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“No, we’re not,” I say to him, kissing his forehead as I start toward the living room.“We’re turning over a new leaf.A no-more-late leaf.Come on, let’s see who can get dressed first.I’ll grab your clothes and we can have a race.”
“Yay, a race,” he says, so excited by the thought that he squirms out of my arms, forgetting his squirrel fears as he dashes up the stairs.
Ten minutes later, we’re both dressed and I’m quickly sweeping on makeup when Aaron knocks on the door.“Come in,” I call.
“Can’t, only one hand and it’s full of smoothie,” he calls back.
“I’ve got it, Mommy,” Chase says, jumping off the bed where he was watching cartoons on my phone and hurrying to the door.
“Thanks, bud,” Aaron says.
“Thankyou,” I say, smiling at his reflection in the mirror as he slips inside with the smoothie, complete with thick, toddler-friendly straw stuck inside.“We wouldn’t be anywhere close to leaving on time without you.”
“I’m a hero,” he agrees seriously, making Chase and I both laugh.
“You silly, Awin,” Chase says, crawling onto the bench at the end of my bed.
Aaron stops him before he can get back onto the mattress, however, saying, “Let’s drink the smoothie on the bench, Chase.That way we won’t have to wash your mom’s sheets if we have a spill.”
“Okay,” Chase says, settling onto the bench and reaching for the glass.
I hum beneath my breath as I brush mascara onto my lashes.
Aaron looks up, lips curving as he asks, “What?”
“Nothing.Just impressed with your mess-prevention instincts, that’s all.”
“I’m the boss at mess prevention,” he says.“It’s one of my hotter qualities.Of which there are many.”
Chase swallows and announces, “This smoothie is better than yours, Mommy.It’s dee-wishous!”
“Great, now I have to up my smoothie game,” I tease.
“Just let Awin make them,” Chase says, dragging down the light, easy mood.At least, for me.
Soon, Aaron won’t be around to make smoothies or help with Chase or call pest control or kiss me with his hand in my hair.He’ll go back to his real life, and I’ll go back to mine, the life where it’s just Chase and me against the forces of chaos.
But he’s here now, girl.Why not enjoy it?
The thought makes my lips tingle as I apply a coat of neutral lipstick.I mean, why not?Why ruin the present with worries about the future?As long as I keep the fact that this is temporary front of mind, would it really be that bad to relax and enjoy this time?It’s been so long since life felt easy or fun, but with Aaron around…it does.
Even in the middle of a squirrel infestation.
I’d be lying if I said it isn’t nice to have Aaron watching my back as I get Chase into his coat and grab his backpack and my purse.
“Have a great day and don’t worry about Mr.Nutty,” he says, reaching for the door leading into the garage and holding it open for us.“I’ll take care of it.”
“I’ll swing by the store for more veggies after work,” I say.“Sounds like we’re all going to deserve seconds of dirty green beans tonight.And ice cream.”
“Oh, wow,” Chase says seriously.“This is going to be the best day ever.”
Aaron and I both laugh, then I hit the button to open the garage and hurry to settle Chase in his car seat.It might not be the “best day ever,” but so far, it’s feeling pretty good.
And that’s all because of the hero in sweatpants waving at me from the doorway.
Chapter 12
Aaron
