february 14th

Eden’s feet dangle from the stool tucked into the breakfast bar, her hands scooping up cereal with her spoon. you stand, arms crossed and back against the surface as you watch her, milk dripping from her chin as she licks her lips with every spoonful. "just like daddy, aren't you?" you mutter, fingers lacing through her hair. She beams, teeth showing briefly before she sloppily wipes her lips with the back of her tiny hand.

"and what's that supposed to mean?" john bounces through to the kitchen, one hand gripping a bunch of roses, the other some cards. “Postman’s been!” "john," you whine, lips pouting once you spot the flowers. "i thought we weren't doing valentines this year?" he holds them out towards you, bending over slightly as his lips pucker against yours. “can never help myself though, can I?” you take them from him, admiring their deep red colour before placing them on the counter.

"and a very special letter," john starts. he squints his eyes as he pretends to make out what the name says on the envelope. "for Eden!" she giggles, her palms clapping together as she watches her daddy place it down in front of her through the motion of an aeroplane. "mommy look." she struggles to hold the card, but once she has a hold of it with both hands, she waves it in the air to show you. "A letter for me." her cheeks bunch as her smile spreads across her face, into her eyes. john glows as he watches his daughter's excitement ooze from her bones. this is the moment he'd waited for for years. he glares over at you, pouting his bottom lip as his brows arch. how adorable.

"well open it then, lovebug." you call, watching as she stares at the card.

"daddy, what does it say?" Eden turns in her chair as she searches for john, who steps over to her. he takes it from her hands gently and bends over so his elbows are placed on the breakfast bar. you stand next to him, arm placed over his back as your head leans in to read along too.

“to Eden," john places his finger under the words as he reads, Eden’s eyes following along. her eyebrows furrow as her fingers rest on her cheeks. "i hope you have a great valentine's day and eat lots of yummy chocolates." she squeals as the thought of the sweet goods enters her mind.

“I love you to the moon and all the way back," the expression in johns voice makes your heart sink. he was so gentle with her, he adored her so much. "big bear hugs and sloppy kisses, love from your secret admirer." johns eyes gape at her as he closes the card, his lips tugging into a soft smile. her hands are now clasped over her open mouth, her little ponytails swinging from side to side as her body rocks through pure excitement.

"who is it?" she whispers, her green eyes studying johns face. he leans closer to her as you watch him, nose booping against Eden’s cheek. "well, perhaps we'll never know." he plants a kiss on her soft skin and slowly rises from his stance. he catches your eyes now and shares a content smile. to you, he screams of home and faint laughter from the next room; vanilla cupcakes on a rainy day and gentle fingertips tracing hearts on each other's back. he is warmth when it snows with hands like puzzle pieces so familiar to yours.