Page 74 of Saving You

“You’re sweet,” she says softly. “Yeah, I can pick her up in an hour.”

The sound of sheets rustling travels through the phone.

“Maybe make that an hour and a half,” she says with a laugh before the phone goes dead.

I head back into the kitchen and turn on the coffeepot. Just as I pour myself a cup, Charlie walks into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. Finn is hot on her heels.

“Good morning, Little Bear,” I say.

“Morning,” she mumbles and walks up to me, wrapping her arms around my legs.

I run my hand over the top of her head. “So, I was thinking about making your mom breakfast in bed and then you and I can spend the day together. Just you and me. How does that sound?”

She looks up at me with a huge grin on her face.

“How do pancakes sound?”

“Yum, pancakes!”

I chuckle.

I quickly open the sliding glass door in the kitchen for Finn before filling his bowl and gathering the ingredients for breakfast. Charlie helps me make the batter and lay the bacon on a baking sheet before I stick it in the oven and get to work on the pancakes. Charlie puts some fruit in a bowl, and I find a tray to take up to Bailey. After loading the tray with the food and a cup of coffee, Charlie and I head upstairs. When I open the door, Bailey’s still peacefully asleep in bed.

Placing the tray on the nightstand, I run my hand through her hair. “Bailey, baby, we made breakfast.”

She mumbles something and snuggles into the bed.

Charlie climbs on behind her. “Mommy, we made pancakes.”

Bailey cracks an eye open and looks at me. I hold up the cup of coffee, and she smiles before sitting up, holding the top sheet to her chest.

“We made breakfast, and Olivia will be here in an hour to pick you up. You two have plans, and Charlie and I have plans today, so eat up.”

She looks at me, confused. I smile and give her a quick kiss before I usher Charlie back downstairs. We sit at the table and eat our breakfast together before I clean up while she plays in the living room. Bailey comes down and joins me in the kitchen while I finish cleaning the counters.

“So, these plans I have with Liv, what’s going on?”

“I thought you could use some time to relax and recharge, so you two are going to the spa. I have plans with Charlie, so all you have to do is take your sexy little ass and go relax. I’ve got dinner covered tonight, too, so you have nothing to worry about.”

She stares at me, not saying anything. I shake the rag out over the sink before refolding it and placing it beside the sink.

“You really organized this for me?” she whispers.

I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her waist. “Of course, baby. Liv should be here soon, so please go with her and relax.” I reach into my jeans pocket and grab my wallet. I pull out my credit card and hand it to her. “Use this to pay for both of you.”

She shakes her head. “No, it’s fine. I don’t need your card.”

“Baby, take it or I’ll just give it to Olivia and make sure she uses it. Go get a massage and have lunch with Liv. Put it all on here. I want to do this for you.”

I can see the reluctance in her eyes, but she knows I will give it to Liv, so she takes it and puts it in her back pocket and thanks me. The doorbell rings, and Charlie goes running towards the door.

“Little Bear, where are you going?” I call after her.

“To see who’s at the door,” she calls as she continues to run.

“You know the rules. Let your mom or I answer the door.”

She stops and turns to me, a sad look on her face, but she nods. I make my way to the front door, and she lifts her arms up as I get close. I pick her up and prop her on my hip as I answer the door.

---