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“Ava,” she said in a firm voice. “Let go of your brother and use your words or you’re not going on the boat later. Harrison, stop hitting your sister, or the same consequences.”
Ava slid off Harrison’s back and looked affronted. Harrison slunk back to his spot on the couch and crossed his arms belligerently.
“She started it,” he muttered.
“I did not,” Ava shrieked, lunging for him again.
Bailey jumped in between them. “Do you want to go on the boat?” she asked.
Ava sniffed and looked at me as if to ask who in the hell this person was to speak to her that way, and for a split second I agreed with her. Who was Bailey to threaten to take something away from my kids? Then I realized they had just been about to kill each other and maybe didn’t deserve a treat for it. I knew Ava was manipulating me with her lip stuck out and the tears welling in her eyes. I had a whole string of therapists telling me that, but it was so hard to ever disappoint them when they’d already lost so much. And it wasn’t as if I hadn't tried speaking firmly to them or threatening consequences. I was shocked that they even listened to Bailey, but then again, they didn’t know yet if she’d follow through. I never followed through, because even though I knew I should, it was easier said than done.
“Bailey asked you a question,” I said, my heart twisting. Instead of another major tantrum, Ava’s little shoulders loosened and she nodded.
“I want to go on the boat,” she admitted.
“Then apologize to Harrison,” Bailey said. When Harrison looked smug, she turned to him. “You’re next, sir.”
Ava begrudgingly apologized, then Harrison followed suit. I was in awe.
“If you’re calm enough, you can walk Freddy with me if you like.” Bailey turned to go back to her room without a backward glance. She was as cold as ice, and I was as impressed as if she’d lifted a vehicle with one hand.
“Can we, Daddy?” Ava asked.
“You seem calm,” I said.
“We are,” Harrison assured me. “We won’t scare Freddy.”
God, that damn dog was part of the miracle. Well, whatever it took. I nodded for them to go after Bailey, and they scattered to the wind. I began to wonder if she actually had magical powers.
A few minutes later, I saw them out on the big terrace and went to open the sliding door, so I could get a sea breeze and also keep an eye on them. I didn’t want anyone flying over the balcony to the beach below us. They seemed to be in perfect moods now, no hint that there’d been a fight just ten minutes before. I watched them happily poke around in the potted palms, showing the dog different places he might like to pee. My eyes traveled to Bailey, looking out over the beach with a little smile on her face.
“Isn’t the ocean beautiful, you guys?” she called, waving them over to look. “It’s so much prettier than back home.”
Harrison huffed. “It’s the Gulf of Mexico, Bailey,” he said in his contemptuous, know-it-all voice.
He was a walking encyclopedia, much too smart for his own good, and he often used his knowledge to undermine the nannies. It eventually wore on them because nobody liked being schooled by a little kid. I waited for Bailey to get flustered or embarrassed, but she only laughed in her good-natured way.
“Oh yeah? I didn’t realize it. Thanks for telling me, Harrison. You’re super smart.”
He actually stopped looking bratty and puffed up with pride before going back to play with the dog. That’s when I decided Bailey wasn’t magical, she just honestly seemed to like my heathen children.
My chest tightened, and I was nearly overwhelmed with how much I missed having a complete family. How much the kids were missing out on not having a mother. Ava laughed delightedly at something the dog did, and Harrison moved back by Bailey to point out things on the beach while she nodded and smiled. I had to be grateful they were happy and stop wishing for more.
I definitely had to stop looking at Bailey as if she was the thing our family needed to be complete.
Chapter 8 - Bailey
I was almost hypnotized by the gentle breeze and even gentler swaying of the yacht. The water was as smooth as glass and a mesmerizing turquoise green. The kids were as cute as buttons in their life vests, and getting a fishing lesson from one of the crew while Will and I lounged on deck chairs watching them.
Despite the brief battle that morning, this was still the best job I’d ever had. I glanced at Will, who snapped his laptop shut.
“Okay, vacation time,” he said. “Do you want to swim?”
I looked out over the crystal water. “Are there sharks?”
“Most likely, but they shouldn’t come near us.”
I laughed, not sure if he was serious, but the sun was hot and a nice dip sounded refreshing so I followed him to the aft of the ship where there was a low platform to make it easy to get in the water.
