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“In your dreams,” Carly says.
I laugh. “She likes you both equally.”
Both kids laugh at that. Carly says, “Only an adult would say that and probably only a parent.”
“And it’s still a lie even when parents say it,” Caleb adds.
“You guys aren’t worried about anything? There’s nothing you want to talk about?”
“I can pitch a fit if you want,” Carly says. “I need the practice for when a future boyfriend dares to refuse any of my whims.”
I laugh and then Caleb adds, “And I need the practice ignoring a future girlfriend who pitches a fit because I refuse her whims.”
I laugh again and shake my head. “You know, you two are good kids.”
“So, is he going to put a ring on your finger?” Carly asks.
I blush a little and ask, “How would you feel about that?”
“I think we just had that whole conversation, Mom,” Caleb says. “Are you going to ask if we’re okay with him being a shifter now?”
“Yeah,” Carly adds, “you should probably ask if we’re okay with that or if we’re backward bigots who can’t handle it.”
“My God,” I say, “when did you guys grow up and become so… uh, good.”
“Enjoy it while you can, Mom,” Caleb says, “I have big plans for being a total jerk when I’m a teenager.”
“You’re already a total jerk,” Carly says, “You’re already a teenager too, but yeah, I plan to also be a terror when I turn thirteen.”
I shake my head and whistle. “Well,” I say, “you two have done a great job making me feel like you’re the parents and I’m the kid.”
“Level complete!” Caleb says. Carly groans at that and says, “So when is this move planned?”
“I’ll talk to Raymond about it tonight.”
A few minutes later, Raymond drops off Angel. The kids head off to school I sit with Angel for most of the morning, coloring and helping her learn the alphabet. When I put her down for a nap, I feel good. No, that’s a lie. I feel far better than good. I feel damned amazing. It’s just after eleven and I decide to spend a few hours packing. By the time Angel wakes, there are a few dozen chocolate chip cookies on a big platter, and I have her help me make a pan of brownies after that.
While the brownies cool, I negotiate Angel down from as many cookies as she wants to only two with lunch. I have her help me make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and I think about how I already think of her as another daughter. I guess it’s been that way for a few months now.
After lunch, I set Angel up with a cartoon while I clean the kitchen. I finish just before two o’clock and have just enough time to change into clean clothes when Raymond arrives home from work.
“Hey, sexy cat,” I say as I kiss him hello.
His nose wrinkles. “Sexy cat. Who started that nickname?”
I giggle, “Well, unless you have some other single mother on the side, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who could start it.”
He laughs. “Well, can I convince you to end it?”
“Nope!” I stand on tiptoes and kiss his nose. “You’re my sexy cat. Deal with it.”
He rolls his eyes but smiles and when I squeeze him in a bear hug, he sighs and says, “I guess so. But only for you.”
“Better be,” I say.
I call Julia and when she arrives, Raymond and I head to his place to plan the move. The original plan is to look through the house and talk about where we can put our stuff when we move into Raymond’s house as well as finalize sleeping arrangements and make plans to buy anything we decide not to move next door.
That’s the plan, at least.
