Page 106 of Feels Like Home

“I’m happy.” I smile before dropping my forehead tohers.

“Really?”

“Really. This is a good thing, Christine. Ablessing.”

“I’mnervous.”

I nod my head. “Of course, you are. I am, too. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy about it. Besides, the best things in life don’t come easy. I think God just wanted to shake things up forus.”

29

Andy

“You ready for this?”Christine asks as she places the pan of oatmeal fudge caramel bars on the table. Our way of buttering up thekids.

“No!” I scoff. “The boys might be aware their dad is dating, but now they know all that itentails.”

She laughs. “You think I want Bri knowing? How am I going to convince her that she and Grady shouldn’t be having dorm roomsleepovers?”

I wince. “We’rescrewed.”

“Why are you guys screwed?” Bri asks, walking into the room. I didn’t even hear her come in, but it makes me happy that she’s comfortable enough in my house that she doesn’t knockanymore.

“My baby’s home!” Christine shouts and hugs Bri tightly before she releases her and I give her a small sidehug.

“How was yourdrive?”

“Good. Easy, since Grady drove. I got your text to come here first, though, so my stuff is still all crammed in Grady’scar.”

“He didn’t want to comein?”

“Nah. I think Tess would flip if he didn’t get home as soon aspossible.”

“Ready for abreak?”

“So ready! I know it’s only a long weekend, but it will be nice to not think much for a fewdays.”

“Want a bar?” Christine holds up the pan right in her face, and I winceagain.

It’s obvious she’s suckingup.

“What happened?” Bri asks, lifting a bar and biting off a chunk. She rolls her eyes and groans. “So good,” she mumbles. “You have to make these for me every time you give me a care package at school,okay?”

“Stop talking about leaving again! You just got home!” Christinecries.

I chuckle and pull her into my side, kissing her on thehead.

Bri watches us and smiles softly. “Relax, Mom. At least you have Andy and the boys here foryou.”

“I’m outnumbered by boys! Don’t you feel the least bit sorry forme?”

I roll my eyes and turn to the fridge, grabbing a few bottles of Gatorade and a water when I notice the time on the clock. The boys should be getting home from football practice any minute now. Since we live close to the school, they’re able to walkhome.

Bri settles in at the table, tucking her legs underneathher.

“Head’s up,” I shout before I toss her a water, which she catches quickly with asmile.

“When do the boys gethome?”

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