Page 114 of Fourteen of a Kind

She sighed. “Okay. You go home. You will have your baby back in five.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I hugged her.

I went home, unlocked the sliding door, and unloaded the dishwasher while waiting for Aubrey. The sliding door opened as I put the last dish in the cabinet, and my dad walked in with the baby.

“Apparently, your mom made dinner reservations at some new place that opened up and forgot to tell me,” he said, handing Aubrey over to me.

“Thanks, Dad. Hi, baby girl.” I lifted her up and kissed her.

“You’re welcome. When is Graham coming home?”

“He’ll be home soon. Now, go enjoy your dinner with Mom.”

A couple of hours later, Graham walked through the door and set his bag down.

“How are my favorite girls?” He smiled, kissing me first and then Aubrey.

“We’re good. When I went to pick her up earlier, my dad refused to give her to me. My mom had to step in and say she made reservations for dinner. Can you believe that?”

“Yeah, babe. I do. You know the bond between Aubrey and your dad is extra strong because he delivered her. He brought her into the world.”

“I guess you’re right. I didn’t think about that. Now I feel bad.”

“Don’t feel bad. He’s already seen her every day since she’s been born and will continue to do so for the rest of his life.”

“You’re right.” I sighed.

“But, if you feel really bad, maybe we can take the baby back over there for the night, and we could spend a quiet evening alone, and you can help me study for the licensing exam.”

“A quiet evening alone? Just the two of us?” I asked. “No crying, no feeding, no getting up in the middle of the night?”

“Just us.” He gripped my hips.

“Well, I do feel like I need to make it up to my dad.”

“Of course, you do. You’re a wonderful daughter.” A smirk crossed his lips. “Just let me hold her first before we take her over there.”

“Here. Have daddy/daughter time while I go repack the diaper bag.” I grinned.

After restocking the diaper bag, Graham and I walked to my parents' house. When we opened the front door, my dad was coming down the stairs.

“Ella. Graham,” he said. “There’s my sweet girl.” He took Aubrey from Graham. “What are you two doing here?”

“We came to ask a favor. Can you and Mom watch Aubrey overnight so I can help Graham study for his licensing exam?”

“Ah, that’s right. That’s coming up in a couple of days. You bet we can keep the baby overnight.” He grinned.

“I thought I heard your voices.” My mom walked down the stairs.

“Great news, babe. Ella and Graham need us to keep the baby overnight so Ella can help Graham study for his licensing exam.”

“It would be our pleasure.”

“Okay. Go on. I’m sure you have a lot of studying to do.” My dad practically pushed us out the door.

“Okay. Okay. We’re going.” I leaned over and kissed Aubrey. “Bye, baby girl. Mommy has the day off tomorrow and Grandpa will bring you home bright and early. Right, Dad?”

“We’ll see, sweetheart. Chop. Chop. Study away.” He closed the door.

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