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"Auntie Amy?" I laughed. "Let's get out of here. I'm ready to celebrate with a cozy dinner in the room I booked at the Vail Hilton."
"Sounds awesome. I'm starving... and I've really missed you!"
Chapter Eleven
Amy
Three Months Later
Rosedale's headquarters teemed with life on Kid's Day, the air pulsating with the vibrant energy of youth. Rainbow-hued balloons and streamers danced overhead as laughter and playful banter filled the room. Games and activities designed for various age brackets ensured everyone was having a blast.
In one corner, a magician enraptured Harper and Jenny, her guest, pulling off mind-bending coin tricks and mesmerizing scarf illusions. Daniel and Sicily, Harper’s proud parents, watched with delight from a safe distance.
Ryder and Amber efficiently juggled their duties, keeping the snack tables laden and orchestrating the music for an enthusiastic round of musical chairs that even lured a few adults to participate.
My heart swelled as I observed Mitch's daughter, Ava, exploring her surroundings with wide-eyed wonder. Just two months ago, the court had granted Mitch full custody of the six-month-old darling. It was no surprise the DNA test confirmed Ava was indeed, Mitch’s daughter, and witnessing their bond warmed my soul. Mitch's face transformed into a beacon of pure joy whenever Ava babbled or made her endearing attempts to crawl. I was genuinely ecstatic for him; he had braved the storms of single fatherhood and earned his happiness.
As I soaked in the festive ambiance, I couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful sense of camaraderie that enveloped the children who belonged to the Rosedale tribe. Before long, Courtney and I found ourselves watching over Ava, with Mitch having given Ella the day off. We were the odd ones out—childless and without borrowed kin.
Amidst the cheerful chaos, a bothersome thought weighed on my mind. With my parents relocating to Vail, I needed another job, or at least a full-time position, to cover the rent for my beachside flat. Plopping down beside Courtney, who was engrossed in a game of peekaboo with Ava, I couldn't help but voice my concerns.
"Ugh, Courtney, I have to find a better job or something to supplement my income," I sighed, observing her elicit a giggle from Ava.
Courtney's attention shifted to me, worry etched on her face. "What's happening? Are you having money troubles?"
"Well, ever since my parents moved back to Vail, I've been struggling to make ends meet," I confessed, shaking my head. "I've even resorted to counting the change in my console before treating myself to Starbucks."
"Oh, sweetie, that's tough," Courtney empathized, cradling Ava in her lap. "Have you talked to Mitch about it?
"Yeah, he's said he'll pitch in when possible, but the guy's got a full plate. He's already footing the bill for Ella and his own place," I admitted, offering her a feeble grin.
We carried on with our conversation, taking turns keeping Ava entertained. Courtney dished out some tantalizing details about her and Brad in between making goofy noises and engaging in patty cake play.
"So, Brad and I have hit the beach a couple of times after work,” she revealed, a wicked smile playing on her lips.
"Ooh, Courtney, that's amazing!" I squealed, clapping my hands in excitement.
"Shhh, it's our little secret, okay? Brad would have my head if he knew I spilled the beans."
So, I was just talking to Courtney, right? And I told her I was worried about how much Ella was around and how she’d been getting in the way of Mitch and me. Like, she was always there, and it was hard to get closer to him with her around all the time. I just wanted us to get past this and be able to get closer without her butting in.
Courtney was all serious and was like, "I feel you. Nannies can be awesome, but it's hard to find the right balance. Just don't let jealousy mess with your head. Ella's more like a sweet grandma than anything else." She thought about it for a sec and then said, "Maybe you could just talk to Ella about how you feel? If you're honest with her, it might help clear things up, and you might figure out how to have her in your lives without her getting in the way of you and Mitch." Then she laughed and said, "I don’t know where all that advice came from, 'cause I've got no clue about babies or nannies!"
I chuckled and then groaned, acknowledging the truth in Courtney's advice. "You're spot on, girl I've got to work on being a better communicator. I can't let jealousy consume me. It's crucial to share my feelings with both Mitch and Ella, so we can find a harmony that suits all of us."
Ava's wails sliced through the air, marking the end of our heart-to-heart. "Ah, nanny mode activated," I declared with a smile, already shifting gears to cater to the little one's needs. "I'll change her and get her bottle warmed up."
"Looks like it's time for our meeting. We'll catch up later," Courtney declared, trailing the others into a hush-hush staff meeting to deliberate on the proposed budget. I'd caught a glimpse of those numbers, and boy, were they ghastly. Yet, in spite of the pressing choices, our corner maintained a spirited vibe. Ariel, Amber, Sicily, and Meagan joined me, and we all gathered, feasting on slices of pizza.
At first, we took pleasure in observing the children laugh and eat, their giggles a melody to our ears. "Just look at them," Meagan mused, "so untroubled and pure. Even the twins seem captivated, watching the festivities from their swings."
Amber joined in, lost in nostalgia, "I wish we could all return to those simpler days."
It was no secret that Rosedale's co-owners battled a severe dip in revenue, forcing them to ponder wage cuts and possible layoffs. As the afternoon progressed, the stark reality weighed upon us. We knew hard choices were made behind those doors, casting a gloomy shadow on our once jubilant spirits. Ariel whispered her apprehension, "I hope they find a solution that won't hurt the kids or the staff too badly."
We nodded in unison, faces somber. Sicily sighed, "Yeah, let's just keep our fingers crossed. We're all family here. That's why they organized a lively Kid's Day before diving into that serious meeting." We carried on nibbling our pizza, but now with a more muted air, the uncertainty loomed over our gathering. Time inched by, the meeting endured, and to make matters worse, Ava's crankiness intensified.
"I can't seem to soothe her," I confided, tenderly rocking Ava in my arms, seeking wisdom from the seasoned moms surrounding me. "Do you think she could be getting sick?"
