“Yes,” I tell him.
He inches closer, and wraps his little arms around my waist. “You’re the happiest Mommy when you’re with Colton, and I love when you’re happy.”
Oh, fuck.
Cassie is teary-eyed. “See? You don’t have a choice now.”
I laugh. “This is an ambush. Even Christian is in on it.”
“Go try on the dress,” Robert chimes in. “We can’t wait to see it.”
I practically squeal as I scurry to my bedroom, and wiggle out of my sweats. I slip on the dress, and it fits almost perfectly, just a tiny bit loose at the chest. One of my padded bras is sure to fix that. The boots glide on easily, as if they were made specifically for me.
I bounce out of my bedroom, and twirl for the three of them. They clap in unison.
“Absolutely gorgeous,” Cassie says.
“Beautiful,” Robert agrees.
Christian gives me another hug. “You’re so pretty, Mommy.”
“All she needs is a little makeup, and she’s good to go,” Cassie tells them.
She drags me to my bedroom, and swiftly gets to work on my face. “Why is your face so splotchy?” she asks. “You’ve been crying again?”
“Christian and I just watchedInside Out.”
“Well, no wonder,” she says, “but no worries. Cassie to the rescue. After I’m done with you, no one will be able to tell you’ve been crying all day.”
Miriam arrives, and Robert and Christian chat her up.
I slip on my padded bra, and a pretty necklace and matching earrings, the same ones I wore before. Unlike Cassie, I don’t have a big selection of jewelry.
“You look amazing,” Cassie says. “Colton is going to go apeshit when he sees you. You know he’s crazy about you, right?”
I smile, not quite knowing what to say.
“Wow, you look stunning,” Miriam says as soon as she sees me.
I give her a long tight hug. “Thank you so much for babysitting. We really appreciate it.”
She smiles. “Anything for a friend.”
“Well, we better get going, or we’ll be fashionably late,” Cassie says. “Robert is giving us a ride.”
I kiss Christian goodbye and we follow Robert, wobbling happily in our heels like two little ducklings.
