She crosses her arms over her chest with a pout. “Elsa never brushes her teeth.”
“Sure, she does. They just cut that out of the movie. You wouldn’t watch a movie that showed everyone brushing their teeth every time they eat! That would be boring. Fairy princesses do boring stuff, too. Hollywood just deletes that part.”
Her eyes widen, and her jaw drops. “Even Elsa?”
“Even Elsa.”
After a few minutes of dubious contemplation, she sets her jaw and gives a stern nod. “Right. If Elsa brushes her teeth, then I’ma brush my teeth extra good.”
I quickly add a note to bring up Elsa if Hailey balks at brushing her teeth while I’m gone.
One more day of Daddy-daughter time before I have to leave my little girl for the first time since Lisa died.
Chapter 13
Iris
I fully expect Micah to spend all of Sunday bonding with Hailey before his trip, then drop her off Monday morning. Imagine my surprise when he shows up at my door Sunday morning with breakfast—takeout this time—in hand.
“Hey! Not cooking today?”
He chuckles at me. “Nah. I’ve already prepped the next few days’ meals for you guys, and the kitchen is clean. I figured I’d leave it clean at least until you get your hands on it.” He winks and kisses my cheek. “That, and I’m exhausted. Better to go out and buy some food for this morning’s meal.”
“Where’s Hailey?”
“She’s home. I came over to invite you to eat with us over there.”
“Are you sure you want me intruding on your last day with her before you leave?”
Micah takes my hand and tugs, drawing me out the door. “Come on. The best way to give you all the instructions for while you stay at my place is to do it at my place. I don’t want to just leave you with Hailey tomorrow morning without you knowing what’s what.”
“How many instructions are there, exactly?”
He pulls a folded-up notebook out of his back pocket with his other hand. “A few.”
The butterflies that had been assaulting my stomach at the thought of the next few days turn into a flock of pigeons in Trafalgar Square that just got startled by some tourists. Nothing in there but a flapping, fluttering mess.
Micah’s arm slides around me, the bag of food bumping against my hip. “Come on. Don’t pass out on me. It’s not as bad as it looks. We’ll spend the day over there together, and you’ll get the hang of it all in no time. And the most important part is that I’ll be here all day with you, so you can see how our routine goes with me here.”
That provides some little bit of comfort, and the pigeons quiet down.
“I haven’t packed my work equipment and my bag yet. Will I get time to do that today?”
“Oh, sure. I figured you could do that while Hailey takes her afternoon nap. Then you can come back over maybe, and stay …” His voice trails off, and he looks at me with one brow raised. “You know. For the night.”
Oh! “That won’t interfere with you getting up for the airport on time?”
The hand on my hip slides around to cup my ass, and a surge of heat flows through me as he gives me a squeeze.
“I’ll wind up with jetlag, anyway. Might as well make it fun to get.”
Hailey’s waiting for us at the door when we get there, and she bounces on the balls of her feet in excitement when she sees me.
“Miss Iris! Daddy says you’re gonna stay for a sleepover.”
I squat down to her level. “Yep. I’m gonna be here with you for a few nights, actually, while your daddy goes away on business. Are you okay with that?”
“Uh huh.” She takes my hand. “C’mon. After brefkiss I’m gonna braid your hair.”
