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Zoey made a face. “Don’t really eat it! It’s just pretend.”
“Now you tell me,” he teased, reaching out his other hand to tickle her. She giggled.
“You know what’s even more fun to do with mud cupcakes?” Bently asked.
Zoey shook her head.
“This,” Bently said before he raised the clump of sludge and sent it flying towards Belle.
Speckles of mud pelted her chest and splattered across her face as she gasped.
“What—oh you’re going to get it, mister!” Belle dove for a handful and sent it flying in his direction as he dodged and weaved.
Zoey giggled, grabbing two globs, and joined the chase.
“Let’s get him, Zoey!” Belle tackled Bently to the ground, rubbing her handful across his forehead as he smeared some over hers. She was out of breath from laughing so hard. Tiny clumps pelted them from the side as Zoey joined in.
“Do you surrender?” Belle asked.
Bently chuckled. “Only to you. Only ever to you.” He slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her as energy crackled between them.
“You’re lucky I love you.”
“I sure am.” He smirked.
She turned her head, checking on Zoey who’d gone quiet. Too quiet.
“Time to wash it off!” Zoey yelled as she aimed the hose at them.
Belle gasped as she was flipped to the ground, Bently hovering above her taking the brunt of the ice-cold spray of water as it dripped onto her. “Ahhh! Zoey! It’s too cold. Shut it off!”
The shower from the hose stopped as Bently got to his feet and reached out to help her up.
She examined her clothes—wet and muddy. Belle glanced at the two of them, Bently was even worse off than her. “Look at us.”
They all burst into laughter until her stomach ached. She sucked in a breath and tipped her head towards the spring sunlight. Joy overflowed. Some days were still hard. She’d always miss her brother. But the winter made the spring that much more special. She’d cherish each day. She’d laugh, she’d love hard and embrace life, living for the both of them.
“We better get you cleaned up before your mommy gets here to get you,” Belle said, holding out her hand to the little girl.
***
After they’d showered and changed, Belle put a plate of fruit and veggies on the table. Zoey’s little fingers grabbed a cucumber first, chewing on all the edges before plopping the middle in her mouth. “Mommy made sandcastles with me after we had ice cream for bre-fast.”
“You had dessert for breakfast?” Belle’s eyes widened as she smiled.
“Mommy said Mother’s Day is a special cajun.” Zoey grabbed another veggie and chomped her little teeth into it.
“Your mommy is right. It is a special occasion.”
Bently set a cup of coffee in front of her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Angel.” He winked at her.
His phone rang on the counter. He picked it up, glancing at the screen before answering with the speakerphone. “Hey, Jaz, you on your way?”
“Uh, no, actually. I need you to keep Zoey overnight.”
