Page 39 of Second Chance with the Single Dad Goalie
Mia nods. "I made pancakes with Nana!"
“I did too,” Nico says, bobbing his head excitedly.
“No, you didn’t. You spilled the flour and made a mess.”
Nico pouts. "I didn’t."
“You did.”
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
And just like that, chaos.
They bicker all the way to the living room, where my mom sits, watching with an amused expression. I set them down, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"How was practice?" She asks.
"Brutal," I admit, stretching out my sore arms.
She chuckles. "Good. Keeps you in shape."
The kids are still bickering. I sigh, ruffling Nico’s hair. “All right, all right, no courtroom battle needed.”
We spend the next few minutes settling things - aka bribing them with fruit snacks - before I head upstairs for a quick shower. When I come back down, I’m greeted by another chaotic sight.
My mom.
Covered in…, crayon. Bright, colorful scribbles decorate her forehead, cheeks, eyes, and lips.
Red smudges cover her cheeks, and what looks like a very uneven mustache, aka, lipstick, is drawn across her upper lip.
I stare. “Uh…?”
She lifts a hand. “Before you say anything, I’m being a good grandma.”
I glance at my daughter, who beams proudly. “Doesn’t Nana look pretty?”
Oh, my God.
I press my lips together. “Absolutely stunning.”
My mom glares at me. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
Mia claps excitedly before turning her big, hopeful eyes on me. "Daddy, can I make you pretty?"
I recoil slightly. "Oh, uh…, no, thanks. I’m handsome enough already."
Mia pouts. "But Rachel’s dad lets her make him pretty!"
I scoff. "Well, Rachel’s dad needs the extra help.”
Mia gasps dramatically. “DADDY! That’s so rude!”
“What? It’s true. I, on the other hand, am already at peak handsomeness."
