The first time you noticed Robert’s jealousy with little Sundae was when you two came home from a date. Sundae made little grabby hands towards you, offering sweet open mouth kisses, and then she was back to reaching for Cherry. You watch as Robert bites at his lips awkwardly, and then walks to the kitchen for a drink.
The second time was when both men had been out doing some “business” for the sheriff. Upon returning Sundae crawls quickly over to Cherry, sitting up and reaches towards him. Robert wasn’t that calm. He grunts, pushing past Cherry to pick up the small girl.
Sundae gets one look at him, her face curls up before she reaches for Cherry again. Reluctantly Robert hands her over, storming off to the backyard, slamming the door behind him. You and Cherry both look at each other awkwardly. “I got this,” you tell him, following Robert outside. “She’s just a baby you know.”
“I never wanted this life,” Robert’s voice is nearly a whisper. The grittiness is no longer present. “Never wanted one woman every day, definitely never wanted a kid. And here we are. Every time I look at her and she chooses him over me...I should have been here.”
“Where would we have been if you didn’t go to prison?” Robert looks over at you. You can tell he’s running through the millions of things that could have happened had they not followed through with The Plan. “Maybe Cherry needs to go on vacation for a week or so. You stay at the house.”
His blue eyes stare off into the distance. You have no idea that he wants to add a playground for your small daughter. Thinking about how he can make your home more enjoyable for her. “Alright, Freezy baby. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“’M not good enough to be her father. Cherry’s a good man.”
“And Cherry is her uncle. You’re her dad, so it doesn’t matter what you think. Quit your pouting. It’s going to take work, because she has bonded with Cherry. This is what you’re gonna do. When she’s around you’re going to be soft. You’re going to pay attention to her. You’re going to start changing diapers, and feeding her. You’re going to spend time with just you and her. You’re not going to raise your voice.”
“And you think all that is going to work?” he offers a small smile.
“I do. If you want it to. I want her to recognize that you are her dad. She loves you when you’re being sweet.”
“I’m not sweet Pretty Girl,” walking over to him you sit in his lap. Laying your head against his shoulder, you begin petting his arm. “And then you do shit like this and I’m reminded of how fucking soft you’ve made me.”
“Be sweet to her then. Should we send Cherry away for a week or so?”
With a quick kiss to your cheek, he looks at you, “Not yet. How long do you think we have before Cherry comes looking for us?”
