Page 11 of Family Bonds: Alana & Brennan
“What’s she doing?” she whispered.
“You’re going to get an introduction to them all and an equal amount of playtime. But don’t tell her I told you. She’ll want to explain it herself.”
“Aww, that’s so cute. And smart in a way.”
“She’s too smart for her own good.” He turned to his daughter. “Becca, I’m going to talk to Alana for a minute.”
“Okay,” Becca shouted. She hadn’t even turned her head to look at him.
“She can eat once I leave. I don’t expect to be over ninety minutes.” He’d make sure Celia was aware of that. “She goes to bed between seven thirty and eight, so just keep her up and I’ll deal with it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. She’ll be too excited to go down anyway. Then she’s going to want to tell me all about her night with you.”
“Sounds as if you’re a pro at this.”
“It’s not as if I go out much,” he said. He didn’t need her to think he was out playing the field and leaving his daughter with other people to be raised.
“I meant nothing by it,” she said. A slight flush crept up her neck to her cheeks. “Only that you know your daughter well. That’s a nice thing.”
“It’s just been the two of us for the past three years so, yeah, I know her.”
Alana seemed to hesitate. As if she wanted to ask more, but Becca came running in. “Can we eat now?”
“Sure,” he said. “Let me get you in your seat.”
“I can do it, Daddy.”
Becca turned and ran to the table in the dining room. Walking in with Alana behind him, he secured his daughter tightly. “What do you want to drink?”
“Milk.”
Alana was on his heels in the kitchen. He pulled down a cup, showing Alana where they were kept, then got the milk, filled the cup halfway, and put the top on. “If I fill it all the way, she drinks it before she finishes her food and then doesn’t finish her meal. Once she’s halfway through her food, I give her another half a cup.”
“Got it,” she said.
He pulled out one of his daughter’s small plates with Bluey on it, then another for Alana that he ate off of, grabbed a knife and cut the pizza up into small bites for Becca.
“She wants to eat it like I do, but she takes huge bites.”
“I know CPR but would rather not have to use any of those things tonight. Maybe cut them smaller.”
He laughed and did that just to get Alana to smile again. “Good information to have.”
“I think we’re good unless you have more instructions for me. You probably have to leave.”
He looked at his watch. “I do.” Though he’d rather stay here and keep talking to Alana. “I really appreciate this. You’ve got my number, right? Call if there is an issue. Or text a question.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine. I bet we don’t even get through all those toys on the floor.”
“Don’t be so sure,” he said. He walked into the dining room with the plate of food for Becca, Alana behind him with her plate and a slice of pizza. “Help yourself to anything you want to drink or eat.”
Where the hell had his manners gone?
“Thanks,” she said.
Becca was diving into her food. “I’m going to eat two pieces tonight.”
