Chapter Thirteen
Both girls had squealed with delight when they say their new room and beds. Skye had run to her bed on the left side of the room and leaped onto it. Luna didn’t have the heart to fuss her for jumping on the mattress. It was a simple joy she hadn’t been afforded as a child, so she lived vicariously through her daughter.
Ten minutes later, Skye had fallen sound asleep in her day clothes as Luna read Mercy a bedtime story. Luna realized it was a good thing they’d been completely exhausted, and that had helped them fall asleep easier in a new environment. She tucked them in and gave them each a kiss goodnight.
She stood at the door and leaned her head on the door frame, watching the rise and fall of Mercy’s chest. Delighted with her fish blanket, she’d taken to her new bed immediately. Across the room, Skye slept under a blanket decorated with princesses and tiaras. Luna would never tire of watching her babies sleep. In those quiet moments she knew she’d gotten something right in her life.
Carl should have returned by now. As she checked her phone for a message from him, a quiet knock sounded against the door. She held her eye to the peephole and saw him.
“Perfect timing,” she said, opening the door. “I was about to call you.”
“I sent you a text.” He lifted the bags in his hands to show her. “They lost our order, and I had to wait for them to make it.”
“At least it’s fresh.”
“I also stopped by the dollar store and picked up paper plates and utensils.” The smell of soy sauce and garlic filled the small apartment as he carried the food into the kitchen. “I couldn’t remember if you’d bought any plates yet, and even if you did, we can throw these away and not worry about washing them.”
A sheepish smile stopped her from giggling nervously. “I bought plates and utensils but forgot about dish soap.”
“Did you get the girls?”
“Yes. They’re asleep already.”
“That was quick.” He pulled containers out of the bag. “Did they like the room?”
“Loved it.” The memory of Skye’s squeal of delight made her smile.
“I’m glad.”
She opened the fridge and pulled out the gallon bottle of spring water. “This is all I have to drink. I should have picked up more. There’s juice, but it’s the toddler kind that’s watered down.”
“Water is fine. I’ve already had two cokes today.”
Her stomach rumbled. “I’ll regret eating heavy food later, but I’m starving, and it smells delicious.”
His eyes danced with amused guilt. “Now’s probably the time to admit I snuck an egg roll on the way here.”
She laughed and grabbed one out of the bag. “I would have done the same.”
“Do I get points for not eating them all?”
“I suppose.” The eggroll crunched when she took a bite. “Mmm. This is amazing.”
“Wait until you try their lo mein. It’s ruined me for eating it anywhere else.” As if to prove his point, he heaped an oversized portion on his plate. “I could make a meal out of this alone.”
“There was a place near my old house that had the best shrimp fried rice. I ate entirely too much of it while pregnant with Skye.” She made a small plate for herself. “I forgot how much I love it. As things got worse with Manny, he wouldn’t even allow for me to eat out. After I left him, I definitely couldn’t afford it. Food as a whole became a luxury.”
Anger pierced Carl’s tense face, then it disappeared. “You’ll never have to worry about that again, I promise.”
She reached across the counter and laid her hand on his. “I know you’re not Manny. It’s taken a lot of counseling and prayer to realize there are good men in this world, and you are one of them.”
His smile filled his face. “Thank you.”
“Should we eat on the couch or floor?”
“Floor,” he said without missing a beat. “I’d hate to drop a bite and dirty your brand-new furniture.”
“I have a one year old and soon-to-be three-year-old. It won’t take long for that to happen.”
