“Geez. Give me a sec,” she said as she set Derrick in his playpen and untangled the phone. The baby started crying.
“Melody, can you keep Derrick entertained until I get off the phone?”
“But you told me to do my homework,” Melody shot back.
“Mommy, me hungy,” Grace said, yanking at her pants.
Kit Kat picked up Derrick, and he instantly quieted as she opened a package of yogurt fruit chews.
She sat on one of the hospital couches and held the phone out.
“How’s everything?” she asked. “I hoped you might be back by now.”
“Me, too,” he said, “It’s hotter than Hades here. Of course, Taco’s complaining about his dry skin. Patch and Knight are chomping at the bit to return.”
“I saw Claire today, she’s doing great and glowing. Gabby’s suffered some morning sickness, but it’s subsiding,” Kit Kat informed him.
“What about you?” he asked softly.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “Today’s the nanny’s day off. Chaos has once again ensued.”
“Mom, Grace spilled her yoggies all over the floor,” Melody yelled.
“Can you please help her pick them up and throw them away?” Kit Kat asked.
“She’s eating them off the floor,” Melody said, disgusted by her sister’s actions.
Kit Kat rose and knelt to pick up the rest of the mess. Leo stared at the floor as she picked up the berries. Grace let out a war cry as she lost her snack. Going back to her bag, she pulled out another pack and poured it into her bowl.
“Sit in the chair. Mommy’s trying to talk to Daddy,” she explained.
“Just a normal day at the office, huh?” Leo quipped. “Why did you go to work already?”
“As you say, no easy day but yesterday,” she said, sitting back on the couch. “I’m working in one of the hospital rooms while they spray for bugs. Everything’s a mess. Avie’s coming in later today, and Mom’s picking up the kids for a play date.
“You’re exhausted,” Leo swore. “I’m trying to get home as soon as I can,” he assured her.
“It can’t be quick enough. Derrick is teething, and Grace must be going through a growth spurt. She’s eating everything in sight instead of picking at her food.”
“I’ll talk to the kids in a minute. I’m worried about you,” Leo said, trying to convey his concern about the black circles under her eyes. She didn’t have the healthy glow she carried with their last two children.
“I’m sorry, Leo. What do you expect when you knock up your wife unexpectedly when she has three other children to raise while you’re gone?” she snapped. “Grace, sit down,” she ordered as her daughter rose from a hospital chair.
“I know. I know,” Leo said. “I’ll try to get home to you as fast as I can. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” she said. “Will you be able to talk later? I need to get the kids sorted for my mom.”
“I’ll try to call after the team meets. I love you, Kit Kat,” Leo said, staring at her. Even with Derrick’s hand tangling her hair, no makeup, and exhaustion written all over her face, she still rocked his world.
“I love you, too. Hopefully, we can actually speak without getting interrupted,” she said. “Come talk to Daddy before he has to go,” she said to the kids. Melody ran to the phone. “Hi, Dad. I got an A on my spelling test. Emma, Miya, and I are going swimming tomorrow after Aunt Kassie finishes working. Gram Carol’s taking Grace and Derrick.”
“Good job, June Bug. It sounds like you’ll be having fun. Make sure to help your mom until I get back, all right?”
“I will, but I’m not changing Derrick’s poo diapers. He reeks,” Melody replied. “Bye, Dad. Love you.
“Love you, too.”
Kit Kat held the phone to Gracie’s face. “How’s my girl?” Leo asked as Grace popped another yogurt-covered berry into her mouth.
