AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh Jayson.” She shakes her head and appears as though she is about to say more, but I stop her.
“I think you should head back to the bed and breakfast, or wherever it is your staying.” Grams stands at my side, obviously showing where her loyalties lie, and I want to reach out and hug my sweet little grandmother. She has always been on mine and Mattie’s sides no matter what.
My mother stares at me, and I stare right back. When she realizes I have no intentions of changing my mind, she huffs, spins around, and storms off toward the direction they’d come from. My father offers me a nod. “It truly is beautiful home, Jay.” Poor man has no mind of his own. He is like a robot, always doing what he can to please a woman who I swear can never be truly happy. It’s sad because Charlotte Lincoln is missing out on such a beautiful family.
“I will never understand that woman,” Grams says as they disappear around the side of the house. I gave up so long ago.” She links her arm through mine. “But she’s wrong,” she adds. “Those beautiful souls inside are not burdens, they are gifts.”
I couldn’t agree more, as we walk together arm in arm into the house and close the doors behind us.
Instantly I can hear the laughter filtering down the stairs just before two angels find their way to the kitchen. Smiling, both wearing princess pajamas and carrying the same giraffes they are always carrying.
“Mommy said we can make popcorn and watch a movie.” Riley bounces on her tip toes in front of me. Regan rubs her eyes, indicating she is tired and I reach down picking her up. She lays her head over onto my shoulder just as Zoey enters the kitchen and finds us.
“I hope that’s okay?” I don’t like the doubt in her voice. I don’t like the shift in her mood, as if she is no longer feeling settled and comfortable.
“Of course it is.” I run my fingers through Riley’s hair. “What movie are we watching tonight?”
My stomach tightens with worry as I watch Zoey, who continues to focus on the girls. She slowly moves around the kitchen, walking over to her bag to pull out a bag of microwave popcorn, she’d packed and brought with her. Tearing at the bag, she walks toward the microwave and places it inside.
“Princess and the Frog,” Riley announces.
“I want to watch Mermaid,” Regan whines, and I can’t help but smile remembering how Zoey had pointed out not so long ago that it’s not always rainbows and smiles. I can’t help but think maybe this is one of those times where it’s cloudy and dark.
“No!” Riley literally stomps her feet. “I don’t like the Mermaid.”
“Girls.” Zoey moves in closer, leaning over to rest her elbows on the counter. “We have to compromise.”
“I don’t want to compimise,” Riley places her hands on her hips and challenges her mother. I’m amazed as I stand and watch this unfold.
“That attitude is not going to help you get your way.” The two of them share some kind of stare down, neither refusing to backdown. “In fact it’s going to get you a one-way ticket to bed, without a movie or a story.”
“We can watch her movie.” Riley pouts and Regan yawns as she curls in deeper.
“I’m not sure this one is going to make it past the opening credits,” I whisper, and Zoey smiles looking at Regan who is practically sleeping in my arms.
“How about we turn on the Disney channel and watch whatever is on,” Zoey offers. “It’s late and you both played outside all day. I know you’re sleepy and we have Gigi’s birthday partytomorrow. I want the two of you to be rested and happy for the celebration.”
This seems to please them and they both agree before we make our way to the living room.
All four of us find a comfortable spot. Regan crawls up onto my lap and lays her head on my chest. I swear it feels like my heart swells in my chest and I bury my nose in her hair and breathe her in.
I’m woken what feels like a few minutes later from the feeling of Regan being lifted off my lap.
“I got her,” I insist as I start to sit up.
“Are you sure?” Zoey leans back and that’s when I look to the space Riley was.
“I took her up already,” she answers my question without me even asking it.
“Okay. “I scoot forward, standing and lifting Regan with me, while pulling her in closer to my body. Her little arm wraps tightly around my neck.
When I make it to the stairs, I see Zoey slip into the kitchen carrying the empty bowl of popcorn and two cups.
Getting Regan settled in her new bed, I tuck the covers up and around her and double check on Riley, doing the same. After placing a kiss on each of their foreheads, I flip on the nightlight and then the small light above the bathroom sink. I want to make sure they don’t get up in the middle of the night and bump into things. This is the first night for them staying over, and I guess a huge part of me wants it to be perfect for them. I want them to love it here, as much as I love having them here.
Stepping out into the hallway, I gently pull the door almost closed, leaving it slightly cracked.
I can hear the distant sounds of Zoey moving around in the kitchen, and I pause, loving how it feels to know all three of them are here with me.
