Had Blair’s heart just been cracked open and filled with rainbows and butterflies? That’s exactly what it felt like. She never knew such a tiny little human could make her world so much brighter, but Nolan did it every single day. Blair didn’t know who had her in knots more—Nolan or his mom.

“I would love to.” Blair looked over at Erin for permission. “That is, if it’s okay with your mom. I’m sure you guys have a routine, and I don’t want to mess with that.”

That beautiful blossoming smile was back on Erin’s face once again. Are you sure? she mouthed at Blair. When Blair nodded, she addressed Nolan. “That’s fine with me.”

After they both helped Nolan get into his pajamas, he insisted that Erin leave so Blair could tuck him in and read a book to him. Once he was all tucked in and had picked out a book, he patted the spot next to him on the small bed. “Snuggle me.”

Blair did as he asked and snuggled up close to him as she read him a book about a giraffe that couldn’t dance.

When the book ended, Nolan pushed his body even tighter up against Blair’s, clearly not ready for her to leave yet.

Fine by me. Blair was learning she loved the feeling of being needed like this.

“I love giraffes,” Nolan said after letting out a long yawn.

“Me too.” It wasn’t a lie. They were actually one of Blair’s favorite animals. She found them to be gorgeous creatures. “I’ve always wanted to meet one in person.”

“You never meet a giraffe?” Nolan asked, sounding genuinely shocked. “Not even at the zoo?”

Blair shook her head. “I’ve actually never been to the zoo.” She felt pathetic saying it out loud, so she was thankful Erin wasn’t in the room with them.

“Never?”

“Nope.” Blair’s parents were always so busy with work when she was growing up that they didn’t have time for mundane things such as the zoo. They saved their time off for her and Blake’s activities and to go on long, elaborate vacations every summer. It wasn’t that she wasn’t thankful for those things, but it felt like she had missed out on normal childhood experiences, such as the zoo.

“Don’t worry, Bear, I take you there sometime.” Nolan grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles as if he understood exactly what she needed at that moment.

Sometimes, this kid couldn’t figure out how to step into a pair of pants, but he could read her like a book. As pathetic as it might be, she had to force herself to hold back tears, because it was so fucking sweet that she could hardly handle it.