“That’s okay if you’re sure. I’ll come tuck you in.”
Elliot climbed under the covers and faked a yawn that would’ve been cute if her heart wasn’t already too bruised.
“You’ll ask Rowyn, right? Amelia worked hard on the plan, and she’ll be sad if Rowyn isn’t there. Please? It’ll be extra fun with all of us.”
Elliot looked up at her with big, brown eyes so like his father’s. She loved that he was protective of his sister but hated that she was the one Amelia needed protection from. Her eyes searched his face, and she was almost shocked to see that he wasn’t her little baby anymore. When had he become so grown up?
“I’ll talk to Rowyn, and we will see. Night, kiddo.”
“Night, Mom.”
Eliza closed his door and walked across the room to look in at Amelia. She was still in exactly the same spot, and Eliza wrestled with whether to go in or give her the space she claimed to want.
“Everything okay?”
The quiet whisper came from the doorway that led to the landing, and Eliza looked over to where Rowyn’s eyes were on her. The concern that bordered on pity let Eliza know that Rowyn had heard at least some of what had transpired. Amelia’s voice hadn’t exactly been discreet, so Eliza should have expected it.
Eliza took one last look at Amelia before pulling her door almost closed, leaving it ajar enough to check on her again without disturbing her when she did fall asleep.
“Define okay,” Eliza said as she walked out of the room with Rowyn on her tail.
“It’s been a long day. They’re exhausted,” Rowyn said.
“I know,” Eliza replied.
And she did know it, but it didn’t change the hurt. It also didn’t completely explain Amelia’s reaction. She had been overtired numerous times, which caused her to be emotional and sensitive, and yes, often dramatic. But the idea of spending a day together had never brought anything but excitement in thepast.
“Go sit down and I’ll grab some ice cream. Dessert before dinner, always a winner,” Rowyn said with a wink.
“I hope that’s not what you teach my kids,” Eliza said.
She hadn’t meant it to come out snippy, but it had anyway. Rowyn placed the ice cream in front of her but held the spoon a little out of reach until Eliza looked up.
“I teach them not to take their frustrations out on people who are trying to help them,” Rowyn said pointedly as she handed over the spoon.
Eliza was impressed by Rowyn’s ability to be gentle with her while still taking no shit. It was a skill Eliza had not mastered. In work, she took no shit, but the gentleness was not a concern for her. At home, she teetered between one or the other without finding that middle ground.
“That’s a good lesson to learn. Clearly you need to impart some of your wisdom on me too,” Eliza said.
“I plan to. But first, eat your ice cream and tell me how pissed you are about your daughter being an ass.”
Eliza almost choked on the ice cream sliding down her throat.
“Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who like to pretend kids can’t be asses. Or who won’t say it out loud, when the kids aren’t around to hear, obviously. I will never say it in front of them, but children, much like adults, are fully capable of being assholes.”
Eliza set down her spoon, and before she knew it, she was laughing. She laughed so loudly she had to cover her mouth for fear of disturbing the kids, and Rowyn looked at her with amusement.
“I think you needed that. I can crack more jokes if it’ll help, although my best ones are usually unintentional.”
Eliza’s laughter subsided and she eyed Rowyn from acrossthe table.
“How much did you hear?” Eliza asked hesitantly.
“Probably more than you would’ve wanted me to. I could pretend it was all accidental, but after the first shout from Amelia I pretty much eavesdropped outside. Sorry.”
Eliza chuckled again at Rowyn’s blunt honesty. She appreciated it.
“Listen, it doesn’t excuse the way she spoke to you, so that does need to be addressed tomorrow. But Amelia spent a good chunk of her day today making our plan for tomorrow. I told them we could do whatever they wanted within reason, since I thought you’d be working, and Elliot wasn’t really bothered. So, Amelia took it upon herself to create our adventure, and she was excited about it.”
