“Aunt Charley!” The little girl called out.
Charley bent down just in time to catch Sienna as the blonde tornado launched herself at her with enough force to nearly knock her backward. Sienna’s tiny arms wrapped around Charley’s neck.
Laughing softly, Charley gathered her up and settled her on her hip, breathing in the familiar scent of strawberry shampoo and chocolate, most likely from the cupcake Sienna had probably snuck earlier.
“Well, hey there, wild child,” Charley murmured, smiling even as emotion pressed tight against her chest. She was going to miss this kid. “You trying to tackle me before I leave?”
Sienna pulled back just enough to fix her with an offended little look, her round cheeks puffing out. “I am not wild. Mommy says I’m spirited.”
That made Charley laugh for real. “Oh, I see.”
Sienna nodded, her expression serious. She leaned in and whispered, “Daddy says that’s just a nicer word for dramatic. Whatever that means.”
A snort escaped Charley before she could stop it. She hugged Sienna a little tighter, blinking fast as warmth and sadness tangled together inside her. God, she was going to miss this little girl. “Sounds like your mommy knows you pretty well.”
“I know.” Sienna looped her arms around Charley’s shoulders again and lay her cheek against hers. When she spoke this time, her voice turned softer. “I’m really gonna miss you, Aunt Charley.”
Just like that, the laughter faded, and Charley felt the words land straight in the center of her chest. She swallowed hard, smoothing a hand down Sienna’s back. “I’m gonna miss you too, baby girl. So much.”
Sienna lifted her head, her big blue eyes serious in that way only kids could manage, like they knew more than adults gavethem credit for. “Who’s gonna babysit me when Mommy and Daddy go do boring grown-up stuff?”
Charley smiled, though it wobbled around the edges. “I have a feeling your mom and dad will figure something out.”
Sienna frowned. “But it won’t be as fun. You let me have extra sprinkles and chocolate sauce on my ice cream.”
Charley widened her eyes. “Excuse me, I did not.”
“You did too,” Sienna said, with all the confidence of someone presenting hard evidence in court. “And one time you let me stay up past bedtime and watch the mermaid movie.”
“Hey now, that’s our little secret,” Charley playfully whispered.
Sienna giggled, then her little face turned thoughtful again. She touched Charley’s cheek with her tiny hand. “Can you still come see me?”
The question nearly undid her. Charley pressed a kiss to Sienna’s temple and held her close, rocking her gently without even thinking about it. “Yeah, sweetie. I can come see you. Maybe you, your mom, and your dad can come visit me, too. And you can call me anytime you want, okay? Actually, I want regular updates. I’ll talk with your mommy and set up a day to talk every week. How does that sound?”
Sienna’s eyes widened, and she smiled. “Really?”
Charley grinned. “Of course. I want to hear all about school and everything else going on, including all the ridiculous things your daddy has done.”
Sienna gasped dramatically. “Daddy is always ridiculous.”
“True,” Charley whispered, grinning.
“And if you get lonely,” Sienna added, lowering her voice again like she was sharing state secrets, “you can just think about me and how pretty I am.”
Charley laughed through the sting building behind her eyes.
Before Charley could answer, Bailey appeared beside them with that warm, knowing smile of hers.
“I wondered where my child had disappeared to.”
Sienna immediately tightened her grip on Charley’s neck. “Mommy, Aunt Charley said we can talk every week.”
Bailey looked at Sienna and smiled. “I think that is a wonderful idea.” Her gaze then settled on Charley, and her expression softened. “You doing okay?”
Charley nodded, even though the answer sat shaky inside her. “Yeah. Just trying not to steal your daughter and take her with me.”
Sienna perked up. “I could pack a bag.”
