Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
We certainly ring in the new year. I love having her in my arms. I carry her off to bed, laying her down beside me. My poor sleepy woman yawns and then cradles into me. "Rest, my sweet love."
I close my eyes and let sleep take me too.
****
I wake up to my alarm. Reaching over, I hit the off button. It continues to ring, and then my ears perk up. It's not my alarm. It's the phone. I rush downstairs because the damn thing doesn't stop going off. I look at it, and it's John.
"What's going on?" I answer. The sun isn’t even up yet.
"I need a favor. We need to drop off the boys. My mother-in-law and father-in-law got into an accident with some drunk drivers." His voice is shaking.
"Okay. Where are you?" I croak out.
"We're about two minutes away. I'm sorry."
"No. No. Drop the boys off. Shit. Let me know if there's anything you need."
Luckily, I slipped on some pajama pants when we went to bed so I would stay out of Ava. I go to the door and Louisa is still in the truck, crying. Shit. I hope they pull through. "Come on, boys. You get to hang with me today."
"Uncle Toby. I'm hungry,” Greyson says, rubbing his eyes. I can see the sun beginning to rise in the trees across the road, so it’s got to be around five.
"How does pancakes sound?" Ava says from behind me.
"I'll call you later,” John says.
"Be careful. Don't get yourself in an accident rushing to get there."
"Of course. Boys, be good and give me a hug." He looks up at me and shakes his head, pointing to them and mouthing don’t say anything.
"Okay." He rushes out and down the stairs before I can close the door. I pray everything will turn out well.
"Miss Ava, Miss Ava. Are you and Uncle Toby getting married?"
"I don't think so."
"Daddy said that Uncle Toby is a lost cause."
"Is that so?" she asks them and then looks up at me. I shrug my shoulders and turn my hands up. It's the truth.
"Well, how about them pancakes?"
"I love pancakes. So does Uncle Toby. Come on, Miss Ava."
"It's Auntie Ava now, silly," the older one says. These kids are getting a lot of pancakes today. I love the way they're thinking. I can't wait to get a ring on her finger.
I lean against the door jamb with my arms folded and watch them around the island, preparing pancakes. The little one sits on the granite, while the older one uses a chair to stand on while helping mix the batter. It's like picturing our own children with Ava cooking as a happy little family. Her eyes lift up and I give her my best smile. Thankfully, she returns it. This is a spontaneous babysitting gig, and I'm not sure how she feels about it.
"Okay, boys. Thank you for your help. Now, go wash up and I'll get these cooking."
"They follow your every command."
"I have a way with boys," she winks.
I close the distance, sliding around next to her and say, "A way with men too." Stealing a kiss, I love the way she leans up into it. "Thank you for being wonderful. I know this isn't how you planned to spend your day."
"It's no big deal. What happened?"
"Louisa's parents were in an accident last night. They're on the way to the hospital."
"Oh no. I pray that they're going to pull through."
"We're done," the big one cheers, entering the kitchen and pulling out a chair for the little one.
"We only need five more minutes." She's already managed to make four pancakes at once. Now she's using a ladle to scoop out another four.
"Let me get the plates and the syrup out. Who wants to help me? They both jump up. I pull out the kids’ plates I keep stored for them and my nephews when they come over, then their special smaller forks.
"Can I have milk with my pancakes?" Greyson asks.
"Of course. How about you?"
"Me too."
"And you, my dear chef. Would you care for some milk?"
"I would very much care for some coffee."
"Smart woman. I will have coffee and milk today." I head over and pour her a cup from the pot that just finished brewing. I take the plate of pancakes and dish one on each of the boys’ plates and two on ours. We let them do their own syrup, which is a sticky mess, but we want them to be happy and not think about why their mommy was crying.
Shortly everything is set up on the table like nothing is amiss. Once breakfast is over, they insist on helping Ava load the dishwasher. After the mess is cleaned up, I lead the boys into the bathroom to wash their hands and faces. "Alas, there are those handsome faces again. Let's go keep Auntie Ava company so she'll make us food later." I wink at them and they agree, running out to go check on Auntie Ava.