“Grandme made me cookies. We read books and took a nap together. I had a great time. Are we staying for dinner, Mommy, please?”
“Not today, Sweetie. Come, let’s get going and let Grandme and Grandpe have their time together.”
“Ye don’t need to go. I won’t be spending time with that oaf,” Cass growls and shoves a thumb in my direction.
I chuckle and head to grab a glass of water. “Thanks for all your help, Roni. See you later.”
“Hugs, Grandpe. I need my hugs,” Mena sings, bringing a smile to my face.
I turn and pluck her from her mother’s arms. Once I have her in my embrace, I nuzzle her cheek and tickle her belly. She squeals and throws her little arms around my neck.
“I love you, Grandpe. Can I come play with you this week?”
“Of course. I can’t wait. I love you too, princess. We’re going to have so much fun,” I say and kiss her cheek as I give her a tight hug.
“Can I bring my paint set and ballet slippers?”
“I will have drop cloths down and music ready.”
“Yay. You hear that, Mommy?”
“Yes, baby. I heard. Come on. If we leave now, that will be a little closer to when you get to come back. Besides, you promised Uncle Toric and Auntie Natasha you were going to make cream in the new ice cream maker for them. Come on, sweetie.”
“Oh right. Sorry, Grandpe. I have to go now.”
I chuckle and place her on her feet. John’s daughter is the cutest little thing ever. All my grandchildren are adorable. Cass and I love them all to pieces.
“Bye, Grandme. I had fun. See you next time,” Mena sings to Cass and waves.
“See you later, love. Here, don’t forget the cookies ye made for ye da.”
“Oh yeah, I don’t want to forget those. He’ll have the sads.”
“We don’t want that now, do we?”
“No,” Mena says and runs to Cass for the brown paper bag of cookies.
I watch as Roni scoops Mena up once again then tosses me a wink before she heads out. A grin comes to my lips as Cass snorts and begins to grumble to herself. Wait until she sees what I’ve been up to.
“Keeping things from me in me own home. The nerve,” she says with her back to me.
“I wanted to surprise you. Since I have planned two vacations and you keep postponing them because our sons make babies like they’re baby-factory workers and you don’t want to miss a thing, I’m trying to do something nice for you,” I say as I walk up behind her and place my hands on her hips.
Leaning down to get close to her ear, I then continue. “Because I guarantee one of those boys will be having another baby as soon as all these wee ones drop. It’s okay for us to be here for them and their families, but you need a break to recharge. We have Sunday breakfast here every weekend and that turns into Sunday lunch and dinner.
“During the week, there isn’t a day when you don’t have a grand here. I threaten the boys to keep those bad babies home for at least a week and you snap at me, but they piss you off one way or another before they go home.
“Then I have to deal with it. Let me take care of my wife, woman. Now come on so I can show you what I’ve been up to.”
She looks at me, and a smile comes to her lips. God, she’s still as beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on her. I dip my head and peck her lips.
When I pull away, I take her hand and lace my fingers with hers as I lead her out of the kitchen and into the backyard of our home. Night has finally fallen, so my surprise stands out more.
“Ach, Joe,” Cass gasps as the backyard and pool come into view.
I pull my phone and turn on the music I have cued up. Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell’s “You’re All I Need to Get By” spills through the sound system. Cass turns to face me with a smile on her lips.
“This is what ye have been up to all day?” she says with tears sparkling in her eye.
