Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
I walked silently out of the bedroom, not wanting to wake up Sandra, and returned to the kitchen.
Kathryn had poured us coffee—mine in a to-go mug—and I thanked her.
“I prepared Adam’s and Callie’s meals,” I let her know. “Everything’s labeled in the fridge. Callie’s decided she doesn’t like oatmeal anymore, so the yogurt is for her. For lunch, there’s chicken soup from last night—and you know, if they protest too much, they still like formula. I usually give them a bottle at night—”
“Darling, breathe.”
Right. I took a breath. She fucking knew this. I didn’t know why I was explaining shit to her.
My stomach was a mess. “I think I’m nervous,” I admitted.
“No shit?” Kathryn could pull off both motherly smiles and less motherly smirks. Hell, I was pretty sure I liked my mother-in-law more than my wife. “Go wake up Casper. I’ll be ready when the twins cry out.”
I didn’t know what I’d do without her.
Or Casper, for that matter. He was so damn easy. He might turn four in a few weeks, but sometimes it felt like he was much older. With minimal fussing, he put on his clothes and expressed he wanted a cat or a dog for his birthday.
He just might get one.
“I say hi to Mommy after day care,” he confirmed firmly. As had become the tragic rule. My heart went out to him—and maybe I spoiled him a little bit because of…everything. But Sandra was making progress. I kept reminding myself that this wasn’t permanent. She took one baby step after another.
“That’s right. She’ll wanna know all about your day when you come home,” I told him.
Soon enough, we were in my SUV heading for MDR. I had nothing to worry about. Kathryn was there for the twins. Sandra could take all the breaks she needed.
Casper and I picked up breakfast on the way, and I thanked the drive-thru gods for speedy service. We couldn’t be late today.
“What toy did you bring for show-and-tell, sweetheart?” I asked in the rearview.
“Mr. Otterus again, cuz Aunt Nikki got him the cool scarf. I wanna show that.”
I smiled to myself. When I’d heard about Nikki picking up knitting, I’d found it funny. Wasn’t that a grandma hobby? Jake’s Grandma Josephine knitted—she’d just sent new hats and mittens for the twins. But apparently it was cool for younger people too.
“Are you flying tonight, Daddy?”
“No, on Tuesday. So after the weekend,” I replied. “You’re gonna have a fun sleepover with Aunt Haley and Aunt Nikki while Uncle Jake and I hopefully win an award or two.”
“And Wussell also? He bring the funny donuts?”
I grinned. Russell was forever gonna be the donut guy now. It wasn’t often he joined us, but he fit in well, I had to admit. “I’m sure he will bring the funny donuts,” I assured. The man had never arrived without a box if the kids were around. Clever approach, obviously. Get introduced to your girlfriend’s kids and bring mini-donuts with cartoons on them.
Casper and I arrived at the office a few minutes till six, and we weren’t the only ones. A sleepy Jake was coming up the sidewalk with two equally sleepy kiddos. Sam was still in her PJs, but her brother was ready for school.
My boy jumped out of the SUV and left the driveway in a rush. “Hi!”
“Hi, Cas!” Sam greeted.
I joined them once I’d grabbed the food and locked up.
A sleepy Jake was a sexy Jake.
“Mornin’, you two.” He ruffled Casper’s hair and sent me a quick smile. “Haley’s on her way. She has our suits.”
Great or whatever. I wasn’t nervous.
“Kids, you can go wash your hands.” I hauled out my keys and opened the door. “Breakfast in the kitchen in two minutes.”
“Okay, we hurry!” Sam yelled, already sprinting down the hall.
Don’t hurry too much.
The second Jake and I were alone in the hallway, we met halfway and kissed hard. We took every opportunity we got.
“Morning, baby,” he whispered.
I sighed with all the longing I had within me. “Morning, love. Three more days.” And then we’d have a couple days just the two of us.
“I can’t fucking wait.” He nipped at my jaw before he stole the breakfast bag and left for the kitchen.
Probably for the best. We didn’t wanna risk anything.
Our breakfast routine went off without a hitch, and Jake and I multitasked while the children ate and rambled about school and day care. Colin and Casper both had October birthdays, so that was obviously a hot topic as well.
Jake was giving Colin his first camera.
By the time Haley arrived, I had prepared everything in the studio—coffee, juice, more breakfast food—and Jake had brought in the newspapers and helped Sam with her clothes for the day.
“Is she here yet?” Haley asked.
“No,” I chuckled. “Heed Nikki’s warning. Don’t act like a fangirl.”
Jake and I were a little better, though even I could admit we’d never had a star like Sophie Wright on our show. The world knew her as Sophie Pierce, A-list actress and Hollywood sweetheart. She was married to Tennyson Wright, an Oscar-winning director.