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“For what? I can remind you. I’m good at reminding people of things.”
“I’m sure you are because you are so smart.”
“I’m the smartest.”
“Yup – Ortega genes right there, buster.”
“What do you want me to remind you?”
“Well, see, when little children need six or ten glasses of water at bedtime, usually there is something wrong. So I need to make an appointment at the doctor’s office you know, where he keeps all the big, big needles? And make sure that there’s nothing wrong. You’re my sweet boy, so I’ll hold your hand if he has to take blood or…”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, Colton?”
“I’m okay. I just don’t want to go to bed yet.”
“Oh really?”
Lena almost started laughing at the way Jake outfoxed their son and the innocent surprise in her husband’s voice as he played along. Oh, Colton did not get it from the neighbors; that much was for sure. It just took one ‘player’ to understand another one.
“I was really worried about you, and that’s why I’m here. I wanted to check on you, buddy.”
“No. I’m okay. I was just playing with my things, and Mommy said it was bedtime. I’m not ready to go to bed. I want to come cuddle with you and watch television in your room.”
“But if you cuddle with us, then you’ll hear Mommy’s horrifically loud snoring. You know that I have to wear earplugs every single night because…”
“Jake?” she hollered immediately, having heard this spiel over and over again during their marriage. He claimed she snored, but she knew better. He was the one who snored every night and just liked to lay the blame elsewhere.
“Yes, dear?” Jake said innocently from down the hallway and started whispering quietly to his son. “Shhh. Watch the pro at work. Learn from the master, my boy.”
… And there was a pause, as her son giggled mischievously.
“I’ll be right there, my love,” Jake called out innocently, and Colton laughed again. “I’m just tucking Colton in, but he said he’s a little cold and has no one to snuggle with… poor tyke.”
Lena rolled her eyes.
Two could play that game.
“Oh really? Hmm. Well, I was about to get a hot bubble bath and then put on some of that peach-scented lotion, but I suppose…”
“Hang on, Colton,” Jake exclaimed, “The game just changed.”
“Game? What game, Daddy?…Daddy?”
Lena grinned evilly as she heard rushed footsteps headed down the hallway and saw Jake appear in the doorway, hands on either side of the door frame as he looked at her hotly.
“That peach-scented sparkly body lotion that I gave you for Christmas?” he said huskily, giving her a look that could melt asphalt.
“The very same,” she whispered and then raised an eyebrow at him before speaking loudly. “But if my Colton is cold and wants to snuggle in our bed…”
And there was a clamor in the distance as something went flying before rapid-fire thuds of a child running down the hallway, just before he appeared at Jake’s side.
“Hi, Mommy.”
“Hi, Babycakes.”
“Woman,” Jake groaned in awareness, closing his eyes in defeat. “You’ve got a mean streak in you a mile wide.”
