Always, Tulip

??Twenty-five

The cookies were slightly burnt though.

I tried not to think of what had transpired leading to that as I helped Mayella sit up and brought her glass of milk to her small pretty hands.

Mayella and I moved to pick a cookie at the same time but Grey's voice stopped us, making us turn towards him. "Careful baby, they are still hot."

He wasn't looking at Mayella.

I turned scarlet as he squatted in front of us and took out two cookies. He softly blew across them then handed them to us after assuring that they were warm enough.

Reece snickered beside us and Grey clasped his arm over his shoulder driving him towards the kitchen. I watched them leave and I smiled to myself.

I helped Mayella balance her glass while I slowly sipped the milk. Grey and Reece came out once they were done talking.

Reece gulped down his cup then swallowed a whole cookie at once. He came to Mayella's side, straightening her hair for a bit.

"Maya I have to leave now but Grey will take you home, okay?" She nodded once and Grey whispered that it was about work, having already taken the spot beside me.

"See you tomorrow baby sis," I watched Reece wave for the final time though Mayella didn't seem fazed that her brother was leaving.

She continued to dip her cookie into the milk, softly chewing as she bounced her legs over the edge of the couch.

"Thank you for making the cookies," Mayella beamed at me once she was finished and I nodded while telling her that Grey helped even though he mostly helped in distracting me.

"Thank you Masha," she thanked him nonetheless and I saw him smile. Grey cleared everything after we were done though he protested after I'd offered to help.

Mayella and I went back to playing our previous game that I was slowly starting to get addicted to.

In the midst of our playing, Grey received yet another important call so we went back to watching TV, a princess show of course. It was pretty entertaining and I caught Grey peeking at us severally.

Half an hour later, Mayella was snoring beside me while Grey neared the end of the call and I could only tell because he was walking my way while humming at the person on line.

He had a shawl draped over his shoulder that he wrapped around Mayella's body and the bottom of my legs that were curled up on the sofa.

He didn't go back to the next room, instead, he sat on the arm of the couch by my side. I attempted to focus on the show that was playing though he began to gently run his hand through my hair.

"Tulip," I lifted up my face to him when he was done with the call. I smiled as his fingers continued to roam through my hair, a comfortable feeling going through me.

"Want to play again?" He handed me his phone which I hesitantly took. I admired the curve of his lips as he smiled, his pearl teeth and dimple showing.

"You have a pretty smile," I breathed out softly and I watched his eyes grow light, his grin broadening as he turned to fully face me.