“Course you did, sweetheart. You’re smart like that. It’s nothing bad, I promise. But it’s a big thing.”
Marlie pushed her cookies away and tugged on her hair. “Big?”
“Yep!” I smiled brightly. “Mom and I have talked, and we decided the best thing would be for you guys and me to move to New York. We’ll live at Black Dog Inn and be super close to Uncle Charlie. How’s that sound?”
All three kids froze, then Tristan’s mouth dropped open, showing off the remnants of Oreo still on his tongue.
“For real life?”
I nodded solemnly at my five-year-old son. “For real life.”
Tristan’s joy could probably be heard down the block, with how loud he screamed “yay.” I couldn’t help but laugh at that, but he was only one of three, and I knew my girls were more reserved. Knowing Harper would understand, I focused on Marlie first, who was still tugging on her hair.
“Whatcha thinkin’, baby girl?”
Marlie shrugged and stared at me with wide eyes. “What about my friends?”
I reached across the table and she took my hand. “I know it’s a big change. And I know you’ll miss your friends. But you can talk to them on the app and I know you’ll make new ones. Lots of friends are better, don’t you think?”
I wasn’t about to tell her that she was only eight, and that most likely, her current friendships would fade with the distance, and new ones established. That was too much for right now. Marlie considered this for a long moment, and eventually, she let go of my hand, gave a single nod. She was still tugging her hair, but it was gentler now, and she went back to eating her snack, so I knew she was all right. Only then did I turn to Harper, who was studying me with her far too knowing eyes.
“How about you, Harper Charlotte?” I kept my voice low.
She rolled her eyes at the name but smiled a little too. “Why?”
She didn’t have to elaborate. And I always tried to be honest with my kids, according to their age level. Harper was eleven and understood things far beyond her years, so I gave her the bare facts. “A couple of big reasons. We’ll be a lot closer to Mom, so it’ll be a lot easier to see her. And I want us to be really close to Uncle Charlie, because after you guys, he’s my favorite person in the world.”
Harper giggled a little at that. “Even before Mom?”
I laughed too. “Well, they can tie.” He was, but only because he was my brother and that trumped ex-wife, mother of my children, and best friend. But only by a bit. I scooted a little closer. “It’s a great town with a lot of people who already think you guys are awesome. I can’t ask for better than that, you know?”
Harper studied me for another second, then leaned in for a hug. While I was squeezing her tightly, she whispered in my ear, “And far away from Grandma?”
Damn. I knew she understood, but I hated to think of the trauma that my mother had caused my children. I’d have to keep an eye on things and get them into counseling if they needed it. But I was really hoping the move and being surrounded by love would be enough.
“Yeah, sweetheart. That too.”
Tristan, proving that he was not quite out of the toddler stage where he heard everything you didn’t want him to hear, shouted, “Grams is waaaaay better than Grandma.”
Harper giggled as she pulled away, and I pecked a kiss on her head.
“Yeah.” That was all the acknowledgement I was going to give that statement. “Okay, kids. Finish up. We have a lot to get done in the next couple of weeks. Because I haven’t even told you the best part.”
“What?” Marlie and Tristan both shouted.
“We’re going to be there in time for Christmas!” Then anticipating the next question, I shot Tristan a look. “Santa will know where to find us.”
The cheers from all three were deafening, but I was just as excited, so I didn’t bother to try to quiet them down.
Chapter 4
Oak
Iwaved wildly at the three little faces I could see on the screen of Charlie’s phone.
“Hi, guys!”
“Hi, Oak!” they managed to almost harmonize.
