Hannah winked. “Yes, ma’am.”
After Hannah left for the garage, Janie drove to her office. The day passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and paperwork, all of which she breezed through, feeling more focused and present than she’d been in weeks. She went for lunch with Austin and filled him in on how things were going.
“That’s great news,” he said. “Does that mean you won’t be dropping any more C-bombs on Katherine?”
Janie flushed, embarrassed at the reminder of her behavior that night. “That wasn’t my proudest moment, but it depends on whether she keeps her distance or not. A couple of weeks ago, she made it clear that she’s interested in me. And for some reason, she seems to think it’s reciprocated.”
Austin waved his hand. “Then she’s seriously deluded. It’s always been Hannah for you. Any idiot with eyes can see that.”
Janie laughed lightly. She’d been the idiot who couldn’t see it for herself for a little while, but Austin was right. Her short-lived attraction to him had just been a confusing aspect of her depression, and Hannah was her north star. She had been sincethe moment they connected.
That evening, she pulled up curbside behind Hannah’s car and cut the engine.Home. She could still do this, couldn’t she? They weren’t moving too fast, were they? She drew in a deep, cleansing breath and headed inside, anxious but eager for whatever the night held. After being mobbed by the triplets, she and Hannah made dinner while Carmen kept the girls busy. Just as Carmen left, Tom returned from his new racquetball club, and they ate together.
Bathtime was a challenge Janie had missed. Tia splashed water everywhere, Luna refused to get her hair washed, and Chloe kept trying to drink the bathwater no matter how many times they told her no. By the time all three were clean and in pajamas, Janie and Hannah were soaked, and Janie’s heart could barely contain the joy the evening had created.
“Bedtime stories, Momma.” Tia thrust her favorite book about a boy sparrow toward Janie.
Chloe tugged on Janie’s slouch pants. “Yeah, story!”
After a quick change into dry clothes, they read stories, all five of them curled up on the giant sofa at the far side of the triplets’ bedroom, and one book became three until finally, the girls were settled in their cribs with their various loveys and the nightlights switched on.
Janie and Hannah retreated to their bedroom and collapsed on the bed. “Oh my god,” she said. “I forgot how exhausting they are.”
“Right? And that’s with CarmenandDad helping out. It’s no wonder we were drowning before.” Hannah rolled onto her side to look at her. “You did great today. Did it feel okay?”
Janie sighed deeply, the ability to think returning slowly after a whirlwind few hours. “I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to slip back into the mom routine and that I’d lost my connection with them.”
“You didn’t lose anything. It’s all still there.” Hannah tucked a strand of damp hair behind Janie’s ear. “How are you feeling?For real?”
Janie didn’t respond immediately, something she was working hard on. The instant answer was usually a broad stroke paint brush that covered up the truth of it, and they’d promised each other honesty. She was exhausted, yes. Overwhelmed, a little. But underneath all that... “Happy,” she said. “Tired and happy. Is that weird?”
“Not even a little bit.” Hannah’s smile was soft. “Are you still glad that you came over again?”
“More than,” Janie said. “I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t anxious. I don’t want to rush things, but I so wanted to be home again tonight.” She caressed Hannah’s cheek. “Back in your arms and in our bed.”
Hannah kissed the top of her head. “You’re exactly where you belong.”
Janie closed her eyes for a moment and listened to the steady beating of Hannah’s heart, its rhythmic certainty quieting the rest of the noise in her head. Conscious she could easily drift into the welcome embrace of sleep, she tapped Hannah’s chest. “Your dad’s developing quite the social life.”
Hannah chuckled. “Right? It’s starting to feel like we’ve reversed roles, and he’s just coming home for dinner and to get his laundry done. And, I don’t know, are we supposed to wait up for him tonight? Make sure he gets home okay after a night out with his new buddies?”
“I almost want you to wait on the stairs for him, tapping your watch when he stumbles in, all buzzed.”
Hannah laughed again, the rumbling sound echoing in Janie’s ear. “I talked to him earlier about the tiny house idea.”
Janie scooched around and rested her head on Hannah’s stomach so she could look at her. “What did he say?”
“He loves it.” Hannah traced light circles on Janie’s shoulder. “He’s already researching designs and costs. Apparently, he’s been thinking that he’ll be in the way when you come home for good and wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he likes theidea of having his own space while still being close to the girls.”
Janie pushed Hannah’s tank top up slightly to touch her skin. “He doesn’t want to head back to Florida then?”
Hannah entwined their fingers. “He said that place was killing him, and he’s made some fast friends here.” She frowned. “Do youwanthim to go back to Florida?”
“I want him to go wherever makes him happy.” Janie uncoupled their hands and gently followed the lines on Hannah’s palm. “The girls certainly seem to love having him around, and an extra babysitter so we can have our date nights isdefinitelya good thing.” She kissed Hannah’s stomach, ignoring the twinge of jealousy at Hannah’s relationship with her dad. Tom had always been kind to Janie and like a father to her, but that hadn’t negated her wish for things to be different with her real father. “When would you build it?”
“Spring, probably. Now wouldn’t be a great time to start a big project like this. But that gives us time to plan it, figure out exactly what we want, and get permits.” Hannah shrugged. “He’s also going to look at property in the area in case we can’t get the right permissions.”
“You sound excited.” Janie smiled when Hannah moaned as she dragged her fingernails along Hannah’s forearm. “It seems like you’ve enjoyed having him around.”
