Maggie had texted us as we visited at the café last night. The Harper family was officially moving, and we could snag their spot for an infant. But kicker was, they were moving in June.
Grace had taken it in stride. She said we could just deal with the inconvenience of driving to Champaign daily for half a year and had sent a quick message to Kris asking for the spot. She was right—commuting for the spring was a possibility. But I thought I had one that was even better.
Before I could put the pancakes on the griddle, I heard the telltale signs of Mia waking up through the baby monitor. Before I could leave my post, I heard Grace talking to her and assumed they’d be down shortly. I made quick work of making some decaf coffee and fed Baxter. I’d make the pancakes after she fed Mia. A slow start was likely perfect. Hell, if we didn’t want to leave our pajamas, that worked.
As I waited for my family to make it to the kitchen, I wondered what our lives would be like in a few years. Five? Ten? This year Mia wouldn’t even realize it was a holiday. When would that change? We wanted more kids, but who knew when that would happen?
Yesterday Mia and I’d had lunch with my mom before she headed home. She’d reminded me how important it was to soak in every moment. Mom wasn’t overly sentimental, but she’d teared up for a moment before squeezing my hand and saying how she remembered my first Christmas. I knew she was also thinking about my dad.
Having lost a parent at a young age, the notion of treasuring each day had already been part of my DNA, but Mom’s comment had stuck with me the day before. It was likely what inspired me to text Levi that morning.
Grace’s voice through the monitor pulled me away from memories of the past and thoughts of the future. She was telling Mia that Santa would be coming down the chimney tonight. I shook my head with a laugh. Got to start them young, I supposed.
“And Mia, we’re going to watch Mommy’s favorite Christmas movie,” Grace said as she moved into the kitchen. The way her face, and Mia’s, lit up when they saw me was the best gift I’d ever received.
I crossed to them, holding out my arms for Mia as I pressed a quick kiss to Grace’s lips. Stepping back and holding our little peanut to my chest, I gave Gracie a haughty look. “And the best Christmas movie is…”
“Christmas Eve on Sesame Streetof course.”
This was a familiar conversation. “That movie is easily ten years older than you.”
“It was on every year, and with parents that were in education, there were only so many things I was allowed to watch. PBS was always on the approved list.” Grace moved over to the coffee maker as she poured a mug and gave me a look filled with pity. “I’m so sorry that you lived a childhood without having Kermit trying to figure out how Santa was going to get down the chimney, but it is by far the best holiday movie.” She leaned back against the counter, cupping both hands around her coffee mug as she took a sip and waited, knowing what was coming.
I gave her a headshake, my smile wide. We’d had this debate for years. “A Christmas Storyis the ultimate. Your littleSesame Streetshow can’t even compete. How can it when we have leg lamps and the Bumpuses’ dogs?” I whispered loudly to Mia so that Grace would be sure to overhear. “Mia, I will educate you on all good movies. Your mommy isn’t to be trusted here.”
“Hey now, mister. You better watch it,” Grace said, laughter lighting up her eyes. She moved her coffee to her side and hopped up on the counter before picking up the mug again. “So pancakes today?”
I kept my eyes locked on hers, wanting to make sure I didn’t miss anything if she tried to mask any feeling beyond relief and joy. I didn’t think she would, but after we’d made all these gains, I wasn’t chancing anything. “Pancakes. I thought we might celebrate.”
Her brows drew together. “Celebrate? What are we celebrating? Mia’s first Christmas?”
“Or a possible solution to the daycare dilemma?”
She put her mug down and held her hands out for Mia, so I passed her over. “Well, yeah, I’ll admit it is a relief that we can get her into Farm School this summer. Not thrilled about the daily drive, but maybe we can alternate?”
“Or”—I took a step to be between her legs and ran my hands over the crazily patterned pajama pants—“I could switch jobs and work from home part-time, keeping Mia with me until this summer?”
Grace froze, her eyes locking on mine. When she spoke, her voice was barely audible. “I’m sorry, Aidan, what? What would you do?”
“Actually use some of what I studied in college?” I pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Levi has been working in freelance video editing and a little web design for years. In the past few, he’s been turning clients away because he simply can’t do all the work. After talking to him last night, something was nagging at me and I thought of it this morning. I could work for him, part-time for now. We wouldn’t feel the loss of income as much, and we already have benefits through your job, so that’s not an issue. This summer Mia could start at Farm School, and I could move to full time as long as Levi and I both feel like it’s a good fit.”
“And you think Levi will be good with this?”
“I know he will. I texted him this morning to see. I didn’t want to get your hopes up if he didn’t have enough work.”
Grace stared at me, her eyes wide. I didn’t notice any concern, but I struggled to figure out what was there until she burst into tears and collapsed on me, Mia squashed between us as she protested in a baby squeak.
“Babe, you okay?”
“Aidan, this is perfect.” She took a calming breath, then another. Pulling back, I saw her steady herself. “You really want this?”
I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and lowered my face to hers. “Baby, I’m positive. I’d love to stay home with Mia this spring. I can work a few hours a day here and there—when she’s napping, when you’re home.”
“And you won’t miss the sheriff’s department?” Her blue eyes were endless pools of concern, not for what I was suggesting but that I was giving up too much.
“I’m not moving to Mars. I’ll miss the guys, not the job, and they’re still here. And have to say, the hours are an improvement.”
She worried her lower lip under her teeth, seeming to give that some consideration. “So you’ll stay home this spring and then Mia will start Farm School and you’ll work from home.”
