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One
THREE DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING
Dakota
“Hurry up, we’re going to be late!” I shout to Nolan as I balance the phone between my shoulder and my ear, pulling on my shoes and socks.
“Are you sure you don’t to come, Mom? We can swing by and pick you up if you changed your mind. There are still flights available and-”
“No, sweetie. Don’t worry. I don’t want to risk something happening and then I become everyone’s problem. Dex is here with me. He’ll take care of me. You guys go have fun.” My mom sighs on the other line, but it’s a happy sigh and I smile as the girls run past me.
And despite her concerns about her health, she’s been doing so much better. No more panic attacks or dehydration spells. She just gets a little anxious not knowing when or if something will happen again to put her in a bad position. I get why she’s being cautious; I just don’t want her to miss out too much on the joys of life.
“Nolan, they need their shoes on!” I yell as I cover the phone speaker. My mom giggles and I roll my eyes.
“Sorry, mom. I gotta go but I’ll call you soon,” I tell her as I stand up from the couch.
“Are you sure you’re okay to-”
“Yes, Mom. We're going to be fine. Sterling wanted Em there too. I'll have her call you as soon as we land,” I reassure her. I know she’s just looking out for me after everything we’ve been through, but things have been better than ever, and I definitely won’t let anything stop me from this trip. “But I gotta go. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Make sure Emsley behaves.”
“Of course, Mom. She’s an angel,” we both chuckle nervously as I hang up the phone.
And boy, does she make me eat my words because speak of the devil, Emsley comes running around the corner screaming “catch me if you can” and Nolan runs around the corner, stops, bends over with his hands on his knees and gives me a very sexy but apologetic smile as he takes a very fake deep breath.
“These girls just love to run all over you don’t they, old man?” I walk up to him and swipe his hair off his forehead.
Nolan gives me a very loving look from his deep brown eyes before bending down further and pressing a kiss to our sweet girl's forehead.
“At least this one is behaving,” he says, and I just laugh because right on cue, Maelie wakes up and starts her little coos before they turn into distraught wails.
"Shit, sorry, Firefly." Nolan apologizes as he tries rocking the car seat gently while looking at me with so much disappointment in himself.
"It's okay, Nol. Babies cry." I pat him on the shoulder and signal for him to give Maelie her pacifier while I take care of other business.
“Aria. Emsley. Living room! Now!” I shout and both girls’ footsteps can be heard stomping down the hallway in tandem as they comply with my demands.
“Why are they like this?” Nolan asks, standing behind me and wrapping his hands over my shoulder. Maelie has gone back to sleep.
I look back at him over my shoulder and smirk. “Because they’re girls, Nolan. Have I not taught you anything?” I quip and we laugh as the girls file in.
"What's up, DJ?" Em asks as she feigns innocence, but I can see the way they're looking at each other; trouble written all over their faces.
“Shoes, now. Our flight leaves in a few hours.” I direct them to the front door where I have their things packed and waiting, ready to go.
"You got it, dude." Aria solutes me and both girls march over to their shoes. Nolan sighs behind me and I push myself into him, cuddling my back to his front.
"You're perfect, you know?" he whispers into my hair.
"Hardly," I say back as I turn to face him and plant my palm on his chest. "Now get the baby in the car please."
I’m so excited to do be doing this, out first major family adventure.
“You think we’re all set?” he asks me as I pick up the last of bags to take to the car. He leans down to grab Maelie's car seat and we both check around the house to make sure we've got everything.
"I think so," I state.
