> “So, how is Paris anyway?” I asked.
I settled back in my chair as she began to gush about how wonderful the city was, from the architecture to the food, and how much she loved the kids she nannied for. But I couldn't tear my mind away from my thoughts about Lexi and Emma.
Yes, I was definitely happy. I couldn't remember how long it had been since I'd been able to say that.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lexi
Emma pouted as I tucked her into bed. “I want to wait up until Daddy gets home,” she said, folding her arms across her chest.
I felt a pang in my heart, seeing her like that. Andrew had a work dinner that he had to attend that evening, so he would be getting home even later than normal. It wasn't as though he was usually part of the routine of putting Emma down to bed, but every once in a while, she pitched a fit and wouldn't close her eyes until either he'd finally come home and poked his head in the door, or I'd read her a couple extra stories.
I did my best to distract her. “Look at the new story that Janice got for you,” I said, holding up the book.
The woman had actually bought the book a few days ago, but I'd been saving it for a night just like this one.
Emma looked interested, but she wasn't about to forget that her daddy wasn't there to tuck her in. I could see from the way her lower lip wobbled that she was still upset.
“Maybe, by the time I finish this story, Daddy will be home to tell you goodnight,” I said, even though I knew I shouldn't.
If Andrew wasn't home by the time we finished the story, she was going to be even more upset. But I'd had a long day with not one, but two, job interviews, in two different parts of the city, and I was exhausted. I'd just have to hope that he would, in fact, make it home.
The story was cute, about a princess and her friendly dragons, and the pictures were funny enough to keep Emma interested and entertained. I sent up a silent thanks to Janice, reminding myself that I would need to thank her in person the next time I saw her.
But at the end of the story, Emma was clearly thinking of her daddy again.
I sighed and gave her a hug. “How are you doing, bug?” I asked her.
I felt bad that I hadn't really asked her that since we'd moved in with Andrew. As much as Misty kept reminding me that Emma probably wasn't going to remember all of this uncertainty when she grew up, I knew that the transition must have affected her. And given that Andrew and I still hadn't sat her down to discuss what was going on, she must be really confused.
I just didn't know what to say to her. Things seemed to be getting more serious with Andrew, but given his history, I wouldn't put it past him to panic and run away from any sort of commitment when presented with it.
“I want Daddy,” Emma said.
“I know you do,” I said softly. “You really like Daddy, huh?”
“Daddy's the bestest,” Emma said. “He's funny.”
“He is,” I agreed. “You like living here, don't you?”
“Uh huh,” Emma said. “JanJan”–that was her nickname for Janice–“and I was playing hide-'n-seek, and she couldn't find me cause the house was so big, and I'm so little!”
I smiled. “It is a big house,” I agreed. “Do you like it?”
“Uh huh!” But then, she frowned. “Are we gonna have to leave again, like we did at Aunt Misty's house?”
I winced. I should have known not to start this conversation, not when I didn't have concrete answers to questions like that. I wanted to promise her that we weren't going to have to leave, and indeed, Andrew had said that he wanted to have us stay for at least a few months while he and I worked things out. But at the same time, things could change, and I didn't want to promise anything when I didn't know exactly how long we were going to be able to stay there. For all I knew, Andrew had only proposed we stay there for a few months because that's how long it would take for him to get us settled into a place in downtown.
I didn't really think that was the case, but it was possible.
Emma, sensing my hesitation, burst into tears. “I don't wanna leave Daddy!” she wailed.
“Oh, honey,” I said, pulling her into my arms and stroking her back. I had known that she was getting attached to Andrew. Of course, she was. Andrew was unfailingly wonderful with her, always listening and attentive, showering her with love and spoiling her with little gifts.
“You're not going to have to leave Daddy.” That, at least, I could promise. Even if we no longer lived here, Andrew loved this little girl, and there was no way he was going to cut her out of his life.
Still, this did nothing to console Emma, who continued to sob against my shoulder.