Page 74 of The Last Thing
She smiles wickedly. “You. Every day of our lives.”
“That just proves you’re a bad listener.”
“So, are you going to introduce them?”
“I’m going to ask Wilson to go with me to see them next weekend. Sophia doesn’t know yet, so that’s complicated. And… I was hoping maybe you’d be willing to stay with her or have her up here while we’re gone. I figured you’re sort of like her aunt-ish person now and you two should know each other better.”
Frannie puts her hands to her heart. “Hal, I’d love to. She’s a sweetheart, and of course I want to be a part of her life.”
“Thanks,” I say, but it comes out a little too high.
Frannie’s smile grows again. “You’re falling for him.”
I stare at her for a moment, but saying anything other than yes would be a lie. So I do what any girl does when their sister is being annoying. I stick my tongue out at her.
“I hate you.”
“You love me,” she sings.
“Whatever.”
She laughs and we fall into an easy conversation.
But my mind keeps wandering to what I told my parents today, then back to Wilson.
I want him to be mine, but I also know… I don’t get to keep him. And setting myself up for that kind of heartbreak… that’s not something I want to do.
But at this point, it might be too late.
I clapmy hands as Sophia does a beautiful pirouette to finish up dance practice.
She runs over to me and throws her arms around me, and I hug her back. It’s probably a bad thing that I’m thinking of her as mine.
I’ve always loved the kids I’ve nannied for, but this is different. This love is different. Maybe it’s because I’m growing a baby right now or because the bond between us was instantaneous. I don’t know. But there’s something more maternal in there. A deep, protective love that’s bigger than anything I’ve felt for a child I’ve nannied for.
They weren’t mine.
Technically, Sophia isn’t either. But she feels like she is.
When she breaks our hug, she looks over at Maria, who waves at her, then back up at me.
“Can Maria and me have a sleepover on Friday?”
I rest my hands on her shoulders and look at her sweet face and big puppy dog eyes.
“That’s up to your dad, but if he says yes, I promise I’ll come over and do your hair and nails… and whatever else you want.”
“Thank you!”
“Of course. Let’s go.”
She and Maria boisterously say goodbye to each other, and we head out to my Wrangler.
Though it’s not ideal, I’m thinking about asking Gran for a little loan to get a new-to-me car. She has more money than she’ll ever need and she likes to help us all out if we need it. Sincemy parents and Kennedy’s parents are well enough off, Kennedy is settled with Devon, and Frannie is dating a pro quarterback, they don’t have much need for that money. While we do have a couple of other cousins scattered around from our other uncle, they’re a little older and settled in their lives.
I’m the baby. The chaotic one. The one who got knocked up by the guy who made me come on a Ferris wheel. Whose daughter I’m now nannying for.
Chaos is exactly right.
