I plugged my phone up, then started with my list once more.
Tomorrow was going to be a great day.
Not only with what we were planning to do but because the kids were going to get to see Lila... and so was I.
***
The moment my alarm blared, I rolled out of bed and stretched.
Muscles popped as I stretched, and I let out a low moan as one in particular finally popped.
It had been aching since I stood there against that fence Thursday night.
But... seeing the smile on my girl’s face every time she looked over and saw us standing there... it had been worth it.
I got up and got dressed.
Then I walked through the house and smiled when I saw both Cole and Madalyn dressed and waiting in the living room.
See, I had started this tradition of sorts years ago.
And the kids had seen the result of our kindness, and now, they count down the days for it.
After we loaded up, Cole called out, “Breakfast at Frannie’s.”
Frannie’s was the diner in Clover Valley, the town that sat between Whispering Falls and Garland.
Madalyn called out, “No. Gushers.”
Cole shrugged, “Fine with me.”
I smirked. “Good. Because that’s where we’re headed.”
I felt both of their eyes on me, but it was Cole who asked, “Why are you smirking?”
I grinned, “Because I invited someone to go with us. And that’s where we’re meeting them.”
Madalyn gasped, “If it’s not Lila, I will literally riot.”
Cole nodded, “What she said.”
I grinned, “Good thing then.”
Cole fist bumped the air, as Madalyn squealed.
I had just parked the truck when I climbed out, and since Madalyn was sitting behind Cole, he got her door for her.
It made my heart feel so fucking proud of both of them when I didn’t have to ask Cole to do it.
Even more so when Madalyn lifted on her tiptoes and kissed Cole’s cheek.
With both of my kids at my side, we made our way into Gushers.
I chuckled at the sight before me.
On the left were the girls, and on the right were the guys.
Madalyn smiled as she headed to sit with the girls, but I caught the back of her shirt and stopped her, “Don’t tell her yet. She doesn’t know.”
