“I’d love one.”
She hops up, moves around the island back to the counter next to the oven, and brings me one over, delivering it with a kiss on my cheek that makes my ears warm, before she falls into her seat and starts in on hers.
We might be all right, maybe even more than all right.
The first snow turns to the second, and as the week progresses, it seems we’ve gotten it early this year, and it has no plans to leave.
Father, Nathan, and Des are at the office, but most of my work can be done remotely at any time, so I decided to enjoy that perk for once and loved every minute of it.
I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much or played in the snow, like really played. Usually, we take Addison out and build a snowman, but Kat wasn’t taking just that. We made a snowman, snow angels, had a snowball fight, and she made little colored bottles for us to write in the snow with.
My cheeks ache as I watch Kat take Addy up for a nap; she was hardly able to keep her eyes open when we were stripping out of our winter gear.
“She’s got energy for days, that one,” Vince says as I make my way into the kitchen for coffee, needing the pick-me-up and the warmth.
I nod because I’m honestly not sure if he’s talking about Kat or Addy, but either way, he’s right.
With my coffee in hand, I head to the living room to do some work now that I have a little while of downtime.
Everything is decked out in so much Christmas decor; it’s even in the bathrooms. I’d love to say it’s too much, but somehow it doesn’t feel that way.
Kat and Addy love it, and apparently, that’s all it takes for the rest of us to suck it up and get on board.
Even Vince seems happier this holiday, and usually, he’s about the equivalent of the damn Grinch.
The house is quiet, and try as I might, I can’t help but watch the clock. Addy doesn’t often nap anymore, and when she does,it’s usually because we’ve done a lot, like today. While Kat was running around a lot, I won’t deny the fact that I’m a little bummed she didn’t come back down.
I’d been looking forward to spending some time with her, even if all we did was sit and enjoy each other's company; it’s so very rare to get alone time in our house.
“Did she say something about napping with Addy?” Vince asks the same question that's been on my mind, and suddenly I can’t sit here anymore.
“No, but she was running around a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if she passed out with her,” I tell him as I move through the room toward the stairs, because it would make sense, but I need to see it with my own eyes.
Our house is safe; we’ve made sure of it, so why is my anxiety suddenly through the roof?
It takes effort to ensure I’m not running as I make my way down the hall toward Addison’s door, which is cracked. I stand for a moment in the hall, attempting to get myself under control before I push the door, letting it swing open enough that I can peek in.
Addison lies on the bed, her hair a mess from sleep and being in a hat. She has a huge stuffy in her arms and looks so peaceful; I find myself jealous.
I can’t remember the last time I slept so peacefully.
To be a child and not understand the way of the world—I wish I could go back to that some days, or at least I used to.
Speaking of, I look around the room and find she isn’t here.
Damn it, Kat.
She’s not up here.
I send off a text to Vince as I make my way into the room and check better just to be sure.
My phone dings with a response as I finish checking the bathroom and closet.
Did you check the cameras?
I don’t bother answering him as I pull up the app to view our surveillance system, swiping through each room.
Damn it, why is this house so big?
