Wes:Why is that news to share?
Sophie:That’s very interesting. Verrrry interesting.
Lincoln:Is that supposed to be surprising?
Wes:Can we not do this?
Maverick:I just think it’s important we’re all aware of the current happenings in our brother’s life.
Lincoln:I think everyone is on the same page about what’s happening in our big brother’s life.
Wes:And what does everyone think is going on in my life? Which is, by the way, none of your ducking business.
Wes:Ducking
Wes:What the duck
Sophie:??
Lincoln:I’m assuming he means how you’ve got it bad for the nanny.
Maverick:^^^ this. Also, it’s too bad, because I gave Chase her number last night.
Sophie:Oh god.
Wes:What?
Lincoln:Ha. Good one.
————
Lilah and I are at our gate waiting for Ivy to join us. We board in fifteen minutes and I’m starting to regret not calling her, or offering to pick her up on the way. I wanted to give her some space after last night since she seemed to be annoyed with me. I didn’t want to push it.
“Where’s Iby, Daddy?” Lilah asks for the seven-hundredth time.
“On her way.” I ruffle her pigtails, trying to appear at ease, but deep down I’m starting to panic a little bit.
I’m about to pull out my phone to call her when I finally see her walking toward us with a small duffel bag slung over her shoulder. I say walking, but really she’s hauling ass, with her bag bouncing against her thigh aggressively. It’s more of a speed walk. An attempt to look like she’s walking even though she’s doing it at a runner's pace.
She finally spots the gate number, then looks down to scan the crowd. She eventually meets my eye, looks down for Lilah, and sighs in relief. She eventually comes to a stop in front of us, breathing erratically, her face glistening with a hint of sweat.
She’s wearing a tight tank top, and even tighter bike shorts with sneakers. Only half of her dark wavy hair is pulled up, and it accentuates every feature on her flawless face. She’s completely void of makeup, freckles more noticeable than when I first met her. She is absolutely breathtaking.
She looks up at me, and that’s when I notice her seafoam green eyes pinched with worry. Her entire body seems tense, and I finally snap out of my lust filled gaze to see the distress written all over her.
“Iby! We have the same shoes! Twins again!” Lilah announces, launching herself at Ivy. I look down and realize they both have shoes in a shade of pink. They’re the same only in the category of color, but I don’t correct her.
Ivy quickly snaps out of it, softening her expression—or at least tries to for my daughter's sake—and wraps Lilah up in her arms.
“We do! Twins! Are you ready to go girly?” Ivy asks, shaking her while they hug. She does this almost every time, and every single time it makes Lilah laugh.
“Yes! So is Burrito!” Lilah replies, holding the dirty looking dragon above her head. I need to wash that thing, but Lilah hates it when I do.
“Good. I’m so excited. I love hotels, you will too, Burrito,” Ivy speaks directly to the dingy toy, making Lilah giggle even more, then slip her hand into Ivy’s.
When Ivy finally gives me her attention, she lets her mask for Lilah fall. The stress is back. I can see it in every feature.
“Hi, sorry. I was going to be here sooner, but I got held up with Rose.”
