She didn't need them weighing her down or squeezing the air out of her.
"We need to be careful that we're not pressuring her to the point where she runs away from us."
Nick smiled at his daughter and lifted a hand to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. "You're growing up, Katydid. I just wish I'd done a better job. I never really did understand how to fill in the gap where your mom used to be."
He blinked back hot, frustrated tears and struggled to hold himself together.
He just hoped that he could keep his shit together until he dropped her off at the curb in front of her school.
"Okay." He cleared his throat as he stood up. "It's time to get in the car or we're not going to even have time for the drive thru."
He reached for the front doorknob and pulled the front door open.
"Dad?"
He turned back and smiled at his not-so-little girl. "Yeah, sweetie?"
Katy launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She touched her chin to his chest and beamed up at him. "You don't need to fill in any gaps in my life. I had you and I remembered how much mom loved us. We had some really tough times after she... After she was gone, but that was a few years ago. It's not ever going to be okay that Mom's gone. But, knowing how hard you tried is the best thing ever! I think we're doing great now, right?"
Nick hugged her back and leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. "You're the best thing ever, Katie. Now... I'm starving. What do you say to SONIC for breakfast?"
She rolled her eyes. "What do I say to SONIC every time you ask me?"
Nick nudged her out the door. "Get in the car and I'll get you a shake, too."
"Sweet!" She practically jumped out the door.
His heart jumped after her.
RUTH
Ruth collapsed on her couch and sighed, tipping her head back to stare at the ceiling. Her whole body ached, but she had more to do before she could fall asleep.
Like take a bath.
For a moment she considered lifting up an arm and taking a sniff, but she was sure it wouldn't be pretty if she did.
She'd been on her feet for more than twelve hours and just moments before she'd flopped down on the couch her legs had been shaking.
Ruth liked to keep track of how many dozens of cookies she made over her career of baking, but she didn't even want to look at the numbers for the last twelve hours.
Not because she thought it would be lacking, but because she was worried that she might faint from the number alone.
Her phone on the cushion beside her came to life and she heard the soft chime of an incoming message.
As much as she wanted to ignore it, part of her, the depths of her heart, hoped that it might be from the house next door.
For them, she might even find the strength to get up and walk.
Maybe.
With her eyes only partially open, she managed to read the screen.
SANTA:
She smiled remembering the look on Nick's face when he saw how she'd changed his name in her phone.
SANTA: Are you hungry?
