From the look in her eyes when she smiled, he had to wonder if she was feeling the same way — that she wouldn't be getting much sleep either.
But even if that were the case, it wasn't as though they could sit here and talk all night.The girls were upstairs asleep.They needed to get up and get ready for school in the morning.
He frowned — and Harper would have to do everything that he usually did to get them out the door.
"You sure you're okay?"she asked.
"Yeah, I'm good.Just starting to strategize in advance about the morning — getting the girls ready.You know."
She raised her eyebrows."That's what I'm here for.I'm sure we can get it figured out between us."Her smile faded."Oh, but wait, I'm not going to try and take over if that's what you're worried about.I...I'll do it however you want me to.I'll follow your routine, if you have one.Let me know what you want, okay?"
He smiled."Thanks, Harper, but I don't think I'm that bad.As long as we get them out the door on time to catch the bus—and they have what they need with them—it'll all be good.Doesn't really matter how we get there."
She raised her eyebrows."Are you sure about that?"
He chuckled."I think so.But maybe we should reassess after they're on their way."
"We probably should.How about we call tomorrow a test run?See how it goes.And then we'll adjust from there."
"Sounds like a plan to me."
"Okay.Good night then, Emmett."
"Good night, Harper."
He lay there listening for the sounds of her going back upstairs but couldn't hear a thing — not even with his eyes closed.It was only when she reached the creaky floorboard that he realized she'd stepped inside his bedroom.
There was no way around that one particular floorboard.He knew that for a fact.Even he had trouble taking a long enough stride to get over it without making a noise.
But it wasn't the thought of the creaky floorboard that kept his mind busy for the next little while—it was the thought of Harper sleeping in his bed.
~ ~ ~
"Love you, Dad."Tanya ran back into the living room and leaned over the back of the sofa to kiss the top of Emmett's head."You take it easy today, okay?And we'll see you later."
Harper’s hand came up to cover her heart as she watched Emmett reach up and grasp Tanya's shoulder."I promise I'll be good.You do the same, Button.Have a good day at school, learn as much as you can, and stay out of mischief, all right?"
"I'll do my best, Dad."
"Come on," said Alana, who was standing by the door."We need to get going.We don't want to miss the bus."
Harper checked her watch.They had at least ten minutes to spare, but Alana was in a hurry.Emmett had joked last night that Alana was the reason they sometimes missed the bus because she was too busy putting on her makeup and getting ready.
Harper didn't think he realized how hard his words landed on his eldest daughter.Not even when she'd joined in on Alana's side, saying that a girl had to get her makeup right.
This morning, it seemed that Alana was trying to make sure everything ran smoothly.Harper had heard her alarm go off at 6:15, and when she'd come downstairs, her makeup was done and she looked all ready to go — before Tanya was even up.
"You're not giving me a hug before you go, Sprout?"Emmett asked.
Alana rolled her eyes at him as she came back into the room."Of course I am, Dad.I wasn't going to go without hugging you."She shot a quick glance at Harper."But you don't need to call me that anymore."
Harper's heart fell at the flash of disappointment that crossed Emmett's face before he smiled and said, "Yeah, right, sorry.I forgot.You're grown up and past all of that now, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
Harper felt for both of them.Alana was trying to walk the line between becoming her own person — her own woman — and not losing the bond that she shared with her dad.Emmett was trying to give her freedom without necessarily understanding just how much she still needed to be his little girl.
Harper cleared her throat.What did she know?She'd never been a mom.She was probably just projecting her own crap onto them.
