you still need to come up with a better nickname!" 

I hand Tessie several containers of paint and instruct her to be careful carrying them into the living room. I turn back to Liam just as she leaves the room. He's staring at me with a contemplating look on his face. "How would mommy work? I might as well steal another of Tessie's nicknames, why not?" He glances at his feet. "Unless you feel that isn't really appropriate."

(you should go listen to Jamie Lawson's song "I wasn't expecting that" js)