at the store with jj and your baby, and she’s crying because she saw a toy on the shelf and she wants it. “daddy will get it for you.” you cup the back of her head, looking to JJ desperately who swivels around to you with a shocked and ‘she did not’ expression.

“the toy? yeah, uh — i am broke as hell.” he fishes into his pockets and finds a rogue 20 dollars, given to him as a tip at work and his face lights up, taking the baby out your arms as he holds it up. “luckily for you, people love daddy’s cooking!” he cooes to your daughter, walking her back to the shelf to grab the pink glittery whatever, referring to the tips he gets at his linecook job.

“thank you.” you mouth to him, the stress melting off your face. he hates that you were stressed at all. he gives you a humble one shouldered shrug and a little ‘it’s nothing’ smile as he passes you, gently putting his hand on your lower back for a moment as he passes you.

“you’re good mama. anything to help.” the habit of calling you mama never faded, especially after he knocked you up. it still gave you butterflies each and every time, and as you stare at him wandering down the aisle with your babygirl in his arms you can’t help but wish the two of you were together.