I Introduce The Selfish Machine

I hovered over Payton, who was laying on her blanket on the living room floor. I was so excited when I get to babysit my little niece, she's the closest to my sister I'll ever get again.
I covered my face with my hands. "Where's PayPay?" I asked, using my baby voice that I refused to ever let anyone hear me use. I moved my hands from my face quickly, making an "o" face. "There she is!" Payton laughed and waved her arms. I repeated it over and over, watching her smile and squirm. I didn't even hear Tony walk in the living room.
"That's is the cutest baby voice I've ever heard." He said, catching my attention. I looked from the baby to him. He didn't have a shirt on, just boxers. His hair was a mess, and he had glasses on. I was actually awake before Tony. Go Piper.
I picked up Payton and walked over to Tony. "Is that Uncle Tones? Is that Uncle Tones?" I asked Payton, then kissed her stomach as she laughed. Tony held his arms out for her, and I transferred the baby to his arms. I turned on my heels and walked towards the kitchen. "Are you doing anything today, babe?"
"I don't think anything. Mike's out of town, and Vic is trying to make up all the time he lost during the break up. Jaime's the only one not actually doing anything, so I think we just have the whole day off."
"When are you guys go to record?" I reached in the fridge and pulled out strawberry cream cheese, then spread it on my blueberry bagel. "Want one?"
"Please, and I think we're taking the week off."
"Well, if you want to release in June, you gotta get to work."
Tony shook his head. "It's really just Vic. He's trying to get the vocals right." Payton looked up at Tony and gave him a big smile. He smiled at her, then kissed her head, bouncing her.
I have never wanted children, but Tony would be a great father.
"Well, that's good." I said, taking a bite of my bagel. The strawberry cream cheese exploded in my mouth, and it was beautiful. Tony opened his mouth out at me, and I held his bagel up to his mouth. He took a big bite.
He chewed and swallowed before speaking. "Well, since I have the day off, we can spend all day together." Payton shouted from his arms. "Oh, and Payton can hang with us too."
I laughed, then stepped closer to Tony. I kissed his lips softly, tasting a mix of strawberry and morning breath. Morning breath is disgusting, and he's the only person I would let kiss me with morning breath.

It was 1 in the afternoon. I hadn't showered, and neither had Tony. My hair was beginning to get greasy, so I pulled it up in a bun. I ran my hand over my cheek, feeling the oil build up. I was a mess.
"Tony, I feel gross." I said.
Tony sighed, his head hanging over the back of the couch. "Me too." He said, then moved his head up to look at me. "I feel like I just played three shows in a row, like that's how disgusting I feel."
I was sitting on the ground next to Payton's portable crib. I looked over to see her sleeping with her pacifier in her mouth. I smiled. She was like a little angel, she's going to be beautiful when she grows up. I just wish she could meet her mom.
"Pay's out, if you want to take a shower. I sit down here and watch her." I said.
Tony shook his head. "No, you go take a shower, I can stay in here. It won't kill me."
"Tony, come on, just go shower."
"Piper, no."
"Yes." I said, smiling at him. We argued over the silliest things, and I just loved it.
I walked Tony's eyes stare at me, and I knew he was thinking about something. After a moment of just staring, he smiled. "Well, she is asleep. We can just shower together."
My jaw dropped, and I tried not to laugh too hard. "Just leave the baby out here alone while we have sex?"
"Well, it wouldn't be sex, it would just be a shower. I mean, this way we don't have to argue about-" Payton stared stirring, and then came the shirking cry. I rolled my eyes and sighed, smiling at Tony.
"So, you want to rock her back to sleep, or me?"
Tony stood up and walked over to the crib, grabbed Payton and bouncing her. He shot his eyes at me, telling me to go shower. He bounced baby Pay up and down, trying to get her to calm down. I stood up, then kissed his cheek before I ran out.

I stepped out of the shower and heard complete silence. I smiled too myself, Pay's actually asleep. I slipped on Spandex shorts and a Pierce The Veil tank top. It's surprisingly hot for February, but that's what you have to deal with when you live in southern California.
I walked back into the living room, opening my mouth to speak when I saw the most heartwarming sight. Tony was curled up on the ground next to the crib, his head to the side, asleep. Payton was in her crib, stretched out in the cutest way. I didn't want to disturb them, so I just stood there, staring at the love of my life and my perfect niece. I tip toed back into the bedroom and grabbed the polaroid camera I used to take pictures of only the things that really make me smile. I took a picture when I was back in the living room, smiling at the sight.
It's been a hard few months. It's not easy, having your best friend and sister die. But, she left the most beautiful thing behind. Payton Grace is going to look exactly like Leanna, she already looks so much like her. My sister may be gone, and it's heartbreaking, but even in the bad, there is some good. This is my good. Tony is my good.
As the photo shot out of the slot, Tony's eyes started to crack open. I placed the camera on the side table and took tiny steps towards he.
I knelt down beside him, his hand rubbing my back. "Go back to sleep, I only wanted a picture." I whispered.
Tony closed his eyes, but remained awake. "What time is it?"
"Around 1:30, just go back to sleep my love."
Tony grabbed my wrist and pulled me down next to his sweaty body. "I know I'm sweaty, but just nap with me." He whispered. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heart thud against it. It was soothing, being in his arms, even if he was sweaty. It wasn't long before I heard his soft snores fill the living room. I closed my eyes, ignoring the fact that I literally just showered, and began to fall asleep in his arms. I love him. I love someone I thought I could never love. I've been exposed to true love throughout my whole life, and I'm grateful I get to spend the rest of my life with the man that loves me the most. Leanna was right about him. As I began to drift off, I thanked God and all the stars in the galaxy that I met Tony.

Notes