Scarlett's POV:
As much as I was living the snuggles, I knew our waitress would be coming back to take our order at any moment. Reluctantly, I pulled Carter away from me so I could see her face. She was not happy. In fact, I was met with the most adorable attempt at a scowl, her eyes narrowed at me and her lips forming a pout.
'I know, darling. But I need to know what you'd like to eat before the lady comes back.' I tried to sooth her, although the sad scowl assured me my attempt made no effort in placating her.
'Please, baby.', I continued, 'We can snuggle as soon as you tel me what you want.'
She huffed, clearly unhappy that I was holding her so she couldn't just cuddle back into me instead of answering. I looked at her softly, pleading for an answer with my eyes. She pouted her lips as she thought of a response. I struggled to not let out an audible 'awe' at how cute she was. God was this kid adorable. And she doesn't even try.
She looked back to me before slowly pointing, well more like poking my chest. It took a moment before it clicked in my head as I realized what she meant.
'You want me to pick for you?' I checked with her. She slowly nodded looking at me. It's safe to say she was exhausted from today. The only evidence I needed was clearly shown in her ever so slightly drooping eyes. Only slightly since she seemed to be fighting with herself and her body.
'Ok, how about just the classic beef tacos? That's what Rosie used to get.' I suggest and she just nods trying to move closer, ultimately whining in defeat when my hands don't budge from their placement on her hips.
I simply shush her pulling her into me to calm her nerves. While I hate to admit it, and I may never acknowledge it aloud, at least for the foreseeable future, her seeming dependence on me and attachment having grown so quickly does concern me. For someone so opposed to meeting me up to just over 24 hours ago, to now be so attached to the point of being upset due to my absence or insufficient physical comfort, it truly does worry me.
I understand the conversation Colin and I had, however it doesn't fully explain why a five year old would be struggling this much with attachment issues. Whether she knows it or not, the extent our relationship has developed to in such a short amount of time is unfortunately unhealthy.
I do not wish for it to stop though. I really do feel a strong connection to the little girl that's currently snuggled into my chest, as she plays with my hand. I just feel like I'm missing something major right now. Something that I will figure out, because it's proved a great impact on one of my babies and for that I must know what I have to protect her from.
Although, I will say she seems to be acting much more herself today, especially right now. Even if I've only known her for so long, I feel like I have a great way of reading her, it must be the maternal instincts I have for her.
Somehow they're much stronger than the ones I have for Rose. I blame her being a daddy's girl. Kid would not pick me first for any reason. She loves me and we still have our moments, and I wouldn't change her given the chance. I love her endlessly, and it just means I have to cherish our moments a little more.
But what I've learned so far is the true Carter is just a five year old who needs a little more love, some patience, and lots of cuddles. Physical touch seems to be her biggest need or love language. It provides her great comfort even in the simplest ways.
I've also learned that she's truly a shy little thing. Fairly quiet except for with Rose. They both have a soft spot for each other. It's cute. But Carter is quiet I think she's just like that. It's what makes her, well her, and boy do I love her. Every part of her. But especially this Carter. The real Carter. My Carter.
I could feel her rubbing her eyes as she dropped my hand and started to snuggle further into me, and while I wished this moment could continue, I knew she'd fall asleep. Unfortunately, I couldn't let her fall asleep. It would just make things more complicated.
I pulled her from my chest, once again earning a whine of protest. 'I know love, but I can't have you falling asleep on me. We've got to get something in that little tummy of yours and if you fall asleep you won't want to wake up again.'
She pouted at me through her tired eyes. I wanted to cave. It was hard not to. But I had to be strong. I couldn't say yes to her all the time. I could already tell I would most of the time, but I had to have some form of dignity here.
Her struggle to get fully back to her source of comfort, aka me, was quickly interrupted as the waitress came to get our orders. We were quick to let her know before I resumed the disagreement with the little girl on my lap.
'Ok, we can make a deal.' I said. That caught her attention fast as she stopped leaning towards me to make eye contact.
I continued, 'We can keep cuddling but you can't fall asleep, and if you start to you have to sit on your own. Deal?'
She nodded almost immediately, though I'm quite positive she missed the whole second part. I sighed gently as I pulled her back against me, holding just as she needed. She leaned into my chest, undoubtedly listening to my heartbeat and playing with my necklace.
I tried to make conversation with her in hopes of keeping her awake but found it difficult as she barely answered. I made note in my head that tired Carter was majorly nonverbal. I could feel her beginning to fall asleep and reluctantly pulled her off of me, sitting her beside me.
I heard her whimper and looked down to a heartbreaking sight. Her eyes were glossed over, hands reaching out for me, as she tried to get free of my grasp to climb back onto my lap. I moved my hands to her arms as I held them against the front of her body.
I leaned down to be level with her, 'Baby, we had a deal. I know you're upset right now, but I promise as soon as you've eaten your dinner I will hold you. Our food will be here soon.'
She sniffled as she leaned her head towards mine, her forehead coming just against my chin. I leaned down to place a soft but long kiss on her forehead in hopes of settling her a little.
'I'm so proud of you, lovebug.' I told her, attempting to distract her. It was true nonetheless, I was very proud of her. I watched as she looked up at me, the shock barely evident in her eyes.
'You were so brave today. You went on a new adventure and had a lot of new experiences. It was very overwhelming and I think you did so well. You've been such a good girl all day, hmm.' I explained to her. She liked at me with such adoration as I smiled gently pushing some strands of fallen hair behind her ears.
'You really have, baby. You've been so good.' I told her while kissing her head once again. She thought for a moment before reaching for me once again. Well mission failed I guess. I shook my head at her arm d she pouted again, ultimately crossing her arms and turning away obviously trying to express her anger towards me.
I allowed her to move uninterrupted, thinking it would just keep her awake until our food came. I watched her as she drank her drink and played with the straw wrapper, while talking to Colin about whatever. Rose was distracted by the sugar packets, playing whatever game her incredible imagination had come up with.
I was pulled from my conversation as I began to notice til he squirming of Carter beside me. I leaned over to get her attention but she avoided me. I used two fingers to gently turn her head, tilting it up to face me, however she closed her eyes.
I leaned down pecking her pouty lips to hopefully make her smile even a little bit. I could see the corner of her lips turn up ever so slightly as she obviously fought the urge to smile.
She opened her eyes, 'you gave me a kissy.' She sounded almost as if she was questioning whether it happened or not.
'Yes, I did.' I reassured her.
She paused in thought for a moment, 'More?'
I complied with her request leaning down to peck her lips a couple more times. Her lips turning into a smile, happy with my answer. That was before they immediately fell into a frown, well more like another pout but she was trying her best.
'Hey, that's not fair!' She pouted.
'Why not?' I asked.
'I supposeds to be mad, but you gave me kissies. You can'ts do that.' She shook her head at me in clear disapproval.
'I can't have my baby mad at me.' I responded, smiling and kissing her lips once again. She pouted after, although I could tell she didn't want to. I just smiled at her, happy to have these little moments.
A/N: Hey, lovelies. How you doing? It's been a bit. Please don't be mad. I literally forced myself to write this but it's whatever. It's cute. I hope you enjoy. Please leave suggestions. I've got some ideas but also like none. Anyways, I enjoy all your comments and appreciate the support even if I'm kinda sucky with my updates. Ok, maybe not kinda, just sucky. Seriously tough, thank you so much!
Love,
EJ <3